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Victory Update! Jones House Restored
By Ann Garwood & Nancy Moors
November/December 2020
 The Jones house under wraps and waiting for its new life. Photo courtesy Hillcrest History Guild |
 The 1911 Jones house on Ibis Street in Mission Hills, 2020. Photo courtesy Rick Wilson |
In 1910, Henry Jones led the opening of Hillcrest's first financial institution (where Union Bank is now on Fifth Avenue). The following year he had his family's home constructed at 4040 Hillcrest Drive (the street name was changed to "Fifth" in 1968).
Scripps Health wanted to demolish the Arts and Crafts style house for a parking lot in 2009 (Read HERE). But many San Diegans fought for its historic designation as one of the last remaining structures from the original Hillcrest subdivision. Ron May, president of Legacy 106, made a presentation to the City of San Diego Historical Review Board (HRB) on behalf of The Hillcrest History Guild and our organization, demonstrating why the house should be saved.
Much to the delight of the community, the HRB listed the two-story, shingled building as Historic Resource #939 based on its excellent representation of the Arts and Crafts style. Despite a weathered and neglected exterior, the house was architecturally intact and retained an inviting original interior. Many wanted it restored for re-use as a grieving/counseling center or a museum for the Sisters of Mercy, but it was deemed obsolete by the hospital. Wrapped in torn tarps, boarded up, and fenced in, the Jones house sat waiting for a savior as the community encouraged the hospital to find a small corner of their campus to preserve this part of Hillcrest's history.
In 2011, Save Our Heritage Organisation added this historic Craftsman to its Most Endangered List.
The old house was then donated to the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, for housing Mission Hills' St. Vincent de Paul Church priests. It was moved July 1, 2018, culminating the efforts of many to preserve this Hillcrest historic landmark.
The Hillcrest History Guild is especially thankful to several members of the San Diego community for making this happen, including Ron May, SOHO, Christine Mann, and the hospital.
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