By Jake Romero | Gaslamp Landmarks
This building, located on the corners of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, is named after Ralph Granger, a native of Connecticut whose name is prominently featured on the main entrance.
Prior to coming to San Diego, Granger grubstaked for two German miners in Colorado. These miners would discover the Last Chance Silver Mine, making a fortune for all of them. The discovery allowed for Granger to dispose of his mining, lumber and cattle interests in Colorado. In 1892, he moved to San Diego, already a millionaire.
In November of 1899, Granger announced his intention to build a modern and costly building and leave it to his daughter Rachel. Construction of his building eventually began in 1904 and was completed in 1905 at a cost of $125,000.
Several San Diego institutions can trace their roots to this Romanesque-style building.
The Merchant’s National Bank, with building owner Ralph Granger as vice president, originally occupied the first floor. In 1924, that bank became the Bank of Italy, forerunner to the bank now known as Bank of America. Over the years, the building has served as office space for many of San Diego’s most prominent attorneys and doctors, in addition to optometrists, dentists, beauty shops, tailors, real estate, loan, and other business enterprises.
Granger led an interesting life. He was an avid yachtsman, sometimes sailing in the company of his friend John D. Spreckels. Granger had one of the world’s finest collections of violins which he sold to Lion Healy Music House of Chicago in 1902 as he was afraid they might be damaged by moisture if he kept them. He brought numerous famed musicians to his home in Paradise Valley and sometimes held public concerts.
In 1904, Granger bought the first automobile in National City. He died March 4, 1938 at the age of 97.
If you would like more information on the history and wonderful buildings of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation invites you to visit the Gaslamp Museum and the Davis-Horton House located at 410 Island Ave., or visit our website, gaslampfoundation.org.
—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 gaslampfoundation.org.
