Nelson House
Old Poway Park
14114 Midland Road, Poway CA 92064

Courtesy Poway Historical Society

Courtesy San Diego Union-Tribune

LOCATED IN OLD POWAY PARK, the Nelson homestead is a part of the collective Poway Historical Society. Niles Nelson, an emigre from Kongsberg, Norway, came to America in 1842, as a 10-year old with his family, eventually settling in Illinois. Hearing the nationwide cry of "Gold!" and itching for adventure, Nelson and a brother left home in their late teens and made their way to California in 1851. The Nelson brothers returned to Illinois, but California tugged at Niles's soul after a chance meeting in the mines with Alonzo Horton, who would come to be known as the "Father of San Diego". Nelson returned to San Diego in 1873, operating Stabeck and Nelson, a cigar and tobacco shop.

When this venture failed due to a financial crash, Nelson applied for the patent of a 160-acre homestead in 1883, building his house in the "near wilderness" of Poway on what is now Garden Road. Here, Nelson raised cattle, grain, grapes, and an orchard, enabling him to expand his property to 430 acres. Nelson was a devoted follower of the temperance movement, and served on the board of the Poway school district.

The original farmhouse was lost in a fire, and the current wood-frame Nelson House (likely a kit house) was built about 1918. The simple home is a rectangular shape with a kitchen, living room, dining room, and three bedrooms, with a single bathroom scavenged from one of the bedrooms.

Portions of the property were sold off over the years, and in 1991 the home was moved to Old Poway Park due to development. The home is situated between the Porter House and the railroad tracks. The Poway Historical and Memorial Society have furnished the home in early 20th century style, procuring some of the furnishings from another local pioneer family.

Poway Historical Society LINK