Beth-Sarim: House ofthe Princes
4440 Braeburn Drive San Diego, California 92ll6
Report Prepared By: Kathleen Flanigan August 2001 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 August 2001 Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or#: (Assigned by recorder) Beth-Sarim: House of the Princes P1. Other Identifier: *P2. Location: o Not for Publication 1!!1 Unrestricted * a. County: San Diego and IP2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad La Mesa Date: 1975 T_l.&; R.....fl:L_ '< of Sec; B.M.: c. Address: 4440 Braeburn Road City __2S;tagn__!,!D"'i"-elli2o ______Zip: 92116 d. UTM: {Give more than one for large or linear resources) Zone; Me/ mN e. Other Locational Data (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate):
APN # 465-060-07 Kensington Heights No. 2, Lots 110 & 111
*P3a. Description {Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries):
The Kensington Heights No. 2 development, undertaken by the Davis-Baker Real Estate Company of Pasadena, commenced in May 1926, and promoted minimum building costs of $5,000 each with a minimum of 1, 500 square feet per dwelling in this area. All the homes constructed during this tim·e period exceeded both requirements, and lot prices ranged from $900 to $4,000. This large 2-story Spanish Eclectic house with 3•d floor round tower and detached 2-car garage, designed and built by the Gernandt Construction Company between October 10, 1929 and January 17, 1930 in this subdivision, exemplified in grand form the style Davis-Baker wanted to accentuate in Kensington. Sited on a 2 and ~ acre parcel, this wood framed stucco house featured red tiled low pitched hipped and shed roofs with plain wood rafters underneath and rested on a concrete foundation. (See Continuation Sheet) *P3b. Resource Attributes: (list attributes and·codes) Single Family Property - HP-2 P4. Resources Present: 121 Building 0 Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District D Element of District 0 Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date, accession #) Southwest facing facade 5-13-01 #23 *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: 181 Historic 0 Prehistoric DBoth 1929-1930 oer Notice of Completion filed 1-17-30 *P7. Owner and Address: James and Suzanne Lance 4440 Braeburn Road San Diego, CA 92116 *PS. Recorded by (Name, affiliation, and address): Kathleen Flanigan 1927 Chicago Street, Unit B San Diego, California 92110 L------*P9. Date Recorded: August 2001 *P10. Type of Survey: (Describe) N/A *P11. Report Citation (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none". Donaldson & Stiegler, "Historical Greater Mid-Citv San Diego Preservation Strategy Survev," October 1995 ~ 4440 Braeburn Drive considered a historical house and contributor to a proposed historic Kensin ton Talmad e district Attachments: DNONE DLocation Map DSketch Map 1:8JContinuation Sheet 0Building, Structure, and Object Record DArchaeo!ogical Record DDistrict Record DLinear Resource Record DMilllng Station Record DRock Art Record 0Artifact Record 0Photograph Record 0 Other (List):
DPR 523A 11/95) *Required Information State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION CONTINUATION SHEET Primary#______HRI# ______Trinomial ______Page _2_ of_5_ *Resource Name or# (Assigned by recorder) Beth-Sarim: House of the Princes *Recorded by Kathleen Flanigan Date August 2001 181 Continuation D Update
*P3a.
The tile roofed "watch tower" symbolized tie "Watch Tower" publication, written by early owner and inhabitant, Joseph F. Rutherford, head of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, associated with the Jehovah's Witnesses faith. The interesting fenestration contained an abundance of tri-paned wood sash casement windows on the front facade and in the tower, and plain casement and double hung wood sash windows on the rear and side facades of tie horne. Some windows .featured carved wooden shutters. Entrance to the house was through double carved wood doors with glass lites shaded by a 1940s screen door. A stepped stucco surround with wrought iron light fixtures on either side of the entrance, and 2 decorative vents above this portion of the facade, accentuated the entry. The front facade of the residence exhibited a dominant second floor balcony upheld by a decorative arched stucco support with a single tri-paned wood access door. An arcade in the rear with a stairway above led to a 2nd story balcony accessed by a single tri-paned wood door. Another 2nd floor balcony to the right, featured solid. glass wood sash French doors. A pair of solid glass wood sash French doors on the first floor at the rear opened to the pa~io area. Delicate wrought iron work formed balcony balustrades, plant hangers around the windows, and the weathervane atop the tower. A stucco chimney at the right end of the property and a painted brick chimney affixed to the left side of the house connected to fireplaces which provided warmth to the early owners. A stone retaining wall surrounded the property, and concrete stairs provided access to the front entry. A detached 2-car stucco garage with tile hipped roof is located at the end of the driveway to the left of the front walkway. This house was considered by preservation architects, Milford Wayne Donaldson and I one Stiegler, as an historic structure and contributor to a propo.sed Kensinglon Talmadge historic district in 1995.
