In December, the El Cajon City Council unanimously designated the city's third historical resource: the c. 1886 Charlotte Hall Family Ranch House at 436 Provo Street. SOHO supported the designation of this highly significant Folk Victorian era home under five criteria.

Significance under Criterion A stems from the size and high style of this home, which demonstrates the Hall family's economic achievement during the early agricultural period of grape farming, and represents their dedication to education and economic development of El Cajon. Under Criterion B, the ranch house is associated with important members of the Hall family, primarily J.P.R. Hall and his wife, Charlotte; Wilson Dana Hall; and Marie Hall; but also Albert Van Zanten, the home's second owner who had been a council member and mayor of El Cajon. Embodying distinctive characteristics of the architectural style as well as being the notable work of owner/builder J.P.R. Hall, his father John Rumbold Hall, and son Wilson Dana Hall, 436 Provo Street is also important under Criteria C and D. Finally, being identified with multiple people who substantially contributed to El Cajon's culture and development, this house is also designated under Criterion E.

There are not many resources that can boast so many levels of significance. SOHO congratulates El Cajon on its commitment to preserve this important home for all to learn from and enjoy! Photo courtesy realtor.com

3853 Eighth Avenue in Hillcrest is a Queen Anne style bungalow (c. 1908) with Colonial Revival influences, such as the enclosed pediment. Designated under Criterion C, this is an excellent example of the style and is a contributor to a row of resources, including the designated Better Buzz Coffee Roasters, a former hospital annex once on SOHO's Most Endangered List. The house's architectural features include the focal bay windows with leaded glass transoms, the partial width front porch with circular columns and a clapboard balustrade, and a pyramidal roof. Photo courtesy redfin.com

1025 Devonshire Drive in the Sunset Cliffs area of Point Loma was constructed c. 1927 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Built by Glen Funcheon, who could warrant master builder status with more research, this house is designated under Criterion C, for embodiment of the style. Character defining features include the stucco exterior, Mission tile roof, Moorish arched focal window, interior courtyard, curved entry way with recessed door, decorative chimney brickwork, multi-pane wood casement windows, and wrought iron detailing.

A Spanish Eclectic style home at 3481 Cooper Street in the North Park community is now designated under Criterion C for its architectural design. Built in 1931, the home embodies many original and distinctive Spanish Eclectic style elements, including a white stucco exterior, wood casement windows, faux beams, a red tile roof, and decorative stucco arch detailing below the second story.

The Art Deco style Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company Garage, between 9th and 10th Avenues in the East Village, represents the development of the automobile industry in San Diego. Constructed in 1932, with a 1946 addition, the single-story, warehouse-like structure boasts many garage doors as well as geometric detailing, vertical stepped projections, pilaster surrounded entryways, a flat roof, and metal frame windows. This unusual commercial resource is now designated under Criterion A for reflecting a special element of East Village development and Criterion C for its excellent Art Deco design.

2311 Via Siena in La Jolla is a c. 1961 Contemporary style house that was home to the nationally known humanist, Carl Rogers. It was designated under Criteria B and C, for a direct association with the premier psychologist and for being a good representation of the style. Its contemporary features include the low-pitch hip roof with deep eaves, floor to ceiling doors and windows, concrete screening, and an attached carport. The designation also includes landscape elements such as the Brazilian pepper tree in the rear courtyard, and planting areas.

The San Diego County Historic Site Board designated a Modernist home in La Mesa in November. The 1953 house at 10050 El Granito Avenue overlooks Mission Valley. Modernist features that maximize views and create indoor-outdoor living spaces include the post and beam style, large wood beams, floor-to-ceiling windows, cantilevered balconies, large skylights, gently sloping rooflines with deep overhangs, and exposed rafter tails.

George Eckel, a popular custom home builder who developed the south slope of Mount Helix and other areas of La Mesa, constructed the house. This work was for his sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Leonard Smith. The owner of Leonard Smith & Associates, realtor Leonard had an architectural background and designed this house and others. He was prominent in the La Mesa real estate community for over 65 years. This home was designated under criteria V(b)(2) and V(b)(3) of the local register for its architectural design and association with important people in San Diego County. Photo courtesy redfin.com