The William Heath Davis House is significant for an amazing number of reasons, including the fascinating life of its original owner, William Heath Davis, the man who first tried to develop modern San Diego, and the fact that it is the only known structure left standing that was home to Alonzo Horton, the man generally credited with being San Diego's founder. Also, the fact that its original use was a pre-civil war soldiers officers quarters, that it was operated as San Diego's county hospital, that it is the oldest wooden structure standing in San Diego and the fact that it was lived in until 1981 but was never modified or electrified, all add to importance of the building and its significance to history. There is even an unverified story of a German Spy who lived in the attic during World War I. Nowhere else in San Diego can you find a structure that has such history over such a long time span.

In 1984, the City of San Diego moved the house from its original location at the corner of State and Market Streets to its present location at the corner of 4th & Island Avenues and it was completely refurbished. Each exhibit room of the house tells a story in the life of the house through the use of furnishings of the period.

Official Web Site

If you are trying to find William Heath Davis House (Gaslamp Quarter), you have come to the right place. Our map is interactive, includes the streets/major attractions in the immediate area, and can be easily zoomed, reformatted or repositioned to meet your needs. If you see a map that is in error, please email us at maps@mustseesandiego.com.

Map of William Heath Davis House (Gaslamp Quarter) Location