HISTORICAL NOMINATION of the Mission Hills Branch Public Library 925 West Washington Street ~ Mission Hills Neighborhood San Diego, California

Ronald V. May, RPA Kiley Wallace Legacy 106, Inc. P.O. Box 15967 San Diego, CA 92175 (858) 459-0326 (760) 704-7373 www.legacy106.com June 2019

Ronald V. May, RPA Kiley Wallace Legacy 106, Inc. P.O. Box 15967

San Diego, CA 92175

(858) 459-0326 (760) 704-7373 www.legacy106.com August 2019

HISTORIC HOUSE RESEARCH Ronald V. May, RPA, President and Principal Investigator Kiley Wallace, Vice President and Architectural Historian P.O. Box 15967 • San Diego, CA 92175 Phone (858) 459-0326 • (760) 704-7373 http://www.legacy106.com

3 State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # ______DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ______

PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial ______NRHP Status Code 3S Other Listings ______Review Code _____ Reviewer ______Date ______

Page 3 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

P1. Other Identifier: 925 West Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103 *P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County: San Diego and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Point Loma Date: 2015 T ; R ; ¼ of ¼ of Sec ; M.D. B.M. c. Address: 925 West Washington St. City: San Diego Zip: 92103 d. UTM: Zone: 11 ; mE/ mN (G.P.S.)

e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc.) Elevation: 380 feet Legal Description: It is Tax Assessor’s Parcel (APN) # 444-611-03-00.

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) The original Mission Hills Branch Public Library, built in 1961, is an excellent example of the Googie Modern or Futurist Modern architectural style. Sometimes the Architectural and design style is also referred to as Space Age or Populuxe. The building was surveyed as part of the 2016 Uptown Community Plan Area Historic Resources Survey and identified as 5S3, denoting, "Appears eligible for local historic listing and is further described in the historical survey as minimally altered" (please see attachment A.7). This civic building features a dramatic "floating" style roofline with wide extending eave overhangs. The library building has large, expansive floor to ceiling glass window walls and also reflects the "Contemporary Modern" architectural style as defined by the City of San Diego Modernism Context. The sweeping shed roof is anchored an interlocking tower form surfaced with brick in a repeating stacked design. This abstract arrangement of sharp triangular roof and glass form and solid rectangular brick form displays varied forms and textures on the building and creates a striking appearance which is visible from cars driving by. The north (front) elevation faces West Washington Street. (See Continuation Sheet.)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) (HP2) Commercial property (library) *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date, accession #) View of north (front) elevation. Photo by Dan Soderberg. Historic Prehistoric Both *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: A Notice of Completion was not found for the library. The original water permit is dated June 29, 1960. Original architectural rendering, Robert Brandt AIA circa 1960. Historic photos are dated April 1961. 2016 Uptown Community Plan Historic Resources Survey shows an estimated date of Construction of 1960

*P7. Owner and Address: City of San Diego Real Estate Assets Department 1200 Third Ave., Suite 1700 San Diego, CA 92101

P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and address) Ronald V. May, RPA, and Kiley Wallace, Legacy 106, Inc., P.O. Box 15967, San Diego, CA 92175 *P9. Date Recorded: August 2019 *P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive *P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Historical Nomination of The Mission Hills Branch Public Library, San Diego, California for the City of San Diego, Historical Resources Board, by Ronald V. May, RPA, and Kiley Wallace, Legacy 106, Inc., August 2019. Legacy 106, Inc. is indebted to Alexandra S. Wallace and Dan Soderberg for extensive research, and other assistance with the preparation of this report. © 2019 Legacy 106, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Legacy 106, Inc. is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Legacy 106, Inc. with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (List): DPR 523A *Required Information 4

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Page 4 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) (Continued):

Googie / Futurist Modern Architectural Style (1950-1965). The Googie or Futurist architectural and design style displays the optimism and zeitgeist of the post-World War II Space Age era. The Mid-Century Modern Googie architectural style directly reflected the jet age of airplanes and fin topped automobiles speeding along America's new interstate highway system, as well as America's burgeoning NASA space programs. During the 1950's, the International style of European Modernism had reached a high point of popularity and a new generation of architects and designers began to experiment with innovative and sometimes startling expressive new roof forms mated with large expanses of glass or window walls and other futuristic gravity defying features. This Mid-Century Modern Googie roadside architecture added much needed whimsy to the strict modernist vocabulary and was created to be eye catching from a passing car (often itself a space age 1950's era design) as the building form and roofline often became the building signage. The style is sometimes said to appear (like automobiles of the era) to be in motion even when standing still. The Googie architectural style began in California and was popular nationwide throughout the 1950's and early 1960's. The Googie style was utilized widely for commercial retail, restaurant, office and sometimes civic uses, such as the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library. The Googie style was named after a well-known (now demolished) 1949 Los Angeles coffee shop called Googie's, designed by renowned Modernist architect John Lautner in the vibrant Googie style, which was also sometimes referred to as California Coffee shop style or Coffee House Modern style. In the 1950's and early 1960's, the Googie Modern style was utilized for commercial uses across America. The transparent modern style was combined with the new 1950's trend for open "exhibition" style cooking which provided confidence to automotive travelers along America's new highway system. The experimental futuristic Googie Mid-Century Modernist style brought an accessible unpretentious and fun "peoples" Modernism to the average middle class American and introduced people of all classes in the U.S. to Modern design throughout the 1950's and 1960's. The Googie style, like the earlier Streamline Moderne and Art Deco styles, can also be used to describe a variety of industrial designs and graphic designs including space age automotive design, modernist "Jetsons" style floating furniture designs, large graphic script lettering and colorful shaped signage, and the term is even used to describe atomic Sputnik satellite style home lighting fixtures of the period.

The Architectural expression of the style is characterized by its overall dramatic and futuristic forms. Advanced engineering of steel and concrete roof allowed the style's characteristic large "floating" style and sometimes dramatically shaped roofs. Steel beams supported the large roof forms and the walls were hence relived from having to hold up the roof entire structure and could then made of large expanses of transparent clearstory glass with aluminum framed windows. The Googie style often utilized sharp angular massing and could sometimes utilize organic abstract amoeba or kidney bean shapes. The Mid-Century Modern Googie style became widely popular in California in the 1950's and early 1960's and spread around the country and was seen around the world. The Googie style served as a precursor for many of the fanciful designs later used by architects such as Wayne McAllister along the Las Vegas Strip, designed to attract attention from passing motorists. The experimental yet unpretentious Googie Modernist style brought modernism to the average American and made Modernism more accessible to many in the post-World War II era.

The Futurist / Googie style shares many elements and often overlaps the Mid-Century "Contemporary" Modern style as seen in residential home design and construction by builder Joseph Eichler and architect William Krisel. The two overlapping Googie and Contemporary architectural styles shared many common features, including the use of aluminum framed windows, expanses of uninterrupted wall surfacing, low pitched rooflines with overhanging eaves, and the use of clerestory windows. However, the subject library building's civic use, dramatic whimsical floating style roof form, asymmetrical façade and abstract angular massing were all designed to catch the eye of passing motorists and are all indicative of the Googie Modern style.

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Page 5 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) (Continued):

The Mission Hills Branch Public Library, due to its non-commercial civic use as a city public library, utilizes a more subdued sophisticated styling and less exaggerated use of oversized materials and signage, compared to some of the more flamboyant Googie designs. However, the Mission Hills Branch Public Library, with its prominent expressive floating roofline, angular massing and glass window wall design made to be visible to massing motorists, strongly reflects the exuberance the optimism of the Mid- Century Googie Modern style of the post-World War II era. See below for further description of comparative civic examples of the Googie style.

