Tag: buildings

Photos of San Diego’s Spreckels Theater Building.

The Spreckels Theater Building was erected downtown in 1912.
The Spreckels Theater Building was erected in downtown San Diego in 1912.

I must confess I’ve never seen a show at the historic Spreckels Theatre. I do occasionally sit at a table in the building’s Grand Lobby. On a quiet Saturday I’ll eat lunch and write while watching pedestrians pass down the Broadway sidewalk, just outside the glass doors.

The mixed-use Spreckels Theater Building was built in 1912 and has been a cool sight in downtown San Diego for over a hundred years. While the upper stories are occupied by numerous small offices, the theatre itself was built as a 1,915-seat auditorium with an ornate Baroque interior. Over the decades, the theatre has also served as a vaudeville house and movie palace. Famous performers at the theatre have included Enrico Caruso, John Barrymore, Al Jolson, Will Rogers, and Abbott and Costello. In 1978, when Balboa Park’s famous Old Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire, the Spreckels was used as a temporary stage for the Globe. Today, as a live presentation venue, the Spreckels Theatre attracts many diverse attractions, including concerts, comedy shows, and dance and theatrical productions.

The six-story building, designed by Harrison Albright with influences from the Chicago School style of architecture, was built by philanthropist John D. Spreckels, a name you might have noted elsewhere on my blog. Spreckels was a wealthy sugar heir and leading San Diego entrepreneur. He wanted the building to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal, much like the Panama-California Exposition, that would be held in Balboa Park in 1915.

Plaque on The Spreckels Building indicates it's an historical site of the City of San Diego.
Plaque on The Spreckels Building indicates it’s an historical site of the City of San Diego.
The Spreckels marquee is a cool fixture on Broadway in San Diego.
The Spreckels marquee is a cool fixture on Broadway in San Diego.
Classic theatrical figures above and beside the marquee.
Classic theatrical figures above and beside the marquee.
Looking up at Spreckels sign.
Looking up at the Spreckels sign.
The polished marble lobby of the Spreckels Theater Building.
The shining, polished onyx Grand Lobby of the Spreckels Theater Building.
Close look at ornate ceiling in the lobby.
Close look at the ornate old ceiling in the Grand Lobby. The building has undergone several restorations over the years, most recently in 2012.
Many-colored light above inside entrance to the historic old theatre.
A Tiffany window depicting Nine Dancing Muses was originally above the theatre’s entry. While stored during World War II due to blackout regulations in the city, the window was stolen. It was replaced in 1985 by this colorful window designed by Yaakov Agam.
Gazing west down Broadway on another sunny day.
Gazing west down Broadway on another sunny day.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

A look inside San Diego’s old Santa Fe Depot.

Approaching the front of Union Station in San Diego.
Approaching the front entrance of Union Station in San Diego.

Walking into San Diego’s Union Station, more commonly called Santa Fe Depot, is like walking into the past. Or through some airy, sacred, vaulted cathedral.

The old train station seems utterly enormous when contrasted with the actual role that it plays in modern San Diego. Sure, it’s a reasonably important transportation hub, serving two lines of the San Diego trolley, plus the Amtrak Surfliner and Coaster trains. But today it seems to me more like a living memorial to a time long ago, when trains were a central feature of American life.

Here are a few cool photos of the Santa Fe Depot’s somewhat sparse but elegant interior. I love the tile work on the walls, the huge glowing windows, the beams in the arched ceiling…but most of all the classic long polished wooden benches. Whenever I walk through I feel like sitting down with the waiting passengers and pretending I’m off on some exciting transcontinental voyage.

Many years ago the depot held a large model of the USS Midway aircraft carrier under glass; I remember seeing that it was moved over to Petco Park. If memory serves, there was also a small pinball and video game arcade off to one side, by an exit to Kettner Boulevard.

Plaque dates Santa Fe Depot from 1915.
Plaque dates Santa Fe Depot from 1915.

The above plaque is just outside the main entrance.

A look inside the large train station in downtown San Diego.
A look inside the large train station in downtown San Diego.
A cool photo of the arched ceiling of Union Station.
A cool photo of the arched ceiling of Union Station.
Looking back toward the front entrance from inside.
Looking back toward the front entrance from inside.
Coaster train can be seen waiting outside on one track.
Coaster train can be seen waiting outside on one track.
Blue and orange tiles form classic Santa Fe design.
Blue and orange tiles form classic Santa Fe design.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

The cool America Plaza trolley station.

San Diego Trolley stops at cool America Plaza station.
San Diego Trolley stops at cool America Plaza station.

There are a few San Diego Trolley stations that are unusual and especially interesting. One is the partially enclosed station at America Plaza. Every busy day, long red trolleys snake through the skirt of the tall, glassy building. One America Plaza is the highest skyscraper downtown, and stands just across Kettner Boulevard from the Santa Fe Depot.

Looking outward from the partially enclosed trolley station.
Looking outward from the partially enclosed trolley station.
Silver Line trolley stops at America Plaza.
Silver Line trolley stops at America Plaza.
Taking a walk through the shady station on a sunny day.
Taking a walk through the shady station on a sunny day.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Old Hotel Churchill in downtown San Diego.

