Where a controversial San Diego mayor lived more than a century ago (Golden Hill CDC)
Golden Hill, History

Did You Know…

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

…that this attractive 8,800-square-foot house (known as “the mansion on the hill”) at 24th Street and Broadway in Golden Hill was the home of Louis J. Wilde, who served as mayor of San Diego from 1917 to 1921?

Wilde was financially adventurous in his efforts to promote business growth in our city. It was that very agenda that won over the voters in 1917, when he defeated entrepreneur George Martson in the election. Marston’s platform at the time focused on the beautification of San Diego.

Wilde’s riskiest financial undertaking came in 1919, when he collected more than $120,000 from local investors to begin drilling for oil throughout San Diego County. Not a drop of oil was ever found, and Wilde retreated from the public after his mayoral term was up in 1921. He soon left the Golden Hill home and moved to Los Angeles, where he passed away in 1926.

The home, which was built in 1896, today serves as offices for various businesses.