---
title: "Eckel Smith"
author: "Ginger Weatherford, John Loughlin & Stephen Churchill"
url: "https://writebooks.rubywhite.com/2/eckel-smith"
---

**Summary**

The Modern Ranch style dwelling, at 9508 Blair Way, was constructed in 1958 and 1959, as a Speculation House, by George E. Eckel, and designed by Leonard M. Smith.

With its intact, low-slung, Rambler plan; board and batten and wide horizontal board wall cladding; clinker brick planters, skirting, and chimney; aluminum casement and fixed windows; Catalina pool; and views of Mt. Helix, Grossmont, Lake Murray, Cowles Mountain, and the Pacific Ocean, the 9508 Blair Way dwelling retains a high degree of integrity and has been maintained such that the dwelling’s appearance has not significantly changed from the 1958 through 1961 construction campaigns. The home embodies the tenets and stylistic features of Modern Ranch architecture, and is an excellent example of the design skills of Leonard M. Smith, and the construction skills of George E. Eckel.

The George E. Eckel / Leonard M. Smith Spec House No. 1 is historically and architecturally significant for its embodiment of Modern Ranch domestic architecture that characterized Southern California, San Diego, and Mt. Helix in the 1950s and 1960s; for its association with post-WWII development patterns of Mt. Helix; as a
masterful representation of the work of George E. Eckel and Leonard M. Smith; and lastly, for its association with Robert K. Castetter and Marjorie Bruce Castetter, important people in the growth of California Western School of Law. 

The exterior of the dwelling, the pool, and the landscaping, are all contributing elements to the property’s significance.

**Introduction**

The George E. Eckel / Leonard M. Smith Spec House No. 1 is historically and architecturally significant for its embodiment of Modern Ranch residential architecture that characterized Southern California, San Diego, and Mt. Helix in the 1950s and 1960s; and for its association with post-WWII development patterns of Mt. Helix; as a masterful representation of the work of George E. Eckel and Leonard M. Smith; and lastly, for its association with Robert K. Castetter and Marjorie Bruce Castetter, important people in the growth of California Western School of Law.

The property qualified for historical designation under the following criteria:

- V. (b)(1) for its association with development patterns of the greater Casa de Oro-Mt. Helix community in the Modern Ranch period (circa 1935-1975). The period of significance under this context and criterion is 1959, from completion of construction, through 1975, the end of the Modern Ranch period.
- V. (b)(2) for its association with Robert K. Castetter and Marjorie Bruce Castetter, important people in the growth of California Western School of Law. The period of significance under this context and criterion is 1963 through 1985, the Castetters’ active involvement in the school’s growth while residing
in the subject property: gaining full accreditation for the school, bringing high-quality students and faculty to the school, and significantly increasing the school's reputation in the legal community.
- V. (b)(3) for embodying the distinctive characteristics of Modern Ranch residential architecture in the greater Casa de Oro-Mt. Helix community. The period of significance under this context and criterion is 1959, completion of construction, through 1975, the end of the Modern Ranch period.
- V. (b)(3) for representing the work of George E. Eckel and Leonard M. Smith. The period of significance for this context and criterion is 1959, completion of construction.

 ![IMG_2448.jpeg](/u/img_2448-Vyjg3U.jpeg) 


**Historic Context**
*Casa de Oro-Mount Helix Community*

Dona Maria Antonia Estudillo, of the Estudillo family, natives of Monterey, received the 600-acre land-grant in 1845. She ran cattle on the rancho property, the future Casa de Oro-Mount Helix neighborhood, bounded today by Bancroft Drive to the west, Interstate 8 to the north, State Route 54/Jamacha Road to the east, and State Route 94/Campo Road to the south.

Harvey C. Parke, of the Parke-Davis Medical Company in Detroit, Michigan, acquired Villa Caro Ranch from rancher Sam Marshall in 1895. Ed Fletcher, who soon established himself as a prominent land developer and civic booster in the San Diego region, purchased Villa Caro Ranch from Harvey C. Parke in 1902.

Fletcher’s partner in the Villa Caro Ranch land acquisition was Pennsylvania-born theatre agent William Gross, who with Fletcher, envisioned the creation of an artists’ colony populated by literary and musical personalities, which would bring a significant return on their purchase through the speculative subdivision of raw land into real estate lots for sale. The name of Fletcher and Gross’ colony would be Grossmont Park. The first Grossmont Park subdivision was platted and recorded on October 31, 1910. Subsequent Units (No. 2 through No. 5) in the Grossmont Park tract were filed through 1915, and Unit No. 6, a resubdivision of lots from Units 1, 4, and 5, was recorded on February 17, 1931.

