A collection of structures relocated from their original sites
Edwards House (designed by William S. Hebbard)
“The project of carrying a big three-story house across three-quarters of a mile of water is under contemplation. Contractor Palmer has taken the job of moving Dr. W.A. Edward’s large house from the corner of Laurel and Fifth streets down the hill, across the bay and to some lots near the Hotel Del Coronado. The house will be put on lighters and towed across the bay, up into Spanish Bight, where a landing will be made. The contract price for the job is said to be $2,700.”
— Los Angeles Times, August 24, 1899
All Saints Episcopal Chapel
The congretation first met in a chapel built circa 1898 near Fifth and University. In 1900 it was moved to the corner of Sixth and University and 12 years later was incorporated into the Spanish Revival Mission design by Hebbard and Winslow. St. Mary’s peaceful chapel proudly stands today along Pennsylvania Avenue adjacent to All Saints main sanctuary.
Letitia Lovett House
This grand old Victorian was built circa 1890 on the Fourth Avenue cable car line. Letitia saved her home from redevelopment in 1911 by rolling it to the current location at Walnut and Albatross.
Hillcrest’s Futuro House…winner of the U-Haul Award
Remember the “UFO” that was once perched on stilts behind the Design Center on Fifth Avenue? Finnish architect Matti Suuronen created only twenty of these portable futuristic homes in the late 1960s. Entrepreneur Stan Grau brought this one to San Diego in the mid-70s with hopes of marketing them on the West Coast. City zoning laws necessitated at least six moves before city planners allowed the curvaceous Futuro to relocate into the Hillcrest canyon in 1977. For decades it was a treasure for anyone exploring Hillcrest by foot. The green pod was purchased in 2002 and moved to Point Loma by architect and historic preservationist Milford Wayne Donaldson. Within a few months it was moved again to a boat storage yard in Mission Gorge for exterior restoration including a return to the original harvest-gold paint. This traveling Futuro made one final move in to Idyllwild in December 2004 where interior work is being completed.
William Heath Davis House
In 1850 the first house built in New Town was a prefab building brought from the East coast by ship around Cape Horn. Originally located at State and Market, John and Margaret Mountain moved it to the corner of 11th and K streets where Anna Scheper opened it as the County Hospital in 1873. In return for caring for the sick, the County paid Anna $1 per patient per day. The house was rolled to present site (410 Island venue) in 1984.
Sherman-Gilbert House
Originally constructed in 1887 on Fir Street, this home was the first structure moved to Old Town’s Heritage Park during the spring of 1971 thanks to efforts of Robert Miles Parker.
Temple Beth Israel
The classic revival constructed in 1889 of redwood at Second and Beech is the second oldest synagogue on the West Coast. The temple was also home to many religious sects before they were able to establish churches of their own. When the larger temple was built at Third and Laurel in 1926, the older building was sold. It was moved to Heritage Park in 1980.
Hille House
A simple Victorian built in 1889 in National City was moved to 3705 El Cajon Boulevard in 1893.