United States Custom House (San Ysidro, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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U.S. Inspection Station/U.S. Custom House
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U.S. Custom House in 1981, looking north at the west and south façades
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 Location in Southern San Diego
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| Location | Virginia and Tijuana Sts., San Ysidro, California |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Office of the Supervising Architect under James A. Wetmore |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001228 |
| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1983 |
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The United States Custom House (also known as the Old Customs House) is a special building in San Ysidro, San Diego, California. It was built in 1933 and has a beautiful Spanish Revival style. You can find it very close to the Mexico–United States Border, about 50 feet (15 meters) north of it, at the busy San Ysidro Port of Entry. This building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a historic landmark! Its full official name is U.S. Inspection Station/U.S. Custom House.
Contents
History of the Custom House
Building a New Border Station
The Custom House was built during a time when the U.S. government was constructing many new federal buildings. This big building project started in 1926 under President Herbert Hoover. In total, about 1,300 new federal buildings were constructed across the country.
The design for the Custom House came from the Supervising Architect's office, which was part of the Treasury Department. The actual construction was done by a company called Robert E. McKee from El Paso, Texas. They were paid $93,800 for the job.
Construction and Opening
Work on the building began in the early summer of 1932. By May 1933, the Custom House was finished. It started being used right away, but there wasn't a big opening ceremony. It just quietly began its important work.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, more and more people started crossing the border at San Ysidro. Because of this, an extra building was added north of the 1933 Custom House. Later, in 1974, even larger and newer inspection and customs buildings were built to the west. These newer facilities are still in use today. For a while, the ground floor of the original Custom House was empty. But now, it's used again by offices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Why This Building Is Important
The U.S. Custom House is important for two main reasons: its role in politics and its unique design.
A Symbol at the Border
First, this building has played a big symbolic role in how Mexico and the United States work together. The San Ysidro crossing is one of the busiest land borders in the entire world. The Custom House stands as a symbol of the connection and cooperation between the two countries at this very active spot.
A Special Architectural Style
Second, the building is a great example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style. This style was used for many public buildings in the area. The Custom House shows off this beautiful design, making it a notable landmark in the local community.
