Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Nesmith-Greely Building

1888

— Gaslamp Quarter —

Nesmith-Greely Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

1. Nesmith-Greely Building Marker

Inscription. The Romanesque Revival style of this four-story structure is revealed in its brick coursing and circular lower elements capped by simulated stone towers. The face of the building retains its original appearance, with the exception of the fire escapes. The building is named for Thomas Nesmith, president of the Bank of San Diego, and Major General Adophus Washington Greeley. One prominent tenant was Clara Shortridge Foltz, the first woman attorney admitted to the California Bar Association. (Marker Number 33.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series list.

Location. 32° 42.842′ N, 117° 9.602′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is on Fifth Avenue north of F Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 825 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Hubbell Building (a few steps from this marker); Louis Bank of Commerce (a few steps from this marker); Ingersoll-Tutton Building, 1894 (a few steps from this marker);

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Mercantile Building, 1894 (within shouting distance of this marker); Marston Block, 1881 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Onyx Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); William Penn Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Loring Building, 1873 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Keating Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Nesmith Greely Building, 825 - 831 Fifth Avenue Circa 1970.

Nesmith Greely Building, 825 - 831 Fifth Avenue Circa 1970, then home to Seaport Traders, Candlelight Bookstore and the Clark Hotel. Built in 1888, the Romanesque details make a notable contribution to the downtown streetscape. Restored as part of the Gaslamp Quarter preservation, the building's ground floor is now a restaurant and its upper floors have been converted into loft-style apartments.

(Submitted on July 28, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

2. Nesmith-Greely Building Marker

Nesmith-Greely Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

3. Nesmith-Greely Building

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.