For the Grossmont Park tracts Fletcher imported trees for planting and installed 14-miles of roads throughout that were intended to maximize views. Lots were sold initially for up to $2,500 per acre until the Great Depression hit and reduced land values to $250 to $500 per acre. While Fletcher worked on the land development process Gross worked to attract artists, musicians, and entertainers to the new community in the mountains. They succeeded in attracting the opera singer Ernestine Schumann-Heink as a resident, and eventually sold lots to a number of prominent people in the arts including songwriter Carrie Jacobs-Bond,
pianist Teresa Carreno, and author Owen Wister. Motion picture companies used the area in the 1910s and 1920s, and Grossmont Studios flourished for a brief period. Fletcher himself established a country residence at the foot of Grossmont.

Calavo Gardens were developed from 1928 through the 1930s. Calavo Gardens Units No. 1 through No. 4 were developed as agricultural-residential tracts with large-acre lots and custom homes built in the Spanish Revival style of architecture. The tracts were developed by the F.J. Hansen Organization, led by Fred J. Hansen, San Diego’s premier agricultural-residential development company from the 1930s to 1960s. Hansen, a native of Denmark, moved to San Diego in the early 1920s and soon thereafter, pioneered avocado growing in the Mount Helix area with his Calavo Gardens land subdivision. The La Mesa resident was a shareholder in the Cyclone Fence Company and founded the La Presa and Otay Municipal Water District, in 1956, assisted in the development of the Spring Valley Sanitation District, and served as a San Diego County Planning Commissioner for twenty-six years where he helped to guide current and long range planning and development issues throughout the county.

Unit No. 1 of the Calavo Gardens land subdivision was filed with the San Diego County Recorder’s Office on September 27, 1928 at the request of property owner Fred J. Hansen. Recorded as Map No. 2132, the land subdivision was planned and surveyed by Hansen and the La Mesa Engineering Service to include approximately fifty lots, sited along present-day Fuerte Drive, Calavo Drive, Puebla Drive, Panchoy Drive, and Avocado Boulevard, ranging in size from .40 acres to 3.09 acres planted with Fuerte Avocado trees. The street names assigned to the area are avocado related, reflecting either varietals, or other important aspects of the history of avocados. Fuerte Drive is named for the Fuerte avocado varietal; Calavo Drive is named for the Calavo avocado varietal, Panchoy Drive is named for the Panchoy avocado varietal, and Puebla Drive is named for Puebla the Mexican city where the Fuerte tree was first discovered and introduced to California in 1911. Less than one year later, on March 2, 1929, Unit No. 2 of Calavo Gardens was recorded as Map No. 2149. Continuing the avocado street name assignments, all streets in Unit No. 2 were also named for avocado varietals. Anaheim Drive is named for the Anaheim varietal introduced to California in 1910, Queen Avenue for the Queen varietal introduced by E.E. Knight in 1914, Dutton Drive for the Dutton varietal and also perhaps for E.C. Dutton, president of the California Avocado Association established in 1915, Nabel
Drive for the Nabel / Nabal varietal introduced in 1917 by F.W. Popenoe, Prince Lane for the Black Prince varietal, and Itzamna Road for the Guatemalan Itzamna varietal. Calavo Gardens included approximately sixty trees per acre, and purchase price of a property included planting, care and water for two years, with further maintenance offered at cost plus ten percent. The subdivision orchards were advertised as 100% of all fruit yields belonging to individual property owners. The F.J. Hansen Organization advertised the land subdivision as ‘investment in safety’ and an ideal homesite offering, and continued to plat the remaining tracts at Calavo Gardens. The Spanish Revival architectural aesthetic selected for the individual homes within Calavo Gardens reflects not only the popular architectural ideology at the time, but also complemented the Hispanic origins and contributed to the general setting of the avocado orchards planted there.

In the post-WWII period, Mount Helix became a haven for Modern Ranch Residential Architecture, likely inspired by the area’s natural terrain and landscaping with granitic boulders and outcroppings, steep slope lots, and panoramic views. The environmental conditions of Mount Helix provided an ideal setting for the construction of new dwellings in wood, brick, and stone, that were true in form, sprawling in plan, and integrated with the surrounding conditions.

