The beloved Top Gun House on Pacific Street in Oceanside has seen some wear over the years.
It was spruced up recently with a fresh coat of paint, two murals and an information sign that alerts visitors to its historical significance — beyond its film notoriety.
The Queen Anne Victorian, built by Dr. Henry Graves in 1887, is unique with its gingerbread trim and ornate chimney.
Kristi Hawthorne, president of Oceanside Historical Society, said the society and Save our Heritage Organization have had their eye on the house for some time.
“The house is significant because of its architecture, because of its setting and because it is the last, best one of its kind in San Diego County — which is pretty significant because of all of the homes, even the historic homes, it's the last best one of its kind,” she said.
Part of the house’s historical merit is because it remains in its original oceanfront location.
The house is on Oceanside's historical inventory and will stay put when a $209-million luxury hotel development is built on the site.
When hotel construction begins in one to two years, the house will be moved temporarily, restored by the developer and relocated to the site.
Speculations are the 500-square-foot house will be used as a gift store or ice cream shop.
For the uninitiated, the house appears in a few scenes in 1986's hit action-movie "Top Gun," which starred Tom Cruise as a hot-shot young pilot nicknamed "Maverick" who comes to train at the "Top Gun" Navy fighter jet school in San Diego. Maverick's love interest, played by Kelly McGillis, lived at the house.
According to LocationsHub:
In the film, the golden sunset sky makes the most romantic backdrop to Charlie’s seaside cottage. The location of the house was so idylic that Kelly McGillis (who played Charlie) decided to stay at this bungalow during the making of Top Gun.
