Anderson and Johnson
Builder
Robert A. Anderson and Leonard Johnson built approximately sixteen houses together within the Talmadge Park Estates Historic District (TPEHD). They advertised as Anderson & Johnson in the 1924 classified section of the San Diego City Directory. According to the San Diego Directories, they remained partners until the 1970s. Frequently the builders, either together or separately, bought lots, built on them and then sold them upon completion.
Anderson & Johnson built two homes that are individually designated as a historic resource listed on the City of San Diego’s Historic Resource Register. One is the Francis A. & Dorothy R. Harvey/Kenneth Messenger House at 5801 Adelaide Avenue (El Cerrito) San Diego, California in El Cerrito. The other is the Douglas and Martha Young House at 4363 North Talmadge Drive Talmadge Park Unit 1 in Kensington.
Robert Anderson’s parents immigrated from Denmark and became naturalized citizens in 1894. The 1920 Census shows Robert and his brother Willie as living with their parents in Buse, Minnesota. Both brothers’ occupations were listed as “general carpentry” in that Census. Willie later worked for his brother.
In 1927, Robert married Cora and they lived at 4745 Hawley Blvd., the business address listed in the Talmadge Park Estates Homebuilders Guide. The family lived there until at least 1939.
Leonard Johnson was born in Sweden in 1892. In 1913 he immigrated to New York City. In 1924, he appeared in the San Diego Directory at 1811 Adams Avenue, with his work association listed as Anderson & Johnson. By 1926, Johnson was married to another Swede, named Helga, and they lived on Marlborough Drive in Kensington with their two children.
In 1948, Johnson designed and built their home in Kensington on 4343 Ridgeway Drive. It is individually designated as a historic resource listed on the City of San Diego’s Historic Resource Register. The home is an early example of a Custom “California” Ranch style home. Johnson and Helga lived there until their respective deaths; Helga in 1976, and Leonard in 1980. Their son inherited the property and sold it in 1982.
References
May, Ronald V., and May, Dale Ballou 2007. “Francis A. & Dorothy R. Harvey / Kenneth Messenger House” Historical Nomination, pages 38-40. https://sandiego.cfwebtools.com/images/files/HRB%20935_reduced.pdf
May, Ronald V., and Kiley Wallace 2016. “Leonard and Helga Johnson House” Historical Nomination, pages 20-21. https://sandiego.cfwebtools.com/images/files/4343%20Ridgeway%20Drive.pdf
May, Ronald V., and May, Dale Ballou 2009. “Douglas and Martha Young House” Historical Nomination, pages 20-23 https://sandiego.cfwebtools.com/images/files/HRB%201003.pdf