The property is located in a live oak grove on the banks of Santiago Creek in Modjeska Canyon, California.

Modjeska came to America with her husband Count Karol Bozenta Chłapowski in 1876 from Poland, and created a retreat for when she was not performing on stage.

They named it "Arden" after the forest setting of Shakespeare's play As You Like It and planted gardens with olive trees, palms, English yews, white lilac, and crown of thorns.

[5] In 1923, the Walker family of Long Beach purchased parcels of land in the canyon that included the Modjeska house and its surrounding wooded area.

[2] In 1986, the Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks Authority purchased the 14.4-acre property for $1 million[7] and established it as a historical site.