DPR 523L ( 1/95) *Required Information State of California - The Resources Agency Primary# DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Page 3 of s * NRHP Status Code 3S *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Beth sa rim: House of the Princes 81. Historic Name: Beth Sarim: House of the Princes 82. C~n;mon Name: G. Aubrey Davidson Hause/Dr. Clarence M. Ching House/"Watch Tower" House 83. Ong1nal Use: Single-family residence 84. Present Use single-family residence *B5. Architectural Style: s anish Ec ectic *B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
This ~-story Spanish Eclectic style house built in 1929-1930 has had some tri-paned wood sash case~ent w1ndows replaced with single paned wood sash casement windows c1948. A 1940s screen door was 1nstalled at the main entrance. The garage door is not original.
*87. Moved? l8l No o Yes o Unknown *88. Related Features: 2-car detached stucco garage
B9a. Architect: (Reputed to be Richard Requa but unable to confirm) B9b. Builder: J. W. Gernandt Construction Company *B10.Significance: Association with international! renowned head of the Jehovah's Witnesses Reli ion Judge Joseph F. Rut erfor . an G. Au rey Dav1 son. " 1rst c1t1zen 0 san 1ego ; Exce ent Examp e of Spanish Eclectic Architecture Area: Kensin ton
Pe:iod of_Significanc~ 1929-1957 Property Type Single Family Residence Applicable C~iteria B & C (Drscuss Importance m terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme period, and geographiC scope. Also address integrity.) '
This house is significant under Criterion B for its association with Judge Joseph F: Rutherford, the head and president of the internationally subscribed to Jehovah: s Wltnesses faith which by his death at this horne in 1942 included 2,000,000 members ln 36 countries. It is also important for its connection to G. Aubrey Davidson, San Diego's unofficial "first citizen" who owned the property from 1953 and died in this house in 1957. It is significant under Criterion c because it is an excellent example of Spanish Eclectic architecture during the late 1920s Davis-Baker development of Kensingtonr designed and erected by the Gernandt Construction Company, locally prominent builders. Robert J. Martin, of 117 Adams Street, 3rooklyn, New York affiliated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and the Jehovah's Witnesses faith, purchased this property from Albert Eckels on October 8, 1929. On October 10, 1929 he entered into a contract with the Gernandt Construction Company for the design and c~nstruction of this large 2- story Spanish Eclectic 10 room mansion with symbolic "watchtower" above. The deed was conveyed on December 24, 1929, to Joseph F. Rutherford, head of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion "for and during his life on earth, 11 and thereafter to the Watch Tower Blble ar:d Tract Society Corporation which maintained its chief operating offices at 124 Colurnbla Heights, Brooklyn, New York. (See Continuation Sheet)
*812. References: (See Appendix) N B13. Remarks: 11'
* 8 14. Evaluator:~K=a-"t""h"l'-'e'-'e:lnuF~l"a:!lnJ.,lh!.g,ca:;cnlL ______
Date of Evaluation: _ic:A'-Iu!illu!isLJt~~2ccO!LO!L1L.. ______
{This space reserved for official comments.)
DPR 5238 11/95) State of California - The Resources. f'.gency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION CONTINUATION SHEET Primary#______HRI#~------ Trinomial ,------ Page_4_ of_s_ *Resource Name or# (Assigned by recorder) Beth-Sarim: House of the Princes *Recorded by Kathleen Flanigah Date August 2001 181 Continuation D Update
*610
Rutherford, who ascended to the presidency of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion in 1917 after the death of the founder, Charles Taze Russell in 1916, had been imprisoned in 1919 due to dissension within the faith and press attacks for his steadfast beliefs which included opposition to war and the salutation of the American flag. He contracted pneumonia and lost the fUnction of one lung. Under doctor's advice, he was urged to spend as much time as possible in California. Thus funds were secured for the construction of this strj1cture to enable him to rehabilitate and work on matters important to the Society. However, Rutherford's tenure here was precarious pending the arrival of more celestial beings, namely, David, King of Israel, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthae, Joseph, the ruler of Egypt, Samuel, the prophet, and other faithful men named in the ll'h chapter of Hebrews in the Bible and in the December 24, 1929 deed. Persons associated with the Watch ~ower Bible and Tract Society had the right to reside at this address with Rutherford, until the appearance of the princes. The deed stated that the holy men had to prove and identify themselves to the proper officers of the Society as the individuals described in chapter 11 of Hebrews and in the deed. Rutherford planted palm and olive trees around the estate so that the prophets would feel at horne when they returned. One gaunt, unshaven individual did try to establish that right in January 1931 when he carne to the house and claimed he was David, the King of Israel. Rutherford did not picture David in such disarray and the San Diego Sun of January 9, 1931, claimed he "pictured the arrival of the biblical delegation perhaps in frock coats, high hats, canes and spats." The article accentuated that at Beth-Sarirn, David would find the most modern appliances that science had devised. When he and the other distinguished guests walked up the circular stairway to the second floor, they would find a large office with red-leather chairs and shiny flat-topped desk and inverted lighting. Eiven French telephones awaited the touch of the princes, and a large bathroom, resplendent in shiny black tile with needle shower, contained an amply filled medicine chest. Rutherford built the second floor bedroom, which he temporarily occupied, large, in order to accommodate several of the expected owners. The Jehovah's Witnesses head also imported some Koinisch Wasser from Cologne, Germany to freshen the princely faces after shaving. And in the garage, a Lincoln and Cadillac, and a Ford out back, for utilitarian purposes and errands, awaited the prophets. Time Magazine featured two different articles about Rutherford on March 31, 1930 and June 10, 1935 in its 1'Religion" section. The 1930 reference focused on "California Cults" and the property deed, and said:
Judge Rutherford's deed can scarcely be considered eccentric, for his conviction that the sunny boulevards of San Diego are soon to be trod by men with the light of ages in their eyes is presumably shared by the 1,000,000 members of the International Bible Students Association and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, both of which Judge Rutherford is President. In 34 nations these members have read his declarations as eCitor of both the Watch Tower and Golden Age magazines ... Judge Rutherford was born on a Missouri farm, practiced law at Boonville, acquired a ~ircuit judgeship, continued practice in St. Louis, Kansas City. He accompanied the late William Jennings Bryan on his first Piesidential campaign tour, announCing him as 'appointed by God to straighten out the problems of the world~' Mr. Bryan's example inspired Judge Rutherford to wear habitually a black bow tie.
