List of Gaslamp Quarter historic buildings facts for kids

The Gaslamp Quarter Historic District in San Diego, California, is a super cool place to explore! It's full of old buildings that tell amazing stories about the city's past. Imagine walking down streets where people lived and worked over a hundred years ago! This area is like a living museum, and many of its buildings are protected because they are so important to history.

This guide will take you on a tour of some of the most interesting and historic buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter. You'll learn about their names, when they were built, and what makes them special. Many of these buildings have special plaques that show their history, and we'll follow that order to discover them. Get ready to step back in time!

Exploring Historic Buildings in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

William Heath Davis House

Built way back in 1850, the William Heath Davis House is the oldest building still standing in what's known as "New Town" San Diego. You can find it at 410 Island Avenue. This house is a true survivor and gives us a peek into what San Diego looked like long, long ago.

Chinese Laundry

The Chinese Laundry building, located at 527 4th Avenue, was built in 1923. It's a reminder of the important role the Chinese community played in San Diego's history, especially in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Pacifica Hotel

The Pacifica Hotel, built in 1910, is located at 547 4th Avenue. Hotels like this were very important in the early days of San Diego, providing places for travelers and new residents to stay.

Lester Hotel

Another historic hotel, the Lester Hotel, was built in 1905 and can be found at 417 Market Street. Imagine all the different people who stayed here over the years!

Quin Building

The Quin Building, built in 1930 at 500 4th Avenue, and its addition at 520 4th Avenue, show how the Gaslamp Quarter continued to grow and change through the early 20th century.

Cotheret Building (Gaslamp Hotel)

The Cotheret Building, built in 1903 at 536 4th Avenue, is also known as the Gaslamp Hotel. It's cool how some buildings have more than one name, showing how their use might have changed over time.

Broker's Building (Klauber-Wangenheim Building)

You can find the Broker's Building at 404 Market Street. It was built in 1889 and is also known as the Klauber-Wangenheim Building. This building has seen a lot of business happen over the decades!

Carriage Works

The Carriage Works building, built in 1890 at 655 4th Avenue, reminds us of a time before cars were common. Carriages were a main way to get around, and this building was likely where they were made or repaired.

Labor Temple Building (Horton Parsons Hall)

The Labor Temple Building, also called Horton Parsons Hall, was built in 1907 at 743 4th Avenue. This building was important for workers' groups and community gatherings.

Paris Hotel

The Paris Hotel, built in 1910, is located at 409 F Street. It's another example of the many hotels that sprang up in San Diego as the city grew.

Ingle Building (Golden Lion Tavern)

At 801 4th Avenue, you'll find the Ingle Building, built in 1906. It once housed the famous Golden Lion Tavern, a popular spot for people to gather.

Exchange Club

The Exchange Club building, built in 1905 at 815 4th Avenue, was likely a place where community leaders and business people met.

Panama Cafe

The Panama Cafe, built in 1907 at 827 4th Avenue, was a place where people could grab a meal and socialize.

Windsor Hotel

The Windsor Hotel, built in 1887 at 843 4th Avenue, is another one of the older hotels in the district, showing how long people have been visiting and living in this area.

Granger Building

The Granger Building, built in 1904, is located at 964 5th Avenue. Its architecture reflects the style of the early 1900s.

Woolworth Building

The Woolworth Building, built in 1922 at 953 5th Avenue, was once a popular department store. Many people remember Woolworth's as a place to shop for all sorts of things.

Dalton Building (Universal Boot Shop)

The Dalton Building, built in 1911 at 939 5th Avenue, was also known as the Universal Boot Shop. It's cool to think about what kind of shops these buildings used to hold!

Howard Building (Flagg Brothers Building)

The Howard Building, built in 1887 at 933 5th Avenue, was also known as the Flagg Brothers Building. It's a great example of the older architecture in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Watts–Robinson Building

The Watts–Robinson Building, constructed in 1913 at 903 5th Avenue, is another important piece of the Gaslamp Quarter's architectural puzzle.

Onyx Hotel

The Onyx Hotel, built in 1910 at 852 5th Avenue, was another hotel that served the growing population of San Diego.

San Diego Hardware Building

The San Diego Hardware Building, built in 1910 at 840 5th Avenue, was a vital business for the community, providing tools and supplies.

Ingersoll–Tutton Building

The Ingersoll–Tutton Building, built in 1894 at 832 5th Avenue, is a beautiful example of late 19th-century architecture.

Mercantile Building

The Mercantile Building, built in 1894 at 822 5th Avenue, was likely a hub for trade and business in its day.

Keating Building

The Keating Building, built in 1890 at 432 F Street, is so important that it's recognized as a San Diego Historic Landmark.

Louis Bank of Commerce

Another San Diego Historic Landmark, the Louis Bank of Commerce, was built in 1888 at 835 5th Avenue. Banks were crucial for the city's growth.

Nesmith–Greely Building

The Nesmith–Greely Building, built in 1888 at 825 5th Avenue, is also a San Diego Historic Landmark.

Hubbell Building

The Hubbell Building, built in 1887 at 813-823 5th Avenue, is another San Diego Historic Landmark that adds to the rich history of the area.