*Modern Ranch Residential Architecture*

Modern Ranch homes were typically custom-designed with a specific client in mind. Designers of these custom homes include such noted San Diego County designers as Cliff May, Richard Wheeler, CJ Paderewski, and Weir Brothers Construction. Cliff May was instrumental in popularizing the Ranch style in California with his book and articles published by Sunset Magazine. The Ranch style became the era’s most prevalent type of residential construction in San Diego. Modern Ranch homes are generally much more lavish than their tract counterparts; they frequently included a large landscaped property, with a deep street setback creating a generous front yard. These homes may also feature larger garages, motor courts, servant’s quarters, expanded kitchens, and generous living spaces. Materials and detailing are generally traditional. Typical exterior materials include wood siding, stone, concrete block, brick, and even adobe. Detailing may include paneled wood doors, divided lite windows, wood shutters, and prominent chimneys.

Character-Defining Features of Modern Ranch
- Horizontal massing, wide to the street
- Usually, single-story
- Custom details (wood shutters, large wood windows, or large prominent brick or stone chimneys)
- Prominent low-sloped gabled or hipped roofs with deep overhangs
- Sprawling floor plan frequently “L” or “U” shaped around a central courtyard
- Large attached carports or garages
- Expensive building materials (wood shingle roofing, wood siding, brick, stone, and adobe)
- Front entry usually located off-center and sheltered under main roof of house
- Asymmetrical façade

There are four principal subtypes of the style:

Hipped Roof – About 10 percent of one-story Ranch houses have a simple hipped roof with a long roof ridge running parallel to the front façade. These are more common in rural areas and in neighborhoods of smaller houses. Very occasionally, as in the side-gabled subtype, a large example with broadly angled wings occurs.

Cross-Hipped Roof – About 40 percent of one-story Ranch houses have a cross-hipped roof. Typically, these are one-story houses with a long roof ridge running parallel to the front façade with a single hipped extension. Occasionally a second hipped front extension is also present. Sometimes the cross-gabled and cross-hipped types have a combination roof with a front hip on a side-gabled roof or, conversely, a front-facing gable on a hipped roof. Very large examples may feature rather complex roof forms with a combination of roof heights and types.

Side-Gabled Roof – About 10 percent of one-story Ranch houses have side-gabled roofs with a long roof ridge running parallel to the front façade. These are more common in rural areas and in neighborhoods of smaller houses. Some high-style examples have slight angles in the front (or other) façade, giving the appearance of widespread welcoming arms.

Cross-Gabled Roof – About 40 percent of one-story Ranch houses have a broad side-gabled form, with a long roof ridge parallel to the street, and a single prominent, front-facing gable extension. Occasionally a second such gable is present.

*Variants and Details*

Windows – A remarkable variety of sizes and types of pre-manufactured windows were available to builders during the Ranch era, and most Ranch houses exhibit several different sizes and/or types of windows. After World War II, factories used for war production were quickly adapted to the manufacture of domestic products and a profusion of window types was made possible by applying production methods perfected during the war. These were manufactured in standardized sizes newly regulated by the industry’s trade
associations. Metal (aluminum, steel, or bronze) and wood versions of double-hung, casement, and sliding windows were manufactured, as were awning styles. Metal sliding windows and jalousie windows (very common in southern Florida) also occurred. More than 50 percent of Ranch houses have at least one picture
window on the front facade, and some examples have more. These large focal windows commonly had sections that could be opened from side or top hinges for ventilation. In later examples, groups of tall fixed vertical panes were often used instead of picture windows. Sometimes a grouping of several traditional double-hung windows was used in place of a picture window. Very short windows were often utilized, sometimes grouped into ribbons and placed high on the facade. This allowed for light and ventilation without loss of interior privacy and accommodated flexibility in furniture arrangement below the high windows. In the rest of the house, traditional window lengths were typically used—either in a casement or double-hung design. In the latter, horizontal light patterns (2/2 or 3/3) and multi-pane patterns (9/9, 8/8, 6/6, 12/12, or 1/1) were common. Generally, several window sizes or shapes occur on a house, typically made of the same material and in the same design family (meaning that the details and pattern of lights are matched). Corner windows sometimes occurred in early examples, usually with a corner support (in contrast to the mitered glass corners on some Mid-century Modern homes).