DPR 523L 11/951 *Required Information State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION CONTINUATION SHEET Primary#______HRI # Trinom~i-a~l------Page_s_ of_S_ *Resource Name or# (Assigned by recorder) Beth-Sarim: House of the Princes *Recorded by Kathleen Flanigan Date August 2001 l2l Continuation 0 Update
*810
Rutherford lived in this house alone; his wife, Mary M. Rutherford and son, Malcolm C. Rutherford, resided in the Los Angeles area. Caretakers assisted with the upkeep of the property. During his tenure here, he wrote prolifically - treatises associated with his strong religious beliefs which are still read by followers of this faith. His works included: Heaven and Purgatory, 1931, Escape to the Kingdom, 1933, Beyond the Grave, 1934, Favored People, 1934, Choosing Riches or Ruin, 1936, Armageddon, the Greatest Battle of All Time, 1937, Creation, 1937, Enemies, 1937, and many others. On January 9, 1942, Rutherford died of a "malignant condition" at this horne with a following of 2,000,000 church members in 36 counties around the world. He wished to be buried in a vault connected to the property near Fairmount Avenue and this led to a series of problems with the City and neighbors. Burial was refused on this site and supposedly his body was conveyed back to New York. However, Dr. Thomas Baumann in his Kensington-Talmadge 1910-1997 book said that he was told by a member of the Jehovah's Witness faith that he had helped bury Rutherford on a "pitch dark night on the slope of Fairmount Canyon just below the house." This man and Dr. Baumann searched for several hours one day for what might have been the burial site, and concluded that an Eastern Mediterranean shrub or tree might be marking the grave. Caretakers of the property, including William Clayton Short, affiliated with the Jehovah's Witnesses faith, continued residency at this address through 1948. When the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society realized that the princes would not return to the house, it was sold to local physician, Franklin D. Hankins, and his wife, Frances. In 1953, G. Aubrey Davidson, the "first citizen of San Diego," and his wife, Elizabeth, bought the home. Although retired at this time, G. Aubrey Davidson had established his legacy to San Diego. As the head of the drive to bring the Panama-California Exposition to San Diego in 1915, he was also instrumental in the establishment of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the Naval Training Center, and the Naval Hospital in Balboa Park. His lifetime work included banking, real estate development, and membership in many civic and cultural organizations. After his death, his son and daughter-in-law lived here through 1959 when the property was purchased by Dr. Clarence M. Ching, a retired U.S. Army Captain who practiced medicine in this City for 40 years until his death here at age 81 in 1994. This residence, still visited by the Jehovah's Witnesses faithful and detractors who point to Beth-Sarim as a false prophecy, is the subject of books, magazines, and can be found on the internet as well. The home is worthy of historical designation because of its association with internationally renowned, Judge Joseph F. Rutherford, president of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion, its plan for the arrival of Biblical celestial occupants, and its splendid rendition of the Spanish Eclectic style, complete with symbolic "watch tower" above.
DPR 523L {1/95) *Required Information Beth-Sarim: House of the Princes APPENDIX
Title Search
Notice of Completion
San Diego City & County Directory Research
Deed- December 24, 1929
Historic Photographs- 1930
Judge Joseph F. Rutherford Portrait
Judge Joseph F. Rutherford Reference- Time Magazine- 1930 & 1935
Beth-Sarim Stationery- 1937
Beth-Sarim: House of the Princes Reference
Historic Photograph - 1941
Death of Joseph F. Rutherford- January 8, 1942
Historic Photograph - cl948
G. Aubrey Davidson Biographical Reference
Sanborn Fire Map- 1940
2001 Photographs
Bibliography TITLE SEARCH 4440 Braeburn Road San Diego, California 92116
Kensington Heights No. 2, Lots 110 & 111 APN# 465-060-07
Book Page Date Grantor Grantee Remarks
1683 356 10-8-29 Eckols, Albert Martin, Robert J.
94 369 1-17-30 Gernandt, J.W. Notice of Completion
1741 69 12-24-29 Martin, Robert J. Rutherford, Joseph F.