Marston Building

The Marston Building, built in 1881 at 809 5th Avenue, is also a San Diego Historic Landmark. It's one of the older buildings on this list!

Spencer Ogden Building

The Spencer Ogden Building, built in 1874 at 770 5th Avenue, is another very old building that has stood the test of time.

Loring Building

Even older is the Loring Building, built in 1873 at 764 5th Avenue. Imagine what San Diego was like when this building was new!

Llewelyn Building

The Llewelyn Building, built in 1887 at 722 5th Avenue, is a San Diego Historic Landmark.

Cole Block Building

The Cole Block Building, built in 1892 at 702 5th Avenue, is also a San Diego Historic Landmark.

William Penn Hotel

The William Penn Hotel, built in 1920 at 511 F Street, was also known as the New Hotel Oxford. It's interesting how buildings can change names over the years.

Dream Theatre

The Dream Theatre, built in 1885 at 755 5th Avenue, was a place where people could go to watch shows and movies.

Pierce-Field Building

The Pierce-Field Building, built in 1885 at 753 5th Avenue, is another example of the commercial buildings from that era.

Old City Hall (Commercial Bank Building)

San Diego's Old City Hall, built in 1874 at 664 5th Avenue, was also known as the Commercial Bank Building. It's amazing to think this was once where the city's government operated!

Bijou Theater (Old City Hall Addition)

The Bijou Theater, built in 1875 at 658 5th Avenue, was also known as the Old City Hall Addition. It shows how buildings were expanded and repurposed.

Backesto Building

The Backesto Building, built in 1873 at 614 5th Avenue, is a San Diego Historic Landmark.

Casino Theatre

The Casino Theatre, built in 1912 at 643 5th Avenue, was another place for entertainment in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Yuma Building

The Yuma Building, built in 1888 at 631 5th Avenue, is a San Diego Historic Landmark.

Combination Store

The Combination Store, built in 1880 at 621 5th Avenue, was a place where people could buy various goods.

McGurck Block

The McGurck Block, built in 1887 at 611 5th Avenue, is a San Diego Historic Landmark.

Young Building (Sun Cafe)

The Young Building, built in 1883 at 421 Market Street, was also known as the Sun Cafe. It started as a shooting gallery in the 1920s before becoming a restaurant!

Montijo Building

The Montijo Building, built in 1895 at 560 5th Avenue, is another example of the beautiful architecture from that period.

Lowenstein Building

The Lowenstein Building, built in 1887 at 544 5th Avenue, is a historic building. You might also see its name spelled as Loewenstein.

Lewis Brick Block (Stingaree Hotel)

The Lewis Brick Block, built in 1887 at 538 5th Avenue, is also known as the Stingaree Hotel.

Lincoln Hotel

The Lincoln Hotel, built in 1913 at 536 5th Avenue, is another historic hotel in the district.

Yamada Building

The Yamada Building, built in 1869 at 516 5th Avenue, is one of the oldest buildings in the entire Gaslamp Quarter!

Manila Cafe

The Manila Cafe, built in 1930 at 515 5th Avenue, was a place where people could enjoy food and company.

Pioneer Warehouse

The Pioneer Warehouse, built in 1918 at 301 4th Avenue, was important for storing goods and supporting trade in the city. An addition was made in 1925 at 310 5th Avenue.

Buel–Town Building

The Buel–Town Building, built in 1898 at 278 5th Avenue, is another historic commercial building.

Samuel I. Fox Building

The Samuel I. Fox Building, built in 1929 at 531 Broadway, is a great example of architecture from the late 1920s.

St. James Hotel

The St. James Hotel, built in 1912 at 844 6th Avenue, offered lodging to visitors and residents.

Sheldon Block

The Sheldon Block, built in 1888 at 822 6th Avenue, is another important commercial building from the late 19th century.

George Hill Building

The George Hill Building, built in 1897 at 527 F Street, adds to the historic charm of the Gaslamp Quarter.

I.O.O.F. Building

The I.O.O.F. Building, built in 1882 at 526 Market Street, is a very special building. It's a San Diego Historic Landmark and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

Alan John Factory

The Alan John Factory, built in 1908 at 568 6th Avenue, shows that the Gaslamp Quarter wasn't just about shops and hotels, but also had industrial buildings.

Simmons Hotel

The Simmons Hotel, built in 1906 at 540 6th Avenue, is another example of the many hotels that served the city.

Sterling Hardware Building

The Sterling Hardware Building, built in 1924 at 530 6th Avenue, was a place where people could buy hardware and supplies.

New York Hotel

The New York Hotel, built in 1887 at 520 6th Avenue, is another one of the older hotels in the district.

Chinese Mission

The Chinese Mission, built in 1927 at 400 3rd Avenue, is a significant building for the Chinese community. Today, it's part of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.

Horton Grand Hotel and Kahle Saddlery

The Horton Grand Hotel and Kahle Saddlery, built in 1886 at 311 Island Avenue, is a very important building. It's a San Diego Historic Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also known as the Brooklyn Hotel.

Images for kids

See also

• List of San Diego Historic Landmarks
• National Register of Historic Places in San Diego County