 ![IMG_9681.jpeg](/u/img_9681-8AGf57.jpeg) 

Front Entries – The front entry is almost always sheltered by the main roof of the house. At its simplest, the front entry is only recessed, with extra shelter provided by the overhanging front-facade roof. Alternatively, the door is set into the L formed by the cross-hipped or cross-gabled roof, providing two overhangs for additional shelter. In about half the examples, entry or partial-width porches occur, almost always contained under the main roof of the house, making them relatively inconspicuous. Two porch forms are common. In one, a portion of the front-facing cross gable or hip has inset walls that form a roofed entry area. In the other, a partial-width porch occurs, often in the L created by the cross-hipped or gabled-roof form; occasionally a porch is full-width. It is common for the material cladding the entry area to differ from that of the main body of the house. Porch supports are most often simple wood posts—sometimes with triangular braces to each side—or wrought iron in a wide variety of designs, from simple modern forms to more traditional patterns that often feature vine and leaf motifs. Occasionally, porch supports are omitted and the roof spans wall to
wall. An unusually wide variety of entry details appear. The front door itself may be single or paired and occurs in many diverse designs. The simplest is a resolutely plain flush door. Some designs are “modern” and may feature multiples of three (three small windows, three raised horizontal panels). Other designs feature panels—either distinctive curvilinear panels that were then called French Provincial or multiple squared panels more typical of Colonial Revival; these often have glass panes above. Doors may have a single sidelight or matched sidelights or side panels. Occasionally the entry door faces to the side rather than toward the street.

Roof-Wall Junctions – The overhanging eave was either boxed or open. When boxed, it had either a simple, unadorned cornice board or no cornice at all. When open, the rafter tails were typically either sheathed with plywood or exposed, commonly with smooth-rounded rafter tails that did not extend beyond the roof edge.

Other Details – The new emphasis on standardization seen in windows produced the Ranch style’s very common eight-foot ceiling height, since sheetrock, gypsum board, and two-by-four lumber were now generally produced at this uniform length. Concrete-slab foundations, used in rapid prefab construction during World War II, became common and allowed the Ranch house to move even closer to the ground as slabs replaced the higher masonry-pier foundations of earlier homes. Garages were generally attached and could face to the front, rear, or side. The typical one-car attached garage (1930s to early 1950s) soon became a two-car garage, and later even a three-car one. Houses built early in the era, and those squeezed onto older, narrow lots, might have a detached garage or one connected by a covered breezeway. Carports were also sometimes found but were more common in Contemporary houses. Wood, brick, stone, asbestos and wood shingles, concrete blocks, and stucco wall cladding were all used. Board-and-batten, used in Cliff May’s early Ranch designs, was a favored wood-siding pattern. Frequently two or more materials were combined. Cladding might vary on whole sections of a wall (such as the front entry area), in the top of gable ends, or in horizontal sections (such as between the bottom third of a wall, typically below the base of the windows, and the upper two-thirds). The predominant wall cladding material used sometimes varies regionally (such as red brick in Georgia or stucco in Arizona) and can differ from subdivision to subdivision. Simple, low masonry planters were favorite elaborations and could be small and located near the entry, horizontal and stretched along the front facade of the house, or free-standing and enclosing an entry courtyard. The FHA discouraged a pronounced modern appearance in the homes they helped finance. Thus, builders frequently added modest bits of traditional detailing, usually loosely based on Spanish, French, or English Colonial precedents. Decorative window shutters are the most common of these. Window boxes were often used, and small roof cupolas (sometimes of prefab metal) and pieces of metal decoration at gable ends (such as eagles) are not unusual. It was rare to find a house that featured details from a single style—most of them freely mixed and matched. Ranch houses that exhibit one distinct style are treated under Styled Ranch. Early, small examples of the Ranch are sometimes called Ranchette, Minimal Ranch, or Transitional Ranch. These generally lack the broader overhang of later examples and many of the elaborations that became common as house size increased. Ranchettes are commonly found in neighborhoods that contain or are located close to Minimal Traditionals. The line between Minimal Traditional and Ranchette is a matter of judgment. However, the intent was likely a Ranch house if a picture window and other Ranch elaboration is present (such as a corner window or wall cladding that differs at the base of the windows). While Ranch houses commonly have a broader profile than Minimal Traditionals, neighborhoods platted with narrow lots before World War II may have Ranch-style houses adapted to these lot sizes.

Rear-Yard Elaborations – Outdoor patios are common features at the rear of the house, often reached through sliding glass doors or a double French door, and sometimes with built-in free-standing masonry grills. These private outdoor living areas are a direct contrast to the large front or side porches of most late 19th-
and early 20th-century styles. Large view windows faced, and patios and covered verandahs opened onto, the more private rear of the house. Front porches, when present, were generally shallow and rarely served as the outdoor living spaces of earlier styles.

