In 1923 Ralph Whitney and his wife Edna purchased the lot and he is listed in the old 1923 directory at the San Diego History Center as living at a nearby address with a profession of “carpenter”. It is likely that Mr. Whitney built the house as no other builder has been uncovered and it was common in those days for carpenters to build their own homes.
Sadly, in the 1924 directory Mr. Whitney is listed as living at the property with his wife however his profession is noted as “Driver, Original French Laundry Company”. And in 1925 he and his wife disappear from San Diego- likely a victim of the depression.
Throughout the 1920s, San Diegans continued to benefit from the nationwide exposure generated by the Panama-California Exposition held a few years earlier. But despite nationwide marketing campaigns, the vision of the great commercial port city never materialized. Undaunted, San Diegans looked at the city’s population growth, which doubled in the 1920s, as a tangible sign of prosperity. San Diego was definitely a great place to live and real estate trends proved it. Promoters now billed San Diego as “the ideal home city.”
Although the Depression caused hardship here, many federally sponsored relief programs promoted the arts, helped support cultural programs, and developed parks and other recreational facilities which further enhanced the city’s image. San Diego continued to promote itself as the ideal community, one, which enjoyed a quality of life unequalled anywhere in the world.
If you know someone who wants to enjoy life in San Diego please send them my way!
Join me for our next episode as a new owner appears on the scene . . .
Both interior and exterior demo is now complete on the property~ here is a slide show of the exterior demo:
San Diego Real Estate LAB 