The San Diego Modernism Context lists character defining features of the Futurist / Googie style:

Primary character defining features:

- Abstract, angular or curved shapes - Expressive roof forms - Large windows (aluminum framed) - Prominent signage (neon or lighted).

Secondary character defining features:

- Variety of exterior finishes including stucco, concrete block, brick, stone, plastic and wood siding - Bright colors - Screen block and shadow block accents - Building as a billboard - Asymmetrical façade.

The subject resource, the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library, as constructed displays all of the primary character defining features of the Googie style. Additionally, although the civic programmatic requirements and usage as a former public library branch precludes the use of neon or large graphic signage, the structure displays three of the secondary character defining features of the style and the large tower form surfaced in repeating stacked red brick creates a repeating pattern similar to the screen block described.

Rarity of Intact Examples of the Googie Architectural Style. The Googie style fell out of favor by the late 1960's and the changing fashions in the 1970's and 1980's, along with many of the Googie style structures' desirable roadside commercial locations, meant that very few examples have escaped demolition today. As described on page 60 of the San Diego Modernism Context under the Googie Evaluation Criteria heading:

The commercial or retail nature of many of these [Googie style] buildings generally involves tenant changes and related tenant remodels. Therefore, good examples of the style which retain a high degree of integrity are rare.

Non-Commercial Googie Examples. Non-retail, non-commercial examples of the Googie architectural style sometimes feature more restrained features and detailing and lack the large, vibrantly colorful signage seen on commercial retail examples. These non-commercial Googie style structures tend to be even more rare today. These include the North Clairemont Branch library in San Diego (see attachment E.3), the Hope International University Campus in Fullerton, California, the Aberdeen, Maryland Amtrak station, the St. Louis Science Center and the Prayer Tower and associated buildings at Oral Roberts

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Page 6 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) (Continued):

University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The San Diego Modernism Context displays one example of a non-retail Googie style butterfly roof office building in Point Loma, designed by Richard Wheeler. As intact examples of the style with high integrity are rare, the city of San Diego currently has just one single historically designated examples of the Googie architectural style, the Johnson Wilshire Gas Station HRB #954 (see attachment E.3)

Popular Appreciation and Cultural impact of the Googie Style. The style at one time was derided as too crass and commercial by architectural critics. However, the homogenous and often mundane architecture of the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's, along with the proliferation of the strip mall and other often bland suburban developments, eventually led to wider appreciation and realization of the value of the distinctive Googie Modern style by the 1990's after the publication of several books on the subject, most notably Googie: Ultra modern Roadside Architecture by architect Alan Hess, as well as Robert Venturi and Denise Brown's earlier Learning from Las Vegas: The Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form and Thomas Hine's Populuxe. The enthusiastic and optimistic Googie style of architecture has also been prominently showcased in moves such as Pulp Fiction and The Big Lebowski, and in popular TV shows such as Mad Men. Finally, many post-Modern architects cite the Googie style as an inspiration for the later architectural style. Recently, new Googie buildings have been even built in the now beloved Modern Googie style, such as the Ruby's Diner in San Diego's Mission Valley, the P. Terry's restaurant chain in Texas, and even planned communities such as the Starlight Village in Texas.

Contemporary Style Architecture (1955-1965). As with many Googie style buildings, the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 W. Washington St. also shares many architectural features that display the Mid-Century Modern "Contemporary" style. Contemporary Modern style architecture is a term used broadly to describe modernist homes and buildings. The term was used by many Mid-Century architects to describe modern design of that era and is also sometimes used today to describe current modern buildings. Therefore, the term can be a somewhat nebulous description overall, but is generally used to describe post-World War II 1950's and 1960's homes with low pitched rooflines with overhanging eaves, an asymmetrical façade and attached garages or carports. The Mid-Century Modern buildings commonly have wide overhanging low pitched roof eaves emphasizing the dominant roof form. Such buildings can have large shed roofs, gable roofs or even butterfly or other unusual roof designs. The style was commonly used on Modern Ranch homes in San Diego, Palm Springs, Borrego Springs and other new suburbs created during the post-World War II building boom. The style was also utilized on commercial structures. Character defining features of the Contemporary Modern style seen in the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library include a large, front facing shed roof with wide overhanging eaves and broad expanses of uninterrupted brick surfacing, all shared by both the Googie and the Contemporary Modern architectural styles. Please see the Contemporary Architecture excerpt from the 2007 San Diego Modernism Historic Context Statement. The following character defining features of the Contemporary style listed in McAlester's A Field Guide to American Houses and reflected in the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library are:

Primary character defining features:  Strong roof forms including flat, gabled, shed or butterfly, typically with deep overhangs.  Large windows, often aluminum framed.  Asymmetrical façade.  Broad expanses of uninterrupted wall surface typically on front façade. Non-traditional exterior finishes, concrete block, flagstone and mullion free glass.

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Page 7 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) (Continued):

Secondary defining features:  Angular massing.  Sun shades, screen fences or shadow block accents.  Distinctive triangular, parabolic or arched roof forms.

Differences between Googie Modern and Contemporary Modern Style

The elements of Googie or Futurist architecture that differentiates it from a more subdued Contemporary Modernism of the post-World War II era are included below. A sense of fun and whimsy is expressed by most of these elements of Googie architecture:

 Suspension of gravity. Portions of the building sometimes float, cantilever or hang in space without visible means of sufficient support.  Upswept roofs that often further give the illusion of the defiance of gravity.  Sheet glass or glass window walls with only a thin clear glazing acting as a sort of force shield separating the outside world from the interior spaces.  Domes, boomerang, amoeba, starburst and even atomic shapes are sometimes seen, creating buildings that look like they are straight out of a science fiction movie.

This subject building reflects Mid-Century Modern Googie style architecture along with Contemporary Modernist influences. The library was custom designed in 1960 as the Hillcrest-Mission Hills Branch Library by architect Robert A. Bradt. This is an outstanding example of a rare mid-century architect designed Googie civic building. The library has a large dramatic shed roof on the front, a flat roof at the rear and an abstract angular form. The angular design and massing contain very wide eaves with large overhangs throughout. The style of the library is the Modernist sub-type of Googie and is described in the San Diego Modernism Context. Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego and California are provided for reference and comparison in Attachments section E.3.

The Googie style was seen around San Diego in the 1950's and 1960's, primarily on commercial and retail buildings, and is more rarely seen on civic or institutional buildings, such as the subject resource. Because of this, the rare extant civic examples of Googie architecture lack the exaggerated signage sometimes seen on the coffee shop and other commercial examples of the style. The roof or massing instead took center stage and often become most significant architecturally defining elements of the Mid- Century Googie style. The style is also characterized by its expressive space age forms exemplifying and characteristic of the expanding suburbanization of the 1950's era, and of the automobile’s increasing importance in residential design and the daily life of Americans. The former Mission Hills Branch Public Library features aluminum and glass building materials along with the original, modern use of stacked brick cladding and large pane floor-to-ceiling glass windows and glass entry which are all original and match the historic photos and original architectural rendering. The use of large window walls and floor-to- ceiling glass blend indoor and outdoor spaces and is another hallmark of the Googie and Modern style.

