Tag: architecture

Villa Montezuma house in Sherman Heights.

Villa Montezuma is a Queen Anne Victorian mansion.
The historical Villa Montezuma is a Queen Anne Victorian mansion.

Here is a cool sight that I walked past yesterday! Check out the absolutely fantastic Villa Montezuma mansion!  You can find it nestled in Sherman Heights, an old, semi-decayed neighborhood just east of downtown San Diego.

Also called the Jesse Shepard house, this architectural marvel was built in 1887. It’s considered by some to be the finest example of Queen Anne architecture on the West Coast, plus it’s rumored to be haunted by two ghosts! In the more recent past it was a museum, but eventually fell into disrepair. It’s currently being renovated. Hopefully it should reopen next year!

Jesse Shepard, born in London in 1848, was a famous, flamboyant European musician. While performing for Alexander II of Russia, Jesse was introduced to the Czar’s medium who taught him how to conduct seances. Shepard became obsessed with spiritualism, and after moving to San Diego at the suggestion of a local spiritualist society, built the Villa Montezuma to his own exact specifications.

Included in the amazing house are highly ornate towers and stained glass windows. It’s interior is just as imaginative, and is said to contain secret passages. Several gargoyles can be spotted should you walk down the sidewalk. Just the sort of place to hold seances! And Shepard held many! He claimed to have spoken with the spirits of Mozart, Beethoven and Shakespeare, just to name a few.

Today it’s rumored that the Villa Montezuma is haunted by a man who hung himself in the observatory tower. And by Jesse Shepard himself! Unexplained piano music is said to be heard coming from the historical mansion late at night!

Fantastic house in Sherman Heights is supposedly haunted.
Fantastic house in Sherman Heights is supposedly haunted.
Musician and writer Jesse Shepherd worked in the high tower.
Musician and writer Jesse Shepard worked in the high tower.
A closer look at detail on house side.
A closer look at detail on Villa Montezuma’s east side.
Gargoyle head on a famous historical mansion.
Gargoyle head on a famous San Diego mansion.
Another gargoyle perches on the roof!
Another gargoyle is perched on the roof!

Here are two sunnier photos I took on a later date…

An excellent example of Queen Anne style architecture in Southern California.
An excellent example of Queen Anne style architecture in Southern California.
Photo of Jesse Shepard's Villa Montezuma in San Diego's Sherman Heights neighborhood.
Photo of Jesse Shepard’s Villa Montezuma in San Diego’s Sherman Heights neighborhood.

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The iconic Guardian of Water sculpture.

Guardian of Water sculpture faces San Diego Bay.
Guardian of Water sculpture faces San Diego Bay.

Two of San Diego’s most iconic sights can be found in close proximity. The Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship, attracts tourists just a few steps down the Embarcadero from Donal Hord’s classic Guardian of Water sculpture.

Postcards and brochures promoting San Diego are often graced with this elegant granite sculpture. Since 1939 it has stood facing San Diego Bay at the foot of the County Administration Building.

In part funded by the Works Progress Administration, the famous sculpture depicts a simple pioneer woman holding a jug of water. Pictured in the mosaic tiles and basin are cloudlike water-bearing nudes, a dam, an orchard of citrus fruit trees, dolphins, fish and sea snails!

Donal Hord sculpture debuted in 1939.
Donal Hord’s sculpture debuted in 1939.
Side view of the iconic Guardian of Water.
Side view of the iconic Guardian of Water.
County Administration Building in background.
County Administration Building stands in background.
Sea snail on basin of the Guardian of Water.
Sea snail on basin of the Guardian of Water.

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Ramona saved Casa de Estudillo in Old Town.

Front of Casa de Estudillo seen during Cinco de Mayo.
Front of Casa de Estudillo seen during Cinco de Mayo.

Ramona, written by Helen Hunt Jackson in 1884, is one of the most popular American novels in history. The book has had more than 300 printings. It’s been made into a movie four times. Today, few remember it.

Those who walk through La Casa de Estudillo in San Diego’s historic Old Town, however, are seeing with their own eyes a remnant of Ramona’s fame. Without that novel, and past generations’ fondness for its main character, this handsome old building and possibly others around it would have been torn down and utterly obliterated.

