Vintage Postcards

State Normal School circa 1910, Washington and Normal Street The State Normal School once sat just northeast of the Washington at Normal Street corner. Designed by local architects Irving Gill and William Hebbard, this building housed classrooms and administration for training teachers. In 1931 the college, then known as the San Diego State Teachers College moved several miles inland to Montezuma Mesa. Now we know this institution as San Diego State University.
Katherine Teats and Alice Lee Residences circa 1915, Albatross and Upas Four homes by Irving Gill (1912 & 1913) The lower right corner of this card proclaims these to be a “Row of Typical Spanish Houses.” While adapted from studies of early mission buildings, the style is now identified with the primal modernism developed by local San Diego architects.
First Church of Christ Scientist Second and Laurel Built in 1910 and still in use. A classic example of Irving Gill design with the white stucco and rhythmic arches.
Hillcrest Bowl circa 1940, Fifth and Washington
Middletown Grammar School circa 1920 Whang band sis boom ah! Middletown Middletown rah rah rah! Are we in it? I should smile! Middletown’s in it all the while!
Marston Store circa 1920s
The original San Diego Convention Center opened on Harbor Drive in 1989. It was expanded (and bay access drastically reduced) in 2001.
Fort Rosecrans on Point Loma circa 1910
At the time it was built (late ’teens) the residential hotel was originally named Churchill Apartments and is believed to have been constructed by the owner of a lumberyard once located across the street. Later renamed the Casa Grande Apartments, the property at 1751 University Avenue has been owned for the last 14 years by HBA President Bob Grinchuk and his partner Reuel Olin.	The flag pole is now long gone, as are the balconies and decorative cornices. The balconies may have been removed when the city widened University Avenue, and the cornices may have disappeared because of a mistaken attempt to “modernize” the structure or because of revised earthquake codes.