# The Hillcrest History Guild

> Preserving our past for future generations


## Posts

- [Joyce Beers](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/joyce-beers/): Joyce Beers Her name appears on our community center in the Uptown District, but who was Joyce Beers? She was an active and community-minded woman who was instrumental in shaping the early organizational elements of the Hillcrest. And she was a proponent of many projects that changed the face of our neighborhood.
- [Kate the Great](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/whos-who-in-metro-san-diegos-hippest-community/): One of her favorite sayings: “A 50¢ tree should be planted in a $5 hole.” Katherine Olivia Sessions (1857-1940) was known to many as “Kate.” During her long career in San Diego (which began as a teacher) she became a world-recognized horticulturist, florist, nurserywomen and landscape designer, Kate imported, introduced, propagated and popularized hundreds of trees, palms, vines, shrubs and succulents. These include many of our most beloved plants: poinsettia, bird of paradise, Italian cypress, twisted juniper, queen palm, yellow oleander, Carolina yellow jasmine, banyan, New Zealand Christmas tree, Aleppo pine, Brazilian pepper tree, blue cypress, bougainvillea and star jasmine.
- [The Father of Hillcrest](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/the-father-of-hillcrest/): Amid a scattering of homes and handful of businesses to the east, our community started being called “Hillcrest” in 1907 thanks to a 40-year-old entrepreneur. Real estate speculators had identified the scrubland for future urbanization and laid out subdivisions as early as the 1870s, but most of the vicinity still remained a jackrabbit hunting ground when the Sisters of Mercy built a sanitarium on the north side of University at Seventh in 1891.
- [Gwladys and her Group](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/gwladys-and-her-group/): The 1920 census shows Hillcrest resident and doctor Gwladys Morgan, 39, living at 3768 Eighth Street (now called avenue) with her older sister Mabel Elliott, also a physician, Mabel’s teenage son David and the girls’ younger sister Janette. Their large home still stands near the Robinson Street onramp to Highway 163 south. Gwladys was also a poet who in her spare time created children’s literature about Wales. Two years later she led one of San Diego’s most prestigious organizations gaining national “who’s who” status for the group and their officers.
- [San Diego's First Female Architect](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/san-diegos-first-female-architect/): Hazel Wood Waterman (1865-1948) may never have received a license to hang on the wall, but she gets credit for several neighborhood landmarks including the Wednesday Club (Ivy Lane at Sixth). Hazel Wood met Waldo Sprague Waterman (1860-1903) at Berkeley while he was earning a degree in mining. His father Robert was the owner of the Stonewall Mine and wanted W.S. to run it. (Papa moved on to be California governor.)
- [Decades of Activism — Leo Wilson](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/decades-of-activism-leo-wilson/): Park West’s Leo Wilson is a third generation Uptown resident — his family moved to Hillcrest 90 years ago. A 1946 article in the Pacific Coast Record referred to his grandfather who was associated with the US Grant Hotel for 34 years, as both GM and a general partner, as one of “the most successful hotel men in the west.”
- [Women](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/women/): Hillcrest Women Thank you, Joyce Beers “Hillcrest will continue to be an open-minded community. It will include yuppies, it will include gays and senior citizens…”
- [Mother Mary Michael Cummings](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/mother-mary-michael-cummings/): It was a long road from St. Louis to this frontier town, but founding a hospital in San Diego became a mission for this woman of God who first received a white veil and holy habit from the Order of Mercy in 1871. At the call of Denver’s Bishop J.P. Machesion in 1882, Sister M. Michael left Missouri to build schools and hospitals for local mining towns near Durango. After seven years, Bishop Francis Mora of Monterey summoned her to California and confirmed her appointment as Mother Superior. At the request of Father Ubach she and Sister M. Alphonsus came
- [A Hillcrest Craftsman Since 1953](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/364/): At the age of 74 Hillcrest’s oldest businessman has a contagious smile, nine grandchildren and a remarkable set of bushy eyebrows…yet after 54 years he still repairs luggage in the back of his store. Amazingly, the namesake for John’s Fifth Avenue Luggage also finds time to garden and play the links at Singing Hills Golf Course. John Balistreri is a Hillcrest icon with a strong work ethic and a loyalty to customers and employees that has contributed to his great success.
- [Bridging Communities — Aida Mancillas](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/bridging-communities-aida-mancillas/): I began working as an artist in the late 1980’s having received my education in the visual arts at Humboldt State University (BA, 1985) and UC San Diego (MFA, 1988) In 1991 I received an individual artist fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for my “works on paper” which constituted one of a kind artists’ books and paintings done on paper. This fellowship allowed me the opportunity to work for a year on my own work, developing themes and a working process that I have carried through today. This process involves layering and mixed media.