North (Front) Elevation. A dramatic and prominent slanted shed roof fronts the property to the street. The library has an asymmetrical north (front) façade. The extending floating shed roof is medium pitched and has widely overhanging enclosed eaves. The shed roof overhang is anchored to the site with a large stacked brick tower structure on the right and fronting the entry sidewalk. A matching stacked style brick vertical wall denotes the entryway and a matching integrated brick planter is located to the left. The

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CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 8 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) (Continued): building has a slight setback and a direct approach to the sidewalk along Washington Street, with a parking area on the right side. The front façade is dominated by the large projecting roofline. The cantilevered roof eaves extend out dramatically along the slanted roof eaves and the large shed roof becomes a striking feature with exposed roof supports. A slender solid corner support is located on the left side and the slender wall does not appear adequate to support the large floating roof structure, in keeping with the building's Googie futuristic style. Below the roof eave, the building's large pane fixed window glass panels and clerestory windows rise up to the roof eave edge below the overhanging eaves.

The cantilevered floating roof structure extends out over the foundation and landscaping areas and is a spectacular architecturally defining feature of this structure. An element of this effect is the angle cut fascia boards that extend out at the top and serving to highlight and exaggerate the reach. The architect cleverly used the brick tower element to anchor and articulate the extending roof line and glazed windows below. The interplay of glass, stucco and brick is dramatic. The dramatic Googie design of the roofline elements elegantly blend with modern blank expanse of stacked brick, creating a dynamic overall effect. The red brick tower and vertical wall, high glass walls, overhanging roofline and cantilevered extending roof eaves constitute the most important architecturally defining elements of the building.

West (Side) Elevation. The building sits square on the lot, with this elevation facing an adjacent parking lot. This elevation displays the large rectangular tower element in front with stacked brick surfacing and matching the integrated landscaping planter. The brick tower utilizes a single door which matches the historic photo. The door has had a protective strand board added, but close examination reveals that the knob and door itself appear intact and original. Behind the brick tower which anchors the front facade extending shed roof, the shed roof continues with wide overhanging eaves and enclosed overhanging soffit. The eave edge fascia board is angled out at the top, which further creates a floating roof effect and accentuates the building's Googie and Mid-Century Modern style. Below the roof eave overhang, the building is set back behind the brick tower mass, and on the left, the building displays a long, horizontal ribbon of eight rectangular windows which continue the long horizontal emphasis of the extending roofline. To the right, a large window grouping utilizes three rows of horizontal extending awning windows with matching fixed glazed transom windows above. Near the rear is a small bump out with a long shed storage room added on top of the original sidewalk.

East (Side) Elevation. The building sits squarely on the street side lot with a large dramatic shed roof façade. The dominant large roof structure appears to float above the reading room with wide overhanging eaves and large windows placed below. At the front, the large shed roof slopes down from the front and transitions at the rear to a gable low pitched roof. The wall surfacing consists of stucco with large multi- pane metal windows and red brick low landscaping. From left to right, this elevation shows two large matched rectangular window groupings, each with two fourteen panes with clear glazed metal windows divided by tall vertical mullions. Along the front underneath the large shed roof, these large windows are flanked by an extending buttress vertical wall section projecting just beyond the wall plane with floating roof and cantilevering eaves overhead, again using this fundamental aspect of construction for increased vertical architectural effect. The matching stucco surfaced rear wall section features a band of rectangular windows with four sets of dual four light windows. These metal casement windows look out onto a small access sidewalk with a solid service door near the rear.

South (Rear) Elevation. The south elevation is on a zero lot line facing the neighboring property with a simple gable roofline and green painted blank stucco exterior wall.

Integrated Planters / Landscaping. The concrete front sidewalk and walkway passes alongside a matching red brick integrated raised landscaping area. The landscape area continues around the front

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Page 9 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) (Continued): corner alongside the sidewalk leads that up to the front entry door and large floor to ceiling windows. The visual effect of the cantilevered Modernist roofline over the landscaping helps to define the indoor and outdoor connection of the building and constitute architecturally defining elements that should be included in the proposed historic designation.

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BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD

Page 10 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

B1. Historic Name: 925 West Washington Street B2. Common Name: 925 West Washington Street B3. Original Use: Civic property (library) B4. Present Use: Civic property (library), now vacant *B5. Architectural Style: Googie / Mid-Century "Contemporary" Modern *B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) No Notice of Completion was found for the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street. The original water permit is dated June 29, 1960. Historic photos are dated April 1961. Original architectural rendering by Robert A. Bradt AIA is circa 1960.

The City of San Diego has the following building permits on record: A 1993 building permit is for an interior remodel. Although not seen in the building records, a small set back storage lean-to shed style addition on the west side was added near the rear over the sidewalk at an unknown date.

*B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: *B8. Related Features: None B9a. Architect: Robert A. Bradt AIA b. Builder: R.J. Hortie Construction Company *B10. Significance: Theme: Commercial Architecture Area: Mission Hills (San Diego) Period of Significance: 1961 Property Type: Civic property (library) Applicable Criteria: C (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)

The former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street is significant under Criterion C as an excellent example of the Googie or Futurist style of architecture. This library building has been well maintained and has excellent integrity. The Period of Significance, 1961, encompasses the date of the construction of the library. (See Continuation Sheet.)

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) none

*B12. References: (See Continuation Sheet)

B13. Remarks: none *B14. Evaluator: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace

*Date of Evaluation: August 2019

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(This space reserved for official comments.)

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Trinomial ______CONTINU ATION SHEET Page 11 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*B10. Significance - Criterion A:

Criterion A (Community History): Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City’s, a community’s or a neighborhood’s historical, archaeological, cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, landscaping or architectural development.

The former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street was found not to rise to the level of exemplifying special elements of the community's historical, archaeological, cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, landscaping or architectural development. Although the library reflects and contributes to our understanding of Modern architecture in Mission Hills, no information came to light to determine that the resource rose to a level of significance to qualify for designation under Criterion A. The following discussion provides the background for that conclusion.

Introduction. By the time the former Mission Hills Branch Pulbic Library was built in 1961, Arnold and Choate's Addition, the subdivision where it is located, had already existed for many years and had long passed the early marketing program that created this community. The former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington St. is therefore found not to rise to the level of significance for historic designation under Criterion A.

County Surveyor M.G. Wheeler recorded the Arnold & Choate's subdivision of Pueblo Lot B on November 29, 1872. This tract of land lay north of Middletown, west of Horton's Addition, and east of Old Town. A typical grid subdivision of the 19th century, the layout of eighty blocks in a north-south grid did not take into account canyons and deep ravines. The streets were a continuation of Middletown bird-named street, but were often blocked by canyons and steep terrain that made actual street construction and utility delivery sometimes difficult to navigate.

Architect Ione Stiegler surveyed the area as part of the DRAFT Uptown Historic Architectural and Cultural Landscape Reconnaissance Survey, which was presented to the City of San Diego Historical Resources Board in March 2007. Although the City did not adopt the survey, it includes extensive detail about Mission Hills in general, and the Inspiration Heights community in particular. An Arnold and Choate's District was proposed and although the resource was out of the proposed district's geographical area, the former Mission Hills Library at 925 W. Washington Street was identified as a contributing resource.

Early History. The early history of Mission Hills is associated with the Native American people who used the local resources such as the San Diego River that flowed to the west into San Diego Bay, as well as the coastal and bay environments. The Native American people who occupied San Diego in the nineteenth century were the Kumeyaay. Little is known of their use of this upland area, but the lack of natural water would suggest ephemeral behavior activities. The evidence for the presence of these early residents goes back in archaeological form at least 9,000 years, based on analysis of base camps found along the San Diego River’s south bank, associated river terraces, and coastal sites. Foot beaten trails criss-crossed these remote areas and the occasional overnight campsite has been recorded in archaeological surveys, but no long-term encampments are known. Oral traditions handed down by descendants remind us that this area and its proximity to Old Town and the San Diego Presidio are vitally important to San Diego’s history.

