Created originally for the fire insurance industry for risk assessment purposes, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps provide a wealth of information about the historical evolution of buildings, including their historic uses and building materials, for conservation, and restoration and rehabilitation.

As urban infill increases in University Heights, many of our older, potentially historic properties may be at risk for demolition. As a resident of University Heights, there is much you can easily do to help protect our historic heritage.

At 133 years old, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods and home to the former Mission Cliff Gardens, Bentley’s Ostrich Farm, San Diego Silk Mill, Adams Avenue Carbarn, the first reservoir for the city’s municipal water system, and the San Diego Normal School, forerunner to San Diego State University.

Founded in 1888, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods. And chances are, you live in an older home with a story to tell.  Perhaps you have wondered who built the house or who has lived there before you. You might even be interested in having your home historically-designated. But where do you start?

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.

Celebrate the 26th anniversary of the University Heights street sign, installed on April 3, 1997!

Check out the new self-guided walking tours of University Heights including historic churches and the Normal School site.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, the University Heights Historical Society honors Dr. Sue Earnest, distinguished Normal School graduate.

Like everyone, the pandemic has required that we be a little more creative in finding safe ways to educate the public about our community's significant history. With your support, we would like to raise $600 to design and print some new self-guided walking tours of University Heights.

The City of San Diego preventively treated nine Canary Island Palms this month for the South American Palm Weevil. These included three in the 4600 block of Park Blvd., and the six historically-designated palms in the 4700 block of Park Blvd.

Join Kristin Harms with the University Heights Historical Society for a live, virtual walking tour via Zoom of the early history of University Heights from the comfort and safety of your own home!

The University Heights Historical Society and University Heights Community Association need the community’s help to eradicate the deadly South American Palm Weevil, a destructive pest that is killing Canary Island Palms throughout San Diego including University Heights

2020 has been a busy year for the University Heights Historical Society. We created new historic walking tours, videos and maps, and advocated for preservation of historic landmarks and trees in University Heights.

Chris Ward’s office is working with the City Forester to preventively treat the historically-designated Canary Island Palms in University Heights.

We need the community’s help to protect our historic Canary Island Palms from destruction by the South American Palm Weevil.

On many University Heights sidewalks, you can find stamped icons and text designating the contractor name or union, the city in which the business was registered, and year the concrete was set. Thanks to the hard work of University Heights Historical Society volunteer, Bill Ellig, our community has an online record of over 350 historic contractor sidewalk stamps throughout University Heights.

Starting in 1890, a series of successive cable car companies developed the park land at Park and Adams to attract riders up to the barren University Heights. The San Diego Electric Railway Company purchased the property in 1898 and transformed it into the magnificent Mission Cliff Gardens.

The Community Coalition of University Heights will host a virtual forum with City Council District 3 candidates, Toni Duran and Stephen Whitburn, on Tuesday, September 22 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

After illegally replacing the 122-year-old wood gate and railing on Adams Avenue at Mission Cliff Drive earlier this year, the property owner at 1608 Mission Cliff Drive completed reconstruction of the gate and railing, per requirements of the City of San Diego Historic Preservation Planning Department.

University Heights is 132 years old and still going strong! On August 6, 1888, Subdivision map #558 was filed with the County Recorder, delineating the University Heights subdivision.