2-15-39 Heath, William P. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society Trustee
10-17-47 Heath, W.P. Short, William Clayton
11-5-47 Short, Wm. Clayton Vs. Martin, Robert J. Estate
11-19-47 Short V s. Martin Estate Short, Wm. Clayton
6-29-48 Short, W.C. Hankins, Frances S.
5042 454 11-9-53 Hankins, F.S. Davidson, G. Aubrey
5858 488 10-25-55 Davidson, G. Aubrey Davidson, G. Aubrey & Elizabeth
11-3-59 Davidson, G. Aubrey Ching, Clarence M. & Elizabeth Ann
Untill994 Notice of Completion Filed January 17, 1930
Reoo:rdad at atqnest of .\.R.1!eVIitt, ;an 17, 1930;. at 23 Uln,1!68'1i 2 o'olook r .. );t. John H. Fer:ry, Oount3 Reool.'d!:!' Fee $ 2865 --- ...Ill ---·-oo:;---- !C lil! :z:...,.. St~:~te of calito:rniu·, F :.0 · county of san Diego. ) ••• z Robel't J, :Martin, bei.ng firet duly sworn, de_poaes and aays: Tht:..t he iz;. now ani Cl... was upon tte lOth day of October, 19B9. the owner in :tee Simple oi' tbt aert.t:~i!l real ..:1.. property situated in the Cou.nty of Sa.u Diego, St&.te ot Galif'8¥~a., ar1d partioulal·ly ...... a.eacribed G.s follows, to-wit!; ...=:J lots 110 and lll,Unit 2., tensington Heights .. 0 ...... TH:.\..'::'o as ~uch owner of said la.nd, affiant, about th€ lOth dt>.y of October.·, 19:2.9 ... ent~red into a contl.'a.ot with J. w. Gerna.ndt Constru.o"t;1on Cor..rpaey for the el'ection and con .. struction, upon the land above de.,c:ri}!!ed,o:t' a aertain b11ild.ing, to-wit:
Reaiclenoe and Gt>r~ge THAT said building be!:! -oeen d.ul.v oonstruoted according to contract and the
same wa~ h.'tually ocmpleted on the 1'7th d.ay of January 1930. THIS notice is .siven in :plU'sue.nce of the :pro vi& ions of' Section 1187, of the Code of Civil Pl'ocedure, of this Sto.te.
subs~ribed and Sworn to bEfore me this J, w. Go~rnand.t 17th day of Jaoua:t-y,l9JO.
J. J.i, RuaseU,
:lot~ry Public i1t ant\. for t..e Cou.1ty of
San DieGO• State of Galif~rnia,
11y CoJ:~~mis:.ion exr,irea July 11th, l93v~
Recorded. <>.t HEquest of ovmer Jan 17, Hl..:iOJ at Zi) Liin. past Z o'clock r.11.
John ~;. ierry, County rtsco:ro.er
Fee $1~00 BY !!. c. Parsons, Dapu.ty 2866
------•oo------SAN DIEGO CITY AND COUNTY DIRECTORY RESEARCH Residents of 4440 Braeburn Road San Diego, California 92116
1931-1933 Joseph F. Rutherford & August H. Balko
1934-1939 Joseph F. Rutherford
1940-1948 William Clayton (Belle) Short
1950-1954 Franklin D. (Frances) Hankins, physician
1955-1957 G. Aubrey Davidson
1958-1959 G. Aubrey (Elizabeth) Davidson, Jr.
1960-1994 Clarence M. Ching, physician Deed - December 24, 1929 From Robert J. Martin to Joseph P. Rutherford During His Life On Earth and thereafter to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society until the appearance of David, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthae, and Joseph
·.
II liUI D.
