Prior to 1904 , the property between 643 and 651 Fifth Avenue was nothing more than a series of small wooden buildings housing a shoemaker, a jeweler and a cigar and cigarette merchant. In 1904, George J. Chambers , father of famed Olympic swimmer Florence Chambers, purchased the property from L.G. Pratt for the unlikely sum […]
Casa De Tomás, 1930 Architect: D.S. Calland Casa de Tomás Addition, 1930 Style: Spanish/Oriental 500-520 4th Avenue The property located on the NW corner of 4th and Island […]
Although they were built only a year apart, the Nanking Cafe and the Manilla Cafe have very little in common. However, they both displayed the growing ethnic diversity prevalent in the Gaslamp Quarter in the early 20th century, and which continues today. They also both used local materials in their respective construction, illustrating the growing […]
The McGurck Block Building, popularly known as the Ferris and Ferris Drugstore Building, was built on the northeast corner of 5th and Market in 1887. Although the original owner, Col. Edward McGurck, acquired the property in 1876 for $50, he elected not to develop it until several years later. John T. Burkett, architect, designed […]
In 1869, Begole constructed a one-story brick building for his stove, hardware, plumbing and tin business. It is the oldest documented brick structure in the Gaslamp.
For a look at what turn of the century elegant shopping involved, one can still enjoy a glimpse of yesteryear at the Marston Building.
The Onyx Hotel Building 1910 852 Fifth Avenue Architect: Unknown Architectural Style: Modern Commercial This property, like all others, was originally owned by Alonzo Horton. In 1868, he sold the lot to another notable early San Diegan – Capt. Samuel S. Dunnells – for $500 in gold coin. Capt. Dunnells is credited to have […]
The Combination Store
1880
621-625 5th Avenue
Architect – Unknown
Architectural Style – Victorian Commercial Storefront
Many wonder just exactly what a Labor Temple is. It is defined as an organization created for the purpose of improving conditions for those who work, including agricultural, educational, instructive and also, unions. The building is their “temple,” or meeting place. Throughout its long tenure, the Gaslamp’s Labor Temple Building has housed many of these, including unions for bartenders, cigar makers, theatrical employees , hod carriers and the Women Union Labor Leagues.
What do all of these buildings have in common? They are all still hotels, but now they provide low-cost homes for San Diegans on fixed incomes. They may be forgotten, and not the original tourist attractions they once were, but they are still providing people a much needed commodity in our town – affordable housing.