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Our Community History

Note: click images below to expand

	Way back in 1888 the subdivision of University Heights was first conceived. Originally vast areas of the City of San Diego were nomenclated "Pueblo Lands of the City of San Diego" and future University Heights was one small part of that. In 1906 the subdivision began to be built-out, marketed and sold. In the 1906 plan, "Villa Lots" 79 and 80 were carved out (the two large lots left-most on the map). Both would eventually become Madison Avenue Villas. Note that the arced portions of Madison Avenue was originally notated as "Garfield Avenue" on the map but in the 1920s that segment had been renamed to "Golden Gate Drive". The University Heights Historical Society, the San Diego Historical Society, and the San Diego Public Library have many resources on the early history of University Heights and greater San Diego.
	According to handwritten property tax records in San Diego Lot Book 153 page 205, in 1925 both Villa Lot 79 and 80 were likely owned by the George M Hawley Investment Company. In 1926, both properties changed hands: George Crowley likely bought lot 80, and F.W. McCready and wife Pearl bought lot 79. Lot 79 remained unimproved. But in 1926 on lot 80, George Crowley apparently built or completed the ~3,000 sq-ft house that is now affectionately called the "Manor House". Mr. Crowley owned and operated hotels in downtown "New San Diego", specifically the King George Hotel around the time the Manor House was built.
	In 1928 according to San Diego Lot Book 172 page 209 the finished house wad been sold to a Helen M Green, who paid the first property taxes on the house structure as well as the land. It was first designated as 600 Golden Gate Drive. The online historical City Directory's provided house-by-house ownership information. The Manor House was owned from 1928-1930 by Victor and Helen Green. Mr Green was a prominent real estate broker in the Los Angeles area, owning multiple branch offices. But according to the California Real Estate Directories in 1925 and 1926, Mr Green wound-down his businesses and retired, apparently to San Diego for three years.
	Then from 1931-1941 it was owned by prominent citizen THE Samuel E. Mason. Samuel was the Vice-President and General Manager of both the San Diego Electric Railway company, and the San Diego and Coronado Ferry company (when John Spreckels removed his own son from those positions). Mr. Mason was also involved with the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, including being its President. And Mr. Mason was a member of the Executive Committee of the 1935 re-opening off the California-Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park. In 1931 according to the then San Diego City Directory, the Manor House was redesignated as 4501 Golden Gate Drive. The two nearby houses on the arced portion of what was then Golden Gate Drive were both built in 1940.
	Then from 1942 to 1971 the Manor House and both lots were owned by THE Irve C Boldman, a San Diego lawyer and celebrated horse enthusiast. Horse stables were added to the lots, as well as a small orchard. The Boldmans marched their horses in sixteen Rose Bowl parades. A biography of Mr. Boldman can be found at Irve Boldman Memorial.
	In the 1950s, numerous aerial photos were taken throughout the San Diego metro area. One photo shows the western end of Madison Ave, and a portion of what would become Madison Avenue Villas. Note the large half-circle clearing on Villa Lot 79 and the line of trees of what was a former orchard on Villa Lot 80. By that time, the Manor House had been redesignated yet again as 601 Madison Ave.
[Photo of Dick King in the 1970s]	In 1971-72 Dick King purchased the two lots with the pre-existing Manor House from the Boldman estate. He and his family moved into the house, initially keeping the stables and horses. They were able to ride those horses down into Mission Valley and even all the way to the Beach! But Dick had big plans for these two lots.
	in 1972 and 1973 the subdivision of Madison Avenue Villas was laid out, and was approved by City and County authorities. The Manor House's address was again redesignated now as 4487 Caminito Fuente. The new subdivision plan kept the Manor House as is with its own lot, and created 26 new townhouses plus a private community pool and recreation area.
In 1972 site preparation began. Bulldozing can be seen from Madison Ave.	In 1973 thru 1974 construction began in earnest. Hillside townhouses were being built along the northern slope (left to right) 4498, 4494, 4490, 4488, 4486, 4484.
Bulldozing and the Manor House.	The entry and topmost townhouses (left to right) 4490, 4494, and 4498.
Note that originally the area was level with the Manor House. Extensive bulldozing created a down-sloping street seen in the middle photo to the right.	The middle of the community where the future Jacaranda Tree planter will be installed. Townhouses (left to right) 4458, 4460, 4464, 4468.
	In 1975 the townhouses up for sale for $70,000 each! In 2023 dollars that would be only $380,000. Note that originally the townhouses were painted white with teal wood trim. One of our current residents that purchased a townhouse in 2015 actually toured those original townhouses way back in 1975!
	In the February 2012 copy of the University Heights Community Association's Newspaper, an article was printed about Dick: University Heights Living Legend: Dick King by April Tellez Richard “Dick” King has been an esteemed member of our community for decades. He moved to University Heights in 1970 after viewing an eight-acre piece of property at the west end of Madison Avenue on Caminito Fuente. He came, he saw, he purchased. In the 70s, the property was much different than it is today. There was one house (the home Dick currently resides in), eight stables with horses and a plethora of open, unused land. “One of my fondest memories of this house is horseback riding to the beach,” Dick said with a smile. Being a real estate developer by trade, Dick erected 26 townhomes on his property that were sold and are now privately owned. Dick was born and raised in Massapequa on Long Island, New York. Dick’s father was a manager for General Motors and his mother was a happy homemaker to him and his two sisters, June and Delores. He attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York where he received his bachelor’s degree in business. Graduating in 1956, Dick said that his education undoubtedly set the foundation for his professional ventures and success. Tragically, Dick lost his wife Rosemary to Parkinson’s disease last year. The couple was married for 47 years and had three children: Richie, Danny and Maureen. Their sons are mentally impaired, which prompted the Kings to become very active in the disabled community. They have donated their time and efforts to various activities with the St. Madeleine Sophie Center and Noah Homes. Dick has very fond memories of Rosemary and holds her close to his heart. Today, Dick is in good health and spirits and looks forward to taking care of his children and keeping close ties with his extended family. Copyright (c) 2012 University Heights Community Association. Reprinted with permission.
	For more than 50 years, Dick remained an active and involved resident of the community he built. Sadly he passed in 2023.