It was a perfect day for a garden party at Hillcrest’s most historic home — the Marston House & Gardens, 3525 Seventh Avenue, as artists filled the grounds and hundreds of San Diegans roamed the five-acre estate enjoying stringed instruments along with tours, high tea, wine sampling and honors as Councilman Todd Gloria gave a proclamation to Suzy Spafford creator of Suzy’s Zoo.
Home to merchant, preservationist and philanthropist George White Marston and his wife, Anna Gunn Marston, the three-story house and gardens were the scene of meetings and events that shaped the San Diego region for decades. Considered San Diego’s first historic preservationist, Marston funded the restoration of the Mission de Alcala; saved Presidio Park from development and established its Junipero Serra Museum; and protected the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Torrey Pines Reserve by forming state parks. In addition, it was with his leadership and assistance that San Diego hosted two international expositions. George Marston, often referred to as the Father of Balboa Park, ran for San Diego mayor in 1913 and 1917 but lost both times after critics somewhat unfairly painted him as unfriendly to business and interested in beautification rather than growth. The family’s 1904-05 Arts & Crafts home is the finest remaining example of Hebbard & Gill, San Diego’s most prominent architects.
