The Livingston House

A Labor of Love

“The house’s architect is listed in history books as Edwin Booker. But, some theorize that the Reid Brothers, who designed the Hotel Del Coronado, were moonlighting for Mrs. Livingston . . . and that is why the shapes and extensive use of materials — like redwood . . . are so similar.”

“The Livingston House is the finest combination of the best Victorian architecture and modern designs and technology.”

“The trans-bay journey of the 1887 Livingston House to a stately Coronado plot fitting its high station in life was San Diego, California’s most ambitious house moving project.”

“The faded grande dame originally was seated at 24th and J — in Sherman Heights. Its owner, the Rev. Robert L. Stevens, had faithfully restored many parts of the house, but, vandals regularly painted graffiti on the outside — and thieves had taken the historic chandeliers.”

“Thanks to a labor of love by Chris and Francie Mortenson — and that classified ad spotted in 1979 — the ‘Baby Del’ seems content in her ocean setting.”

“Six months of planning went into the November, 1983 move — it had to be at night. The 5000 plus square foot house would travel 27 blocks — first down Island Street and then west on Fifth Avenue.”

“Power lines were moved and lifted . . . 10,000 phone line and the San Diego Trolley line were cut. Twelve hours later — after starting a 9:00pm — the massive Victorian house (minus her cupolas) — reached its temporary destination, paused to wait for tides and the USS Kitty Hawk to vacate its berth at North Island.”

“Two weeks later —a crane barge — the size of a football field — swung the house over the Chart House Rowing Club on a 420 foot arm and over its deck where it hung for the trip across the bay. The house looked so deceptively small!”

“An entourage of family, friends and facilitators applauded and cheered as the Victorian residence and carriage house landed at the Kitty Hawk’s berth and taxied down the runway at North Island Naval Station and down the streets of Coronado.”

“Mrs. Livingston would have been aghast to know — the rental fee for the crane-barge was more than the $11,000 she paid for both the house and Sherman Heights lot.”

“Coronado city fathers bent a little to accommodate the great lady’s 55 foot tower. The cupolas were re-attached and for the following twelve months the Mortensons added another section to the back of the house, updated the inside, painted the outside and planted their award winning landscape and gardens.”

“ . . . a beautiful Cinderella story. Yes, a wonderful, gentle reminder of all that is historically important to the American family.”