Historic Building Survey plaque: "48 the Backesto Building, 1873. At the time of its construction, this building was at the heart of New Town's original business district. Klauber and Levi, a pioneer grocer and general merchandise firm, occupied the ground floor from 1878 to 1886. In 1892, San Diego Hardware opened at the site, later relocating in 1922 to its current location up the street. The structure was one of the first to be restored in the Gaslamp, and both its interior and exterior reflect the turn-of-the-century style."