In 1642 Spanish sailors briefly visited San Diego while on a reconnaissance exploration of the Pacific coast. Another recorded visit was in 1769, and the subsequent period would in many ways define San Diego’s character and history as we know it today. Spanish and Mexican soldiers and residents of the 1769-1835 Royal Presidio de San Diego de Cosoy ran livestock in the area, which denuded some of the native plants from these hills. After Statehood in 1849 and adoption of the Constitution by the United States Congress in 1850, the City of San Diego Common Council assumed control over an enormous “Pueblo Land” area that

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Page 12 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*B10. Significance - Criterion A (continued): spanned from Del Mar to the north, Pacific Ocean on the west, inland foothills on the east, and National City on the south. In terms of land division, Lieutenant Cave Couts surveyed San Diego and produced a map of the Pueblo Lands in 1850. Charles Poole produced the next map in 1856 to correct errors and inaccuracies in the Couts Map. In 1870, James Pascoe produced the final early map, which is the basis for land transactions today.

Realtors auctioned lot blocks and individual lots and speculators and investors snapped them up only to resell them once again, hoping for great profits. From 1850 to 1900, many of these transactions were simply lot sales that most homeowners never see on their chain of title. The eastern foothills overlooking Old Town San Diego were subdivided by the City of San Diego in the 1850s so the Trustees could auction-off blocks of lots to pay for governmental affairs. Difficult to access by horse or buggy, these hills remained in native chaparral until piped water could access the

Conclusion: The former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street was not determined to qualify for designation under Criterion A. Legacy 106, Inc. did not find evidence to support that the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street qualifies under Criterion A.

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Page 13 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*B10. Significance - Criterion B:

Criterion B (Significant Person): Is identified with persons or events significant in local, state, or national history. A summary of the individuals associated with this property is provided along with a conclusion regarding their significance under Criterion B.

Criterion B (Significant Person) does not apply to the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street.

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Page 14 of 24 *Resource Name or #: The Mission Hills Branch Public Library

*Recorded by: Ronald V. May, RPA and Kiley Wallace *Date: August 2019 Continuation Update

*B10. Significance - Criterion C:

Criterion C (Architectural Style): Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship.

Googie Architectural Style (Modern). The Googie or Futurist architectural style is a style of architecture that displays the optimism and zeitgeist of the post-World War II space age era. The experimental yet unpretentious Googie Modernist style brought Modernism to the average middle class American and made Modernism accessible to people of all classes in the U.S. throughout the 1950's and 1960's. The Mid-Century Modern Googie architectural style directly reflected the jet age of airplanes and fin topped automobiles speeding along America's new interstate system, as well as America's burgeoning NASA space programs.

Modern Contemporary Architecture Style (1955-1965). Contemporary Modern style architecture is a term used broadly to describe modernist homes and buildings. The term was used by many Mid-Century architects to describe modern design of that era and is also sometimes used today to describe current modern buildings. Therefore, the term can be a somewhat nebulous description overall but is generally used to describe post-World War II 1950's and 1960's homes and commercial buildings with strong and sometimes unusual prominent low pitched rooflines with overhanging eaves, an asymmetrical façade and attached garages or carports. The buildings commonly have wide overhanging low pitched roof eaves emphasizing the dominant roof form. Such buildings can have large shed roofs, gable roofs or even butterfly or other unusual roof designs. The style was commonly used on Modern Ranch homes and commercial structures in San Diego, Palm Springs, Borrego Springs and other new suburbs created during the post-World War II building boom. Character defining features of the Contemporary Modern style include a large, pitched front shed roof with wide overhanging eaves, large exposed roof beams, broad expanses of uninterrupted vertical wooden wall board surfacing, and a somewhat obscured and downplayed entryway, all in keeping with the Contemporary Modern architectural style. Please see Contemporary Architecture excerpt from 2007 San Diego Modernism Historic Context Statement (Attachment E.3 in Criterion C). The following character defining features of the Contemporary style are listed in McAlester's A Field Guide to American Houses and are reflected in the Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street:

Secondary defining features:  Angular massing.  Sun shades, screen fences or shadow block accents.  Distinctive triangular, parabolic or arched roof forms.

This library is an excellent example of the Googie style with typical Modernist design influences. The library was custom designed in 1960 by architect Robert A. Bradt. This is an outstanding example of a Mid-Century custom designed Googie building. The style of the building is the Googie sub-type of Modernism. The Googie Futurist Modern style is mentioned and described in the San Diego Modernism Context.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion C (continued):

Integrity Standards for Landmarking. The City of San Diego’s Historical Landmarking Policy focuses on what can be seen from the sidewalk, or public view, and that view must present “good” integrity. This term simply means high integrity would be no change since it was built and changes are a loss of integrity. Integrity is grounded in the property’s physical features and how they convey its significance. In other words, why, where, and when a property was built is important. Basically, the guidelines say that each property is recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. The degree to which changes impact the ability of a building to landmark is guided by whether or not the historic character of the property was retained and preserved. Some changes, if old enough, can achieve historical significance in their own right.

Ultimately, the question of integrity is answered by whether or not the property retains the identity for which it is significant. In evaluating a historic property, the City of San Diego uses the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Part VIII of the National Register Bulletin provides guidance on how to evaluate the integrity of a property by outlining seven values or tests. These values are the property’s Location, Design, Setting, Materials, Workmanship, Feeling, and Association. That document asserts that a property must possess some, if not most, of these aspects in order to meet the National Register’s threshold for integrity. Local jurisdictions use these aspects as guidelines, but often apply a less stringent threshold for local landmarking.

The architecturally defining features that are supportive of historic landmarking are:

1. The very prominent expressive "floating" angular roof structure with deep eave overhangs that cantilever out widely; 2. The clear glazed aluminum framed windows sets with floor to ceiling window sections and glazed aluminum front entry door; 3. The custom details such as exposed cantilevered roof beam brackets; 4. The stacked pattern red brick tower element that visually anchors the roof; 5. The matching red brick front vertical entry wall and integrated brick landscaping areas in front; 6. The abstract and dynamic angular massing with diagonal extending roofline and rectangular tower; 7. The large floor to ceiling aluminum framed glass windows blending the indoor and outdoor spaces; 8. The Modernist horizontal bands of windows on both side elevations; 9. The repeating rhythm of the front façade, which consists of repeating vertical aluminum mullion dividers, mixed with thin breaks of stucco and brick walls; 10. The very wide enclosed eaves with smooth white stucco soffit; 11. The smooth wall stucco on the front and side elevations of the structure; 12. The integrated brick planters; 13. The slanted extending verge boards on the overhanging eave edges; 14. The recessed covered entryway area; 15. The glazed transom / clerestory fixed aluminum windows that continue up to the roof eaves; 16. The stacked red bricks used to pave the outside entryway wall and planters which continue inside the building as the interior entry walls, blending the distinction between the outside and inside spaces; 17. The original roof beams beneath the enclosed roof eaves, which are another original and intact architectural feature; 18. The ribbon window set on the western elevation.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion C (continued):

Architectural Integrity Analysis. The following is an analysis of the architecture.

Location. Location is the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where the historic event occurred.

Research shows that the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library has not changed location since it was built in 1961. The library has excellent integrity of Location.

Design. Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of a property. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.

