Realtors often say that when buying into a neighborhood, it’s all about location, location, location, and back in the day, San Diego’s Shelltown offered just that.
In the early 1900s, Shelltown had a special draw for Navy officers: views of their ships in San Diego Bay and fast access to the waterfront if duty called. Its history illustrates how proximity to the waterfront helped shape a neighborhood and attracted residents whose lives were connected to the Navy.
The neighborhood sits on a mesa near the San Diego waterfront, and its name, Shelltown, was derived from the large numbers of seashells found in its sandy soil. Its history also highlights the growth of the Navy, new industries that set up businesses, and the families who made Shelltown home.
According to the city of San Diego, some of Shelltown’s early naval officers could see their ships from their homes and were only moments away from the waterfront if called to duty. The city described Shelltown as a 166-acre area with steep and rolling hills, canyons, and views of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
In 1919, San Diego deeded 98.2 acres to the Navy for a docking and fleet repair base, and the property later became known as 32nd Street Naval Station, now part of Naval Base San Diego, according to the city.
Shelltown has long been affected by military and industrial activity along the bayfront. Although the naval base is outside the neighborhood, its activity and the nearby waterfront industries affected surrounding residential areas, according to the city.
The waterfront was also changing in the early 20th century and at a fast pace. For instance, it was drawing more businesses such as California Iron Works, which began operating along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad tracks in the early 1910s. San Diego Marine Construction Co. was established in 1915, while several tuna canneries also operated along the waterfront.
Of course, what’s a community without a school? As the neighborhood grew, Balboa School opened in 1924. It was built at 1844 South 40th Street to serve children in the neighborhood. The original building was eventually demolished and replaced by the current Balboa Elementary School in 1973.
While Shelltown may not have the large mega-mansions, historic homes, or famous landmarks found in some other San Diego neighborhoods, it did have views that attracted many. For early naval officers, it was a good location to raise a family while keeping an eye on the ships in the bay.
Read more history stories here. Do you have a story to tell? Send an email to DebbieSklar@cox.net.
Sources:
- City of San Diego, “Southeastern San Diego Community Plan — Shelltown.”
- City of San Diego, “Southeastern San Diego Community Plan Update — Historic Context Statement.”