Roberl ,J. ll:artill, & •inBle aDl u.nma.rried peraon ·a:r U7 J.da·.a:e St. Brookl,ya,
!Jew York, :roranl1 in_comide:r:atiCI.'I: ol the sll.lli'ot fla.l)olla.ra (flO.~O) does ber~by ~-;rant.· bar,s:ain atd a~ ll ·llUh: .1o~_•P~., .r .. :au.'tll•r.tcirt. ·. ot ~-, .. ~lu.mb~. -~;i~ta, · :a.:i-oolc- •' . :· ·. ~. Mew ~ra: tor .. ·~·during ~hi• ur. on euth &~11 .iherea:!:~; :tO· tb~'iatC!~ T'?11'cr . .• I :• ,: ':<~ ',• ..Jt;"!~)""'~·.·~;(• ··., ·.:··.--.~ · ------··.__ ,,.,t-·<-.:-,"--;:;;:_;;:.:·.j· · -. :::: ·.~:;aible and -~ot S!'~i•.tT·a:·oor;on..Ucin-~erea\td· ild· o.rgan1ze4': lJXlder· the ..;laws: O~-~ tho := .•. .;' ..• i; tMreo! :ro. 1912, tiled in the o!:tioe ot the C~a.nt-7 Recordll' o:t said SanDleso Cotmty, I 1:&7 24. 1925. &&111 Joaeph pt Rathertord tor his e::z:oluah'• ~saeaa1oD 1 aae and ben~:.t'it! t~r arA _d.ur1llg b.ia lite on earth aru1 at t·he end ot' said limited ..hte tblln to \he-IJ.'l'Cll '!OWER Bl:BU ~:o l'Et.\.C'l' Se<:ItTY 1D t:rus\ to be ll&ed .ror the p~U"poau herein aet tortb.o h-wU: !he grantor at the req1.111at at the ::uo.ia. Joatt'Jib y~ Rutherford who 1.8 l'reaid.ent ~ ot the -.uc:;: TDoftR BIBLE .:.:J!l T.IU.C! SOCI:i::tt and General J,t~o.m.t;er thueo:t ml:ea tb1e pr2"'~-~1o"" .. :BJ?.1_ ~~~:1 ~-Ji:l~ ... !-!1 f:l!!~_..tort~--~n -~b.iJ. d_,,4., ·aoth the ·grutor and the grantee, the aaid JCJt;.epb -,. RU"thertor4 a.n tul:q pe~ S.J.a:hd rroc the Bibb Testimocy, which ia the word at.Jehcwah God. r..n:\ tro• e::z:t.ra.aeoua e~i die!lce t:.~ot Gil d.'s K1J16dom is now in oourse ot uta.bliahmeat .a.nQ. th.a.t it will re•W.t beneficially to the peoples or ea.rth; that the governing Rower bn4 ~thor117 will be i:tviaible to men 'b.;.t th&t Kine;dom of' God w11.~ l~&ve visible representatiY_•• on· th• earth who will Uave charge o! the a!!'aira ot the nati:lllll Wlder the au~:Mi8ion or t'b.. inYiaible ruler Christ: that !r.mo:ng those ·•ha will thWI be U.e !"ait.h!'u.l rapreaea.ta.t.1TU ar:d Yisible governora or the world ·.1111 be ~&.vU, who was onoe Xing oYer Iill~ei·; a:"m. Gideon, and 3a:rw.k, and Sai!Zio:t. and .Iapthalilo and Joseph, toliDerly the ruler -~-.-li:g]'p"t, ~nd ~awel tb.e prophet and other !'aitb!ul IDI!In wb.o were_ named with appronl_1ll1be_ ::1ible at :;ebrtt'fi'S the elnecth chapter. 'rh.e condition herein i::a that t~e·aa:u VIJ.!Qlr:. TC'i.'i:Ei 3IBU: A!.J THACT SOCI&:'l'Y shall bol.:i said title~J>flrpetually in trua.'t':~t"~r t~~ -~~ ot a.:l'/ or ·all of the men a~o·i· na.meli aa repreuntaU•te·a-- ol!" Cod 'a Kin&d~~:-~~~~•Utb.--&~ . ,_·.- :-:~;r;:.:~_:,>.· ..... -.~:~.. - that auail a:.en shell ha'!e: ~aeeea1oa ani ~,qe o! aa1d pror-erty her=ina.bo" duo;.o1bs:4. lUI they uy .uem !or the best. int.ereat-ro·r tb£- _work in which they a-re enga,ge4.;',-~:-':;:- Deed - December 24, 1929 (continued) Th.1.8 prOperty ha.a bean aoqllJ.red and t.ba stance ~and under the dir-fi!oUon o:t the aa.U Jon ph God and to hia zing Christ who 1a tbe po:ie. rit bililg'Uaed ~ thi;iaii-Wbo''ai'e aer'YiL'irta'O:t .rehoT&h" GCu1 .. prov1.iion 1a JDa.d.e 1..'1 this dud tha:t tht ~"P"rtr a tall be :torner m.bJect to &.Icy' · enollDI.bi&noea tba:t 111&,)1' M.'lt buZl phced. thereupo~n •. IT-IS FURTHER PROVIDED that 1! the said JOSEPK·Y. 'C:ht e&.l'tb aball bJ' ban, ·deeQ. or contract l'l'UYi!Sa tll.t any other neahd wi tb. the .:.aU 't.;.::CR tc;rri;a .iliJIJ; .um 'l'JU..C'r sCcun_ ahall on said premises until' th•- appearing· ot ~~ventb Chapter ot Htbrewa aa abo,._aet b;r the uid .rou_ph v~ &tl:i.ertor~_.in·~-~114_Ue or: other.l*.peJ. ri&ht.. And prt,-U•s• of relidina: _·all: _aat~;;pn~au ~mtn/· b7 !)avU or aorM o:t the other men._· herein' !Sedti:a.ted. to iehonh and thtl· uiia··.-~f:.h1a ~nan• appur1.ng t~. take. ll·oa~ •. ~-~i;-,_-~,< ·- ;:;:·:;:.~~':1~ .• r~'::'t;: ;.,;~;'·J'oo;opli ;· • ~ tlurtOM· · -;~ - st.ate at Jew ·tork., '-.·- . :~(- ·:···:h>:: ·: . J .... Count,- or nna• } ···:·_,· -- -;--~--- CD. th3. u·tn 4bi Ot ... Dec~mbU- ·:1;n'~ ·1929 'betore mt 1 DOna~ HUle~t a. uo.ta.r:r· PtLbl1o 1."1 and ror aaid CollD:t~-,-~4 ·S-..,te :of-Jew yOrk. ha'~in& au'tho:L"iW to take a.Olc:J.ow ledi;!,ll8D'ta or lega.l i"natru~t.·.- :peraonall;r anear•4 lbbut ~~ llarUn e.nd /Q&eph F. lbl.ther!ord known to .a to bt the .!)erao~- "bOiilt na&ea_ ce .u);)~be4. t.o ·the. toregoin& b:r"ru.mmt arui each aomow.lea.p4 to •• that; -..