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

US Grant Hotel

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 4, 2012

1. U.S. Grant Hotel Marker

Inscription. This property has been
placed on the

National
Register of
Historic Places

By the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list.

Location. 32° 42.93′ N, 117° 9.68′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is on Broadway west of 4th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker and hotel are located in the historic Gaslight District. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 326 Broadway, 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: Lawyer's Block Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Balboa Theatre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alonzo E. Horton (about 400 feet away); A San Diego Milestone (about 400 feet away); Pete Wilson (about 500 feet away); Panama Cafe (about 500 feet away); The Watts-Robinson Building (about 500 feet away); The Onyx Hotel (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Also see . . .

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U.S. Grant Hotel. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, 1979

The significance of the U. S. Grant Hotel lies both in the airchitecture and in the events and people associated with the building. Designed by a locedly prominent architect, Harrison Albright, the hotel is a well-designed, well-preserved exajnple of "Mannerist" style commercial architecture with gestures of Beaux-Arts aind Academic Revival detailing. The ingenuity and complexity exemplified in the varied relief in the wall features and the variety of depth and design create ain exaggerated classical effect. The monumental planning and control of space contrasts with the detail to classical accuracy in the ornamentation. Constructed entirely of steel and concrete, the building is significant as one of the very early examples of the skyscraper in Southern California and is claimed to be the first one in San Diego.

In addition to architectural significance, the building, is also associated with persons in history who played an important role in the growth of San Diego and the United States. The hotel served as a major meeting place for civic clubs, and upon opening, became the scene for social and political activities. A prestiguous hotel, it became known as the place to stay in San Diego, similar to the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Political and entertainment figures,
Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 4, 2012

2. US Grant Hotel
Marker is visible to the right of the entrance.
particularly campaigning politicians, included the U. S. Grant Hotel on their itinerary. Visitors included: Presidents Wilson, Harding, Truman, and Kennedy and celebrities Cary Grant, Beverly Sills, and Governors Warren, Reagan, and Jerry Brown of California. Located close to Mexico, the hotel was convenient for short trips over the border.

In 1905, Ulysses S. Grant, Jr., began preparations for the construction of this new hotel to be named in honor of his father, Commander in Chief of the United States Army and twice President of the United States. With this building, he chose to create an object of beauty for perpetuity, bearing his family name, and remaining a monument to his father. The site which he selected was originally occupied by the Horton House, focal point for the beginning of "New Town" envisioned by Alonzo Horatius Horton, and this location, after nearly one century, is still the hub of San Diego.

(Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 4, 2012

3. US Grant Hotel Logo

Mounted on the wall to the left of the entrance.

Chandelier Near Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 4, 2012

4. Chandelier Near Entrance

US Grant Hotel Lobby image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 4, 2012

5. US Grant Hotel Lobby

Parking Garage Entrance and Wing of Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 4, 2012

6. Parking Garage Entrance and Wing of Building

US Grant Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

7. US Grant Hotel

US Grant Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

8. US Grant Hotel and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. This page has been viewed 921 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 5, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. 7, 8. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.