**George E. Eckel | Builder**

George Eugene Eckel was born in Leon, Kansas, on March 9, 1922, to Charles and Grace Eckel. He was one of seven children, two daughters and five sons. Mr. Eckel joined the US Navy’s V-7 program. Which, beginning in 1940, V-7 candidates, who were college juniors and seniors, were required to enlist in the Naval Reserve. Following a one-month indoctrination course as apprentice seaman, V-7s attended a three-month course in the midshipmen's school. Upon completion of the program, candidates were awarded an ensign's commission and placed in active status. The V-7 program allowed Ensign Eckel to secure his degree in Winfield, Kansas, before joining active service. George served in active duty in the US Navy during World
War II from 1943, until he was discharged in December of 1946.

In August, 1943, George went to Northwestern University for midshipman training, graduated in December of that year, and was commissioned Ensign. He then entered the amphibious Navy where he spent all of his Navy life. His amphibious landing ship carried troops and tanks across the English Channel during D-Day. After making 45 trips across the channel George returned to the United States in 1944 and went to a training command school in Virginia. He was promoted to Lieutenant and put in command of training submarine No. 528 for eight months. These eight months were spent in and about the South Pacific making one complete trip to New Zealand.

In 1947, George moved to San Diego where he worked as a building contractor and land developer. Eckel built custom homes, office and commercial buildings. As a land developer, George subdivided many properties in the La Mesa-Mount Helix area.

Eckel was Leonard Smith's brother-in-law. While he did not design many of the homes he built, George relied on Smith’s designs as well as other designers and local architects. In the 1950s Eckel and Smith bought land from Colonel Fletcher on which Leonard would often design a ‘classic Mt. Helix ranch’ home. George would build the home – and once complete, Leonard would sell them.

George married Shirley Ann Licht on October 8, 1949, and had three children, Mark Charles, Trent Eugene and Marla Ann.

George was a member of the Building Contractors Association as well as serving on the Economic Council of National Builders and the Interfaith Housing Foundation. He was selected by the American Wood Council and Lumberman's Association to build the Wood Design 1970 "Idea Home." George was a member of the Lions Club of La Mesa for 53 years. He served as a board member for the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and on the City Arbitration Committee. He won the La Mesa Beautiful Award in the commercial category for his office complexes on Baltimore Drive. He was one of the founders of Grossmont Bank and First La Mesa Bank.

**Leonard M. Smith | Architect and Real Estate Agent**

Leonard Marvin Smith was born on December 26, 1922, in Larned, Kansas, to Marvin and Nelle Smith. He attended local schools and graduated from Southwestern College, in Winfield, Kansas. He received officer's training at Columbia University, in 1944, and served as a naval officer in both the Mediterranean and the Pacific. He was serving as navigator for the Underwater Demolition Team flagship anchored in Tokyo Bay at the end of the war.

Leonard and Grace Eckel were married, in 1944, and they moved to San Diego, in 1946. After selling real estate for several years, he opened his own office, in the early 1950s. He had an architectural background and designed 75 to 100 homes in La Mesa and Mt. Helix, that his brothers-in-law, George and Wayne Eckel, built and he subsequently sold. Leonard was president of the La Mesa Board of Realtors, in 1958, named Realtor of the Year, in 1972, and was instrumental in establishing the local multiple listing service (MLS) for the industry. While he made a point of never taking life or himself too seriously, he always took real estate seriously and was proud of the reputation he and his office earned serving clients during a 65-year career.

Leonard was an avid golfer and belonged to both San Diego and De Anza Country Clubs. He was also a committed Chargers fan, holding season tickets, since 1960. He and Grace traveled extensively and he was fond of presenting the family with slide shows of their travels, occasionally showing one too many slides. He was quick-witted, particularly fond of family gatherings, and enjoyed excellent health for nearly 89 years.

Leonard died peacefully in his home, on December 15, 2011. He was survived by his wife Grace, of 67 years, his son David (Lori) and daughter Jill (Gary); his grandchildren Sydel, Zachary, Sydney, Spencer, Chelsea and Willie; and his great-grandson Sawyer. Predeceased by his son Gary, in 2008, and his sister Margaret Henderson, in 2011.

**Biographical Information**

The George E. Eckel / Leonard M. Smith Spec House No. 1, was built in 1958, as a speculation house. 9508 Blair Way was the first of four speculation houses, completed by the duo, from the four lots on Blair Way they purchased.

Maurice and Mary Helen Jackson purchased the 9508 Blair Way from Eckel and Smith, in 1959. Maurice Francis Jackson, Jr. was born, in 1921, to Maurice and Catherine Jackson. He graduated from Grossmont High School, in 1938, and earned a liberal arts degree from San Diego State, in 1943. Maurice served as a Marine officer in World War II and joined the Evans MacCormack & Company (formerly Fewel & Company) investment securities firm after the war. Maurice and Mary Helen Wright were married on November 22, 1945, Thanksgiving Day. 

