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

William Heath Davis House, 1850

Davis House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Davis House Marker

Inscription. The Davis house is the oldest surviving structure from San Diego's New Town. It is an example of a prefabricated, "salt-box" style home. Built on the East Coast, shipped around Cape Horn, and assembled in San Diego, The Davis House originally stood on State and Market, but was moved to 11th Avenue, and finally to its present site in 1984. Along with being a residence, it also has served as a county hospital.

Erected by Gaslamp Quarter. (Marker Number 1.)

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 1984.

Location. 32° 42.634′ N, 117° 9.646′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is at the intersection of Island Avenue and 4th Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Island Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 Island 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: Quin Building, 1930 (a few steps from this marker); Bum / Greyfriars Bobby / The “Tail” of Two Cities (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinese Laundry, 1923 (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Yamada Building, 1869 (within shouting distance of this marker); Horton Grand - Kahle Saddlery – 1886 (within shouting distance of this marker); Labor Temple Building, 1907 (within shouting distance of this marker); Callan Hotel 1878 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln Hotel 1913 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Also see . . . William Heath Davis House. Includes interior photos. (Submitted on January 20, 2012.)

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 9, 2012

2. Davis House Marker

William Heath Davis House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 9, 2012

3. William Heath Davis House

Marker is visible on the left side of the building.

Davis House Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, November 27, 2021

4. Davis House Markers

City of San Diego Historical Site No. 9 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 9, 2012

5. City of San Diego Historical Site No. 9

Photographed by Adam Margolis, November 27, 2021

6. William Heath Davis House

Photo on Display in the Davis House image. Click for full size.

7. Photo on Display in the Davis House

The house at its previous location at 227 11th Street.
The William Heath Davis House has been moved a number of times. In 1850 it was prefabricated in Portland, Maine, and subsequently shipped around Cape Horn to San Diego. Upon arrival the house was constructed on State Street at a site between Market and G Streets.
In approximately 1873 it was purchased by Anna Scheper and moved to 227 11th Street serving as the unofficial San Diego County Hospital. Finally, in 1984 it arrived at its present location at 410 Island Avenue where the restoration was performed that made it into the museum it is today.

Museum Sign on Island Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, November 27, 2021

8. Museum Sign on Island Avenue

The Previous Davis House Museum Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, July 10, 2010

9. The Previous Davis House Museum Sign

Island and 4th Avenues image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Whittle, January 10, 2012

10. Island and 4th Avenues

The William Heath Davis House is seen on the right and the Grand Horton Hotel is seen on the left, looking west.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. This page has been viewed 1,281 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 5, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. 4. submitted on February 13, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5. submitted on January 20, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. 6. submitted on February 13, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 7. submitted on February 15, 2012, by Maja Tajima of San Diego, California. 8. submitted on February 13, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 9. submitted on January 20, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 10. submitted on January 20, 2012, by Dean Whittle of San Diego, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.