The Casa de Estudillo was built in 1827. It was the property of José María Estudillo, an early settler of San Diego. Captain Estudillo was twice Commandant of the Presidio of San Diego. This large, many-roomed adobe was one of finest houses in all of Mexican California, and remains one of the oldest surviving examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in California.

Shortly after the publication of Ramona, the house, in the hands of a caretaker, enjoyed a burst of popularity with tourists when San Diego’s newspaper, the San Diego Union, declared that the Estudillo house was the title character’s wedding place. Helen Hunt Jackson never stated this was so; the novel described a similar location, but was fictional.

As decades went by the old adobe fell into disrepair and might have been razed. In 1906, John D. Spreckels, owner of the San Diego Electric Railway Company and the Union newspaper, purchased the house and preserved it, transforming it into a true tourist attraction. He altered the building to make it seem more compatible with the description of Ramona’s marriage place, while adding electricity and other conveniences.

The building eventually was given National Historic Landmark status. It’s exaggerated association with the novel caused it to be officially described as “Casa Estudillo/Ramona’s Marriage Place.”

Just inside the courtyard looking up at bell tower.
Just inside the courtyard looking up at bell tower.
Courtyard fountain of historic Casa de Estudillo.
Courtyard fountain of historic Casa de Estudillo.
Outdoor oven and one end of old U-shaped adobe house.
Outdoor oven and one end of old U-shaped adobe house.
The house was heavily promoted as the birthplace of Ramona.
The house was heavily promoted as the wedding place of Ramona.
Walking along the outdoor corridor of old Spanish Colonial home.
Walking along the outdoor corridor of old Spanish Colonial home.
Camera's flash illuminates one interior room.
Camera’s flash illuminates one interior room.
Trees and flowers in the beautiful courtyard.
Trees and flowers in the beautiful courtyard.
Ramona, a famous novel, saved historic buildings in Old Town.
Ramona, a famous novel, saved history in Old Town.

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The historic Mission Brewery in Middletown.

Mission Revival style brewery was built in 1912.
Mission Revival style brewery was built in 1912.

A very cool building is located in San Diego’s Middletown neighborhood, near the intersection of Washington Street and Interstate 5. Here are a few photos I took the other morning!

The historic building, dating from 1912, was the first brewery in the United States to be built in the Mission Revival Style. Today it remains the only Mission Revival industrial building in San Diego.

Briefly, prior to Prohibition, a non-alcoholic drink called Hopski was produced here. The large building then served as an isolation hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic. Later it was converted into an agar plant. Today the historic landmark is a part of Mission Brewery Plaza, whose buildings contains professional offices and a new craft brewery called Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment.

The building has served many purposes over the years.
The building has served many purposes over the years.
Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment now occupies this area.
Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment now occupies this area.
Where beer is made today.
Where beer is made today.
Old production vat now is an outside fountain.
Old production vat now is an outside fountain.
A very cool building!
A very cool building!

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The Long-Waterman House on Bankers Hill.

The grand Long-Waterman House on Bankers Hill.
The gorgeous Long-Waterman House on Bankers Hill.

Bankers Hill is dotted with a variety of grand historic mansions. One of the most opulent–and one of my favorites–is the Long-Waterman House. It stands directly across the street from the barn-like Farm House that I photographed for an earlier blog post.

The Long-Waterman House was built in 1889 by famed architect D. B. Benson and is a superb example of the American Queen Anne style. The first owner was John Long, who headed the Coronado Fruit Package Company.  He also owned a business which imported exotic woods and manufactured hardwood veneer.  As you might expect, the interior of this house, which I’ve been fortunate to briefly see, is absolutely filled with warm, beautiful woodwork.

In 1891 the mansion was purchased by Robert Whitney Waterman, who’d just finished a term as Governor of California.  He died only a few months later.

Plaque in front yard of 1889 Long-Waterman mansion.
Plaque in front yard of 1889 Long-Waterman mansion.
Delightful architecture on Bankers Hill.
Delightful architecture on Bankers Hill.

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Happy Easter sandcastle on Coronado Beach.

Sandcastle on Coronado Beach wishes a Happy Easter.
Sandcastle on Coronado Beach wishes a Happy Easter.

I went for a great walk around Coronado today. Lots of pictures are coming!

Seeing how today is Easter, I thought I’d post this pic of a Happy Easter 2014 sandcastle.  Lots of people were enjoying the sunny beach and streaming all around the picturesque Hotel del Coronado!

