Libby, Charles, House
Also known as: Goldie Rush's House
Why it's listed
This two-story wood-frame house was built between 1902 and 1905 by Charles Libby, a real estate broker, city councilman and one of Oceanside's founders. He placed it on a ridge with ocean views to attract others to the growing town. It has horizontal cedar siding, steep shake roofs, a bay window, carved trim, ten rooms, a circular staircase and a cross-shaped plan that may echo a European cathedral. In the 1920s it was bought by Goldie Rush, a burlesque performer who lived there until her death in 1968 and kept prize chickens and about a thousand antique glass jars. Facing demolition for an office and apartment complex in 1977, the house was moved about half a mile south along the same ridgeline. City officials, the local historical society and residents supported the move. It is considered Oceanside's finest surviving example of late Victorian and Colonial Revival design and a tangible link to the city's early settlement.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the best and last example of late Victorian/Colonial Revival architecture in Oceanside. It is one of the city's few remaining links to its early development. It was also long the home of Goldie Rush, a burlesque performer. It was moved in 1977 to save it from demolition, with community support.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000748, listed July 12, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 636 Rockledge St., Oceanside |
|---|---|
| County | San Diego County |
| Listed | July 12, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000748 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1902-1905 |
| Architect / builder | Charles Libby (builder); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved on August 4, 1977 to a nearby site to avoid demolition. The form describes it as basically unaltered, with restoration planned, and a private residence in good standing at the new site. Earlier material describes it as vacant and deteriorating at its original site. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 33.19140, -117.36690 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000748.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q5754134
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.