Exploring the history, neighborhood charm of South Park and Golden Hill

By Marsha Smelkinson

It started 17 years ago as a small block party with exhibit booths on Beech Street in what was known then as part of Golden Hill. Today, the Old House Fair is a signature event for South Park, where a neighborhood has built its identity around the historic charm of its streets lined with early 20th-century homes.

After years of neglect and many owners, this two-story craftsman home, built in 1914, has been lovingly restored. Following the Craftsman style of the early 1900s, the features are symmetrical, with Douglas fir built-ins and sweeping views of the hills to the east. The home is perched on a hill, giving the entrance, as one ascends the flight of stairs, a majestic feeling. (Photo by Andy McRory)

On Saturday, June 20, a few thousand visitors will take part in Old House Fair activities, which still center around the intersection of 30th and Beech streets, one of the central crossroads of South Park. There they can buy tour tickets, visit exhibitors and artisans, enjoy music and dance performances by local residents, and partake in festive food highlighted by the Buona Forchetta Pizza Party.

The festival is mostly a free event, but the more extensive tours require tickets. Everyone will receive a free booklet with maps and historical information, and Urban Safaris will offer a guided walking tour of the neighborhood at 2 p.m.

Historic Home Tour ticket-holders can board a free shuttle bus that circulates around the five homes in South Park and Golden Hill. Three of the homes are within easy walking distance of the fair, and two are located about eight blocks away. Each home will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with docent guides providing highlight info in key rooms. Tickets are $25 per person, available online (theoldhousefair.com) or at the fair on June 20.

The Centennial Trolley Tours offer one-hour rides with narration, guiding riders to historic sites and iconic homes in South Park and Golden Hill. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and are available at the ticket booth at 30th and Beech.

This 1926 California bungalow, with Spanish Revival influence, emphasizes a horizontal link between the house and the land around it. This romantic, simplified version of the Spanish Revival or Spanish Colonial California bungalow evolved to fill the needs of the working-class budget. A great contrast to the turn of the century ornate Victorian style, in the 1920s and 1930s neighborhoods were dotted with these single-story stucco homes inspired by the launching of the 1915 San Diego California Exposition. (Photo by Andy McRory)

There will also be a free shuttle between the Old House Fair and Golden Hill Park, site of the Golden Hill Centennial Expo Festival that opens at 11 a.m. Old House Fair visitors receive a $5 photo booth voucher to use at Golden Hill Park on June 20.

Marsha Smelkinson and Maureen Ceccarelli are co-directors of the Old House Fair, which is produced by the South Park Business Group (which also organizes the quarterly Walkabouts in the neighborhood). Proceeds from the event are used to support maintenance, beautification and improvements in the area.

More information on the Old House Fair is available online or by phone at 619-233-6679.

Food at the Fair

Beech Street Pizza Party by Buona Forchetta
Food booths featuring Mr. Joey’s Tacos, Olivia’s Ghanian Kitchen, and Ledesma’s Sweet Corn and Fresh Lemonade.
VivaPops
Eclipse Chocolate
Specials at South Park eateries, including Buona Forchetta, Grant’s Marketplace, The Station, and South Park Brewing Company

Live entertainment

10 a.m. — Frances Bloom Band
12:30 p.m. — Marcia Forman Band
2 p.m. — Paloma Aragon Arte Flamenco
3 p.m. — Marcia Forman Band

Built in 1929, this multi-family residence dubbed El Tovar is believed to have been designed by Richard Requa. This building and Requa’s stately home on C Street are highlights of this year’s Historic Home Tour. Two apartments will be open. A faux tower, showing the Mission influence, dominates the property. Old world elements, such as planked, heavy wood doors, ornate iron railings, low, pitched red tile roof, Moorish arches and low stucco courtyard walls, combine together to create this charming and unique building that stands true to its original design. (Photo by Andy McRory)

Artists & Vintage Row

Vintage furniture, home accessories, jewelry, apparel and antiques
Artists Row featuring handcrafted goods and fine art by local San Diego artists

Exhibit booths

Booths line 30th Street from Cedar to Beech to Ash, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for local companies offering services and information about restoration, renovation, home repair and improvements
“Ask The Experts” booth by SOHO San Diego (Save Our Heritage Organisation)
Official South Park souvenir T-shirts, free maps, other services at the Information Booth
Ticket booth is at 30th and Beech. Purchase tickets for Historic Home Tour and Centennial Trolley Tours. Will call for online purchasers opens at 9:30 a.m.
Sponsors booths include Atlas Footing Services, Filtercon Technologies, Dunn-Edwards Paints and Home Restoration and Remodeling Services of San Diego

Artists

Augusta Dezines of Sweet Flag Studio
Books by Paige
Cathy Bennett Jewelry and Arts
Fresh Baked Paper Goods
Grey Theory Mill
Jori Owens Fine Art
Kara Church
Mariana Acevedo
Noble Carriage
Primrose Plumm
Renetta Happe Works on Paper
Sylvia Mejia Ceramics
Thread & Arrow
Two Hermanas
Val Carson Fine Art
We Love Citrus
Wind Dancer Creations

This 1913 non-traditional Craftsman is very similar, in façade and floor plan layout, to another home on the Old House Fair Tour, but has some interesting differences. On approaching this home one notices the off-center, second-story door, leading to a rooftop mystery. Was the balcony never completed? The interior wood paneling and built-ins maintain the craftsman symmetry; however, the fireplace returns to the asymmetrical style. (Photo by Andy McRory)

Exhibitors

Affordable Window Coverings
All Around Construction
Alpine Windowerks
Artifacts & Artichokes
Atlas Footing Repair, Inc.
Atlas Hardwood Flooring
Authentic Fireplaces
Bath Fitter
Bling Fling
California Coast Builders
Carini Heating & Air Conditioning
Cheetah Conservation Fund
Chris Ward for City Council
City of SD Water Conservation
Craftsman Wood Refinishing
DIY with Pro Help
Eclipse Chocolate
Farm Fresh To You
Filtercon Technologies
Gledhill’s Vintage Furniture
Home Restoration & Remodeling of San Diego
IS Architecture
Jean Rivaldi, Community Realty Co.
Legacy 106, Inc. – Ronald May
Mooch Exterior Designs
Mortise and Tenon
Natures Elements Landscaping
North Park Farmers Market
North Park Historical Society
Nouveau Designs
Premium Roof Services
Professional Roofing Services
R+M Vintage Corner at Studio Maureen
Raymond Shaw Landscape Design
Roberts Electric Service
Rockabilly Mafia Dolls of SD
Rydberg Bros.
Seifert Design
SOHO San Diego & Geranium George
South Park Doctor
South Park Wellness Providers
Sure Safe EFS
Thrasher Termite and Pest Control
Todd Gloria, San Diego City Council
Toni G. Atkins, Speaker of the Assembly
Top Flooring
Truline Painting
William Van Dusen Millworking

Transportation

Home Tour Shuttle sponsored by Ed Landsberg, Scott & Quinn Real Estate. Provides free transportation between the historic homes on tour. Available only for ticket-holders. Maps and home addresses provided in ticket materials. Must show Historic Home Tour ticket to board this shuttle or enter any of the homes.
Free shuttle service between Old House Fair and Golden Hill Park. Board at Ash Street and 30th.
Centennial Trolley Tours. Tickets $10 ($5 for children 16 and younger) must be purchased at ticket booth. Board at 30th Street and Cedar.
From I-94, exit on 30th Street and go north to South Park. Old House Fair festivities are on 30th Street between Ash and Cedar, and on Beech Street between Dale and Fern. Street parking available.

Sponsors