Above: Portrait of Irving J. Gill from La Jolla Light.
May is National Historic Preservation Month and the Coronado Historical Association is celebrating by highlighting the places and buildings that make our community special. Today, we share with you information about the architect who is known to have designed some of Coronado's grandest homes: Irving J. Gill.
Like many people at the turn of the century, Irving J. Gill moved to San Diego for the promise of warmer temperatures and a healthier climate. He brought with him his budding architectural outlook, born from his family roots and honed during his time in Chicago. In 1893, he set up an office at the Pierce-Morse Block building at the corner of Sixth & F Streets in San Diego. Three years later, he entered into a partnership with William Sterling Hebbard, and together they helmed the firm Hebberd & Gill until Gill made his way independantly.
Gill's signature style developed and shined in his structures built in Coronado.
From the time of his partnership with William Sterling Hebbard, Gill worked on almost 20 buildings in Coronado. The first to contract Hebbard & Gill was Harry W. Nichols in 1895 to design his home. Two years later, Gail Nichols hired them for his home at 750 Adella Avenue, which sadly burned in 1981. From 1898 to 1902, Hebbard & Gill designed & built several other homes, including 1300 Orange Avenue (now relocated); 711 and 723 A Avenue for Anson P. Stephens; 1517 Ynez Place; 1135 Loma Avenue; and 1015 Ocean Boulevard.
In 1910, Gill designed and built 1156 Isabella Avenue and 1007 Ocean Boulevard. These homes showcase Gill's transition away from the American Arts & Crafts movement to his mature simplicity and stark signature.
Irving Gill certainly left his mark in Coronado homes, and throughout San Diego county. Explore more of Irving Gill's work across San Diego County by visiting the websites below.
CLICK THE IMAGE TO VISIT THE ONLINE EXHIBIT:
Panel from Save Our Heritage Organization's exhibit "Irving Gill: Progress & Poetry in Architecture".
CLICK THE IMAGE TO VISIT READ MORE ABOUT IRVING GILL IN BARONA:
Presentation Drawing for a Small Church for Rancho Barona by Irving J. Gill, August 1932. From exhibit "Stones in the Meadow: Irving Gill's Church & Cottages on the Barona Indian Reservation".
