Dry-docked two blocks from the beach, aren’t these Encinitas Boathouses a sight? The S.S. Encinitas and S.S. Moonlight appear to be two boats. They stand 15 feet tall and 20 feet long.
These aren’t just any buildings. They’re the Encinitas Boathouses. They look like they have accidentally washed ashore.
Local architect Miles Minor Kellogg created these homes in 1928. He paid homage to his sea captain father. He used reclaimed lumber from a landmark nightclub.
From 1888 to 1925, the Moonlight Beach Dance Hall and Bathhouse was a local spot. Prohibition’s dry years forced it to close. Kellogg repurposed the lumber. He built these boat-shaped homes. They were certainly not seaworthy.
Inside, the Encinitas Boathouses look like regular 1920s homes. There’s a living room and a small kitchen. It has a stove, sink, and refrigerator. The outside is what makes them unique.
Bart Smith is the president of the Encinitas Preservation Association. He said Miles Kellogg got the inspiration to build houses that look like boats. They were completed around 1927.
John Knowles is a board member of the Preservation Association. He heard a different story about the wood. During prohibition, the dance hall was torn down. A boat builder brought the lumber here. He built these boats.
The Encinitas Preservation Association acquired the houses in 2008. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Time has taken its toll on the Encinitas Boathouses. There’s dry rot, rust stains, and peeling paint. The S.S. Encinitas lists to the right. Scaffolding prevents it from leaning further. The houses are in danger of collapsing.
Knowles said the boats have always leaked. They’ve always had water problems. He has been working to restore them.
Hurricane Hilary damaged the homes last year. The winds ripped off the front overhang. One of the support posts moved. It is now in danger of slipping off the foundation. The bow of the Moonlight has dropped.
Restoration costs around $350,000 per house. The last tenants moved out in April. The Preservation Association is planning fundraisers. They plan to restore the Encinitas Boathouses. They will keep them as rental properties. Future generations of Encinitans can then enjoy them.
These boathouses exemplify early California courtyard architecture. They also show the vernacular design of Historic Highway 101. Despite their 19 portholes and mariner’s wheels, they’ve never been to sea. They have only ever been homes. You can find them at 726 and 732 Third Street.
The Encinitas Boathouses stand as a testament to creativity and history. They remind us to preserve our unique landmarks.