They had four children: Carroll Ann, Mary Kay, James, and Maurice III.Mary
was elected secretary-treasurer of the Junior Catholic Women’s Club of St. Martin’s Church, in April 1949. She was also the president of San Diego’s Delphian Chapters. Maurice was elected vice president of Evans MacCormack & Company, in May 1957. He was also a member of the finance committee of the San Diego County Boy Scout Council, was on the finance committee of the Bayside Social Center and was active in the Father Serra Club and Little League. Sadly, Maurice died in a car accident, on July 6, 1962. Mary Helen placed the house on the market, in 1963. She and the Castetter family traded houses that year.

——

Robert K. Castetter was born, on August 18, 1919, in Martinsville, Indiana. He grew up in Cincinnati and attended Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. After graduating from college, in 1941, Robert enlisted in the Army and was sent to officer training. He went into business after the war and found himself drawn to the legal and academic world. He received his juris doctor degree from Chase College of Law, in Cincinnati, in 1947. Robert and Marjorie were married, in 1947. They had four children: Bruce, Deborah, Roy Robert, and Victoria. Robert earned a master of law degree from Indiana University, in 1953, and received an honorary doctor of law degree from Washington and Jefferson College, in 1971. Robert was professor and chairman of the finance department at the San Diego State College School of Business for nearly six years before joining California Western.

When Mr. Castetter joined California Western in 1960, the law school was a part of United States International University. It had no real library, a stack of unpaid bills and one faculty member. Within a few years, he built up a library, recruited students and faculty, and earned status as an accredited school of law from the state and the American Bar Association. Mr. Castetter developed traditional law-school programs and initiated a program involving leading scholars, lawyers, businesspeople and elected officials from both sides of the border to discuss
cross-border issues. His achievements included gaining membership for California Western in the Association of American Law Schools in 1967 and engineering the law school's separation from USIU in 1975 to become one of the few free-standing law schools in the nation. The separation was spurred in part by financial problems facing USIU. Mr. Castetter was named president of the law school in 1980 and retired in 1985. 

Marjorie Bruce Castetter was born on November 17, 1926, in Flint, Michigan, to John Robert Bruce and Pearl Featherston Bruce. She graduated from Walnut Hills High School, in Cincinnati, Ohio, at age sixteen. Right after graduation, in 1943, she entered the University of Cincinnati, where she was one of the first and few women to attend the School of Engineering. It was while attending college and that she met her future husband. Marjorie was working in a local Buick dealership office when Robert K. Castetter came in and bought three new convertibles with cash. Robert had been recently discharged from the Army as a lieutenant after serving in World War II. He had started a very successful Bible publishing business with his father. He decided to buy a new convertible for himself, his father, and his sister (his mother didn't drive). Once Marjorie received the sales paperwork, she decided "she had to take a look at that guy." According to Marjorie and Robert, when they met, it was "love at first sight." They were married a year later, in November of 1947, three days after Marjorie's 21st birthday. The couple remained married for 62 years until Robert's death in 2009. The couple moved to San Diego, where, in 1954, the Business School at San Diego State College recruited Robert to become a professor. Robert became head of the Finance Department and was voted the most popular professor by the students when, in 1959, he was approached to become Dean of the struggling California Western School of Law. He took the reins as Dean in 1960. Little did Marjorie and Robert know they were beginning an adventure that would become a lifetime achievement. Marjorie played a crucial role in the law school's growth as Robert ("Dean") Castetter brought California Western success, gaining full accreditation, bringing high-quality students and faculty to the school, and significantly increasing the school's reputation in the legal community. Marjorie became known as a gracious and successful hostess of fundraisers, networking parties, and events - basically doing the job that a whole development department would now handle. She was also instrumental in helping the Dean create and run the school's Mexican Law Program. Always creative and caring for others, Marjorie also created a spousal support group for law students' significant others. She did all this while successfully running a household, raising four children, and fully participating in their many varied activities. Robert died on August 2, 2009, sixteen days before his 90th birthday. Marjorie continued living in the house until her death, on March 7, 2021, at the age of 92.

