{"id":246398,"date":"2013-08-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-08-02T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/a-jewel-in-university-heights\/"},"modified":"2013-08-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-08-02T07:00:00","slug":"a-jewel-in-university-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/a-jewel-in-university-heights\/","title":{"rendered":"A \u2018jewel\u2019 in University Heights"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/strong><\/strong>Open house, fundraiser planned for historic log cabin house<\/p>\n

Por Dave Fidlin | Reportero SDUN<\/p>\n

For years, it sat derelict and abandoned: a victim of vandalism and neglect.<\/p>\n

But a great deal of tender loving care, imagination and hard work has brought the James A. Creelman house \u2013 more commonly known as the Historic Log Cabin House \u2013 back to life. It is one of University Heights\u2019 oldest landmarks.<\/p>\n

\"Owner<\/a>
Owner of the Log Cabin House located at 4656 North Ave., Daniel Ramirez, was honored by SOHO for restoration work. (Photo by Sand\u00e9 Lollis)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Organizers are holding a commemorative event Aug. 18, as a culmination of the neighborhood\u2019s 125th anniversary gala, to celebrate five years of restorative efforts and to look to the future of the dwelling\u2019s place in the community.<\/p>\n

In 2008 \u2013 coincidentally, the centennial anniversary of the log cabin house \u2013 Daniel Ramirez purchased the property. Ramirez, who divides his time between San Diego and Los Angeles, has a history of purchasing distressed homes and restoring them to their former glory.<\/p>\n

A number of local organizations, including the University Heights Historical Society and Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), have lauded Ramirez for his efforts. To date, restoration within the log cabin house has been done at Ramirez\u2019s expense. SOHO honored Ramirez for his work at this year\u2019s People in Preservation Awards, held May 23.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was something that was just sitting there, rotting away,\u201d said Kristin Harms, chair of the Historical Society. \u201cBut it was also historically designated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since Ramirez acquired the house, he has worked with the historical society and other groups to bring the dwelling back to life. His efforts have included removing the back portion of the structure, which had been in a severe state of decay and was not part of the original 1908 building footprint.<\/p>\n

While the original portion of the log cabin was not in as bad of condition, it had problems of its own, including foundational issues that caused it to lean on one side. A number of techniques \u2013 including the use of pulleys \u2013 have corrected the problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is something that required quite a bit of patience,\u201d Harms said. \u201cThere have been a lot of man hours that have gone into fixing the place up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other structural and cosmetic improvements have included new log siding, cedar shingles, new corbels and trim pieces, decking and the installation of new windows.<\/p>\n

At the same time, efforts have been made to restore some of the building\u2019s original artifacts, including a grandiose stairwell, antique glass, doorknobs, door hinges and a front door knocker.<\/p>\n

While the property is a gleaming reminder of its past heritage, restorative work continues. The Historical Society is teaming up with Ramirez at the upcoming commemorative event to bring attention to a historic wood railing atop a cobblestone wall along Adams Avenue. The railing is in need of significant work.<\/p>\n

\"Funding<\/a>
Funding for the railing shown here will be raised at the event. (Courtesy UHHS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThat wood railing is more than 100 years old,\u201d Harms said. \u201cIt is literally falling apart, and we are working with a craftsman who is working to restore, and possible replace, portions of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visitors are asked to pay a $20 admission fee to tour the log cabin, and refreshments will be served. All proceeds will go toward the wood railing restoration.<\/p>\n

Originally used by the San Diego Electric Railway Company, the log cabin is immersed within an area of University Heights that has historical significance. The structure is directly across the street from the former Mission Cliff Gardens and Bentley Ostrich Farm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was the Balboa Park of its day,\u201d Harms said of the gardens and ostrich farm. \u201cIt was a very popular spot. It drew people from all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

The railway company had occupied the log cabin house as recognition of University Heights\u2019 growth. At the time of the cabin\u2019s completion, the railway company completed its expansion of its streetcar system into the area.<\/p>\n

Harms, who has lived in San Diego for 20 years, said research and advocacy behind the log cabin\u2019s restoration has given her a newfound appreciation of University Heights.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very interesting to see how things have changed,\u201d she said. \u201cYou look at these old photos and get a glimpse into the craftsman houses that were built in that era. [The upcoming event] is an opportunity for people to take notice. It should be a fun day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ramirez, who deems the log cabin a \u201cjewel\u201d in University Heights, said he is looking forward to giving visitors a glimpse into the historic structure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a great reason to get together with friends and neighbors, and to help restore one of the few remains of Mission Cliff Gardens,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For more information on events scheduled, visit logcabinparty.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AT A GLANCE<\/strong>
\nWHO: University Heights Historical Society<\/strong>
\nWHAT: Historic Log Cabin House open house and fundraiser<\/strong>
\nWHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18<\/strong>
\nWHERE: 4656 North Ave.<\/strong>
\nTICKETS: $20, includes refreshments; register online at logcabinparty.com; people paying in advance receive walking guide day of event<\/strong>
\nINFORMATION: email uhhs@att.net<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Open house, fundraiser planned for historic log cabin house By Dave Fidlin | SDUN Reporter For years, it sat derelict and abandoned: a victim of vandalism and neglect.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":726,"featured_media":246132,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"11555","_seopress_titles_title":"A \u2018jewel\u2019 in University Heights","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[11547,11551,11555],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-246398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-news","category-uptown-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246398","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/726"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246398"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246398\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246398"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246398"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}