Historic Homes of University Heights: The James A. Creelman House

James A. Creelman House, 4656 North Avenue, July 2013

Founded in 1888, University is one of San Diego’s oldest communities with a fascinating past full of colorful people, amazing places, and beautiful architecture.

Built in 1908, the James A. Creelman House at 4656 North Avenue is one of the oldest homes in University Heights. James A. Creelman, a florist, and his wife Agnes purchased the property from the San Diego Electric Railway Company in October 1908 and built the house in the Craftsman (Arts and Crafts) style which would have just have come into vogue.

The special log slab siding and second floor open porch would have been considered somewhat novel for time and area. The property also occupies a prominent location with respect to the once grand Mission Cliff Gardens, which delighted visitors from I898 until the property was subdivided in I942.

The Creelman family occupied the house from 1920 to 1999, when it was sold to a new owner who had the home historically designated by the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board in July 2002. Sadly, the property was then abandoned and left deteriorating until the University Heights Historical Society got involved in 2007 and worked with the City Attorney’s office to enforce the City’s maintenance guidelines for unoccupied historic properties.

James A. Creelman House, 4656 North Avenue, March 2008

Luckily for University Heights, the home was sold in August 2008 to Dan Ramirez who proceeded to restore the neglected property to its former glory. Dan was recognized by Save Our Heritage Organisation in 2013 with a “Gift to the Street” award for his painstaking efforts.

If you would like more information for researching your historic home, please click here for the University Heights Historical Society guide for researching your historic home. Please click here for more information on the City of San Diego’s historic designation process.