-tl:t0gS;od tbe aalll!l 1 ._. his tree a.ot a.Dl deed. i'l~lCSS lilY hand am ott101al aeal tat 411,7 am ,-ear 1n t.h1a oc:rU!:Icah tJrat aho't'e written._ Donald Kulett. Bota~- !~~~---)6~~--- Xillga Cou.n.t;r a.s:J.atn #l.a76 Co.m1aB1oD. exp1rea lDU'oh 31/1931 Historic Photographs-1930 From Lance Family Scrapbook Historic Photographs-1930 Here's That Celebrated Miniature Lake. The Newspaper Accounts Led Believe It Was Several Acres in Extent. Two No. 15's (If We Remember His Size) Would Make Quite a Splash! WITNESS WORK IN AUSTRALIA pioneers repor~ed that From Lance Family Scrapbook .I/._.··~~ The Outside Stairs from the Patio to the Sun Parlor. Historic Photographs-1930 312 l::iAL VAT 1 U..N ___ ' ' - ' '- ---- ·:---, - ~f~~n~it=~ ~~.:":o: .. ~rt~Ph;',':!;! ,~~,~;t:er. "::'~!· ~~L~~-~~iego, C!'!- From Lance Family Scrapbook Judge Joseph F. Rutherford Portrait-c1930 From Lance Family Scrapbook Joseph Rutherford Reference Time, March 31, 1930 and June 10, 1935 TIME March 31, .193 RELIGION R California Cults Protes~a~tism . is stru~gling for 'tnit, CatholiCism reiterates 1ts commands Toward rgso Big, blue-eyed Judge Joseph Frederick bi has a hard time enforcing them. In Ru~ Amid the bustle of his usual routine Rutherford, 6o, lives in a ten-room Span is the unprecedented spectacle of the Con last week, Pope Pius XI sang a low mass •ish mansion, Xo. 4440 Braeburn Road, San munistic anti-religious crusade. TbOJ of thanksgiving in celebration of his iSth Diego, Calif. Last week be deeded No. sands of persons, dissatisfied with tl birthday. In this the s6th year of his 4440 Braeburn Road, an adjacent two-car faiths of their fathers, seek new spiritu: priesthood, the r6tb of his episcOpate and garage and a pair of automobiles to King footholds. Thus, as always in sue the 13th of his: pontificate, the Pope told Daxid, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, troubled times, there is a flourishin~ I his official family: ''We do not know why Samuel and sundry other migbties of an cults, of religious novelties and new fas] people worry about our health. \\'e have cient Palestine, Positi\·e is he that th~_v just passed through a nry laborious Holy are shortly to reappear on earth. Said ions in faith. Flowery, sun-drenched~ fornia, where Nature exhibits herse·l·f·· Year, but we feel just as well today as he: "I haxe purposely landscaped the place mystical opulence, where plenty of pea when we began it. 'Ve expect to live to_ with palm and olive trees so these princes have plenty of money, where there a celebrate not alone our own jubilee after of the uni\·erse will feel at home when many im•alids contemplating eternitv 2 5 years reign. but also we hope to open they come to ofier man the chance to particularly propitious for this fiour:isS, the Holy Door for the next Holv Year in become perfect." r9sci." • Judge Rutherford's deed can scarcely be Pope Pius XI will then he g-:;. will have considered eccentric, for his con\•iction reigned the long:est of anv of thf :z61 Popes that the sunny boulevards of San Diego except Pius IX. " are soon to be trod by men with the light __ ,__ of ages in their eyes is presumably shared by the I,ooo,ooo members of the Inter Jehovah's \Vitness national Bible Students Associati-on and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, ~'Brother !~laze, please leave your ad of both -of which judge- Rutherford is dress here." President. In .34 nations these members "Sister Pates and Sister Mokus would han read his declarations as editor of like places in a car going near Eastview, both the IT'atch Tower and Golden Age La." magazines. "Brother Sovuss has a nice house-car Judge Rutherford was born on a Mis in Pawpus, Arkansas for sale cheap $150 souri fa,rm, practiced law at Boonville, leaYe your name here." acquired a circuit judgeship, continued "Sister Liz Chofuz, I am wailing for practke in St. Louis; K.ansas City. He you at the women's." accompanied the late William Jennings Scrawled messages like those fluttered Bryan on his first Presidential campaign on three bulletin boards la~t week in the tour, announcing him as "appointed by \Yashington Auditorium almost in the God to straighten out the problems of the ~hadow of the \Yhite House. Ordinarily world." Mr. Bryan's example inspired .i:!:h·en to concerts. con\'entions. exhibitions judge Rutherford to wear habitually a :1~d beer parties, the Auditorium was bus black bow tie. In 19r6 he succeeded the thug from top to basement with a