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Overview

According to architectural historians Helen McElfresh Ferris and Bruce Kamerling, the George G. Garrettson House was Irving J. Gill's first commission realized in San Diego. Dutch Colonial Revival in inspiration, this was an early example of the style in San Diego. (See Helen McElfresh Ferris, "Irving John Gill: San Diego Architect," Journal of San Diego History, vol, 17, no. 4, Fall 1971, and Bruce Kamerling, "Irving Gill: The Artist as Architect," Journal of San Diego History, vol. 25, no. 2, Spring 1979, p. 152.)

Building History

George Garretson, who, in 1897 served as the Treasurer of the Pacific Wood and Coal Company, commissioned the young architect Irving Gill (1870-1936) to design this residence (See San Diego, California, City Directory, 1897, p. 103). Gill had arrived in San Diego from Chicago, IL, in 1893, and this house would have been commissioned soon after his arrival. The Garrettson House was a modest first effort, although its Dutch Colonial Styling would have been seen asavant garde in San Diego at the time.

Garrett George Garretson (who used "George" as his first name, 1861-1942) married Mary Ann Lewis (1862-1959) on 12/13/1882 in Muscatine County, IA., and together the couple had five children, four of whom survived in 1900. In that year, Garretson, his wife Mary Ann, and their children--Isabel (1885-1956), George Aquilla (1889-1959), Kathryn (1892-1990) and Jean (1896-1970)--resided here with a live-in, Chinese-American household worker, Hom Yu (born c. 1878 in CA).

Garretson relocated from IA to KS (where Isabel and George were born between 1885 and 1889) and then to CA by 1892. His father George Aquilla Garretson (1826-1895) was also listed as a resident of San Diego in 1894, so the whole family likely relocated in the early 1890s. In 1894, voter records indicated that George G. was a coal merchant, while his father was retired. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 40; FHL Roll Number: 977095, accessed 09/30/2025.)

The 1900 US Census located them residing at 3230 E Street, listing George G., Mary Ann, Isabel, George A., Kathryn and Jean as inhabitants, as well as a Chinese-American household worker, How Yu (born c. 1878 in CA). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: San Diego Ward 6, San Diego, California; Roll: 99; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0197, accessed 09/30/2025.)

By 1910, Garretson, his wife and three children resided at 2112 C Street in San Diego. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: San Diego Ward 4, San Diego, California; Roll: T624_94; Page: 14b; Enumeration District: 0151; FHL microfilm: 1374107, accessed 09/30/2025.)

In recent years, the non-profit organization, Community Resources and Self-Help (CRASH), has utilized the Garretson House to assist those dealing with addiction issues. As per the CRASH.org website, the facility operated to serve these purposes: "Located in the Golden Hill area of San Diego, Golden Hill House offers 3.1, Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Treatment and 3.5, Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Services for adult women. This facility affords quick and easy access to downtown and to public transportation. The focus at Golden Hill House is on individual responsibility for recovery and productive re-entry into the community. Clients participate in individual recovery planning, counseling, group problem-solving exercises, vocational services, alcohol and other drug education, and workshops on relapse prevention. Family night, supervised parent-child visitation, as well as recreational and social activities are also important elements of the program design. Depending on your individual goals, we can also help you with money management, job preparation, time management, and proper nutrition and meal preparation." (See CRASH.org, "Golden Hill House," accessed 09/30/2025.)

.Building Notes

The two-story building featured a gambrel roof, and had a central, projecting front porch. Originally, a long, tripartite dormer topped by a balustrade adorned the roof above the front entryway. Two gabled dormers were located on either side of the central axis. Gill included a projecting, hexagonal bay on the west end that disrupted the facade's bi-lateral symmetry.

Alteration

The balustrade topping the central dormer was taken down at some point.

The residence was also renovated to serve as a residence home for young women in a addiction recovery program.

PCAD id: 19840