OpenStreetMap (new tab)

Google Map (new tab)

Google Streetview (new tab)

Overview

The new architectural firm of Zimmer and Reamer designed this residence at 3457 C Street for a retired lawyer and his wife, Judge Solon H. and Katherine Clough, in San Diego, CA, in 1895.

Building History

Solon H. Clough (1828-1910), a native of Madison County, NY, moved from his home in Superior, WI, to San Diego, CA, in 1895. He had lived in Superior since 1868, where he worked as a lawyer and jurist in the Wisconsin State Judicial System. He married Katherine Eliza Taylor (born c. 1828-1902) in Fulton, NY, on 02/22/1849, and studied for two years at Hamilton College in Hamilton, NY, before focusing on law and passing the bar exam in Syracuse, NY. He first left NY to settle in Osceola, WI, c. 1863, and was elected a judge in Wisconsin's 11th Circuit in the Spring of 1864. He served two terms before retiring in 1877; his replacement died before filling his full term, and the governor appointed Clough to complete it. As a long eulogy published by legal colleagues in WI can attest, Clough was a respected and admired jurist, who saw the region that he served transition from a densely forested wilderness to an industrialized mining capital. (See W.M. Steele, Louis Hanitch, H.H. Grace, E.L. Johnson, and D.E. Roberts, "In Memoriam: Solon H. Clough," Wisconsin Reports: Cases Determined in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, October 28. 1913-February 3, 1914, vol. 155, [Chicago: Callahan and Company, 1914], pp. liv-lvii.)

The Clough had three children together, although one passed away before 1900, according to the US Census of that year. At this time, a daugher, Bertha (born c. 08/1861 in WI), lived at home with her parents at 3457 C Street, as did a boarder, Ella R. Keon (born 04/1854 in VT).

Clough and his wife retired in San Diego, for the remainders of their lives, save for five years spent in Hudson, WI. Katherine Clough died in San Diego, CA, on 08/17/1902, and Judge Clough passed away eight years later on 04/21/1910. They were buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego.

Building Notes

In her book on Reamer, Ruth Quinn indicated the following about the Clough House: "The former was announced in August of 1895, and construction of the $4,000 Spanish style home was underway by early September." (See Ruth Quinn,Weaver of Dreams: The Life and Architecture of Robert C. Reamer, [Gardiner, MT: Leslie and Ruth Quinn, 2004], p. 25.) While she indicated its demolition, a large residence on C Street between 25th and 26th Streets still stood in 2018, at 2559 C Street, did display Mission Style characteristics in common with the Diamond Carriage and Livery Company Building (1896) in San Diego, by Zimmer and Reamer. Most notable was the unusual detailing of the arched moldings above the windows common to both projects.

PCAD id: 21983