Kensington Centennial

By Ron James

“Kensington Heights will never be spectacular or elaborate. It will always be a district unto itself of luxuriously modest homes of refinement.” From a Davis-Baker Company 1920s sales brochure

About 100 years ago couple of bright sisters envisioned what would become one of the nation’s first planned communities. On April 8, 1910, Abbie Hall Hitchcock and Mary Hall Gleason filed map 1245 with the City of San Diego to create the first Kensington 157-acre subdivision, called Kensington Park.

The entrepreneurial sisters hailed from New England and named the Kensington Park streets after familiar places of their youth. The centerpiece of their community was a little park with a large pond in the center. The Kensington-Normal Heights Library, built in 1937, stands where that pond was located.

During the next several decades the residential neighborhood grew with the addition of several subdivisions, including Kensington Annex, the Kensington Park Extension, the Kensington Villa Annex, Kensington Manor, Kensington Talmadge, Kensington Heights and Kensington point. It is now an idyllic community filled with charming Arts and Crafts homes and bungalows that have an almost storybook quality about them. It is home to the eclectic work of some of the most noted architects of the time, including Cliff May and Richard Requa.

To celebrate the milestone, the Kensington 100th Anniversary Committee, a group of dedicated Kensington residents and citizens, have planned a year-long centennial celebration. It began Jan. 6 with the official launch of Destination Kensington 2010, featuring historical exhibits and entertainment. The celebration will have several events during the year, highlighted by a Centennial Gala to be held at the U.S. Grant Hotel on Nov. 13. and ending with a tree-lighting ceremony and holiday celebration Dec. 11.

According to the organizing committee’s Web site, “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.”

“It’s incredible that Kensington has been able to preserve its character and charm,” organizing committee chairman Chance Billmeyer told Uptown News. “Our community is passionate about Kensington and each other. It will be a very exciting year.”

Uptown News will celebrate Kensington’s centennial throughout the year with special community features and historical profiles. Below are highlights of centennial events for the coming year. If you’re interested in volunteering to help the centennial committee contact Carol Robinson, the volunteer chairperson at [email protected].

Kensington 100th Anniversary Highlights

The following is a list of the planned events provided by the centennial committee. Check the official celebration Web site for updates: www.ken100th.com.

January

January 20 — Chili cook-off kickoff at Kensington Community Church
Join in this fun chili cook-off and win $75; bring a Crock-Pot of your best chili and you could win first place. Come and taste the best chili from Kensington neighbors as they gather together for the first dinner of 2010; 6:30 p.m.

February

February 28 — Kensington Trio concert
Natalka Kytasty on violin, Yuri Kytasty on cello and Ron Morebello on piano, playing “Café Music” by Paul Schoenfield and other great trios; 5 p.m. at the new Kensington Café, 4141 Adams Ave. $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video .

March

March 10 — Destination Kensington
Special historical exhibits at each business, along with entertainment and giveaways as part of this fun open house to the public; 5-8 p.m.

March 17 — Gregory Page concert
The concert series continues at the Kensington Community Church with local singer, songwriter and guitarist Gregory Page. Join us for a special evening of music and food; 6:30 p.m., $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video.

April

April 17 — Trolley to the Past, Cocktails and Canapés at San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Celebrate Kensington’s past by reviving the original trolley route for one night to take you to a cocktail party celebrating the 100th anniversary at Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. The evening is a throwback to the 1910s, showcasing the silent-era movies in the MOPA theater and photographs of Kensington in the early years. Ticket price includes the trolley ride from multiple areas within Kensington, two alcoholic beverages and food. Limited to 350 people. Tickets are $80 per person. Call (619) 269-9322.

April 21 — KTCA Dinner
Members of the Kensington Talmadge Community Association and friends will gather together for a special evening of food and sharing at 6:30 p.m., Kensington Community Church. $10 members, $15 non-members.

April 24 — Landmark Homes of Kensington open house
Meet architects, builders, historians and home owners for a tour of several of Kensington’s best-preserved and historically-designated homes; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

May

May 12 — Destination Kensington
Special historical exhibits at each business along with entertainment and giveaways as part of this fun open house to the public; 5-8 p.m.

