As San Diego County’s second oldest city, National City takes great pride in its heritage and role in the region’s development. The city’s well-known Brick Row, 10 attached townhomes on A Avenue, were built in 1887, the same year the city was incorporated.

The homes were built by Frank Kimball to accommodate railroad executives here for the building of the Santa Fe Railroad. They were modeled after those in Philadelphia so the visiting officials would feel at home. Today, three of the 10 historic houses are occupied by National City Historic Society board members. One is Janice Martinelli, historical society president, who has lived there for 27 years.

The railroad is responsible for another of the city’s nationally registered historic sites. The Santa Fe Depot, on West 23rd Street, was opened in 1882. It is believed to be the only original transcontinental railroad terminus in the country still standing. Today the building is used as a railroad museum and meeting place and is leased to the San Diego Electrical Railroad Association.

Frank Kimball’s house, 923 A Ave., also on Brick Row but not part of the attached housing, is now a museum. It is open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for holidays, and by appointment for groups of five or more by calling (619) 477-0859.

Another popular National City historic site is Granger Music Hall, which was moved many years ago to 1615 E. Fourth St. It was built by Irving Gill for Ralph Granger, a wealthy silver miner in Colorado who settled in National City, as a performing site and a place to store his violin collection. A ceiling mural was restored when the building was moved, and now Granger Music Hall is used for concerts and other private and community events.

One of the least-known sites in National City is Stein Farm on 16th Street. One of the area’s earliest farms, built around 1900, it has a collection of original home furnishings and barn and farming equipment. The farm is used by neighborhood schools for agricultural educational programs.