Analysis of the historic photos, original architectural rendering, building records and examination of the resource at 925 West Washington Street reveals that all elevations closely match the original design of the building. The former library building continues to reflect its original Googie Mid-Century Modern design. This is an outstanding example of a Mid-Century Modern Googie style library designed by architect Robert A. Bradt and constructed in 1961 by the R.J. Hortie Construction Company. The floating large roof structure on the front façade appears to almost defy gravity with minimal vertical roof supports creating a space age and futuristic feel which exemplifies the Googie architectural style. The light, soaring roof is anchored by the contrasting brick tower enclosure of the west side. Along the side elevations, ribbons of narrow windows provide a wash of natural light for readers while offering shelter and maintaining privacy. The large floating roof, seeming to hang in space without support, frames the principal views out to the north and east. As seen in historic photos, the red stacked bricks used to pave the outside entryway wall and planters continue inside the building as the interior entry walls, showcasing the philosophy of blending the distinction between the outside and inside spaces.

The architect utilized traditional building materials such as brick, stucco and glass reflecting the building's historic residential community, but in a completely modern design form with large upsweeping roof and angular massing with large walls of glazed windows which continue to the roof eaves. The red brick used as surfacing on the tower mass could be free from its traditional common bond pattern was laid with a stacked formation showcasing the library's modern linear design emphasis. As seen in comparisons between the historic photos, original architectural rendering and current photos, only minimal changes have occurred, such as the removal of the attached library lettering. Although not shown on building records, a small rear shed added on the side over the sidewalk. This shed appears to have been added in the 1970's. This area is well set back and sits mostly outside in the public view. The Design element of this library is excellent.

Setting. Setting is the physical environment of a historic property. The setting is the larger area or environment in which a historic property is located. It may be an urban, suburban, or rural neighborhood or a natural landscape in which buildings have been constructed. The relationship of buildings to each other, setbacks, fence patterns, views, driveways and walkways, and street trees together create the character of a district or neighborhood.

The historic overall setting remains mostly intact. The historic setting of the library is at the western hilltop entrance on a large commercial street (Washington) which runs through the heart of the Mission Hills. The commercial area is largely intact with a mixture of commercial buildings built between 1900-1950. The surrounding neighborhood has retained this original setting, with single family homes situated on large lots. The neighborhood setting has not significantly changed since its construction. The very slight street setback and small front landscape area matches the Mission Hills neighborhood. The library has excellent integrity of Setting.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion C (continued):

Materials. Materials are the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property. The Standards state that deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.

The original overhanging "floating" style overhanging roof structure with slanted wooden verge boards, and modern utilization of brick and stucco wall materials are intact and match the design as seen in the original rendering and historic photos. The library features original and intact building materials throughout, such as the aluminum framed glazed windows and glazed entry door, slab style wood service doors and large pane floor-to-ceiling and near floor-to-ceiling glass window walls on the front and side underneath the cantilevered roof eaves. Original painted roof beams visible beneath the enclosed roof eaves are another original and intact architectural feature that displays its original building material. The large floor-to-ceiling glass on the north elevation entryway and continuing above the integrated landscaping planters creates an uninterrupted connection to the outside, blending the indoor and outdoor spaces, and is an important intact hallmark of the Googie and California "Contemporary" Modern style. Also intact are the broad expanses of uninterrupted vertical brick and stucco wall surface siding on exterior walls and front and side façades.

For this Modernist Googie style building, the original exterior materials such as exterior stucco and stacked brick surfacing and overhanging roof emphasizing the low pitched roofline and large aluminum framed expansive glazed windows are the most important material aspects of integrity. As seen in comparisons to the historical photos and original architectural rendering, the library has no known significant loss of original materials. The Materials aspect of Integrity is excellent.

Workmanship. Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history or prehistory.

The structure retains its modern expression of simple, "honest" modern materials and workmanship and its lack of applied decoration or ornamentation despite the building's pronounced form. The Workmanship aspect of this building reflects its time period of the early 1960's era and its Modernist style. The exterior finishes are minimal, simple and clean materials with minimum hand finishing work. Original undecorated stucco walls, aluminum framed large glass windows and racked red brick are all retained. This modern Googie style building retains its simple smooth roof eave support beams, aluminum window surrounds and clean Modernist detailing. Of particular note also is the uniform racked mortar joints on the brick tower. Masonry workmanship throughout is of good quality. The Workmanship aspect of Integrity is good.

Feeling. Feeling is a property's expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time.

The former Mission Hills Branch Public Library, in its present condition, is well preserved and imparts the visitor with a realistic overall sense of Modernism and the optimism of the exuberant post-World War II era. The Modernist Googie style library shows the original architect's willingness to contrast with the older 1900-1920's eclectic architecture of the Mission Hills community. Despite the increased development pressures along Washington Street, this resource, with some other Mid-Century Modern examples nearby, overall retains a good historical sense of a Modernist Googie style structure in the late 1950's to early 1960's era. The feeling of a Modern Googie style building completed in the post-World War II era is well retained overall. The Feeling aspect of Integrity is excellent.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion C (continued):

Association. Association is the direct link between an important historic event or person and a historic property.

The former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street was not found to have significant associations with historic San Diego events or persons.

In conclusion, the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street meets Location, Design, Setting, Materials, Workmanship, Feeling, and Association aspects of integrity. Thus, the building has six of seven aspects of integrity and meets the Secretary of Interior's Standards for integrity. Therefore, Legacy 106, Inc. recommends the library for historical designation under Criterion C.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion D:

Criterion D (Work of a Master): Is representative of a notable work of a master builder, designer, architect, engineer, landscape architect, interior designer, artist or craftsman.

Robert A. Bradt, AIA Architect of the Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 W. Washington Street, 1960

A circa 1960 rendering of the Mission Hills Branch Public Library, 925 West Washington Street, was located by Legacy 106, Inc. in the digital archives of the San Diego Public Library. The rendering bears the name of architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (American Institute of Architects). Bradt designed primarily libraries, schools and churches.

Chicago native Robert Andrew Bradt was born on September 30, 1915. His father, Frank Earl Bradt, was a railway freight clerk, and mother Florence Anna (Kirchner) Bradt was a housewife. Robert's father died in 1919, when Robert was only four years old. Robert and his mother then moved in with her parents in Chicago. In 1933, Robert's mother died, and he remained living with his grandparents until at least 1940.

In 1939, Bradt graduated with an architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. According to his obituary, one of his professors was famed German modernist architect Mies van der Rohe (Coronado Eagle & Journal, September 28, 2006). Research indicates that van der Rohe was director of the school's architecture program during the time Bradt was a student there.

Robert A. Bradt married Ruth Bernice Philabaum around 1940, and they eventually had two daughters, Barbara and Kathleen. In 1943, the Bradt family moved to 373 Orange Avenue in Coronado, California, where Robert was serving as a Navy lieutenant. His Navy service ended after the close of World War II, after which Robert became an architect for San Diego city schools (Ibid.).

Bradt opened his own architectural firm in 1948, and his designs included several Coronado homes, an addition to the Hotel del Coronado, and several churches, schools and libraries. He also designed several buildings as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Camp Pendleton (Ibid.).

In 1970, Bradt agreed to serve as a professional member of the Coronado Cays Architectural and Environmental Control Committee, which reviewed and approved all structures to be built at the Coronado Cays housing subdivision (San Diego Union, June 28, 1970). Robert A. Bradt passed away in his Coronado home on September 18, 2006.

Other known designs by architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA:

A fire station at 15th Street and D Avenue in National City. A San Diego Union article from March 20, 1953 indicates that the City Council appointed Robert A. Bradt to design the $75,000 fire station. This building was demolished and replaced with a new fire station in 2005.

