Edgemoor Farms, 1913-2010

Santee, California (97 years of age)
By Curtis Drake

On December 28, 2009, demolition began on one of the few remaining historic sites of San Diego's East County. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors gave the death sentence and declined life support as they failed to look at the numerous potential uses for the historic institutionary buildings built by master architects, the Quayle Brothers in 1923, which were listed on the California Register of Historic Resources. Best efforts by preservationists and friends of the district could not deter the County from the intent of destroying the complex. The only survivor of the historic farm is the Polo Barn built in 1913.

The fervor to expand Los Colinas Women's Detention Facility was the primary force behind the demolition, which cleared the way for the expansion to the east. They refused to assess how the historic buildings could be incorporated into the expansion. A HABS survey was performed to mitigate the loss but we all know pictures and drawings can never duplicate the experience of the actual historic building.

To learn more about Edgemoor's history and the great loss this represents to San Diego, please go to sohosandiego.org/reflections/2008_34/edgemoor.htm

2010 - Volume 41

MORE FROM THIS ISSUE

From the Editor

The Cosmopolitan Hotel: A Resurrection of the Past

Most Endangered List of Historic Resources

Lead Paint: What's at Stake?

The California Theatre Under Siege

10-Year Anniversary at the Whaley House

Marston House - First Year Retrospective

People In Preservation Winners

An Evening Well Spent at PIP

Preservation Community

Reflections