Those entering Balboa Park from Bankers Hill might notice this beautiful old house at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street. During my walks I’ve often wondered about it.
After doing a little research, I discovered it’s called the William Clayton House. It was designed in 1907 by San Diego’s first female architect, Hazel Wood Waterman.
Hazel Wood Waterman got her start as one of renowned architect Irving J. Gill’s two chief draftspeople. With a particular love for the Arts and Crafts style, she would eventually design a number of houses and buildings around San Diego. Her most famous work was the 1910 restoration of the Casa de Estudillo in Old Town, a commission that came from John D. Spreckels.
You can learn more about Hazel Wood Waterman here.
The William Clayton House barely avoided demolition almost thirty years ago. You can read about that here. Today it is San Diego Historic Landmark #270 and location of the Vista Balboa Crisis Center.
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I was sent to that house in December 2021. There is a gorgeous Koi pond in the back. And a famous actor of the 40’s and 50’s was married there. While I was there it was called Vista Balboa.
One of many crisis homes in San Diego. Being there was an honor. I could not believe I was being treated in such a beautiful home.
There are small studio apartments that were built during WWII and they housed soldiers in the attic. I was sad I never got to go up there. So technically it’s a 3 story house. Although they don’t use that space, and if I remember correctly. It still looks the way it did in WWII.
There are 9 or 10 bedrooms, on the second floor, and no master bedroom. At least I don’t remember seeing one. I tried to explore as much as I could with out getting in trouble.
All the rooms were slightly different in design. As the architect designed it that way. I had the back room that was at the end of the top of the stairs, to the left that faced the back of the house. The top of the stairs wraps around into a “U” shape, so if you make a left you will be in front of the walk-in laundry room which is the middle window of the house that faces the street.
My room had a huge tree that took up the entire window view, so I went outside to climb it. Being a gymnast. And seeing such a beautiful tree. I could not help myself. I was told to get down immediately. As I was told it was a liability. You could feel the trees energy. He was probably there before they built the house.
I was enthralled by the house. I would walk around, pressing my hands against the walls, stair railing, anything I could touch. I could feel the houses energy. It wasn’t alive. But it certainly wasn’t sleeping, it has stories it wants to share.There are also pictures and hand drawn art of the house. In picture frames through out the house. So you can see the original paint and design. Not much was changed, but it did get a bit of an upgrade. More like repairs to keep the house in it’s original state.
They would take us every day for a walk to Balboa Park as part of our therapy. I am grateful I had the opportunity to be inside part of San Diego’s History. Clark Gable was married at the house. I had a counselor who saw how in love I was with the house. She would take me around give me tours and tell me bits and pieces of the house’s history.
Even though it was a dark time for me. This house made me feel at home for the short stay it allowed me to be there. Thank you for your post. I had forgotten the name and was searching for specifics about the house that I could remember. Your blog post was the first to pop up. Hope I was able to give you a few new facts you didn’t know before.
Cheers,
BG
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Really great comment and information! Thank you!
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