On Friday we closed escrow on another sale of a Lloyd Ruocco classic – two in a row! This one was 20 years older (1947) and in Mission Hills with a panoramic view of the city, ocean and bay.
MISSION HILLS MODERN! Architect Lloyd Ruocco’s Keller Residence is one of the first post-War modern homes in all of San Diego! Enjoy views of Downtown & Point Loma to the Coronado Islands and beyond. Contemporary finishes blend seamlessly with original, vintage design as the interior blurs with the exterior landscape. Retreat to this culdesac location and enjoy an incomparable setting of privacy amidst the urban landscape. Historically designated, incredible Mills Act tax savings conveys!
It’s rare to get a 15-page history on a house – this goes back to the beginning:
James Don Keller was the district attorney of San Diego between 1946-1971 (and probably knew my grandfather who was district attorney of Alameda County in 1947-1969).
The house on Puterbaugh was the second house designed by Ruocco for the Kellers – the first was in National City, and the third was 9405 La Jolla Farms Rd.
Judge William Enright, who had served as a Deputy District Attorney in the 1950s, wrote as a tribute: “all those who worked for or with Don Keller during his years as District Attorney of San Diego County can attest the great debt owed and the stature of the man. Scores of attorneys practicing in this county have passed through his office; their lives have been guided and their careers have been shaped by the attributes and standards of this man. It was known to us then – and most poignantly now – that here indeed was a man who would have an influence long beyond his time.”
Don quickly made his influence felt as District Attorney. He ordered a raid on a National City cocktail lounge. His undercover people got themselves invited to the manager’s office and then through a secret door to the upstairs casino. It was there that patrons were relieved of their cash by use of marked cards, loaded dice, and rigged roulette tables. The illegal casino was shut down and the term “Keller Raids” was started.
During his years in office, Don gained the reputation as a champion of law and order. He was appointed by Governor Earl Warren to the California Crime Commission. He was a proponent of good government and an efficient judicial system. His office mounted drives against bookmaking and gambling, narcotics traffic and sales, consumer fraud, pornography and welfare abuses. He was one of the first to propose cooperation between the US and Mexico to combat narcotics trafficking. He encouraged federal, state, and local agencies to work together to fight consumer fraud. He urged working with the press to balance the public’s need to be informed with the defendant’s right to a fair trial.
Don made a career of fighting public corruption. During the 1950s, he convicted numerous public officials and others of bribery and other criminal charges relating to a state liquor license probe. One of the defendants was William G. Bonelli, a member of the State Board of Equalization. Mr. Bonelli was indicted and then fled to Mexico. Another investigation involved bribes being paid to employees of the assessor’s office. Bribes were paid in exchange for lower assessed property valuations. Several convictions were obtained as a result of this investigation.
A year after he left office, Don Keller died while vacationing in Spain He was 68. His memory is honored by a plaque in the San Diego Hall of Justice. An inscription on the plaque, taken from a eulogy written by U.S. District Judge William Enright, states: “His life represented the epitome of able, dedicated public service–he was a lawyer of complete integrity and, above all, a good, thoroughly decent, gentle man.”
Jim, very nice property. Clean lines and great views. See you are at Compass. They are growing in LA but they seem to be really shaking up the SD market. Best, AA
Auntie Agent – so good to hear from you again! It’s been a while!
Yes, Compass is killing it in Bay Area and SD, but LA and NYC maybe not so much. Kayla still works for Douglas-Elliman in Manhattan – when you see her working for Compass then you know there has been movement in the real estate tectonic plates!
She still thinks D-E has a better reputation in NYC, but she is finding out quickly that reputation and about $5 will get you a cup of coffee. It is very competitive!