- [Mo's Main Man — Chris Shaw](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/mos-main-man-chris-shaw/): Mo’s Main Man – Chris Shaw One of Hillcrest’s most successful entrepreneurs is Chris Shaw, but most folks are more familiar with his popular restaurant/bars, Urban Mo’s (formerly Hamburger Mary’s) and Baja Betty’s, than the gentle man himself. The SD native has been involved in the LGBT business community since 1979 when West Coast Production Company (WCPC) opened on Hancock Street west of the I-5. The large warehouse with three jammed bars was “the” place for the gay community to dance the night away.
- [Transportation in San Diego](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/transportation-in-san-diego/): Early San Diego Transportation in and around Hillcrest
- [University Height's Normal School](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/university-heights-normal-school/): One of Uptown’s great architectural monuments once sat between Normal and Washington streets at Park Boulevard (B on 1955 aerial photo below). San Diego State Normal School, the birthplace of SDSU, was a fine expression of Beaux Arts classicism. While the old school has been demolished to make room for a parking lot, the teacher training building and several other auxiliary buildings remain.
- [Hillcrest's Design Center](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/hillcrests-design-center/): Tree-lined Fifth Avenue at Brookes Street is home to an architectural masterpiece designed by architect Lloyd Ruocco. Born in Maine in 1907, Ruocco moved to San Diego in the early 1920s. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Ruocco is widely credited with pioneering the post-war modern architectural movement in San Diego.
- [A Sweet Treat in Bankers Hill](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/a-sweet-treat-in-bankers-hill/): Just one block west of Spruce Street’s swinging bridge is a grand home designed by Frank Mead and Richard Requa (famed local architects) and once treasured by the A. H. Sweet family. Elaine Sweet, daughter of Adelbert “Del” and Amy Sweet bequeathed her 1914 family home (at 435 W. Spruce) to the San Diego Historical Society in 1985. Ms. Sweet, whose father had been a San Diego County District Attorney, placed several stipulations on its use. The estate would also provide a quarter million dollar endowment fund for future house maintenance.
- [The History of Dartlee Hall](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/the-history-of-dartlee-hall-2/): An obscure Hillcrest structure has gained historic integrity after it was recently discovered to be an early work of Irving Gill. Because of the sign that lingers many think of 3680 Sixth Avenue as the burned out Cafe W, although old-timers may recall other eateries, antique stores and religious meeting rooms. But with history dating back to the turn of the century, this may be the oldest surviving commercial building in the area.
- [San Diego’s Gay Roots — The Brass Rail](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/san-diegos-gay-roots-the-brass-rail/): The Brass Rail has gone through many changes throughout the years since patrons had to “put all hands on top of the bar” when vice police would come through with flashlights looking for hanky panky. The bar was originally located downtown at the corner of Sixth and B in the Orpheum Theatre building. It was a restaurant for many years, with a window that looked into part of the kitchen. Old timers will tell you about watching meats roasting on the rotisserie as they lined up for a movie.
- [Our Beloved Beacon](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/our-beloved-beacon/): The Hillcrest sign was first erected in 1940 as a gift to the community from an active association of female shopkeepers wanting to promote the neighborhood business area. 240 feet of pink neon tubing Weight: 800 pounds Length: 21 feet Height: 3.5 feet
- [Hillcrest’s American Dream](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/hillcrests-american-dream/): Tung Ling Wong, better known as “Jimmy” and his wife Annie Up Wong, immigrated to the United Sates in the late 1940s and created a new life for themselves on University Avenue near Fourth. Soon after their immigration Jimmy gained employment as a waiter at the Chinese Village restaurant in downtown San Diego. Within a few years, the Wong’s invested their savings of $3,000 in a Hillcrest restaurant. It was the right move for the Wongs.
- [Rich Divorcee Kills Herself](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/rich-divorcee-kills-herself/): Editor’s Note: Mrs. Henrich, burned twice by society marriages, departs the world in melodramatic fashion, leaving her estate to a local contractor. Was it love? What “work” did she want carried on? At which “fashionable,” “brilliantly lighted,” “palatial” Park Boulevard apartment house did she reside? Do you know? The home of banker H.E. Anthony still survives in the 3300 block of Front Street.
- [Miss McLean’s Scandalous Trousers](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/miss-mcleans-scandalous-trousers/): Editor’s Note: An early civil suit in San Diego courts affirmed the rights of the transgendered. Sarah McLean, who openly admitted to wearing men’s clothes, sued Martha McKenzie, her former employer, for slander. While the press was too polite to print details of the slander, it appears from the reported testimony that Ms. McLean’s gender and sexuality were challenged and/or derided. Surprisingly, Miss McLean won vindication in the 1897 court, but she apparently never obtained any of the awarded money.