religious late Charles T:lZe Russell of Brooklyn, concloxe of w,ooo pious souls. In the founder-president of the International big auditorium proper were iolding chair~. Bible Students Association. loudspeakers and a b:mner, FOR JEHO Members of this organization designate \.AH A:'\D FOR GIDEO~. ::\enrhv wnP. themselves as Bible Students. Their creed a temporary hospital st:Jiied by volUntary holds that Biblical prophecies govern all nurses and a big rawboned country doc HoN. jOSEPH FREDERICK R t:THER!O earthly e\·ents. By careful scrutiny of tor. Through the three floors surged un Holy Writ. the Bible Students ha\'e dis. Vor F::i11g David, a two-car garage. powdered women of ~11 ages. manv carry cerned that three periods of time, termed Recent years have vi"itnes~ed a gr ing children; contlcss yoimJ.r meri; sober "cosmos," pre\·ail in human affairs. Cos. burgeoPi.~G of California cults. Ex.arnpl old men; Scandinavian-looking farmers. mos I began with Ad::~m, ended with the The .ll.osicrucian FellowshlP· They hnd come from as fur awav as Cali Flood. Cosmos II begun with the Flood Oceanside is a fellowship founded by for.nia, most of 't.hem in automObiles and ended with the 1\"orld War. Cosmos III: Max Heindel who wrote a book ca ·'bouse-cars" (trailers) which thcv Jmd begun in r914, will end in z8;4, when · Cosmo-CO?tception while liYing in a ~I parked in a camp far out on 111a5Sachu "The Kingdom of God" will fill the whole hattan boarding house on a diet ?f setts Annue. For fl\·e davs the\· crowded world. An erroneous prophecy tbJt the and shredded wheat. Object of bJS c Wa~hington Auditorium. 'rralcr~izing. lis year rq~S would pro\ide a cataclysm to distribute literature on Western le tening to speeches, consuming hambunrers ":'\ations will battle; the dead will be dung ing, to practice spiritual hcalin~ thJ~' wi.th g.ra\'y (5¢), beef stew (~o( I, butl.er on the earlh"-upsel considerably the agents known as "Elder Brothers· an mJlk \5( 1. alfalfa tea (sf) in the base· ment until it was rank with mixed smells. Bible Students' calculations, but the major visible Helpers." There are no P~ 1 tenets of lheir belief are as yet unshaken. ceremonies· a maxim of the iellow~hl~ They were .. Jeho\'ah"s ".itnesses''-othcr· ::\ewsmen last week asked judge Ruther in substanc~: "Know all things. bu: rem. wise known as the Int~rnutional Bible ford whether be would not be troubled by unknown." Founder Heindel d1ed 1~_19 Students Association. followers of Judge bogus Da\·ids applying for admission to his work is now continued by his wne Joseph Frederick Rutherford. consecrated ::\-o. 4440 Braeburn Road. her associates. . Big. blue-eyed Judge Rutherford was Said he: "I realized the possibility of The Rosicrucian Brotherhood.Jn l horn on a .::llissouri farm, pr 4440 Braeburn Rood Kensir.tgton Heights :-r:· · .. San Diego· Califorr\la ·. J.pi'il 20 1937 .. . .. "' :: .. ...... , .. _ ;, . ~--'it Mr. 0 R Moyle .... ll7. J.da:r..s St b!'oo};:yn N Y '!i.y d,enr l·l'oti:er ·Y.~y:e:· · Yo I· 1·:rot~ P.::·c'' Cnapman to pr..oo~:ound ce::tair. ..· .. :.. qu~stions to :;a:teri I liuve his letter ~n.~eply \'.'ilich I am p! Your brother ai!E:i s&rvant by his grace, .. From Lance Family Scrapbook Beth-Sarim: House of the Princes Reference From Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, 1993 Historic Photograph- 1941 From Lance Family Photograph Albnm Death of Joseph F. Rutherford January 8, 1942 San Diego Union, January 11, 1942. San Diego Union, January 10, 1942. Death of Joseph F. Rutherford January 8, 1942 Leade.r. Brings Burial Complications·. San Diego Union, January 12, 1942. Historic Photograph c1948 ;.."' ·~"' -=.... ~ ....0 0 ~-= .c ·~"'.... 0 "' -...... ·~...... 0 ·~"' =0 biJ ·~"' ~..= "';.., "' ...."'.... t u=0 ....0 ' 0 -=~ G. Aubrey Davidson Biographical Reference ~~r~~~:r ff~i~~l~.'- : ' . ' By JOE BROOKS.· ·, ber ·. and . was on. the building man ot i. , Two hundred San 'niegans committee which supervised honesty · yesterday .__ paid tribute to· the its construction. qualiti·e~. ll city's.' unofficial first citizen, Among those present were d b " t G. Aubrey DavidsOn, at :fu, business and community lead~ ma e ett:r ~ rieral"serviceS in the First ets, rankiP:g .active and. re- ~r~ I)av1dson had been , Presbyterian Church., · ·tired Navy 9ffit:.ers and off!. fined' to bed ·tor six montn1s1 I_ ··Mr. Davidson, a .pioneer_ cials-ofthe Navy League,·pay~ before·:his deilth. i,·bahker-_'·. l:nd :.. real estate de~- ing . their.