The Chinese, the earliest permanent Asian culture to occupy New Town San Diego, brought with them the ancient celebration of the Chinese lunar New Year and the Chinese inspired architecture expressed throughout the Gaslamp.
When strolling in the Gaslamp, many are awestruck by the architecture and beauty of some of the buildings, while other buildings barely warrant a nod. In fact, many might wonder why they are even designated as historic. Never judge a book by its cover – some of these plain nondescript structures have very interesting stories to tell. One such building is the plain, one-story building just off 5th and Market called the Montijo.
Celebrate the holidays by taking our new Self-Guided Victorian Christmas Tour! The halls are decked from top to bottom. Explore the Victorian Christmas Traditions that have taken over each room of the House. Special booklet and online activities included in each tour! Join us Thursday-Saturday 10-4pm Book a private tour Tuesday and Wednesday 10-4pm
The Lowenstein Building 1887 544 5th Avenue Architectural Style: Early Commercial Architect: Unknown Although Alonzo Horton initially sold the lot on which the Lowenstein building is located to Archibald H. Julian, it didn’t take long for Mr. Julian to transfer title to Willard Lowenstein, Tobias Czerinsky and J. Richfalsy. Lowenstein was a member of a […]
In honor of Veterans Day, join us on Wednesday, November 10th at 7 pm for a virtual tour of one of the most unique Veterans Memorials in America.
Take our newly updated Self-Guided tour: The Davis-Horton House, Haunting Stories! Just in time for Halloween. Visitor and staff encounters with the paranormal abound both day and night; lights are known to turn on after hours, electronics batteries drain faster within its walls, footsteps creak in empty rooms, and rocking chairs are used […]
Nineteenth century Victorians had some very strange, to our eyes, norms. They included unusual occupations, such as leech collectors, and peculiar and, in many cases poisonous, beauty rituals, including cosmetics containing arsenic, for one. Their style of architecture with its myriad hidden creaky staircases, turrets, secret rooms, underground tunnels and dark corners certainly mirrored our […]
Halloween is an especially spooky time at the oldest house in the Gaslamp Quarter ! Join us for all of our festivities!
The owner of the structure was Louis Fritz, a German immigrant who was, additionally, one of the founders of the Golden Lion Cafe, a very popular restaurant and saloon on 4th Avenue.
Although the Dunham Building, a very utilitarian edifice , has a somewhat uninspiring facade, it is associated with many of San Diego’s early “movers and shakers” in business and real estate.