May 19 — KTCA Dinner
Members of the Kensington Talmadge Community Association and friends will gather together for a special evening of food and sharing at 6:30 p.m., Kensington Community Church. $10 members, $15 non-members.

May 31 — 100th Memorial Day Parade
Kensington centennial parade, featuring a “fun run” and walk.

June

June 19 — Gary Payne & Friends concert
Gary Payne & Friends, a mandolin concert joined by the Kensington Trio — Natalka Kytasty on violin, Yuri Kytasty on cello and Ron Morebello on piano — at one of Kensington’s most beautiful residences, 4929 Ridgeway. $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video.

July

July 7 — Destination Kensington
Special historical exhibits at each business along with entertainment and giveaways as part of this fun open house to the public; 5-8 p.m.

July 9 — DiBona & Friends concert: A Fiesta in the Park
Join us in the park for our special 100th anniversary outdoor concert in the park at 5 p.m. with Tony & Giovanna DiBona and Friends, nationally famous Italian entertainers, performing classic and swing Italian music. $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video.

August

August 22 — Kensington 100th Special Concert

Join singer-songwriter Lindsey Yung and friends Tony Morebello and his rock/jazz fusion Katywompus Trio, plus Pitt Warner and his jazz group, outdoors in a beautiful Kensington back yard, 5217 Canterbury Drive; 6 p.m. $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video.

September

September 8 — Destination Kensington
Special historical exhibits at each business along with entertainment and giveaways as part of this fun open house to the public; 5-8 p.m.

September 10 — Sue Palmer concert
Sue Palmer, San Diego’s Queen of Boogie Woogie, will be playing piano with vocalist Deejha Marie and bass player Sharon Shuffeld in the Kensington Library park; 5 p.m. $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video.

September 15 — KTCA Dinner

Members of the Kensington Talmadge Community Association and friends will gather together for a special evening of food and sharing at 6:30 p.m., Kensington Community Church. $10 members, $15 non-members.

October

October 17 — Rita Cantos concert
Join Rita Cantos, mezzo soprano, and Ole Kittleson, veteran Starlight Opera legend, at 5 p.m. for this outdoor concert, 5249 Marlborough Drive, $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video.

October 20 — KTCA Dinner

Members of the Kensington Talmadge Community Association and friends will gather together for a special evening of food and sharing at 6:30 p.m., Kensington Community Church. $10 members, $15 non-members.

October 23 — Halloween Walkabout
A night of “scares and scandals” on this fun self-guided Halloween walkabout, featuring the haunting stories of ghosts and goblins through 100 years of Halloween in Kensington.

November

November 7 — Pancake breakfast at Kensington Community Church

Pancake breakfast and ceremony celebrating the beginning of Kensington on Nov. 25, 1910.

November 10 — Destination Kensington
Special historical exhibits at each business along with entertainment and giveaways as part of this fun open house to the public; 5-8 p.m.

November 13 — Centennial Gala at the U.S. Grant Hotel
The official Kensington Gala and dinner to celebrate 100 years. Special entertainment and dancing by the Sensations Dance Show Band. 6 p.m.-midnight. Ticket price includes dinner and dancing, with no-host bar. Tickets $115 per person. Cocktails at 6 p.m, dinner 7-8 p.m., dance and show begins at 9 p.m. (619) 269-9322.

November 17- KTCA Dinner
Members of the Kensington Talmadge Community Association and friends will gather together for a special evening of food and sharing at 6:30 p.m., Kensington Community Church. $10 members, $15 non-members.

December

December 10 — Hoover High Ensemble concert
Christmas concert featuring mezzo soprano Ava Liss, soprano Kathleen Fogarty, pianist Liliane Choney, violinist Nick Stamon and the Hoover High Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Laura Williams; 7:30 p.m. at the Kensington Community Church, 4773 Marlborough Drive. $24 per person for concert and reception. Tickets available at Ken Video.

December 11 — Kensington Holiday Celebration
Wrap up the 100 Year Celebration with this fun food and entertainment event. Santa Tolly will be on hand to take photos with the kids. Join the whole community for caroling at the tree lighting; 4-9 p.m.