At 134 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.

This beautiful Queen Anne Free Classic style home at 1086 Hayes Avenue in University Heights built in 1908 was historically designated by the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board on May 26, 2022.

Show your love for University Heights with our new, 7” diameter, bronze color plaque made from 14-gauge steel, sanded smooth, and coated with a durable UV powder coat to endure the elements for many years to come. Perfect for proudly mounting on the front of your house or business.

On June 21, 1900, the San Diego Normal School in University Heights (now San Diego State University) held its first commencement ceremonies. Twenty-six students graduated including 23 women and 3 men.

Three new historic markers were installed on May 18th by the University Heights Historical Society with a grant from the County of San Diego, and in partnership with the City of San Diego, the University Heights Community Development Corporation, and the University Heights Maintenance Assessment District.

A little bit of University Heights history was uncovered in early April when an old hand-painted sign for “Johnston’s Variety Department Store” was revealed under the sign for the former Small Bar at 4628 Park Blvd.

This downloadable digital guide includes a one-hour recorded webinar and 56-page slide deck presented by Senior Archaeologist/Historian Doug Mengers with PanGIS. Inc. Mr. Mengers walks through the process of researching the history of your property, preparing a report to nominate it locally for historic designation, and completing a Mills Act application to reduce property taxes on designated properties.

Save our Heritage Organisation is launching a free video tutorial series on Restoration Projects for the Historic Home Owner. Watch this first, step by step video on how to repair and restore your old wood window.

The University Heights Historical Society will host two free webinars in March about how to research and submit a nomination to historically designate your home, presented by historic preservation experts Amie Hayes with SOHO, and Doug Mengers with PanGIS.

Created originally for the fire insurance industry for risk assessment purposes, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps provide a wealth of information about the historical evolution of buildings, including their historic uses and building materials, for conservation, and restoration and rehabilitation.

As urban infill increases in University Heights, many of our older, potentially historic properties may be at risk for demolition. As a resident of University Heights, there is much you can easily do to help protect our historic heritage.

At 133 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.

Founded in 1888, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods. And chances are, you live in an older home with a story to tell.  Perhaps you have wondered who built the house or who has lived there before you. You might even be interested in having your home historically-designated. But where do you start?

Built in 1908, the James A. Creelman House at 4656 North Avenue is one of the oldest homes in University Heights. James A. Creelman, a florist, and his wife Agnes purchased the property from the San Diego Electric Railway Company in October 1908 and built the house in the Craftsman (Arts and Crafts) style which would have just have come into vogue.

Celebrate the 26th anniversary of the University Heights street sign, installed on April 3, 1997!

Check out the new self-guided walking tours of University Heights including historic churches and the Normal School site.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, the University Heights Historical Society honors Dr. Sue Earnest, distinguished Normal School graduate.

Like everyone, the pandemic has required that we be a little more creative in finding safe ways to educate the public about our community's significant history. With your support, we would like to raise $600 to design and print some new self-guided walking tours of University Heights.

The City of San Diego preventively treated nine Canary Island Palms this month for the South American Palm Weevil. These included three in the 4600 block of Park Blvd., and the six historically-designated palms in the 4700 block of Park Blvd.

Join Kristin Harms with the University Heights Historical Society for a live, virtual walking tour via Zoom of the early history of University Heights from the comfort and safety of your own home!