2023 Year in Review University Heights Historical Society
Thanks to our supporters, the University Heights Historical Society has continued to fulfill its mission in 2023 to preserve the architectural, cultural, and historic resources in University Heights through research, education, and advocacy. Following is an overview of our efforts in 2023. Click on the images for more information.
Preservation
Completed 17 Historic Architectural Assessments
Starting in March 2023, the UHHS began offering architectural assessments to owners of older properties in University Heights to determine if their property might be eligible for historic designation and the Mills Act. Architectural historians, Amie Hayes, M.A. and Ginger Weatherford, M.P.S., reviewed basic information on 17 homes in University Heights including published historic surveys, Sanborn fire insurance maps, and historic photos and aerials, when available. They then provided a professional opinion about the likelihood that the property could be locally designated based on architecture.
8 Canary Island Palms Preventively Treated
Thanks to the collective efforts of the University Heights Historical Society, University Heights Community Development Corporation, and concerned UH community members, the City has continued to preventively treat eight Canary Island Palms in University Heights every six months since December 2020 for the South American Palm Weevil. This includes three palms in the 4600 block of Park Blvd. and five historically designated palms in the 4700 block of Park Blvd. Unfortunately, one of the six original historically designated palms has been lost since treatment began.
Education
Published Map of University Heights Subdivisions
The University Heights Historical Society published a new online map on July 29 of 20 subdivisions in University Heights, the earliest of which was filed with the City of San Diego on August 26, 1872 (Higgins Addition) and the latest on May 15, 1958 (University Heights Resubdivision No. 1). The new map, painstakingly created by volunteer Bill Ellig, includes any parcel identified as part of a subdivision with “University Heights” in the name, or as any part of a subdivision identified as "University Heights" in Appendix H, Uptown Subdivisions, of the 2007 Uptown Historic Architectural and Cultural Landscape Reconnaissance Survey.
Published 2 Blog Articles on Architectural Styles in University Heights
Architectural historian Ginger Weatherford, M.P.S. wrote a series of articles on two of the most prevalent architectural styles in San Diego—Craftsman and Spanish Colonial. University Heights also has many older homes, including 170 that are historically designated, that represent a wide variety of architectural styles from Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Minimal Traditional, Contemporary, Victorian, and Queen Anne Free Classic to Mission Revival.
Published FAQ on the Mills Act and Historic Preservation
In August, the UHHS published a comprehensive FAQ on the Mills Act and historic designation.
Participated in 6 Educational Events
The University Heights Historical Society educated members of the community about our local history at the four Summer Concerts in the Park in July and at the University Heights Harvest Festival in October. We also hosted a guided walking tour of the early history of University Heights on December 9 for 20 participants.
Updated Educational Display
We updated our educational display to provide more information about the early history of University Heights including the Mission Cliff Gardens, Bentley Ostrich Farm, Adams Avenue Carbarn, and the San Diego Normal School, forerunner to San Diego State University.
Sold 17 Books About John Spreckels
Empire Builder: John D. Spreckels and the Making of San Diego by Dr. Sandra Bonura is the previously untold story of a pioneer who almost single-handedly transformed the bankrupt village of San Diego into a thriving city. John Spreckels also shaped much of early University Heights through his ownership and operation of the San Diego Electric Railway, the Southern California Mountain and Water Supply Company, and Mission Cliff Gardens. He was also Vice-President of the Panama-California Exposition Company which hosted the 1915 Exposition at Balboa Park and spurred a building boom in University Heights.
Sold 33 University Heights House Plaques
These popular house plaques are part of an ongoing effort to instill a sense of pride in our community’s significant history. A total of 122 plaques have been sold since they were first offered in 2022.
Advocacy
Advocated for Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings on Normal Street Site
The University Heights Historical Society continued to advocate to the San Diego Unified School District for the preservation of the two large heritage trees and adaptive reuse of Annexes 1-4 in conjunction with the proposed redevelopment of the Normal Street site in University Heights.
Advocated for City of San Diego Strengthening Historic Preservation Ordinance
In October, the UHHS collaborated with other historic preservation organizations throughout San Diego to advocate to the Historical Resources Board for strengthening the City’s historic preservation ordinance.
Other
Updated UHHS Logo
The University Heights Historical Society logo was updated to represent the red dome and pediment on the front of the former Normal School in University Heights. This beautiful Neoclassic Revival building was designed by local Master Architects William S. Hebbard and Irving Gill and opened in 1899. The school was moved to Montezuma Mesa in 1931 to eventually become San Diego State University.