Kensington Park was the dream child of two sisters, Abbie Hall Hitchcock and Mary Hall Gleason. By filing Map 1245 with the City of San Diego, they created the Kensington Park subdivision, recorded on April 8, 1910. William Douglas was also retained to manage the original Kensington Park subdivision. The inaugural opening of Kensington occurred when Douglas announced the opening of Kensington Park on Thursday, November 25, Thanksgiving Day, 1910.
The Hall Sisters were originally from New England and named their subdivision "Kensington," using other New England place names for the street names. Stone river rock pillars were constructed, designating the Southern boundary along Monroe Avenue. A small park with a large fish pond was created as the centerpiece of the subdivision. New homes were built around the park, with the park acting as a showpiece and center of attraction to the community. Our park still exists today, with the 1937 addition of the Kensington-Normal Heights Public Library.
2010 will mark Kensington’s first centennial, and celebrations will be held throughout the year.
The goal of the Kensington 100th Anniversary Committee through 2010 is to bring together businesses and residential entities within our community to celebrate the 100th birthday of San Diego’s first residential subdivision. The Kensington Park subdivision was the first of its kind in the United States and many subdivisions created thereafter would follow its restrictions on use and development. From its inception, Kensington Park was created as an exclusive residential area.
The Centennial Celebration will provide us with yearlong events to honor our community. It is a unique opportunity for the community of Kensington to share our heritage with all of San Diego.
Historical Photos and Stories Needed!
We need all of your rare historical photos and stories to add to our archives. Darlene Love has volunteered to help us do this. Please email her with your stories and photos at kenhistory@ken100th.com - you may also email her and ask her to coordinate a time to talk with you or scan your photos. Go to our HISTORICAL PAGE by Clicking HERE.