The National City Library at 200 East 12th Street. According to an August 16, 1953 article in the San Diego Union, Bradt designed the 10,000 square foot library. The building is extant, but now houses an organization called A Reason To Survive (ARTS), which teaches various art disciplines (painting, theatre, etc.) to young people. Around 2008, a large addition was constructed on one end of the original building.

A County administration branch office near Highway 101 and Mission Avenue in Oceanside. This project was mentioned in brief San Diego Union article from September 9, 1955.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion D (continued):

An addition of eight classrooms and a science laboratory for Coronado Junior High School. According to a November 19, 1954 San Diego Union article, Bradt was the architect for the project, which was scheduled to begin in 1956.

Design of Kate Sessions Elementary School, located at 2150 Beryl Street in Pacific Beach. Extant. A San Diego Union article from January 3, 1956, the school's opening day, indicates that Robert A. Bradt designed the school, consisting of twelve classrooms, two kindergarten rooms, a cafeteria/assembly building, an administrative unit and a playground. The school was constructed by Chamco Construction Company under a $338,669 contract.

Design of Phoebe Hearst Elementary School, located at 6230 Del Cerro Blvd. in San Diego's Del Cerro neighborhood. Extant. Bradt was chosen by the Board of Education to design the school, which originally consisted of twelve classrooms, two kindergarten rooms, administrative offices, a health unit, an assembly hall / cafeteria and several auxiliary buildings (San Diego Union, June 9, 1957).

The Central Christian Church at 201 Fir Street in Bankers Hill. An August 24, 1963 article in the San Diego Union mentions that Bradt was the architect of the church. The building is extant, but the church is now known as the Casa De Oracion Iglesia.

The enlisted men's mess hall at the Ream Field Naval aviation facility in Imperial Beach. A brief mention in the June 29, 1967 issue of the San Diego Union states that Bradt designed the mess hall.

The round sanctuary at First Church of the Brethren, 3850 Westgate Place in San Diego's Fairmount Park neighborhood. Extant. A March 26, 1967 article in the San Diego Union states that Bradt designed the sanctuary.

Architect Robert A. Bradt is not yet listed as an accepted Master Architect by the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board. Although an accomplished architect (based on his design of the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street, and other known buildings he designed), extensive research did not find sufficient evidence at this time to demonstrate that Robert A. Bradt qualifies as a Master Architect under Criterion D. Future studies of potentially historic houses and other civic and commercial buildings by Robert A. Bradt will hopefully add more to what is known about him, and his status under Criterion D can be re- evaluated at that time.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion D (continued):

Roderick J. Hortie / R.J. Hortie Construction Company Builder of the Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 W. Washington Street, 1960

According to an article published in the San Diego Union on June 3, 1960, the San Diego City Council awarded R.J. Hortie the $67,200 contract to construct the Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 W. Washington Street. Hortie's name also appears on the June 29, 1960 water permit for the library. Hortie built mainly homes early in his building career, but later constructed primarily schools and additions to schools in the San Diego region.

A native of Granby, Massachusetts, Roderick J. Hortie was born on June 27, 1897 to Harry Hortie and wife Mary. Roderick frequently appears in records as R.J. Hortie. When Roderick was a toddler, his parents divorced. According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Roderick lived in Holyoke, Massachusetts with his mother and older brother Richard. Roderick's mother supported her children by working as a weaver in a wool mill. Little else about Roderick's childhood could be found.

According to the 1920 U.S. Census, Roderick was stationed at the Fort Caswell Military Post in North Carolina. Details of his military service could not be determined. In the early 1920's, Roderick briefly lived in New Orleans. He married his first wife in 1921, and they lived in Port Arthur, Texas where he worked as a pipefitter. They divorced around 1924, and Roderick moved to Long Beach, California in 1925.

The 1930 U.S. Census shows that Roderick lived at 4477 Kansas Street in San Diego's North Park neighborhood and worked as a superintendent for a paving company. In March 1932, Roderick married his second wife, Elna Swenborg Olson, in Yuma, Arizona. The couple resided at 4242 40th Street in San Diego's City Heights neighborhood by 1935.

According to Roderick's World War II draft registration cards from February 1942, he was employed by the William Simpson Construction Company. At that time, he and Elna resided at 4643 El Cerrito Drive, in the El Cerrito neighborhood of San Diego. They resided in that home until approximately 1960, when they moved to 4643 Alice Street, approximately one block away from their previous home.

Research indicates that shortly after the end of World War II, Roderick started his own contracting firm. The 1947-1948 San Diego city directory lists his occupation as "general contractor" with his business office located downtown at 1017 1st Avenue, room 417. He started his career constructing residences, but by approximately 1948 shifted to building mostly schools and additions to existing schools.

In January 1958, Roderick J. Hortie was appointed as president of the San Diego chapter of the Associated General Contractors (San Diego Union, January 12, 1958). His building career continued through the early 1960's. He passed away in San Diego on May 18, 1964.

Other projects attributed to Roderick J. Hortie's contracting firm, the R.J. Hortie Construction Company:

 A residence in Lemon Grove for H.F. Helix (address unknown). The building permit was published in the San Diego Union on May 30, 1947 and reads:

H.F. Helix, per R.J. Hortie, residence; Lemon Grove; $6000.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion D (continued):

 2056 Cable Street in Ocean Beach. This Minimal Traditional style home is extant, but altered. The building permit was published in the San Diego Union on June 18, 1947 and reads:

E.W. McKenley (R.J. Hortie), res. and garage at 2056 Cable, $8000.

 4542 Georgia Street in University Heights. This simple one-story residence is extant. The building permit was published in the San Diego Union on July 30, 1947 and reads:

John E. Porter, per R.J. Hortie, residence, 4542 Georgia; $5000.

 4484 Narragansett Avenue in Ocean Beach. This residence has been heavily altered. The building permit was published in the San Diego Union on August 27, 1947 and reads:

R. Adamos, per R.S. [sic] Hortie, residence and garage, 4484 Narragansett; $6000.

 A residence (address unknown) for Frank J. Cramer in Lemon Grove. The building permit was published in the San Diego Union on December 24, 1947 and reads:

Frank J. Cramer, per R.J. Hortie, res., Lemon Grove; $5000.

 A school (address unknown) for the Otay School District. The building permit was published in the San Diego Union on August 31, 1948 and reads:

Otay School District, per R.J. Hortie, school, Otay; $107,305.

 A new laundry facility at County Hospital. According to an article in the April 19, 1949 issue of the San Diego Union, Hortie was awarded the $127,639 contract by the County Board of Supervisors. Because Hortie did not complete the project on time, he was penalized $25 per day by the Supervisors (San Diego Union, November 19, 1949).

 Addition to Sweetwater Union High School. A building permit was published in the San Diego Union on June 4, 1949 reads:

Sweetwater Union High School, per R.J. Hortie, addn. to bldg., 2800 Highland Ave., National City, $118,000.

 Two-unit kindergarten and cafeteria enlargement at Vista Square School. A February 19, 1953 article in the San Diego Union states that R.J. Hortie was awarded the $66,660 contract by the Chula Vista City School Board.

 Ten portable classrooms, and administration unit and lavatory for the Louise M. Alcott School in San Diego's Clairemont neighborhood. A November 4, 1953 article in the San Diego Union states that R.J. Hortie was awarded the $81,000 contract.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion D (continued):

 A six classroom addition at Eugene Field Elementary School. According to a December 22, 1954 article in the San Diego Union, the R.J. Hortie Construction Company was awarded the $82,500 contract. The school is located at 4375 Bannock Ave. in San Diego's Clairemont neighborhood.

