Adjacent to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is nearby Heritage County Park which features several restored Victorian homes and the city’s first synagogue. Several of the exteriors of the Victorian architecture of wealthy San Diego residents in the late 1880s-1890s have been restored although the interiors are currently undergoing improvements.
The Historic Buildings at Heritage County Park
Senlis Cottage: 1896, moved to Heritage County Park in 1981 (Queen Anne Cottage)
Built in 1896, this modest four-room dwelling was home to gardener Eugene Senlis and his wife Lena. Eugene was employed by Kate Sessions, a renowned San Diego nurserywoman and horticulturalist.
Sherman-Gilbert House: 1887, moved to Heritage County Park in 1971 (Stick Eastlake Style)
The Sherman-Gilbert House, recognized by its central tall square tower and abundance of millwork details, was originally built and owned by John Sherman who is deemed a master builder.
Bushyhead House: 1887, moved to Heritage County Park in 1976 (Eastlake Style)
This cheery yellow Eastlake style home, marked by a two-story projecting bay window and a richly ornamented porch, was built in 1887 by Edward Wilkerson Bushyhead.
Christian House: 1889, moved to Heritage County Park in 1976 (Queen Anne style)
Boasting an extensive wrap-around porch, tall corner tower, and scalloped siding cladding the second floor, the Christian House is a vibrant example of a Queen Anne Victorian home, a style known for its decorative layers and variations. This home was owned by Harfield Timberlake Christian and his wife Myrtle.
McConaughy House: 1887, moved to Heritage County Park in 1981 (Italianate Style)
The home’s original owner and builder, John McConaughy, was renowned in San Diego for founding the area’s first cargo and passenger service, which operated between the city and the backcountry town of Julian.
Burton House: 1893, moved to Heritage County Park in 1976 (Classic Revival Style)
Henry Guild Burton, the home’s original owner, was a retired Army physician who served in the Second Seminole War, Mexican-American War, and the American Civil War
Temple Beth Israel: 1889, moved to Heritage County Park in 1978 (Synagogue architecture)
Constructed as San Diego’s first synagogue and the second oldest extant in the Western United States, Temple Beth Israel originally stood at the corner of Second Avenue and Beech Street downtown.
Heritage County Park arose from County Parks’ commitment to the preservation of San Diego’s cultural as well as natural resources. The park is a joint project with the Save Our Heritage Organisation.
Brisbane Coral Tree – Erythrina x sykesii (Australia)
A document with more information by SOHO can be found here. San Diego Parks & Recreations have more recent information here
Note that my photos are from February 2009 and that the exterior colour of these houses may well have altered.
TRAVEL WORDS 