George W. Marston House facts for kids
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George W. Marston House
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George Marston House
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 Location in San Diego
Location in San Diego County, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3525 7th Avenue San Diego, California |
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| Area | 4.6 acres (1.9 ha) |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | Irving John Gill |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000552 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 16, 1974 |
The George W. Marston House, also called the George Marston House and Gardens, is a museum and historic landmark. It is located in San Diego, California. The house is cared for by the Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO).
The Marston Family Home
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The George W. Marston House is found in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. The house is very large, about 8,500 square feet. It is surrounded by five acres of beautiful lawns and gardens.
The house was finished in 1905. It is a great example of the Arts and Crafts Movement style of architecture. This style focuses on handmade items and natural materials.
This was the home of George White Marston (1850–1946) and his wife, Anna Gunn Marston (1853–1940). The three-story house and gardens were a busy family home. Two of their five children got married here. Their oldest daughter lived in the house her whole life.
Famous architects William Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill designed and built the house. Inside, you can see furniture made by well-known designers. These include Gustav Stickley, L. & J.G. Stickley, and Charles Limbert. There are also paintings by artists like Alfred Mitchell and Maurice Braun. Many of the family's original items are still on display today.
The Marston family lived on two main floors, plus an attic. On the first floor, rooms with redwood walls open off a wide hallway. The living room and dining room look out onto the south terrace and the gardens. The house has six bedrooms, a sleeping porch, and four bathrooms.
The Marston House became a museum in 1987. The Marston family gave the house to the City of San Diego. Today, Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) manages the museum. They also run a shop in the old carriage house on the property.
The Marston Gardens
The gardens around the Marston House were first designed in 1905. A landscape gardener named George Cooke created them. The house and gardens were updated in the late 1920s.
Hale Walker helped redesign the grounds, especially the formal garden at the back. This happened around the time of the Marstons’ 50th wedding anniversary. The garden covers over 5 acres. It has many different trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers. Some are from the area, and some are exotic.
The Marstons also got plants and ideas from their friend, Kate O. Sessions. She was a famous plant expert in San Diego. Local nursery owners also helped them. Some plants still growing in the garden today include Canary Island Pines and California Oaks. You can also find wild lilacs and Mexican Cup of Gold vines. Queen Elizabeth roses, which were daughter Mary Marston's favorite, are also there.
Many of the original plants are still alive. Save Our Heritage Organisation is working to bring back other parts of the garden. The geranium flower is special to the Marston House. George Marston once ran for mayor, and people joked about "smokestacks vs. geraniums." This meant business growth versus natural beauty.
Who Was George Marston?
George Marston was a department store owner. He was also a very important leader in San Diego. He helped start the San Diego Historical Society. This group is now called the San Diego History Center.
Marston is well-known for saving the site of the San Diego Presidio. This was the first European settlement in California. It had fallen into ruins. He bought the land in 1907. In 1925, he built a private historical park there. He then gave it to the city in 1929. Presidio Park is now a protected historic place.
He owned the Marston department store. He became very wealthy from his business. He was also a generous person who gave a lot to the city. He later opened another store called "Marcie's," named after his daughter. The Marston department store was a major store in downtown San Diego. The family owned it until 1961.
See also
- George Marston
- Save Our Heritage Organisation
- George P. Marston House, owned by his father