Boy plays on beach near the Hotel del Coronado.
Boy plays on beach near the Hotel del Coronado.

In the second photo, that’s Point Loma you see in the distance.

View of the Hotel del Coronado from across the beach.
View of Hotel del Coronado from across the beautiful beach.

Morning interplay of light and shadow.

Back of stop sign flashes silver in the morning sunlight.
Back of stop sign flashes silver in the morning sunlight.

Early yesterday morning I walked west down Cedar to catch the trolley in Little Italy. The sun had just risen above the horizon and its rays were slanting through the cityscape almost horizontally. Metal surfaces were shining and shadows were still deep. It made for some very interesting photos!

Slanting sunshine on building highlights layered geometry.
Slanting sunshine on building highlights layered geometry.
Light and shadow angled and entangled.
Light and shadow angled and entangled.
Shadows on wall cast by tree and street light.
Shadows on wall cast by tree and street light.
Early sunlight begins to penetrate dark places.
Early sunlight begins to penetrate dark places.

San Diego’s unknown tiny corner of heaven.

This hidden gem is the perfect spot for a picnic or quiet relaxation.
This hidden gem is the perfect spot for a picnic or quiet relaxation.

This morning I headed out to enjoy a special event in Balboa Park: the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Cherry Blossom Festival. Unfortunately, lots and lots of people were in line at the front entrance, and my feet didn’t want to stop. So I kept moseying along, pointing my nose toward the park’s Gymnasium, where I believed the big annual Rummage Sale was being held. This massive fundraiser is put on every year by the Thursday Club, and attracts thousands of eager bargain-seekers. Well, what do you know? The only thing going on in the Gymnasium was a basketball game. Strike Two. Okay, I thought to myself, I’ll just keep on going and have a leisurely walk…

Thursday Club Rummage Sale banner on Park Boulevard.
Thursday Club Rummage Sale banner on Park Boulevard.

Wham! Suddenly in front of my eyeballs loomed a gigantic banner–the Rummage Sale was being held this year across Park Boulevard, in Balboa Park’s Activity Center, a building I’d never visited. In fact, I’ve seldom walked about the park’s Inspiration Point area, except to visit the Veteran’s Museum. My restless feet were once again redirected…

People descend stairs of Balboa Park Administrative Building.
People descend stairs of Balboa Park Administration Building.

The handsome Spanish Colonial Revival style Balboa Park Administration Building (which originally was headquarters for San Diego’s Naval Hospital, built in the early 1920s) lured me forward into uncharted territory.   Several people leaving the Rummage Sale were heading down the stairs.  So up the stairs I went, around the quiet building and…WOW!

Gazebo with colored tile roof near entrance to hidden park.
Gazebo with colored tile roof near entrance to hidden park.

I’d stumbled upon a corner of heaven.

Balboa Park Administration Building Courtyard's benches are empty.
Balboa Park Administrative Courtyard’s benches are empty.

After a bit of research, I learned this beautiful and seldom-visited area is called the Balboa Park Administrative Courtyard. One website calls it a San Diego hidden gem, and I must concur. The place was stunningly beautiful–and completely empty. Nobody was present. Not a soul. On this warm Saturday, the rest of Balboa Park was crowded with people.

Fountain in the Balboa Park Administrative Building Courtyard was once part of San Diego's United States Naval Hospital.
Fountain in the Balboa Park Administrative Courtyard was once part of San Diego’s United States Naval Hospital.

The park-like courtyard and three nearby buildings–the old Navy chapel (now the Veteran’s Museum), the administration building, and an old medical library and auditorium building–used to be part of a sprawling Navy Hospital campus. Today the modern hospital is located just east of the courtyard, down in Florida Canyon. You can see a small part of it in the first photo. Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) is also known as Bob Wilson Naval Hospital or Balboa Hospital.

Palm trees line courtyard behind Balboa Park's Administrative Building.
Palms line the tranquil courtyard behind Balboa Park’s Administration Building.
Another view of Balboa Park's seldom-visited paradise.
Another view of Balboa Park’s seldom-visited paradise.

I’m glad I randomly walked in a new direction! Adventures and discoveries await in unexpected places!