 A four classroom addition to San Miguel Elementary School in Lemon Grove. The R.J. Hortie Construction Company submitted the low bid of $44,752 on this project, according to a November 24, 1955 article in the San Diego Union. The addition was completed in April 1956 (San Diego Union, April 14, 1956).

 Construction of Lakeside Farms School, a ten classroom elementary facility located at 11915 Lakeside Avenue. This school is extant. The R.J. Hortie Construction Company built the school under a $174,000 contract (San Diego Union, April 13, 1956).

 An addition to Greenfield Middle School in El Cajon to house showers and lockers. The R.J. Hortie Construction Company was awarded this $114,637 contract by the Trustees of the Cajon Valley School District, according to a February 26, 1957 article in the San Diego Union.

 A twelve classroom, two kindergarten addition to Horton Elementary School at 5050 Guymon Street in the Chollas View neighborhood. The R.J. Hortie Construction Company was awarded the $251,500 contract (San Diego Union, November 20, 1957).

 A six classroom addition and auxiliary facilities at Darnall Elementary School, 6020 Hughes Street in the Rolando neighborhood. The R.J. Hortie Construction Company was awarded the $110,000 contract by the Board of Education (San Diego Union, January 7, 1959).

 Construction of Fletcher Elementary School at 7666 Bobolink Way, located in the Birdland neighborhood just north of Mission Valley. This school is extant. According to an August 26, 1959 article in the San Diego Union, the Board of Education awarded the $452,820 contract to the R.J. Hortie Construction Company.

 Construction of Poway High School, located at 15500 Espola Road. The R.J. Hortie Construction Company was low bidder on the project at $1,175,500 (San Diego Union, October 16, 1960).

 Construction of Kempton Street Elementary School at 740 Kempton Street in Spring Valley. The R.J. Hortie Construction Company was low bidder on the project at $464,700 (San Diego Union, August 25, 1962).

Builder Roderick J. Hortie, founder and head of the R.J. Hortie Construction Company, is not yet listed as an accepted Master Builder by the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board. Although an accomplished builder (based on his construction of the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington St., and other known civic buildings, commercial buildings and residences), extensive research did not find sufficient evidence at this time to demonstrate that Roderick J. Hortie qualifies as a Master Builder under Criterion D. Future studies of potentially historic civic buildings, commercial buildings and residences by Roderick J. Hortie will hopefully add more to what is known and his status under Criterion D can be re-evaluated at that time.

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*B10. Significance - Criterion E and Criterion F:

HRB Criterion E National Register of Historic Places listing or eligibility.

Criterion E does not apply to this property.

HRB Criterion F as a contributing resource to a Historical District.

This property has not been surveyed within any potential or proposed district. Criterion F does not apply to this property.

A.1 Assessor’s Building Record

There is not a Residential Building Record for the Mission Hills Branch Public Library. The County Assessor did not create Residential Building Records for most, if not all, City owned properties because they are not assessed property taxes. Confirmed per Aldo Olivas at the County Assessor's Office.

Mr. Olivas can be reached at (619) 531-5295 or [email protected] for further questions.

A.2 Notice of Completion

Not available

A.3 Water Record The water permit was applied for on June 29, 1960 by R.J. Hortie, the builder of the Mission Hills Branch Public Library.

A.3 Sewer Record

After an extensive search, the sewer record could not be located.

A.4 Building / Construction Permits

1993 building permit for an interior remodel for compliance with disabled access requirements. Page 1 of 2

A.4 Building / Construction Permits 1993 building permit for an interior remodel for compliance with disabled access requirements. Page 2 of 2

A.5 Site Plan with Footprint The deep overhanging eaves on the former Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street are shown with a dashed line.

A.6 County Lot and Block Book Page

Not available. The last County Lot and Block Book pages were recorded in 1949.

A.7 Previous Survey Forms Excerpt from the 2016 Uptown Community Plan Area Historic Resources Survey Report, prepared by the City of San Diego Planning Department. The Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street was described below as a minimally altered Contemporary style resource, and was assigned status code 5S3, denoting that it "Appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation."

Attachment B Ownership and Occupant Information

B.1 – Chain of Title B.2 – Directory Search of Occupants B.3 – Deed from the Date of Construction

B.1 Chain of Title

Not available, however, the library has been owned and operated by the City of San Diego since construction in 1961.

B.2 Directory Search of Occupants

From 1961 until late 2018, the resource at 925 West Washington Street was utilized as the Mission Hills Branch Public Library. The property is currently vacant.

B.3 Deed from the Date of Construction

Deeds for the Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 W. Washington Street could not be located.

Attachment C Maps

C.1 — City of San Diego 800 Scale Engineering Map C.2 — Current and Historical USGS Maps C.3 — Original Subdivision Map C.4 — Sanborn Maps 1938 1956 C.5 — Tax Assessor's Map

C.1 City of San Diego 800 Scale Engineering Map

C.2 Current USGS Map - 2015 Point Loma quadrangle 7.5' series

C.2 Historic USGS Map - 1942 Point Loma quadrangle 7.5' series

C.3 Original Subdivision Map

C.4 Sanborn Maps

The Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 West Washington Street is not shown on any Sanborn map, as it was constructed in 1961, and the last Sanborn map update for this area was completed in 1956.

C.5 Tax Assessor's Map

Attachment D Photographs

D.1 — Historic Photographs D.2 — Current Photographs

D.1 Historic Photographs All historic photos are courtesy of the San Diego Public Library's Special Collections unless otherwise noted. Original architectural rendering by Robert A. Bradt, AIA, circa 1960.

D.1 Historic Photographs The newly completed Mission Hills Branch Public Library in April 1961.

D.1 Historic Photographs Dedication ceremony, Janet Disraeli in doorway at the newly built Mission Hills Branch Public Library, April 13, 1961.

D.1 Historic Photographs Mrs. Cecil Walbreck signs the guest book at the newly built Mission Hills Branch Public Library, April 1961.

D.1 Historic Photographs Dedication Ceremony Day of the Mission Hills Branch Public Library. City Councilman George Kerrigan with Janet Disraeli, Student Body president, April 13, 1961.

D.1 Historic Photographs Dedication Ceremony Day, Reverend Patrick Fox of St. Vincent de Paul church in the newly built Mission Hills Branch Public Library, April 13, 1961.

D.1 Historic Photographs Opening Day of the newly built Mission Hills Branch Public Library on Washington Street, April 1961.

D.1 Transitional Photographs - North (front) Elevation Photos this page by Dan Soderberg, May 2008

D.1 Transitional Photographs - Northeast (front and side) Elevation Photos this page by Dan Soderberg, May 2008

D.2 Current Photographs - North (front) Elevation Photos this page by Dan Soderberg, July 2019

D.2 Current Photographs - Northeast (front and side) Elevation

Photos this page by Dan Soderberg, July 2019

D.2 Current Photographs - Northwest (front and side) Elevation Photos this page by Dan Soderberg, July 2019

D.2 Current Photographs - North (front) Elevation All other current photos by Kiley Wallace, June 2019

D.2 Current Photographs - North (front) Elevation

D.2 Current Photographs - West (side) Elevation

D.2 Current Photographs - East (side) Elevation

D.2 Current Photographs - Northeast (front and side) Elevation

D.2 Current Photographs - South (rear) Elevation

Attachment E HRB Criteria Supplemental Documentation

E.1 — Criterion A E.2 — Criterion B E.3 — Criterion C E.4 — Criterion D E.5 — Criterion E E.6 — Criterion F

E.1 Criterion A – Community History

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Excerpt from the 2007 San Diego Modernism Historic Context Statement Continued on next page

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Continued from previous page

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Comparison of sweeping roof of Mission Hills Branch Public Library (top) to Frank Lloyd Wright's Seth Peterson Cottage House in Mirror Lake, Wisconsin, designed in 1959 and completed circa 1960.

