Plan Your Visit
Located in Old Poway Park between the Porter House and the railroad tracks, the Nelson House is part of the Poway Historical and Memorial Society’s collective of historic buildings. Step into the past by joining us for a free docent-led tour inside the homestead and view historical artifacts from daily life in Old Poway.
Open Saturdays 10AM-2PM
Free Admission
Niles Nelson: One of Poway’s Earliest Farmers
Niles Nelson was born near Kongsberg, Norway on July 15, 1832 and was among the first Europeans to settle in San Diego County. He was the son of Ole and Anneken (Stabeck) Nelson. In 1842 when Niles Nelson was only 10 years old, they sold their family farm and made the long journey to America. Sadly, his father died during the journey and the family eventually settled in Illinois where Mrs. Nelson’s brother had already established roots.
At 19, Niles and his brother set off westward, seeking their fortunes in the California Gold Rush. They did well and were able to send money back to Illinois to purchase more farmland for the family. While returning home to Illinois in 1856, Niles was infected with malaria and was robbed of $1,500 worth of gold dust. Barely escaping with his life, he was able to return home where he farmed for a while. However, the allure of the Pacific Coast still called to him.
Niles returned to San Diego and met Alonzo Horton, who would come to be known as the “Father of San Diego”. In 1873 Niles opened Stabeck and Nelson, a cigar and tobacco shop. Sadly, the business soon failed due to a financial crash.
On June 27, 1883 Niles Nelson obtained the patent for a 160-acre homestead, building his house in the “near wilderness” of Poway on what is now Garden Road. Here, he raised cattle, grain, grapes, and citrus trees, which enabled him to expand his property to 430 acres.
He and his wife Helene Nelson had four children—three sons and a daughter. One son died in his teens, but their two remaining sons Oscar and Albert Nelson both remained in Poway and farmed here all their lives. Their daughter Ida married William L. Stone, the Poway blacksmith and constable.
Nelson was a devoted follower of the temperance movement, and served as a trustee on the board of the Poway School District until his death in 1921. After Helene’s death in 1930, the farm was willed to his three children.
The Original Nelson House
On June 27, 1883 Niles Nelson obtained the patent for a 160-acre homestead, building his house in the “near wilderness” of Poway on what is now Garden Road. Here, he raised cattle, grain, grapes, and citrus trees, which enabled him to expand his property to 430 acres.
He and his wife Helene Nelson had four children—three sons and a daughter. One son died in his teens, but their two remaining sons Oscar and Albert Nelson both remained in Poway and farmed here all their lives. Their daughter Ida married William L. Stone, the Poway blacksmith and constable.
Nelson was a devoted follower of the temperance movement, and served as a trustee on the board of the Poway School District until his death in 1921. After Helene’s death in 1930, the farm was willed to his three children.
About The Nelson Homestead
The original Nelson House that was located on Garden Road was part of the Nelson farm. It was largely destroyed in a fire around the turn of the century. The current house that you can visit in Old Poway was re-built around 1918, likely from a kit, which was a popular method of home building at the time. It is a simple rectangular building with a kitchen, parlor, dining room, and three bedrooms. One of the bedrooms was later modified to accommodate an indoor bathroom.
In 1943, the Nelson farm was sold to H. W. Frame of Poway Ranch. The Frame family, Harry, Agnes and daughters Linda and Judy lived there from 1943 to 1956. The home then served as a rental from 1956 to 1959. It was then purchased by Leo and Meck Armstrong, who lived there until 1980 and then rented it out until 1987. The City of Poway acquired the homestead and moved it from Garden Road to its current location in Old Poway Park, and in 1991 the City and the PHMS agreed to the restoration of this house.
