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

Timkin Building, 1894

Historic Building

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 10, 2012

1. Timkin Building, 1894 Marker

Inscription. Henry Timkin invented the roller bearing for the horse-drawn carriage, and was one of San Diego’s leading real estate investors. In 1894 he built this building at the cost of $7,200. It is most notable for the top brick overhang and the large second-floor skylights. The first tenant was the Mint Saloon, which also operated furnished rooms on the second floor. Later the ground floor housed a clothing store, a shooting gallery, and a Multi-Cultural Center.

Erected by Gaslamp Quarter. (Marker Number 55.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 32° 42.68′ N, 117° 9.62′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is on Market Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 437 Market Street, 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: Montijo Building 1881 (a few steps from this marker); Lowenstein Building, 1887 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lewis Brick Block (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln Hotel 1913

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Broker’s Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Backesto Building, 1873 (within shouting distance of this marker); The McGurck Block, 1887 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pacifica Hotel, 1910 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

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

Also see . . . History of the Timken Company. (Submitted on January 12, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California.)

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 10, 2012

2. Timkin Building, 1894 Marker

Marker is mounted on the wall to the left of the entrance door.

Timkin Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 12, 2012

3. Timkin Building

Timkin Building, 1894 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

4. Timkin Building, 1894

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. 4. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.