Robert K. Castetter and Marjorie B. Castetter were instrumental in the growth of California Western School of Law, while living at the 9508 Blair Way property. Their active involvement in the school ended in 1985, when Robert retired as president of the law school. The Castetters brought California Western School of Law success: gaining full accreditation; bringing high-quality students and faculty to the school; and significantly increasing the school's reputation in the legal community. Robert and Marjorie Castetter made significant contributions to the history of San Diego County; therefore, the 9508 Blair Way property is eligible under County of San Diego Historic Site Eligibility Criterion V.b(2).

**Detailed Description of the Property**

The George E. Eckel / Leonard M. Smith Spec House No. 1, constructed under County of San Diego Permit No. 06466, issued on July 2, 1958, is a Modern Ranch style, wood, brick, and stucco dwelling, with an approximate square footage of 2,346, situated on a little over a one-acre lot, on a south-facing slope, in the unincorporated community of Mt. Helix. With its intact, low-slung, Rambler plan; board and batten and wide horizontal board wall cladding; clinker brick planters, skirting, and chimney; aluminum casement and fixed windows, with invisible screens; custom siting amongst the lot’s natural features, with views of Mt. Helix, Grossmont, Lake Murray, Cowles Mountain, and the Pacific Ocean, the sprawling dwelling is set back and up from the street with patios, pathways, palm trees, mature trees, and a kidney bean shaped Catalina pool. The dwelling was constructed in 1958 to 1959, with an addition to the east façade and the installation of a Catalina pool, in 1961.

The dwelling’s massing was originally a horizontal rambling irregular plan, extending east and west. After the completion of the second construction campaign, in 1961, the dwelling’s massing remained a horizontal rambling irregular plan, extending an additional five feet east. Assessor notations on the building record indicate the roofing was 1¼” shake over a medium pitched side gable roof. Currently, the roof is covered in fireproof cement tiles.

Examination of the present-day appearance of the home’s exterior facades against the County of San Diego Assessor’s Residential Building Record site plan, reveal that the exterior is essentially unchanged from the 1958 through 1961 design and construction campaigns, with character-defining features intact.

*South Elevation (Main Façade)*

The south elevation is the main façade of the dwelling, facing Blair Way, formerly Blair Drive, and neighboring properties below. Mature trees and thoughtfully designed landscaping flank the asphalt driveway leading to the garage. Horizontal wood, ranch style fencing, surrounds the landscaping to the east of the driveway. A vertical piece of wood, painted with white letters spelling out “VERTICAL ACRE” announces the name of the property behind the “9508” address on the east side of the driveway. The two-car garage is the introduction to the dwelling. The board and batten clad garage, with clinker brick skirting, is attached to the dwelling on the west side. The garage door is a roll-up door with four “X” paneled sections and three vertical, horizontal windows above each section. The original garage door was a wood, two “X” paneled, lift-up door, painted dark brown to match the board and batten siding. The garage door was most likely changed when the house was put on the market, in 2021, as the 2011 Google Street View image shows the original garage door. The side-gabled roof, which transitions to a secondary extended roof to the north, contains wide eave overhangs, with curved exposed rafter tails. East of the garage door are two aluminum Chicago style windows each with a large fixed picture window in the middle flanked by two, horizontal three-light casement windows, surrounded by wood moulding. This section of the dwelling abuts the wide board, horizontal wood siding section of the dwelling, which contains a side-gabled roof that transitions to a secondary extended roof to the south. This roof is taller than the west section roof and also contains wide eave overhangs, with curved exposed rafter tails. In front of the west section of the dwelling is a low clinker brick planter with trees and plants.

Clinker brick skirting continues on the east section of the dwelling. A wide clinker brick chimney is present on the south roof slope, slightly south of the ridge beam. Left of the gate to the front porch is a front facing gable roofed wood mailbox house, atop a board and batten wall. An arched metal arbor is present in front of the gate and fence around the front porch, the low clinker brick planter continues on the right side of the entry gate. The front porch area leading to the end of the east corner was originally covered with grass.

Scored and textured concrete replaced the grass, at an unknown date, most likely around 1963. The palm tree on the southeast corner, was cut down, in 2016. The wide overhanging porch roof extends to just east of the front door and is supported by four square posts. Upon entering the porch area from the driveway, a large, long, aluminum, Chicago style window arrangement is present on the dwelling wall. A large fixed picture window in the middle is flanked by two, horizontal four-light casement windows, surrounded by wood moulding. The east return wall leads to the front door area, which is where the wall cladding changes from wide board, horizontal wood siding to board and batten siding. A metal security door covers the front door. The front door is a wood paneled door with an “X” pattern on the lower portion and a nine-light (three x three) window on the upper portion. A bronze handleset, with a double-ended fleur-de-lis design backplate, is present on the left side of the front door. The west facing entry wall contains a wall sconce. To the right of the front door is a rectangular clinker brick planter, running perpendicular to the south façade. The section of the south façade, which is not under the porch overhang, contains two aluminum Chicago style windows each with a large fixed picture window in the middle flanked by two, horizontal three-light casement windows, surrounded by wood moulding.