- [The Little Store with the Big Selection](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/the-little-store-with-the-big-selection/): For over four decades Al Davis Furniture at the corner of University and Herbert has earned a reputation for offering quality home furnishings at a value price. But who was the man behind this well-known store? Al’s life in the U.S. began as an illegal immigrant. In the 1920s his father, Sam, came to America from Poland in search of a better life. By the time the rest of the family could join him, the quota was filed for immigrating Jews. Rather than return to Europe (and virtually certain death), Al went to Canada and sneaked back across the border.
- [Tainted Love (Part II)](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/tainted-love-part-ii/): After 27 years of being dark, the Pernicano/Casa di Baffi sign lit the night this past spring. HillQuest received several emails and calls, as the community was abuzz with a spark of life returning to the old building and hoped that something positive might be happening to the biggest blight on our village. A couple of weeks earlier there had been activity in the parking lot. Could it be? Were the bulldozers there to demolish this vessel of graffiti and litter?
- [The Women Behind the Sign](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/the-women-behind-the-sign/): Sometimes the male species of Genus Homo Sapiens commonly called “man” overlooks the gentler sex who made his world possible. So at this writing it is our pleasure to mention some of the women pioneers who generously donated funds for the original Hillcrest sign that has livened up the neighborhood over the years. We especially honor our old friend Rolga Lake (who was recuperating in the hospital); Harriett Miller (the sparkplug for the sign who later moved to Alpine); Ada Jones (an accountant for 37 years at 3821 Fifth Avenue who helped the association through financial strains); Mercedes Verdugo (The
- [Hillcrest’s Old Yeller](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/hillcrests-old-yeller/): The big yellow house at 3690 Sixth Avenue has been around since Pennsylvania Street was called Thornton, but the roots of the structure are a bit muddled. First mapped out as lots 11 and 12 in the Brookes Addition, this property traveled through many hands until George Bidwell who owned the San Diego Feed Mill for 26 years and lived at this address from 1910-1918 sold it to Emily Simmons in 1920. But the year the house was constructed is in question.
- [Hillcrest Businesses Fifty Years Ago](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/hillcrest-businesses-fifty-years-ago/): Reprinted from a 1957 San Diego Union Tribune article. Hillcrest Business Association, a guiding force in the development of a San Diego community with 15,000 residents, yesterday reported its membership has reached a new high. Don Gardner, membership chairman said more than 160 firms and individuals have joined the organization in a current drive. He said such a signup in a compact area points up a community spirit that has grown in strength despite wars and depression.
- [The Big Civic Celebration](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/the-big-civic-celebration/): On March 16 of 1926, the first civic celebration on record for Hillcrest was held to celebrate the installation of decorative lampposts on University Avenue between Third Avenue and Park Boulevard, on Fourth Avenue from Robinson to Washington and on Fifth Avenue from Robinson to University.
- [Behind the Blue Door](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/blue-door/): Behind the Blue Door 3823 Fifth Avenue has quite a legendary past. Now known for Hillcrest’s best-dressed windows, this cozy shop was home to Blue Door Bookstore for almost four decades. Founded in 1961 by Bill and Mary Peccolo, the literary haven was purchased by Hillcrest resident Tom Stoup after Bill’s death in 1987. A former high school English teacher, Tom operated the store with the blue-painted door until 2000. The Blue Door attracted customers from all over San Diego. Many remember employee Elton Ellis, with his heavy-rimmed glasses and a toothbrush mustache, who could discuss a wide range of
- [The Hillcrest History Guild (HHG) is inviting neighbors](https://hillcresthistory.org/news/hillcrest-history-guild-invites-neighbors-to-fifth-annual-holiday-potluck-on-dec-13/): The event will be held in lieu of the regularly scheduled Hillcrest Town Council meeting and be an opportunity for Hillcrest residents to come together, meet each other, play games and celebrate.

## Pages

- [Elementor #3384](https://hillcresthistory.org/elementor-3384/)
- [Thank you for your donation](https://hillcresthistory.org/thank-you-for-your-donation/): We truly thank you for your donation – small or large – it will make a difference in this campaign.
