I was just in La Jolla and stopped by to admire the lovely Wisteria Cottage along Prospect Street. Remembering how it was-until 2005-John Cole's Book Shop and how-in the spring there is the most beautiful purple blooming wisteria! It made me grow nostalgic. I am happy to see that it is being refurbished and new life is being breathed into it.
The cottage itself-named for the wisteria-covered pergola in the front entry, was built in 1904 by George B. and Edith M. Seaman, who owned the property only briefly before deeding it to a son whose ownership was also abbreviated. It was then sold to Virginia Scripps, relation to beloved La Jolla philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. With this transfer, the Cottage began its long-standing association with the community, and as a historical landmark and City of San Diego official Historical Site #166. The current owner-Ellen Revelle- who is the widow of UCSD's Roger Revelle's recently announced that she was going to donate it to the La Jolla Historical Society.
The Historical Society has done a lot to renovate the Cottage. According to their flier, floors have been refinished, walls painted and windows fixed. Bathrooms were made functional and disabled access improvements recently were completed. Right now they are trying to raise money in order to finish accessibility requirements and complete landscaping work.
The Wisteria property is an eye-catching one-over looking gorgeous views of the Pacific. The Cottage sits in the middle of a wide green lawn surrounded by two towering Canary Island date palms. A long arbor leading to the front door is covered with blooming wisteria vines. To the rear sits the La Jolla Historical Society's current building. When springtime rolls around and the Wisteria blossom, it is truly one of the most beautiful sights in all of La Jolla. It's rebirth brings joy to the hearts of many a resident. read more