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Comparison of sweeping roof of the Mission Hills Branch Public Library (top) to Frank Lloyd Wright's Seth Peterson Cottage House in Mirror Lake, Wisconsin, designed in 1959 and completed circa 1960.

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego The Googie style building at 1263 University Ave. in Hillcrest is pictured in May 1971. Photo # 92:18835-1738 courtesy of the San Diego History Center.

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego. This building at 1263 University Avenue in Hillcrest has been altered with newer surfacing along with window and door changes.

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego. The North Clairemont branch of the San Diego Public Library is located at 4616 Clairemont Dr. It was designed by local architect Robert Platt. Regarded as a landmark of mid-century modern design, the North Clairemont library is included in the self-guided driving tour of Clairemont provided by Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), which was funded through the City of San Diego's Commission for Arts & Culture. Top photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/88017382@N00/7424221078/in/photostream/ Bottom photo courtesy of RoadsideArchitecture.com

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego. The Scottish Rite Event Center at 1895 Camino del Rio South in Mission Valley. It was formerly the Bowlero bowling alley and opened in 1957. Photos this page courtesy of RoadsideArchitecture.com

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego. 4441 El Cajon Blvd. in City Heights was originally a service station.

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego Top photo: Denny's Restaurant at 2445 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park Photo this page courtesy of waymarking.com

Below: Postcard of an Arnet & Davis designed Denny's Coffee shop. This design appears across the U.S.

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in San Diego The Johnson Wilshire Gas Station at 4689 Market Street in the Encanto neighborhood of San Diego. This structure was historically designated in 2010 as the Johnson’s Wilshire Gas Station (HRB # 954). Photos this page by Kiley Wallace, August 2019

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in Southern California Library on the campus of Hope International University in Fullerton, California. The building was designed by Eldon C. Davis and constructed in 1964. Photos this page courtesy of Hope International University / http://hiu.calibermediagroup.com/about-hiu/campus-locations/fullerton/photos-and-virtual-tours.php

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in Southern California The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium shown in a 1960's postcard. The building was designed by architect Welton Becket and opened in 1958.

E.3 Criterion C – Architecture Other examples of Googie architecture in Southern California The former Lytton Savings (now a Chase Bank) building at 8150 W. Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles was designed by the firm of Hagman & Meyer and completed in 1960. Rendering published in the Los Angeles Times on June 26, 1960.

Below: Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lytton-savings-building-20161213-story.html

E.4 Criterion D – Master Architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (not yet an established Master Architect) Bradt designed the Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 W. Washington Street.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (not yet an established Master Architect) Bradt designed the former National City Library at 200 East 12th Street. The building is extant, but now houses an organization called A Reason To Survive (ARTS), which teaches various art disciplines (painting, theatre, etc.) to young people. Around 2008, a large addition was constructed on one end of the original building.

Circa 2008 addition not designed by Bradt.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (not yet an established Master Architect) The National City fire station designed by Robert A. Bradt was constructed around 1953. It was demolished and replaced with a new fire station in 2005.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (not yet an established Master Architect) Other known buildings designed by Bradt include Kate Sessions Elementary School at 2150 Beryl Street in Pacific Beach. The buildings designed by Bradt are extant.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (not yet an established Master Architect) Bradt designed Phoebe Hearst Elementary School, located at 6230 Del Cerro Blvd. in San Diego's Del Cerro neighborhood.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (not yet an established Master Architect)

Bradt designed this church, located at 201 Fir Street in the Bankers Hill neighborhood. Originally named the Central Christian Church, it is now known as Casa De Oracion Iglesia.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Architect Robert A. Bradt, AIA (not yet an established Master Architect) Bradt designed the sanctuary of the First Church of the Brethren, located at 3850 Westgate Place in City Heights. The building is extant.

Left: The church photographed by Kiley Wallace, July 2019.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Builder Roderick J. Hortie (not yet an established Master Builder) Hortie constructed the Mission Hills Branch Public Library at 925 W. Washington Street.

E.4 Criterion D – Master Builder Roderick J. Hortie (not yet an established Master Builder)

The R.J. Hortie Construction Company constructed Fletcher Elementary School around 1960. It is located at 7666 Bobolink Way in San Diego's Birdland neighborhood north of Mission Valley.

Attachment F Works Cited

F.1 — Provide a list of works cited (bibliography)

F.1 Works Cited

Books

Baker, John Milnes 1994 American House Styles - A Concise Guide. New York City: W.W. Norton & Company

Brandes, Ray S. 1991 San Diego Architects 1868-1939. San Diego: University of San Diego

California Office of Historic Preservation 1996 The California Register of Historic Resources: Regulations for Nomination of Historic Properties. State of California, The Resources Agency, Department of Parks and Recreation

Ching, Francis D.K. 1995 A Visual Dictionary of Architecture. New York City: John Wiley & Sons

Crawford, Richard W. 2011 The Way We Were in San Diego. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press

Hartmann, Glenn D. 1977 Architectural Description Guide: Developed for Use in Preparing Nominations for State and National Registers of Historic Places. Olympia, Washington: Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission

Hess, Alan 2004 Googie Redux: Ultramodern Roadside Architecture. San Francisco: Chronicle Books

Longstreth, Richard 2015 Looking Beyond the Icons: Midcentury Architecture, Landscape, and Urbanism. Charlottesville, Virginia: University of Virginia Press

McAlester, Virginia 2013 Field Guide to American Houses. New York City: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

McGrew, Clarence Alan 1922 City of San Diego and San Diego County, the Birthplace of California: Volume I. Chicago: The American Historical Society

Morris, Alan and Debbie Chabot 2015 Googie Architecture: A Comprehensive Overview. Scotts Valley, California: CreateSpace

National Park Service 1985 Historic American Building Survey Guidelines for Preparing Written and Historical Descriptive Data. San Francisco: Division of National Register Programs, Western Regional Office

Phoenix, Charles 2011 Southern California in the '50s: Sun, Fun and Fantasy. Santa Monica, California: Angel City Press

Smith, G.E. Kidder 1996 Source Book of American Architecture. New York City: Princeton Architectural Press

Walker, Lester 2002 American Homes - An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Domestic Architecture. New York City: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers

F.1 Works Cited - Continued

Government Documents

City of San Diego Historical Resources Board 2009 Historical Resource Research Report Guidelines and Requirements, Land Development Manual, Historical Resources Guidelines, Appendix E, Part 1.1, Adopted by the Historical Resources Board November 30, 2006, Updated January 24, 2008 and February 9, 2009.

Internet

Ancestry.com, www.ancestry.com (US Census Records; California Death Index; Social Security Death Index; genealogical files)

Manuscripts

Ronald V. May, RPA 2004 "The Zany Post-War Modernism of California: Architecture as Escape." Paper delivered at the Second Annual San Diego Modernism Weekend, October 23-24, 2004, Marina Village, San Diego.

Thesis

Hennessey, Gregg R. 1977 City Planning, Progressivism, and the Development of San Diego, 1908-1926. Master's Thesis, San Diego State University, Department of History