- [1437 University Ave](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/1437-university-ave/): West on University at Normal Mouse over for today’s image     * photography by Gregory May
- [West on University at Normal](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/west-on-university-at-normal/): West on University at Normal Mouse over for today’s image     * photography by Gregory May
- [North on 5th at Robinson](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/look-north-on-5th-at-robinson/): North on 5th at Robinson Mouse over for today’s image   * photography by Gregory May
- [Telephone Building](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/telephone-building/): Telephone Building 600 block University – looking South Mouse over for today’s image * photography by Gregory May
- [Animated](https://hillcresthistory.org/animated/)
- [Gallery](https://hillcresthistory.org/gallery-2/)
- [Thank You](https://hillcresthistory.org/thank-you/): Thank you for becoming a member! These dollars will help keep Hillcrest’s history alive. All dues, contributions and bequests are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by federal and state law.
- [SW University & 5th](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/sw-university-5th/): SW University & 5th  * modern photography by Gregory May
- [West on University from 5th](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/west-on-university-from-5th/): West on University from 5th * photography by Gregory May
- [NE University & 5th Bank Building](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/ne-university-5th-bank-building/): NE University & 5th Bank Building  * modern photography by Gregory May
- [SW University & 6th](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/sw-university-6th/): Southwest University & 6th  * modern photography by Gregory May
- [Terms of Service](https://hillcresthistory.org/terms-of-service/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://hillcresthistory.org/privacy-policy/)
- [Site Map](https://hillcresthistory.org/site-map/)
- [El Comondo  3821- 5th ](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/1634-2/): El Comondo – 3821 5th  * modern photography by Gregory May
- [SW University & 10th](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/sw-university-10th/): SW University & 10th *modern  photography by Gregory May
- [NW University at 10th](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/nw-university-at-10th/): NW University at 10th Avenue * photography by Gregory May
- [NE University & 5th Avenue](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/ne-university/): NE University & Fifth * photography by Gregory May
- [Then & Now](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/): Then & Now Click on the images to see how it looks now.
- [Hillcrest Sign](https://hillcresthistory.org/then-now/hillcrest-signba/): Hillcrest Sign *modern  photography by Gregory May
- [Balboa Park](https://hillcresthistory.org/balboa-park/)
- [Mission Valley](https://hillcresthistory.org/mission-valley/): Mission Valley  
- [1915 Panama Exposition](https://hillcresthistory.org/1915-panama-exposition/)
- [Before & After](https://hillcresthistory.org/before-after/)
- [Videos](https://hillcresthistory.org/videos-3/):           Early  Postcards   Early Transportation  
- [Transportation](https://hillcresthistory.org/transportation-2/): Transportation
- [Lodging](https://hillcresthistory.org/lodging/): Lodging
- [Buildings](https://hillcresthistory.org/buildings-2/): Buildings
- [Balboa Park](https://hillcresthistory.org/timelines/balboa-park-time-line/): Balboa Park Timeline *complied by HillQuest 1800s ~ Kumeyaay Indians inhabit numerous villages scattered throughout the San Diego region including Florida/Switzer Canyon and Mission Valley. 1845 ~ Santiago Arguello organizes the first survey of San Diego — the lines laid down in this year establish the patchwork of the Pueblo Lands which eventually give way to the grid work of the city streets and Balboa Park. 1868 ~ Ephraim Morse (left) presents a resolution to the Board of Trustees of San Diego that land be set aside for a city park. Morse, Thomas Bush and Alonzo Horton select the land
- [Hillcrest TimeLine](https://hillcresthistory.org/timelines/hillcrest-timeline/): Hillcrest History *complied by HillQuest HillQuest has put together a timeline of events in Hillcrest, Uptown and throughout San Diego. pre 1769 ~ Kummeyay Indians inhabit numerous villages scattered throughout the San Diego region including Mission Valley and Florida/Switzer Canyon in Balboa Park. 1769 ~ Father Junipero Serra arrives to found Mission San Diego de Alcala on westernmost edge of San Diego mesa. The San Diego mission is the first of what will become a chain of twenty-one Spanish missions extending northward along the California coast. The Spanish introduce herds of domestic cattle, sheep and horses which graze on the surrounding
- [Who's Who](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/whos-who/): Who’s Who? An index of Hillcrest People from Hillquest.com
- [Women who changed San Diego](https://hillcresthistory.org/timelines/women/): The women who changed San Diego 1865 ~ Mary Chase Walker, the first teacher in San Diego’s first school (in Old Town), becomes the center of controversy when she invites a black woman to lunch at the Franklin House. Some diners storm out, while others stare with contempt. After school enrollment plunges from 36 to 15 students, she resigns. This pioneer was also an early activist of the suffragette movement. 1870 ~ Mary Kearney obtains a deed from the city for land that will become eventually become Hillcrest. 1879 ~ Amy Strong arrives on a stagecoach. Over the next twenty-eight
