Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Higgins-Begole Building, 1873
Historic Building
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025
1. Higgins-Begole Building, 1873 Marker
Inscription.
Higgins-Begole Building, 1873. . Two separate buildings were joined in a single facade sometime before 1921. The north half of this buildings first story was constructed circa 1868, the oldest documented brick building in the Gaslamp Quarter. W.A. Begole, who ran the hardware store, added a second story in 1878 and third in 1886. The south, two-story Art Deco building was constructed by Mr. Higgins in 1873 and a third story added between 1906 and 1921 when the facades were joined. It served as a grocery, dry goods store and billiard parlor. The upper floors were rented rooms, most likely a bordello before the 1912 Stingaree raid. It also served as rooms for the Salvation Army, Hotel Togo and Hawaiian Hotel.
Two separate buildings were joined in a single facade sometime before 1921. The north half of this buildings first story was constructed circa 1868, the oldest documented brick building in the Gaslamp Quarter. W.A. Begole, who ran the hardware store, added a second story in 1878 and third in 1886. The south, two-story Art Deco building was constructed by Mr. Higgins in 1873 and a third story added between 1906 and 1921 when the facades were joined. It served as a grocery, dry goods store and billiard parlor. The upper floors were rented rooms, most likely a bordello before the 1912 Stingaree raid. It also served as rooms for the Salvation Army, Hotel Togo and Hawaiian Hotel.
Erected by Gaslamp Quarter. (Marker Number 63.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 32° 42.647′ N, 117° 9.599′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is on Fifth Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 527 Fifth Avenue, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
More about this marker. The marker is located at the south end of the building and right of the entrance.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025
2. Higgins-Begole Building, 1873 Marker
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025
3. Higgins-Begole Building, 1873
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
