The History of Talmadge

The first subdivision of Talmadge — Talmadge Park, Unit Three* — was signed and certified by the CIty of San Diego / County of San Diego / State of California Board of Supervisors on March 22, 1926.

*Talmadge Park, Unit One and Unit Two are within the boundaries of Kensington

Talmadge has been “Putting Down Roots” since 1926 and is proud to celebrate the centennial and all subsequent subdivisions:

  • 1928: Talmadge Park Estates 1
  • 1946: Talmadge Park Estates 2
  • 1947: Talmadge Park Estates 3
  • 1951: Talmadge Park Estates 4
  • 1948: Talmadge Park Estates 5
  • 1953: Talmadge Park Estates 6
  • 1944: Talmadge Park Manor 1
  • 1944: Talmadge Park Manor 2
  • 1908: Montecello – initially “east San Diego” and outside of City of San Diego boundaries
  • 1912: Alhambra Park – initially “east San Diego” and outside of City of San Diego
    boundaries

Talmadge is a dynamic neighborhood that — while quiet, understated, and unassuming — reflects much in significance.

Highlights include:

1920’s ‘Hollywood Style’
Early financial investors included movie moguls and silent film stars. It was referred to as “the San Diego version of Pasadena”. The Talmadge Sisters — Norma, Natalie, and Natalie — were silent film stars that have namesake streets in the neighborhood.

The first FHA loan in San Diego was granted in Talmadge.

Renowned builders and architects such as Cliff May (‘father of the California Ranch House’) and Louise Severin (the rare female in a male dominated field).

Innovators and creators such as:

  • Eleanor Abbott; creator of the now world famous Candy Land game
  • Oscar Peterson; creator of Jack-In-The-Box and the drive thru intercom order system
  • Iron Butterfly; the American rock band, best known for the 1968 “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” practiced out of a garage in Talmadge before relocating to Los Angeles

Public figures such as:

  • Ted Williams; MLB Hall of Famer, attended Hoover High School
  • Larry Himmel; a long time San Diego TV broadcaster, lived in Talmadge for many years. His former Talmadge home is now certified as IHD (Individual Historic Designation)
  • Doug Oliver; a long time San Diego weatherman for CBS8 during the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s & 80’s also resided in Talmadge.

Talmadge has two historic designations:

  • Historic Gates Corridor (#422) was designated by the San DIego Historic Resources
    Board in 2000 and restoration began in 2002
  • Talmadge Park Estates Historic District (SG100010106) was State and Federally
    designated on March 25, 2024

Several houses in Talmadge are acknowledged as “Individual Historic Designation”.

Talmadge was one of the first existing neighborhoods to be undergrounded (electrical, telephone, cable) in 2004, when governed under Council District 3 by Council Person Toni Atkins. Key volunteers worked closely with SDG&E to coordinate installation of over 200 replica candlestick lamp posts.

Talmadge consists of multiple volunteer community groups:

  • TMAD/TCA (TalmadgeMaintainanceAssessmentDistrict/
    TalmadgeCommunityAssociation) – founded in 1999 out of desire to exceed ‘City
    standards’ construction of a traffic calming roundabout. That roundabout is now the
    ‘centerpiece’ of the neighborhood
  • TCC (TalmadgeCommunityCouncil)
  • Talmadge Patrol
  • Talmadge Fire Safety
  • New Neighbor Welcome Committee
  • TPEHD (TalmadgeParkEstatesHistoricDistrict)
  • Block Party Committee; food trucks (spring & summer) and an annual large scale event
  • Fourth of July parade
  • Annual Halloween event
  • Christmas caroling
  • Holiday Toy Drive
  • Annual neighborhood garage sale
  • Monthly food drive donations (over 13,000 lbs donated in 2025)
  • Aldine Drive litter picking / cleanup
  • Architectural walking tours