Blochman Bank Building (1905) 635 Fifth Avenue Architect: Unknown Builder : W.Y. Wentz Architectural Style : late Victorian/Commercial Inflation ,the cost of living and the cost of housing is skyrocketing these days, and it is now more expensive to live in San Diego than in San Francisco! […]
National City and Otay Railroad Depot 1896 5th, 6th & L Streets Architect: William Sterling Hebbard Architectural Style: Mission Revival On December 26, 1886, the San Diego Land and Town Company, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railroad, formed the National City and Otay Rail-way. This company was incorporated to design and market the railroad’s […]
Stop by the Gaslamp Museum for a unique historically inspired performance! Veteran actors Debbie Watts and Tom Dolan will portray John and Lillie Spreckels and present impromptu monologues centering on the first Coronado Flower Show in 1922. Debbie Watts and Tom Dolan wrote and staged the play ‘The Diaries of John and Lillie Spreckels’ which […]
The Brown Building (1886) SE Corner of 5th and Market St Architect: Unknown Architectural Style: Victorian/Modern After the original sale of Lots A & B of Block 83 by Alonzo Horton to Charles Louis of San Jose, the properties changed hands many times be-fore becoming what is now known as the Brown Block. Ultimately, it […]
Determined, intelligent and resourceful, these ladies were a vital part of rapidly developing early San Diego.
Did you know that San Diego was once the tuna capital of the world? The Shelter Island neighborhood of San Diego was called Tunaville and it was home to many Portuguese immigrants who helped the neighborhood thrive. Learn about Portuguese culture, their influence in San Diego, and the history of our old tuna industry! A […]
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 […]