It’s a name you have probably seen before but can’t quite remember where. Civil Engineer George (G.A.) d’Hemecourt is immortalized on the grant deeds and parcel maps of approximately 6,200 properties in University Heights, typically as “UNIVERSITY HTS. D’HEMECOURT MAP AMENDED (MAP 558).”

Thanks to our supporters, the University Heights Historical Society has continued to fulfill its mission in 2023 to preserve the architectural, cultural, and historic resources in University Heights through research, education, and advocacy.

A 97-year-old Spanish Colonial gem sits at the west end of Madison Avenue in University Heights and was once owned by Samuel Mason. Mason was president of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors of the 1935 Panama California International Exhibition in Balboa Park, and vice president and general manager at both the San Diego Electric Railway and the San Diego & Coronado Ferry companies.

Owners of older homes in University Heights may wonder if their property qualifies for a property tax reduction through the Mills Act. In order to qualify for the Mills Act, your property must be a designated historical resource listed on the City of San Diego Register.

Thanks to our supporters, the University Heights Historical Society has continued to fulfill its mission in 2023 to preserve the architectural, cultural, and historic resources in University Heights through research, education, and advocacy.

At 135 years old, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods and home to the former Mission Cliff Gardens, Bentley’s Ostrich Farm, San Diego Silk Mill, Adams Avenue Carbarn, the first reservoir for the city’s municipal water system, and the San Diego Normal School, forerunner to San Diego State University.

One of the hottest ongoing debates in University Heights is our geographic boundaries. The boundaries of University Heights vary, depending on which map you consult. Check out our new map of University Heights subdivisions.

At its June meeting, the City of San Diego Historical Resources Board historically designated the Torrey Apartments at 4260 Campus Avenue.

University Heights has many older homes, including over 170 that are historically designated, representing a wide variety of architectural styles from Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Minimal Traditional, Contemporary, Victorian, and Queen Anne Free Classic to Mission Revival. This article explores the architectural features that define the Spanish Colonial architectural style, one of the more common styles in University Heights.

University Heights has many older homes, including over 170 that are historically designated, representing a wide variety of architectural styles from Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Minimal Traditional, Contemporary, Victorian, and Queen Anne Free Classic to Mission Revival. This article explores the architectural features that define the Craftsman architectural style, one of the most common styles in University Heights.

Wondering if your older home qualifies for up to 50% property tax reduction through the Mills Act? Properties must be historically designated properties in order to qualify for the Mills Act. The University Heights Historical Society can help owners of older properties decide if their home may be potentially eligible for historic designation.

With the passage of Measure U (the San Diego Student Safety, Health, and School Repair Measure), our City has a golden opportunity to adaptively reuse the Teachers Training Annex 1, a National Historic Landmark and forerunner to San Diego State University, as the University Heights Branch Library.

Thanks to our supporters, the University Heights Historical Society has continued to fulfill its mission in 2022 to preserve the architectural, cultural, and historic resources in University Heights through research, education, and advocacy.

Founded in 1897, San Diego State University (SDSU) is celebrating 125 years of history this year, which includes its first campus in University Heights in 1898. This final post focuses on the Normal School from 1921 to 1931.

Student sports were in their infancy in 1900 at San Diego Normal School but the college we know today as San Diego State University was eager to launch competitive sports. From its campus on Park Blvd. in University Heights, the one-year-old school was ready for football.

Founded in 1897, San Diego State University (SDSU) is celebrating 125 years of history this year, which includes its first campus in University Heights in 1898. This post focuses on the Normal School from 1910 to 1920.

This week, a plaque gifted by the University Heights Historical Society to the San Diego Unified School District, was installed on the Teachers Training Annex 1 commemorating its status as a national landmark.

Founded in 1897, San Diego State University (SDSU) is celebrating 125 years of history this year, which includes its first campus in University Heights in 1898. This post focuses on the Normal School from 1898 to 1910.

One hundred years ago this week, a dispute between the San Diego Electric Railroad and the city of San Diego over street paving came to a head in the so-called Battle of Adams Avenue.

If you live in Normal Heights, North Park, or University Heights, you may be wondering how so older properties in our neighborhoods are being replaced by tall, dense buildings with little or no public review.