*East Elevation*

The east elevation of the dwelling faces the pool. The original stucco side-facing gable end is visible behind the addition and porch, covered with a shed roof, supported by four square posts. A rectangular vent is present in the gable peak. The 5’ addition, constructed under County of San Diego Permit No. 31442, issued
on April 19, 1961, is clad in board and batten siding, and contains a three-door vinyl sliding glass door on the south portion of the wall and a small horizontal sliding vinyl window near the top of the wall, on the north portion of the wall. The original outdoor half-bath shed remains on the southeast corner and was incorporated into the addition. A shower head is present on the north exterior wall, under the rectangular vent. Small exposed aggregate concrete covers the porch floor, which is a step up from the pool deck, and matches the pool deck.

*North Elevation (Rear Façade)*

The north elevation faces the rear patio and hill, which is contained by a low stucco clad retaining wall. This façade is clad in stucco, with wide overhanging eaves and curved rafter tails above. Fenestration and details along the north façade, from east to west, is as follows: an aluminum Chicago style window arrangement of one fixed picture window, flanked by two, one-light casement windows, with a wood sill below; a wall sconce above and to the west; a set of aluminum one-light, textured privacy glass, casement windows, with a wood sill below; a flat wood door with a rectangular dotted vent on the upper portion; a wall sconce above and to the west; an aluminum Chicago style window arrangement of one fixed picture window, flanked by two, one-light casement windows, with a wood sill below; a three door, aluminum sliding glass door, framed in wood moulding, flanked by two cylinder wall sconces; the patio roof is above this section and is supported by four square posts; there is also wood pergola extension to the north of the patio roof, which rests on top of the patio roof, as support, with three square posts in the hillside, supporting the other side; an upper wood cabinet is above a washer and dryer; a slight projection from the principal mass contains a wood paneled door with a one-over-one aluminum window in the upper portion and a square panel in the lower portion, which contains a dog door, a metal security door covers the back door, two cylinder wall sconces flank the back door; an aluminum rectangular jalousie window, with a wood sill, is near the west wall juncture with the next projection from the principal mass; the east facing wall contains a three-paneled wood door, one large panel at the top with two smaller panels at the bottom; the remaining north facing façade is void of fenestration. The patio floor and pathway are covered with exposed aggregate concrete, continuing from the pool deck. North of the exposed aggregate concrete is artificial grass. The walkway near the west corner of the façade is scored concrete.

*West Elevation*

The west elevation of the dwelling faces the side yard and the neighboring property. Stucco covers the wall and a set of three-light horizontal aluminum windows is located directly below the side-gable peak. A wood sill is present below the windows. The scored concrete pathway from the north façade continues on this façade leading out to the driveway. The side yard is a dirt hill surrounded by a vertical wood fence on the south side, a different vertical wood fence on the west, side and a chain-link fence on the north portion of the west side which continues along the north property line.

*Pool*

The kidney bean shaped gunite swimming pool was installed east of the dwelling under County of San Diego Permit No. 159045, issued on April 26, 1961. Exposed aggregate concrete surrounds the pool. A round metal deck cap is located under the diving board with embossed letters spelling “CATALINA POOLS.” A board and batten clad shed is located north of the east corner of the dwelling. The shed contains two pool dressing rooms and storage, behind three doors. Galvanized steel gates and fences surround the pool area on the north and south sides of the dwelling. A vertical wood fence continues around the pool area, to the southeast, and continues along the pool deck until the northeast section of the pool area where there is a brick lined planter and hill.

The George E. Eckel / Leonard M. Smith Spec House No. 1 maintains integrity of location, design, setting, workmanship, feeling, and association. Visual observations confirm the house is nearly identical to its depiction on the San Diego County Assessor’s Residential Building site plan.

The exterior of the home, the garage, the pool, and the landscaping, with mature trees, are all contributing elements to the property’s significance.

The main text was written by Ginger Weatherford (2023) as a report for the Historic Site Board of San Diego County to consider the property for Historic Designation.

The original text has been edited by John Loughlin, the current owner of the property. 

Stephen Churchill graciously shared his photographs of the property when it was included on the La Mesa History Center 18th Annual Home Tour (2024).