It’s a house likely everyone who lives in the historic neighborhoods from University Heights to Kensington and Talmadge recognize. It’s the Rock House perched right at the edge of Normal Heights. This historic neighborhood, Normal Heights, is my ‘hood, and it can now boast having a new addition to the City of San Diego Register of Historic Sites. So deemed by the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board on July 28, 2016.

Only one recalcitrant boardmember didn’t view it as historic because he quibbled over whether it could be classified as an example of craftsmanship. That was Tom Larimer.

Of course he doesn’t understand craftsmanship because his architectural training only involves plastic tack-ons used to decorate the nondescript stucco boxes which he “designs”. In his world facade design isn’t particularly special or unique – it’s a cookie cutter process. So he doesn’t posses the ability to recognize craftsmanship when he sees it.

He was not reappointed to the Historic Resources Board by City Council for good reason. He simply isn’t qualified to evaluate San Diego history or its architecture. He might have some knowledge of architecture in Michigan where he came from. But as far as San Diego is concerned he doesn’t know squat.

He came to be appointed to the Historic Resources Board under Mayor Jerry Sanders using a trumped up resume which nobody bothered to inquire about when was considered for the appointment. In his time on the board, he has done significant damage to San Diego’s cultural heritage and history. The day can’t come soon enough for the current Mayor to put forward an appointment to replace him. Someone who has a demonstrated interest in preservation and San Diego history. Not someone going out of their way intentionally to obstruct or wreck the process as Larimer has done.

The Rock House is a one story, single-family residence constructed in 1926 in the Mission Revival Style with a slight Spanish Eclectic influence using native cobblestones.

The historic designation cites the house’s featured cobblestone facade as a valuable example of the use of natural materials and craftsmanship. Again Larimer didn’t see any craftsmanship whatsoever. He argued “veneers” are nothing special. Wow.

Far from being the cheap looking plastic tack-ons, Mr. Larimer is only familiar with in his world, here one can look with amazement how far the stones seem to protrude from where they are placed. Almost cantilevering out. Sturdy it must be however, as this year marks the 90th year of the Rock House looking over Adams Avenue. Yes, Mr Larimer, that is craftsmanship.

An interior fireplace is also constructed of cobblestones and is included in this designation.

The stones are loosely laid in courses and give the appearance of quoins at the building’s corners. Note the stone chimney.

The windows are all double hung, one-over-one with wood frames except for an arched three-part focal window.

The center window of the trio is a single fixed pane and is flanked by two 14-light fixed-3-pane windows. Above, an arched row of cobblestones further articulates the shape of the feature.

The house is also accented by round clay tile attic vents grouped together in sets of three.

Analysis for this designation mentions California was the birthplace of the Mission Revival Style and a high concentration of landmark examples are located within the state.

The style mimics the appearance of Spanish Colonial mission buildings and is considered the California counterpart to Georgian inspired Colonial Revival in the northeast.

Architects began to advocate the style in the late 1880’s and 1890’s. By 1900 houses in this style were spreading eastward from California under the influence of fashionable architects and national builders magazines.

Commonly found features of the Mission Revival style include:

Mission-shaped dormer or roof parapet, red tile roof covering; widely overhanging eaves, porch

roofs supported by large square piers and smooth stucco wall finishes.

Decorative detailing is generally absent although arches, quatrefoil windows, carved stonework and patterned tiles are occasionally used.

Trends began to shift away from the Mission style to the Spanish Eclectic with its debut at the Panama California Exposition of 1915.

All descriptions noted here can be found in the City’s analysis and recommendation for The Rock house to be considered historic.

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/sr-3920_adams_avenue-complete.pdf