Historic Livingston House (Baby Del) Comes to Coronado

It’s a rare occasion when a house from another era finds its way to Coronado.

For decades, Coronado has been losing its older homes to the wrecking ball and replacement by new development.

The historic Livingston House, ferried across the bay by barge from its original site at 2412 J Street in San Diego (no small feat) to a new location at 1140 Isabella Avenue, arrived safely (though somewhat disheveled).

The last such move took place in 1899.

The house is now poised for the next sep toward a new role in Coronado.

Completed in July 1887 for Mrs. C. Morris Livingston, the house stood on a hill with a sweeping view of the city, bay and Mexico.

But during the great boom of 1887 when the population of San Diego rose from 16,000 to 40,000 almost overnight and land values doubled within a few hours, the house cost $5,000 to build and the quarter block of land, which originally surrounded, cost (an inflated) $6,500.

Built mostly of California redwood, the house has 13 rooms, with a third floor observation tower off a full attic. The downstairs consists of an entry room (paneled in redwood), a parlor, formal dining room, pantry, kitchen, delivery room, back porch and a maid’s room and bath.

Going up the massive redwood staircase from the entry room, there are four bedrooms and a master bathroom. There is also a small servant’s stairway going down to the rear of the house.

Downstairs the ceilings are 12-feet high. There are 52 glass windows in the house, many of them are the originals.

The beautiful stained glass window in the staircase is the original as well as the lovely floor tile in the two downstairs fireplaces.

The house was piped and wired for gas and electricity and sewer—none of these services were available at the time of construction.

The beautiful 10-light chandelier in the parlor also has gas jets built into it as it was not known if electricity would last. The cherub electric chandelier in the dining room also has candles spaced between the lights.

In 1896, the house was purchased (fully furnished with antiques) by James Kincade, a retired New York railroad executive and Chicago contractor.

Mr. Kincade built many of the old cobblestone bridges and viaducts in Chicago following the great fire of 1871.

In 1904, the Kincades were joined by their daughter, Margaret and son-in-law James Fitzgerald (a retired executive with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad) and their three small children, Clifford, 6, Muriel, 2, (now Mrs. Baltrimas, who was born in the house during a previous visit), and Roy, 6 months. Another daughter, Inez (deceased) was born in the house in 1906.

The children attended the old Sherman School across the street.

In 1918 Margaret and James Fitzgerald (who had inherited the house following the death of her parents) sold the property and moved to Los Angeles.

Clifford and Roy both became prominent San Diego lawyers. Roy was appointed to the San Diego Municipal Court bench in 1961 where he served for 14 years. After his retirement in 1975, he was appointed by the State Chief Justice to serve as Judge pro tem on the San Diego Superior Court bench.

Roy married Claire Whelan whose three brothers were prominent lawyers. Vincent Whelan (deceased) was a justice in the San Diego Fourth District Court of Appeals. Quinton is a San Diego practicing attorney, and Francis is a federal court judge in Los Angeles.

In 1970, the Livingston House was saved from demolition by Rev. Robert L. Stevens and was also refurbished.

During the late 1970s, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Mortenson (dedicated preservationists) bought the old mansion for their future home.

Realizing the house was worthy of better surroundings (the neighborhood has deteriorated), they searched the county for the best possible location for their newly acquired jewel.

They found that ideal location in Coronado, three lots on Isabella Avenue, part of the Percival Thompson Estate later purchased by Frank Cota (deceased) whose widow still lives next door.

The “Baby Del” (looking a little forlorn after its strenuous move) is a welcome addition.