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Gaslamp Landmarks
Articles about the history and architecture of various buildings and landmarks in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.
Everybody Loves a Lover: Keating Building
The history of Gaslamp Quarter Historic Building #31, The Keating Building, home to two iconic San Diego love stories.
Sandee Wilhoit
Aug 14 min read
The Sun Cafe: Young Building
The history of Gaslamp Quarter Historic Building #54, The Young Building, home to the iconic Sun Cafe, built between 1873 and 1883.
Sandee Wilhoit
Jul 83 min read
A Sight for Sore Eyes!: Louis Bank of Commerce Building
The history of Gaslamp Quarter Historic Building #32, The Louis Bank of Commerce, built in 1888.
Sandee Wilhoit
Jun 64 min read
Junk, Jazz, & Java: The Frey Block
The history of Gaslamp Quarter Historic Building #10, The Frey Block, built in 1911.
Sandee Wilhoit
May 13 min read
The Callan Hotel – San Diego's First "Zoo"
The history of Gaslamp Quarter Historic Building #62, The Callan Hotel. Built in 1878, and once home to Tillman Burnes' ACME Saloon and his menagerie of exotic animals.
Sandee Wilhoit
Apr 304 min read
The (Grand) Horton Grand Hotel
Learn all about the Gaslamp Quarter's most notable hotel, the Horton Grand Hotel.
Sandee Wilhoit
Apr 43 min read
The Davis-Horton House
Learn the history of downtown San Diego's oldest building.
Dr. Gil Ontai
Apr 32 min read
Two Buildings, Two Stories - The Nanking & Manila Cafes
In Honor of the Year of the Fire Horse.
Sandee Wilhoit
Feb 53 min read
A Touch of Paris in San Diego - The Minear Building/Paris Hotel
by Sandee Wilhoit • Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation Dec. 27, 2025 The Minear Building/Paris Hotel (1910) 759 Fourth Avenue SE Corner of Fourth Ave. & F St. Architect & Builder: Edward L. Rambo Architectural Style: 20th Century Commercial Throughout the years, what started out as a reasonably plain, but serviceable, building has blossomed into quite a variety of businesses. Although William L. Minear purchased his lots (both A & B of Block 69) from Alonzo Horton in
Sandee Wilhoit
Jan 113 min read
Picture Perfect! - The F.C. Sheldon House
by Sandee Wilhoit • Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation Dec. 12, 2025 The F. C. Sheldon House (1886) 1233 Island Avenue Architects: Comstock and Trotsche Architectural Style: Queen Anne San Diego in the 1880s, was a city booming with growth, a burgeoning population and infinite possibilities. It was even being touted as a rival of San Francisco, not only because of its natural harbor and trading opportunities, but also because of the new transcontinental railroad, which
Sandee Wilhoit
Dec 12, 20253 min read
The Elite Address
The Lawyer's Block Building (1889) Architect: McDougall and Sons Architectural Style: Italian Renaissance The Lawyer's Block Building As Seen From The Balboa Theatre Many buildings gain recognition not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their illustrious tenants. None more so than the elegant Lawyer’s Block, also known as “Attorney’s Headquarters.” The lot was originally sold by Alonzo Horton to George Phillips Marston of Wisconsin. Mr. Marston, an asthmatic, claim
Sandee Wilhoit
Sep 5, 20254 min read
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