Rosecroft
Why it's listed
Rosecroft is a 1912 Italian Renaissance style residence at 530 Silvergate Avenue in Point Loma, San Diego. Architect Emmor Brooke Weaver designed the two-story, stucco-clad wood-frame house on a modified H-shaped plan with a low hipped roof, French doors, balconies and a Palladian-style entry. It was built for Alfred D. Robinson and his wife Marion, who developed an estate of gardens and lathhouses around it. Robinson became a leading American authority on begonias, producing more than 100 hybrids at Rosecroft and helping found the American Begonia Society and the San Diego Floral Association. He also edited California Garden Magazine and took part in civic life around the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The house was later separated from the gardens and now occupies 2.4 acres. The roof was changed from green tile to slate and the entry was altered in the 1970s. Large additions were placed at the rear, away from the original facade. The property was listed for its connection to Robinson and for its architecture, with significance dated 1912 to 1942.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion B for its association with Alfred D. Robinson, a nationally recognized horticulturist and leading begonia authority. Robinson hybridized over 100 begonias at Rosecroft and founded the American Begonia Society, the San Diego Floral Association and California Garden Magazine. The form also describes the house as an excellent example of early 20th century Italian Renaissance Revival design by a regionally significant architect.
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 03000472, listed September 22, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 530 Sivergate Ave., San Diego |
|---|---|
| County | San Diego County |
| Listed | September 22, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000472 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1912-1942 |
| Architect / builder | Weaver, Emmor Brooke |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The property is described as in excellent condition and still used as a single-dwelling residence. The original 1912 house is historically intact, with later additions at the rear. |
| Acreage | 2.4 |
| Coordinates | 32.69747, -117.24635 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 03000472.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6112489
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.