Tag: bankers hill

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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Whirl of green life before St. Paddy’s parade!

St. Patrick's Day Parade participants with signs.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade participants with signs.

San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held this morning. It ran along Fifth and Sixth Avenue, on Bankers Hill just west of Balboa Park.

I captured a whole bunch of fun pics just prior to the parade’s start. There’s no shortage of the color green! All sorts of people and pets were gathering and preparing and positioning themselves for the exciting event!

People head up Sixth Avenue to watch the big annual parade.
People head up Sixth Avenue to watch the big annual parade.
Bagpipers in kilts assemble for the parade near Balboa Park.
Bagpipers in kilts assemble for the parade near Balboa Park.
A colorful calliope stands by near start of parade route.
A colorful calliope stands by near start of parade route.
Mounted participants in San Diego's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Mounted participants in San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Marines stand at the ready for the big event.
Cal Fire stands at the ready for the big event.
Girls anticipate marching on a sunny Saturday morning.
Girls anticipate marching on a sunny Saturday morning.
Junior Achievement kids hold THANK YOU spelled out for a photo.
Junior Achievement kids hold THANK YOU spelled out for a photo.
Hanging some Irish green tinsel.
Hanging some Irish green tinsel.
Last minute preparations on a School of Irish Dance float.
Last minute preparations on a School of Irish Dance float.
Another Smiling Irishman.
Another Smiling Irishman.
Gentlemen in capes and plumed hats hold flags.
Gentlemen in capes and plumed hats hold flags.
A band was playing on a float even before the parade started.
A band was playing on a float even before the parade started.
Kermit the Frog is proud to be green!
Kermit the Frog is proud to be green!
Big American Flag is ready on Sixth Avenue.
Big American Flag is ready on Sixth Avenue.
Another half hour until things really get rolling.
Another half hour until things really get rolling.
Clown's tie indicates Irish For a Day.
Clown’s tie indicates Irish For a Day.
Green-antlered hood ornament.
Green-antlered hood ornament.
Even dogs are wearing the green.
Even dogs are wearing the green.
San Diego Elks Lodge No. 168 and lots of shamrocks.
San Diego Elks Lodge No. 168 and lots of shamrocks.
A funny little wooden vehicle in line to start the parade.
A funny little wooden vehicle in line to start the parade.
Lincoln High School band members in green.
Lincoln High School band members in green.
St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Diego is a wonderful tradition.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego is a wonderful tradition.

Three utility boxes on Bankers Hill.

Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.
Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.

Here are three colorful utility boxes along Laurel Street on Bankers Hill. I really like the message on the first one.

Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.

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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The barn-like Farm House on Bankers Hill.

the red farm house on bankers hill

This big red barn-like house can be found on Bankers Hill, near Laurel Street and First Avenue, just north of downtown San Diego. A small sign in front indicates that this fun structure is the “Farm House”. Many other interesting Victorian homes abound in the neighborhood, but this cool sight always hogs my attention!

Another pic of the barn-like Farm House on Bankers Hill.
Another pic of the barn-like Farm House on Bankers Hill.

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Giant octopus steals tin cans from ship!

giant octopus steals tin cans from ship

And now for your entertainment: another terrifying scene!

Beware of giant octopi with a taste for canned foods! This wily octopus steals tin cans from helpless, despairing sailors, who then promptly throw themselves into watery oblivion. When you’re in the middle of the ocean in an old ship full of tin cans, what is one to do?

This cool mural adds character to the front of a small dive bar on Bankers Hill. The place’s name is Tin Can Alehouse. I’m told they serve beer exclusively in cans.

This monstrous octopus really means business!
This monstrous octopus really means business!
A ship in peril. I guess some sea creatures like their beer in a can.
A ship in peril. I guess some sea creatures like their beer in a can.
Jump for your lives men! Grab ahold of a tin can!
Jump for your lives men! Grab hold of a tin can!

Funny skeleton tries to get a bone tattoo!

funny skeleton gets a bone tattoo

This morning, as I began to climb Bankers Hill, I casually glanced into this tattoo parlor and was immediately horrified.

Just inside the window, a poor skeletal artist was attempting to apply ink to a sadly bony customer. Not much progress was being made.

Seriously, I believe this funny window display was created for Halloween!

Very cool photo of rainbow magic at sunrise.

very cool photo of rainbow magic

Here’s a photograph that qualifies as cool!

This is a glimpse of the huge rainbow over San Diego created this morning by a golden sunrise and some light scattered showers. Check out my previous post for another pic. This photo was also taken on Sixth Avenue, but near Laurel Street, just west of Balboa Park.

The reflections in the windows, the amazing color and interesting composition all come together to make a magical image!

Morning rainbow cast by San Diego sunrise.

morning rainbow over san diego

This morning I walked to work again. I started in the semi-light a little after six o’clock, and it was already muggy with broken dark clouds overhead. Several blocks from home the sprinkles began. But I could see it wouldn’t last long.

As I headed up Sixth Avenue through Bankers Hill, I suddenly became aware of a gigantic full rainbow to the west. It looked like a glowing multi-colored halo over the waking, sunrise-illuminated city. And it lasted a good fifteen minutes. I learned later on while listening to the radio that the incredible rainbow could be seen throughout San Diego.

I took numerous photographs as I proceeded north. The rainbow was so gigantic I couldn’t capture the entire thing in one pic.

A couple photos with buildings and palm trees in the foreground came out really good. Here’s the first one!