- [People](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/): The Hillcrest History Guild has gathered a list of Who’s Who in metro San Diego’s hippest urban village. Read about Hillcrest’s founding mothers and fathers, movers and shakers of today and many of the interesting people that make up our neighborhood. [wp_cpl_sc cat_id=6 list_num=25 css_theme=1 thumbnail=true read_more=”Read more” excerpt_length=200 show_comments=false show_date=false show_author=false]
- [Articles](https://hillcresthistory.org/articles/)
- [Women of Note](https://hillcresthistory.org/people/hillcrest-history-guild-women/):   Her name appears on our community center in the Uptown District, but who was Joyce Beers? She was an active and community-minded woman who was instrumental in shaping the early organizational elements of the Hillcrest. And she was a proponent of many projects that changed the face of our neighborhood. “Hillcrest will continue to be an open-minded community. It will include yuppies, it will include gays and senior citizens…” Joyce was a champion of public transit and neighborhood revitalization.She loved Hillcrest. For 16 years Joyce served on the San Diego Transit Board and received a special commendation from SANDAG
- [Timelines - Medical](https://hillcresthistory.org/timelines/hillcrest-history-guild-timelines-medical/): Medical Timeline * provided by HillQuest Hillcrest has been a center for medical facilities for over a century. Three large hospitals: Mercy, Naval and UCSD (formerly County) form a triangle around Hillcrest and have led to a proliferation of medical offices and clinics throughout the neighborhood. Below is a brief timeline of important events in the growth of our medical community. 1880s – “Dr. William A. Edwards’ Sanitarium and Private Hospital, is situated on the crest of Florence Heights and overlooks the city and bay. It is accessible by two lines of streetcars and is complete with all that is
- [Water History](https://hillcresthistory.org/timelines/hillcrest-history-guild-timelines-water-history/): Water History San Diego’s Old Town relied mostly on wells dug in Mission Valley, the floodplain of the San Diego River.The transfer of the civic center of San Diego from Old Town to its present harbor side location followed the growth of shipping commerce using the newly dredged harbor. Delivering water from the San Diego River to the growing population in New Town required pumping it out of the valley and over the San Diego Mesa. Reservoirs were located in Balboa Park, University Heights,Bankers Hill and Mission Hills. The name “Hillcrest” (which was originated by Laura Anderson in 1907) may
- [Architecture](https://hillcresthistory.org/timelines/hillcrest-history-guild-timelines-architecture/):  Architecture Timeline * compiled by HillQuest.
- [In the News](https://hillcresthistory.org/in-the-news/): In the News
- [Hillcrest History Guild - Join Today](https://hillcresthistory.org/hillcrest-history-guild-join-today/): [show_wp_shopping_cart] Click here to return to the HHG homepage
- [Home](https://hillcresthistory.org/): Hillcrest History Guild In 1906 this neighborhood was called “University Heights” along with much of San Diego’s uptown area. William Wesley Whitson purchased and subdivided 40 acres north of University Avenue to Lewis Street (between First and Sixth avenues) and opened a sales office for his new “Hillcrest Company” at Fifth & University. The name caught on…and the rest is history. Imagine if Hillcrest’s historical society began with Wesley Whitson over a hundred years ago…or if we had photos of his 16-lane Hillcrest Bowl being dedicated a few decades later…or a jpg of the group of women shopkeepers presenting the
- [Contact](https://hillcresthistory.org/contact/): Hillcrest History Guild 3065 Third Avenue, #3 • San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 298-0779 or (619) 379-3416 501c (3) #16-1727118
- [Resources](https://hillcresthistory.org/resources/): Resources Has the Hillcrest History Guild piqued your interest in San Diego’s most unique and diverse urban community? Want to learn more? To the right are links to websites with other information about our rich and interesting area. San Diego’s first public transit vehicle began service on July 3, 1886. This horse-drawn rail car is headed north on Fifth Avenue toward Broadway (D Street) circa 1888.
- [Bridges](https://hillcresthistory.org/bridges/): Bridges in Uptown The Hillcrest History Guild will guide you to wooden trestle, swinging suspension, box girder, public art and other bridges in our big backyard. Learn about a bridge that was completely assembled on the floor of a mid-western fabrication plant, dismantled and shipped to San Diego and other bridges that traverse our many urban canyons. The timeline offers an overview of our neighborhood bridge history.
- [Timelines](https://hillcresthistory.org/timelines/): Timelines The Hillcrest History Guild has captured a look at our community through easy and fun to read timelines. Learn about the rich history of our community, the women who helped shape San Diego, CityFest (our annual community street fair), the important role of medical facilities and so much more.


[comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)