Trees, green grass, blue sky and a small corner of heaven.
Trees, flowers, walkways, blue sky and a small corner of heaven.

I revisited this beautiful place in late 2014…

Plane approaching Lindbergh Field flies above Balboa Park Administration Building.
Plane approaching Lindbergh Field flies above Balboa Park Administration Building.
A pleasant stroll past bird of paradise flowers.
A pleasant stroll through an arbor past bird of paradise flowers.
Fountain is near center of a large, quiet grassy space.
This fountain is near the center of a large, quiet grassy space.  A second, slightly smaller fountain can be found to the north.
Some people rest on a bench in the sunny courtyard.
Some people rest on a bench in the sunny courtyard.

Two more pics from September 2015.  Still as beautiful and peaceful as ever!

Have a picnic.
Have a picnic.
Read (or write) a book.
Read (or write) a book.

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Victorian houses and history in Heritage Park.

Several colorful Victorian houses were relocated to Heritage Park.
Several colorful Victorian houses were relocated to Heritage Park.

Lovers of architecture, Victorian houses and San Diego history should swing by Heritage Park, a small county park located next to Old Town.

Several historic homes representing Italianate, Stick-Eastlake, Queen Anne and Classic Revival styles were relocated to this eight acre park by the Save Our Heritage Organisation.  Only the exteriors of the structures have been restored, with the exception of the Burton House and Senlis Cottage, which are open to the public.

Group of ladies walking past the Sherman Gilbert House.
Group of ladies walking past the Sherman-Gilbert House.

John Sherman, cousin of General William Tecumseh Sherman, built the Stick-Eastlake style Sherman-Gilbert House in 1887.  Over the years, many world-famous entertainers appeared at receptions in this house, including ballet dancer Anna Pavlova and pianist Artur Rubinstein.  This was the first structure moved to Heritage Park, in 1971.

Bushyhead House was an Italianate residence built in 1887.
Bushyhead House was an Italianate residence built in 1887.

Edward Wilkerson Bushyhead, a Cherokee Indian with a Scottish ancestor, was an important historical figure in San Diego. He served as Chief of Police years after being publisher of the San Diego Union newspaper. He built the Bushyhead House as a rental in 1887.

Christian House, built in 1889, seen beyond large tree.
Christian House, built in 1889, seen beyond large tree.

The Christian House is a colorful Queen Anne style house built in 1889.

Girl on porch of the classic revival Burton House.
Girl on porch of the Classic Revival Burton House.
Side view of the Burton House in San Diego's Heritage Park.
Side view of the 1893 Burton House in San Diego’s Heritage Park.
McConaughy House is home to the Coral Tree Tea House.
McConaughy House, a Stick-Eastlake built in 1887.
People emerge from San Diego's first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel.
People emerge from San Diego’s first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel.

This 1889 Classic Revival building constructed by the Congregation Beth Israel was also used by several religious sects before it was finally relocated to Heritage Park.

Heritage Park is located near Old Town San Diego.
Heritage Park is located adjacent to historic Old Town San Diego.

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The cool Britt-Scripps House on Bankers Hill.

Victorian townhouse once owned by Ellen Browning Scripps.
Victorian house once owned by San Diego’s historically important Scripps family.

Here are several pics of the very cool Britt-Scripps House in Bankers Hill, a neighborhood just north of downtown San Diego.  The large townhouse, a great example of the Victorian Queen Anne style, is reputed to have been designed by Stanford White, the architect of New York’s second Madison Square Garden.

Completed in 1888 by prominent lawyer Eugene Britt, the magnificent house was purchased in 1896 by newspaper publisher E.W. Scripps, half-brother of Ellen Browning Scripps, the famous La Jolla philanthropist. After 1907 it was used as a guesthouse and second residence to supplement the newly-built Scripps ranch in Miramar.  The lavish exterior includes a high conical tower and three elegant brick chimneys.

Britt-Scripps house as seen from Fourth Avenue.
Britt-Scripps house as seen from Fourth Avenue.

Until recently the house served as a Bed and Breakfast.  In the above photo you can spot one of the most interesting features: an amazing two story stained glass window.

Nearby carriage house behind flowers.
Nearby carriage house behind flowers.
Britt-Scripps house is a very cool sight on Bankers Hill.
Britt-Scripps house is a very cool sight on Bankers Hill.

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