· respects for Mr. HEADED cHAMBER .veloper here, died_ Saturday Davidson's. part in making _,. ·------. in his· home at 4440 -Brae burn San Diego the great Navy He had been president Rd., Kensington Park; He was center· it is.- . the Chamber o_f .Commerce, 89. - ' · Mi-•. Davidson's son, Gilbert director of the ·Armed , The 'Rev. Dr. William D. -Aubrey· Davidson Jr., ofc·the ices YMCA for 23 years ~ivingstone,. who ·officiated at Braeburn road address, and d t -·d t t f th ' the funeral,- said Mr. David~ his_ hvo.grandsons, Gilbert A. e~ k anH rus tee~ 1 d son will·be remembere;d both Davidson ill,·.-·.·and William ~c a ome or e ge for· his .. :_services "to the com~ Singleton, and their wives ula Vista and a me~?ber.ot munity.:·-anct for .-his faith and· were seated in· a front "row the Elks, Rotary, Umverstty stre:D.gth of .character. pew. - --· an~ _ Cuyamaca clubs, the · -· Pomt Lorna Golf Club the 'WORK PRAISED The bronze casket. topped San Di Co t Cl b th , " . · . With" a spray ot yellow and . . .. ego ; un ry u , e_ His _ O\ltstandmg . work in pink flowers. rested in front Rowmg Club and the Adver-_ the field· at civic lea~ership- of the altar 'during the serv~ tising and ·Sal~s Clu~. !or ~e armed. services_, the ice. Banks _of flowers from . He led a drive w~ch _ended ~MCA~ the _FU"st Presbyt~- f r i e .n d 8 in the comffiunity m t~~ Panama-Cahforma Ex- nan Church-speaks eloquent~ ··filled the s·anctuary . pos1~on of 1915-16 and was in- ly-of his way of life," Dr. -Liv- . _ · strumental in establishing the ingstone said. COMMUNITY LEADER MarJite Corps Recr1,1it Depot, ! Mr. Davidson was credited ··:or. Livirigsttme, the· church the · Naval Training Center with bringing the Navy to San pastOr; lauded Mr. Davidson and the -Nav~ HoSpital _in Diego and last year received ~aS "one who did so much to Balboa Park._ . the· Navy's"':, highest civilian San Diego and to so many dif- ~·c. Aubrey Davidson exein-· ! honor, the DistinguiShed Pup. fererit segments of_ commu- plified: faith in a God who_t ; lie Service . Award. He _··was nity'life." _ . loved us so much He gave His . given the unofficial_ t it._l e, '·. ';'Mr;-- Davidson was .a man Son for us," Dr. Livingstone , "First Citizen of San Diego/'· of digriity ·and. yet humility," said.- He described Mr. David- at a· community banquet when Dr. Livingstone said. "There son's death as ''the gateway ; he retired in 1949 as: a vice was no great pride in him. He to a great and glorious adven- . -president of Bank of Ainerica, had ·deep religious faith com-· ture.••· · _A vittu-3.1 who's who of San bined _with energy and a !or- After ·the service the 200 Diegcf- civic ·Ie<~:ders attended ward look for_ -his c.ommu~ persons p:.;esent filed· by the the Service in tlle church Mr. ·nity,." . . . bier. Cr~Iriation· followed at ; DavidsOn helped build. ,He ~·He·was a man of faith, of· CypreSs.\ v·l e w Crematory, ; wa1 thli church's oldest mem. character, 0!- gentleness - a 13953 .. Imperial Ava4 San Diego Union, December 17, 1957 from San Diego Historical Society Biographical Files Sanborn Fire Map-1940 2001 Photographs Left side, northeast facing facade and garage Right side, southeast facing facade 2001 Photographs Rear, east facing facade Rear, east facing facade which shows arcade, stairway and second floor balcony Bibliography Adams, John. Books and Authors ofSan Diego. San Diego: San Diego State College Press, 1966. Baumann, Dr. Thomas D.D.S. Kensington-Talmadge, 1910-1997. San Diego: Ellipsys International Publications, Inc., 1997. Donaldson, Milford Wayne and lone Stiegler. "Historical Greater Mid-City San Diego Preservation Strategy," October 1995. Lance Family Scrapbook. McAlester, Virginia & Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986. Sanborn Fire Map, 1940 San Diego City & County Directories. San Diego County Recorder's Office. San Diego Evening Tribune, December 17, 1957. San Diego Historical Society Biographical Files. San Diego Historical Society Photograph Collection. San Diego Sun, January 9, 1931. San Diego Union, January 10, 1942, January 11, 1942, January 12, 1942, January 13, 1942, December 17, 1957, January 20, 1994. Time, March 31, 1930, June 10, 1935. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society ofNew York, Inc., International Bible Students Association, 1993.