University Heights, San Diego

History

The area was founded in 1888. The name "University" (both for the neighborhood and nearby University Avenue) derives from a plan, originally proposed during the land boom of the 1880s, to build a branch of the University of Southern California in the area. The plan fell through, and the tract of land intended for the university was later used for the State Normal School (predecessor to San Diego State College). The headquarters of San Diego Unified School District currently occupies the site, near the corner of El Cajon and Park boulevards.

The area's population and facilities grew dramatically in 1915 because of the Panama–California Exposition in nearby Balboa Park in 1915-16. On the far northern edge of this mesa, at the scenic rim of Mission Valley, an ostrich farm and public garden spot was constructed near what is now the corner of Adams Avenue and Park Boulevard. Later a neighborhood of homes called Mission Cliff Gardens was built on the site. The gardens were a popular tourist site. The neighborhood still retains the original garden boundary wall of rounded stones.

University Heights became one of the many San Diego neighborhoods connected by the Class 1 streetcars and an extensive San Diego public transit system that was spurred by the Panama–California Exposition and built by John D. Spreckels. Built in part to exclusively serve Mission Cliff Gardens, these streetcars became a fixture of this neighborhood until their retirement in 1939. A trolley barn in the area was used for trolley housing and repairs; the facility was converted into a warehouse for the San Diego Paper Box Company and ultimately demolished in 1980. Developers planned to build a large condominium complex at the site, but residents convinced the city to preserve the land for a park, now Old Trolley Barn Park.

Architecture and historic districts

Shirley Ann Place between Madison Ave. and Monroe Ave., has been designated a historic district by the City of San Diego for its 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival bungalows.

The Georgia Street Bridge, a Romanesque spandrel arch with Mission Revival styling which is technically in nearby North Park, was added to the National Register of Historic Places upon application by the "University Heights Historical Society."

Parks

Trolley Barn Park on Adams Avenue, just east of Park Boulevard, is popular with young families and hosts free concerts on Friday evenings during the summer. Sidewalks around the playground in the park are laid out in a pattern mimicking the local street plan, a design also echoed on the carved stone plaque.

Street sign

In 1994 community development funds were allocated to construct a street overhead sign. In 1995 a contest was held calling for entries from local artists for the street sign design. Kevin Whaley's winning concept design was unveiled at the University Heights Community Association meeting. The design incorporated historical elements from the past and present within the community.

In 1996 the City of San Diego awarded the construction project to Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO). On April 3, 1997 the sign was unveiled and illuminated for the first time during a community celebration. The ribbon was cut by then-Mayor Susan Golding and several dignitaries were on hand. The sign serves today as a local landmark and identity for the University Heights community.

References

References

1. "Greater North Park, Existing Conditions, Land Use".
2. Fetzer, Leland. (2005). "San Diego County Place Names A to Z". Sunbelt Publications.
3. Popescu, Roxana. (August 11, 2013). "Happy birthday, University Heights". San Diego Union Tribune.
4. [http://sandiegohistoricstreetcars.org/ The Home of the San Diego Historic Class 1Streetcars]
5. [http://www.northparkhistory.org/documents/articles/20020200_buildings_shirley_ann_place.pdf University Heights Historical Society, "Once Upon A Time in North Park: Shirley Ann Place"]
6. [http://sohosandiego.org/histdistricts/index.htm Save Our Heritage Organisation]
7. (1999-02-12). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form".
8. Ernestine, Bonn. "University Heights Street Sign". University Heights Historical Society.