By Jake Romero | Gaslamp Landmarks
The Davis-Horton House — formerly known as the William Heath Davis House and built in 1850 — is the oldest standing structure in Downtown San Diego.
It serves as the home to the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation (GQHF) and the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House.
Rare and unique to California is the “saltbox” architectural style of the home, which takes its name from its resemblance to the wooden, lidded box in which salt was once kept. Typically, a saltbox structure has just one story in the back and two stories in the front. A long, pitched roof that slopes down to the back, a flat front and central chimney are recognizable features.
In 1850, the Downtown San Diego area was barren coastal land with no trees or fresh water. Since the area lacked trees for lumber, William Heath Davis purchased 10 to 14 prefabricated structures from Portland, Maine, to establish “New Town.” Davis set up his town near what is now State and Market streets near San Diego’s oldest public park, Pantoja Park.
In 1873, Anna Scheper purchased the house and had it moved from State and Market streets to 11th and K streets. Anna contracted with San Diego County to run the house as the “County Hospital.” She earned $1 per patient, per day.
A late owner, George Deyo, inherited the house in the 1930s and passed it on to the Lanuza Family in 1977, who in turn, donated the house to the city of San Diego to become a museum.
The house was moved to its current location when the museum restoration began. Electricity was installed for the first time in 1984, and the layers of wallpaper were peeled back to reveal earlier décor. Former Museum Curator Mary Joralmon worked tirelessly to restore the house to its current state as a museum for visitors to enjoy.
Each room in the house depicts a period in its history: from its use as a pre-Civil War military officers’ barracks, to a county hospital, and a private residence.
Various individuals have occupied the home, including Alonzo Horton, considered the “Father of San Diego”; an alleged German spy; and several families.
Today, the Davis-Horton House welcomes thousands of visitors annually.
—Jake Romero is the director of operations of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, located at 410 Island Ave., Downtown, in the historic Davis-Horton House. For more information visit gaslampquarter.org.