Faded castle on side of San Diego's old Hotel Churchill.
Faded castle on side of San Diego’s old Hotel Churchill.

My walks through downtown often take me past a large, dilapidated building with a giant faded castle painted on its side. This now sad sight was once the splendid Hotel Churchill, the destination of tourists visiting San Diego a hundred years ago.

The Hotel Churchill was built to accommodate visitors to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in nearby Balboa Park. The Arthurian theme made visitors feel like they’d entered Camelot, much like the Excalibur Hotel does in Las Vegas today. The building has been abandoned for many years. I remember watching the San Diego Fire Department using the tall edifice for practice, breaking through one window from the top of a firetruck’s ladder.

In 2003 the city designated the Hotel Churchill a local historical landmark. There are plans afoot to restore the old building and convert it into affordable housing.

Touristy hotel was built for 1915 Panama California Exposition.
Touristy hotel was built for 1915 Panama California Exposition.
Old door with spears and portcullis is locked shut.
Old door with fanciful drawbridge and portcullis is locked shut.
Looking up a rusty old fire escape.
Looking up a rusty old fire escape.
Hotel Churchill, a local historical landmark,awaits restoration.
Hotel Churchill, a local historical landmark, awaits restoration.

Here’s a pic I took in February 2015. The old hotel has been fenced off, awaiting restoration…

Hotel Churchill seen in early morning from across C Street.
Hotel Churchill seen in early morning from across C Street.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Flag Day in downtown San Diego.

Tangled flag hangs in front of San Diego hotel.
Tangled flag hangs in front of San Diego hotel.

Today is national Flag Day. So during my afternoon walk around downtown San Diego I took photos exclusively of American flags. Here are some shots that you might find interesting…

American flags top many tall office buildings.
American flags top many tall office buildings.
Flag Day celebrated from a downtown rooftop.
Flag Day celebrated from a modest downtown rooftop.
Reflection on windows of big American flag mural.
Reflection on windows of big American flag mural.
Bald eagle and American flag mural on Beech Street wall.
Bald eagle and American flag mural on Beech Street wall.
Patriotic flags on USS Midway superstructure.
Patriotic flags on USS Midway Museum superstructure.
Red, white and blue adorn cafe below flight deck.
Red, white and blue adorn cafe below USS Midway flight deck.
Small boat cruises San Diego Bay with flag.
Small boat cruises around San Diego Bay with flag.
Gulls take flight by American flag on Embarcadero.
Gulls take flight by American flag on busy Embarcadero.
Old Town Trolley Tours booth has a flag out.
Old Town Trolley Tours booth has a flag out.
Flag in the sea breeze above Star of India.
Flag flies proudly in the sea breeze above Star of India.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Views of the cool San Diego Convention Center.

View of plaza on southeast end of convention center.
View of plaza on southeast end of convention center.

I recently took a stroll around the San Diego Convention Center and took a number of cool pics. I know, I know…millions of photos have been taken of the place already. Well, anyway, here come a few more…

Interesting arches at San Diego Convention Center.
Interesting arches at San Diego Convention Center.
Looking up at glass awning above main entrance.
Looking up at glass awning above main entrance.
People descend stairs from uppermost level.
People descend stairs from building’s uppermost level.
Cool round glass elevator at top of incline.
Cool round glass elevator at top of incline.
Looking down a wide expanse of outside steps.
Looking down a patterned expanse of outside steps.
Steps on the bay side lead to Marriott Marina.
Steps on the bay side lead up from Marriott Marina.
Convention center from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Convention center seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
A glass elevator nestled among trees.
A glass elevator nestled among trees.
Gazing from an upper level toward Hilton hotel.
Gazing from an upper level toward big Hilton hotel.
Sign on scenic terrace shows Star of India.
Sign on scenic terrace shows San Diego’s own Star of India.
Looking over San Diego Convention Center's sails.
Looking over San Diego Convention Center’s rooftop sails.
People enjoy amazing view of San Diego Bay.
People enjoy amazing view of San Diego Bay and Coronado.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

War Memorial Building forgets Memorial Day.

Veterans War Memorial in Balboa Park.
Veterans War Memorial in Balboa Park.

I thought of heading up to Mt. Soledad for the Memorial Day ceremony this afternoon, but the thought of crowds and a parking hassle was just too much. Instead, I went for a long walk!

My brilliant plan was to head up Park Boulevard to check out the Veterans War Memorial Building in Balboa Park, just north of the San Diego Zoo. The War Memorial Building was built in 1950 to honor Americans who’d served in the military overseas. Certainly something had to be going on there for Memorial Day!

Boy was I wrong.

The place was dead. Closed. No people. Nothing. Not even a flag on the flagpole. They couldn’t even raise a flag for Memorial Day?

No flag flies for Memorial Day.
No flag flies for Memorial Day.
San Diego Veterans War Memorial Building plaque.
San Diego Veterans War Memorial Building plaque.

