Alexander Stewart House - Escondido, CA, USA

This Eastlake Victorian style home was built in 1890 by Alexander Stewart, an Escondido blacksmith who went on to become the director of the Escondido National Savings Bank and later the chairman of the City Board.  The building materials were shipped in pieces from New England and around Cape Horn.  Mr. Stewart lived in the house until his death there in 1940.

The photo below shows the home as it appeared in July 2012.

The house was reported to still be in near perfect and unaltered condition in 1992 when it was recommended it be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (the owner declined), but in April 2007 a court-ordered inspection found 24 code violations, both inside and out.  A large open hole had been cut in the attic facade for "ventilation," neighbors reported pieces falling from the house and it was in danger of being demolished.  Considerable improvements appear to have been made since that time.  This is the only home of this style in Escondido.

The photos below were taken in October 2007.

Located at 439 East 5th Avenue in the Old Escondido Historic District.

Charles Libby House - Oceanside, CA, USA

Built circa 1902 by Charles Libby, this two-story Late Victorian/Colonial Revival style house is also known as the Goldie Rush House and the Libby-Rush House.  Goldie Rush, a burlesque star who performed in north San Diego County, was an early occupant of the home.  The house originally stood near the intersection of Fourth Street (now Civic Center Drive) and Summit Street. 
By the mid-1970s it was dilapidated and scheduled for demolition by the Fire Department.  In an attempt to save the old structure it was offered for sale for the sum of $1, provided it was relocated and brought up to code by the new owner.  In 1977 it was sold and moved to its present location on Rockledge Steet.  Because of the narrow streets between the two locations the house was transported on a long circuitous route and nearly slid off the truck on the way up the steep Vine Street hill.  The former front of the house faces the backyard and the rear faces the steet at its new location.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 12, 1978, plaque #N644. 

About 1971 or 1972 I remember going to this house at its original location with my roommate to visit one of her friends who was renting it.  We did not go inside and all stood on the porch to talk.  The house was completely dark and there was probably no electricity at that time.

Located at 636 Rockledge Street.

Santa Fe Depot - Carlsbad, CA, USA

Built in 1887 in the Queen Anne style and in service from 1888 until 1959.  The building was acquired by the City of Carlsbad in 1960 and has housed the Chamber of Commerce and most recently the Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the first commercial building in Carlsbad and remains in its original location.

 

Located on the east side of the railroad tracks between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue.