09/06/2023
Bankers Hill Beauty
The Timken House at 2501 First Avenue in Banker’s Hill, built in 1888 for businessman Kerry Timken, stands as a symbol of opulence. Originally housing a collection of European art, now at the Timken Museum and San Diego Museum of Art, the mansion was designed by architects Comstock and Trotsche, blending Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles.
Reflecting the 1880s boom, San Diego transformed from a frontier town to an urban center thanks to the transcontinental railroad. Uptown's emergence as a suburban haven for the wealthy led to impressive mansions like the Timken House. Architects Comstock and Trotsche contributed significantly to this transformation, designing around sixty buildings, known for their wealth-displaying craftsmanship. The Timken House, with its luxury materials and meticulous craftsmanship, mirrors this era's prosperity.
2009 photo by Sandé Lollis, courtesy Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO).
