New Memoir of Mission Cliff Gardens

John and Martha Davidson, Mission Cliff Gardens.

The University Heights Historical Society is delighted to offer a new booklet, Mission Cliff Gardens, A Memoir, by Carole Bryant, great-granddaughter of John Davidson who was the superintendent of Mission Cliff Gardens in University Heights. The Gardens were established in 1898 by visionary entrepreneur John D. Spreckels and transformed into a botanical wonder by John Davidson.

This 28-page booklet describes the journey of the Davidson family from Scotland to San Diego and their life at Mission Cliff Gardens from 1904 to 1935. The memoir is based on interviews by Carole with John Davidson’s daughter, Jean Davidson Bryant, and his granddaughter, Nancy Mavis Wormington. The booklet contains 42 historical photos and postcards of Mission Cliff Gardens from Carole’s private collection. Carole, an architect, also provided a floor plan of the Pavilion and a site plan of Mission Cliff Gardens, based on historical photographs and memories from Mavis Wormington.

At its height in 1914, the Gardens encompassed some 40 acres and offered hundreds of trees, colorful blossoms year-round, a bird aviary, a Japanese Tea Garden, view pergolas, and more, all built by John Davidson and his capable crew.

At 104, Mavis still loves to talk about her memories of the Gardens. “I just loved going to the gardens to visit with my grandparents.   I would spend just a little time in the pavilion visiting with my family and then I would go out on my own and wander the many paths and explore all the wonderful sights.  It always felt like the gardens belonged just to us!"

Mavis Wormington, Granddaughter of John Davidson, 104 Years Old

The Gardens were closed in 1929 and in 1942, the land was subdivided and sold as residential lots by the Spreckels heirs. Remaining are the redwood gates, the 700-foot cobblestone wall, and some of the palm trees, all of which have been historically designated through the efforts of the University Heights Historical Society.

“Looking at all of the photographs and talking with my family about the wonderful times spent in the Gardens”, says Carole, “makes me long for the chance to go back in time, if only for a day, to stroll through the magnificent Mission Cliff Gardens which my great-grandfather, John Davidson, designed and built.”