The plaque reads:

SAN DIEGO VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING

DEDICATED BY THE CITIZENS OF SAN DIEGO AS A LIVING MEMORIAL TO OUR HONORED DEAD OF ALL WARS AND TO THOSE AMERICANS WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE FOUR FREEDOMS

I

FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION

II

FREEDOM OF EVERY PERSON TO WORSHIP GOD IN HIS OWN WAY

III

FREEDOM FROM WANT

IV

FREEDOM FROM FEAR

Veterans War Memorial is closed on Memorial Day.
Veterans War Memorial is closed on Memorial Day.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

San Diego’s big new waterfront park opens!

Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.
Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.

The brand new, very awesome County Administration Center Waterfront Park opened today! This spectacular city park stretches several blocks both north and south of the historic County Administration Building, replacing two ugly parking lots.  It’s impossible to miss this expansive 12-acre park, located just across Harbor Drive from beautiful San Diego Bay.

You might have read my recent blog post about waterfront improvements, and seen some photos of this new park under construction. It’s now finished and it’s really fantastic!

I attended the grand opening this morning and got tons of cool pics!

Here we go…

Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.
Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.
Ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
Opening ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
VIPs and public listen to many speeches.
VIPs and the public listen to many speeches.
The Padres' friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
The Padres’ friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the County Administration Building in 1938.

Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.
Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.
Unrolling the 1600 foot long ribbon!
Unrolling the 1600 foot long grand opening ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County is present.
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County helps to cut the ribbon.
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
Who wouldn't love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
Who wouldn’t love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
The fountain on the park's south side is busy.
The shallow fountain on the park’s south side is busy.
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Kid checks out a fire engine.
Kid checks out a fire engine.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
A cool woodie with surfboard!
A cool woodie with surfboard!

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Ramona saved Casa de Estudillo in Old Town.

Front of Casa de Estudillo seen during Cinco de Mayo.
Front of Casa de Estudillo seen during Cinco de Mayo.

Ramona, written by Helen Hunt Jackson in 1884, is one of the most popular American novels in history. The book has had more than 300 printings. It’s been made into a movie four times. Today, few remember it.

Those who walk through La Casa de Estudillo in San Diego’s historic Old Town, however, are seeing with their own eyes a remnant of Ramona’s fame. Without that novel, and past generations’ fondness for its main character, this handsome old building and possibly others around it would have been torn down and utterly obliterated.

The Casa de Estudillo was built in 1827. It was the property of José María Estudillo, an early settler of San Diego. Captain Estudillo was twice Commandant of the Presidio of San Diego. This large, many-roomed adobe was one of finest houses in all of Mexican California, and remains one of the oldest surviving examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in California.

Shortly after the publication of Ramona, the house, in the hands of a caretaker, enjoyed a burst of popularity with tourists when San Diego’s newspaper, the San Diego Union, declared that the Estudillo house was the title character’s wedding place. Helen Hunt Jackson never stated this was so; the novel described a similar location, but was fictional.

As decades went by the old adobe fell into disrepair and might have been razed. In 1906, John D. Spreckels, owner of the San Diego Electric Railway Company and the Union newspaper, purchased the house and preserved it, transforming it into a true tourist attraction. He altered the building to make it seem more compatible with the description of Ramona’s marriage place, while adding electricity and other conveniences.

The building eventually was given National Historic Landmark status. It’s exaggerated association with the novel caused it to be officially described as “Casa Estudillo/Ramona’s Marriage Place.”

Just inside the courtyard looking up at bell tower.
Just inside the courtyard looking up at bell tower.
Courtyard fountain of historic Casa de Estudillo.
Courtyard fountain of historic Casa de Estudillo.
Outdoor oven and one end of old U-shaped adobe house.
Outdoor oven and one end of old U-shaped adobe house.
The house was heavily promoted as the birthplace of Ramona.
The house was heavily promoted as the wedding place of Ramona.
Walking along the outdoor corridor of old Spanish Colonial home.
Walking along the outdoor corridor of old Spanish Colonial home.
Camera's flash illuminates one interior room.
Camera’s flash illuminates one interior room.
Trees and flowers in the beautiful courtyard.
Trees and flowers in the beautiful courtyard.
Ramona, a famous novel, saved historic buildings in Old Town.
Ramona, a famous novel, saved history in Old Town.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

The historic Mission Brewery in Middletown.

Mission Revival style brewery was built in 1912.
Mission Revival style brewery was built in 1912.

A very cool building is located in San Diego’s Middletown neighborhood, near the intersection of Washington Street and Interstate 5. Here are a few photos I took the other morning!

The historic building, dating from 1912, was the first brewery in the United States to be built in the Mission Revival Style. Today it remains the only Mission Revival industrial building in San Diego.

Briefly, prior to Prohibition, a non-alcoholic drink called Hopski was produced here. The large building then served as an isolation hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic. Later it was converted into an agar plant. Today the historic landmark is a part of Mission Brewery Plaza, whose buildings contains professional offices and a new craft brewery called Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment.

The building has served many purposes over the years.
The building has served many purposes over the years.
Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment now occupies this area.
Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment now occupies this area.
Where beer is made today.
Where beer is made today.
Old production vat now is an outside fountain.
Old production vat now is an outside fountain.
A very cool building!
A very cool building!

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.