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.
Choate-Gerichten-Peterson Block a.k.a. Ingersoll Tutton Mercantile Building 1894 818-836 5th Avenue Architect – Joseph Falkenham Architectural Style – Romanesque Revival Even after the boom building years of the 1880s, several of the structures along 5th Avenue were still relatively unadorned wooden buildings. After 5th Avenue was paved in 1888, many investors then turned their attention […]
Ingle Building/Golden Lion 1906 NE Corner of Fourth and F St. Architect – Joseph Falkenham Architectural Style -Modern with Victorian Elements After Alonzo Horton made his propitious buy of the land that was to become modern day San Diego, he immediately returned to San Francisco to drum up interest in his new venture. In order […]
Although the architect is unknown, the architecture is unique in the Gaslamp, as it is the only building sporting French Provincial characteristics.