Tag: escondido

A look inside Escondido’s first public library!

Several historic buildings can be visited at the Escondido History Center in Grape Day Park. One of these buildings was the very first library that opened in Escondido, back in 1895.

The little building was the second public library in San Diego County. In 1971 it was saved from demolition by the Escondido Historical Society and moved to Grape Day Park.

Today visitors step into the little old library (headquarters of the Escondido History Center) on Thursday through Saturday, between 10 am and 4 pm. Inside one can look at historical photographs, conduct research, or view fascinating exhibits. There are also several antique artifacts like an old scale, spinning wheel, and gas pump.

Last Saturday I also found a smile!

I learned the old library and been remodeled and expanded over the years. To me, its present-day use as a museum is the thing of greatest interest.

The exhibits can change a bit over time. During my visit I enjoyed looking at Pioneer Family: Cassou Family, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Here’s an old photo of the Escondido Public Library as it originally appeared. Notice there’s not much else around it!

A big glass display case against one wall is packed full of history.

One exhibit traces the history of Escondido’s influential Cassou family, whose mid-19th century roots were in France.

Transportation in Escondido over the years is highlighted in the second exhibit.

Cruisin’ Grand photographs show how the beloved summer event has previously appeared.

I love that big model train! It was created by Hollis Watrous in his garage workshop starting in 1960. He ran it on tracks in his backyard!

Here’s a cool old photograph of downtown Escondido in 1911.

It is believed, by the large number of automobiles, that the photo was taken on bustling Grape Day.

Among the shelves behind the front counter I spied this old image of Escondido’s first librarian, Mina Ward.

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Two grand historical paintings of Escondido.

As you step through the front door of the old Santa Fe Depot in Escondido, take a look left and right. You’ll see two large paintings which show how Escondido appeared about a century ago.

The old Santa Fe Depot is part of the Escondido History Center in Grape Day Park. Inside the depot building you can view many great displays concerning every aspect of Escondido’s history–from its early beginnings, its agriculture, gold mining, and more as the city developed over the decades.

The two paintings I photographed yesterday stand out among the displays. They were created by artist Henry Thees and were commissioned in 1928 for the First National Bank of Escondido, which was built in 1886. The artist never saw Escondido–they were painted from postcards!

Henry W. D. Thees (1882 – 1942) was born in Hamburg, Germany. He settled in Los Angeles in 1927 where he was active as an artist. I can’t find much more that is definite about him.

The two paintings, eventually given to the Escondido Historical Society in 1973, have moved around over time. They arrived at the old Santa Fe Depot in 1988.

The painting in my first two photos is on the south wall. It is a 1927 view looking east toward the first and second Escondido High Schools. The huge building with a tower that looks a bit like a church with steeple was actually the first high school!

The second painting on the north wall is a 1905 view looking west from Curve Street, which today is Ivy. I was told the artist might have included some embellishment in his paintings.

It would be interesting to compare these paintings to the original postcards that inspired them!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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Native American Heritage Festival in Escondido!

The First Annual Native American Heritage Festival was held this afternoon in Escondido’s Grape Day Park.

The free community event was hosted by the Native Youth Foundation and featured Native American culture, education, crafts, food, music and fun for the entire family.

The festival brought together tribes from around the Southern California region to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It was a celebration of Native voices shaping the future.

I came by in the late afternoon as the festival was kicking off. When I departed about an hour later, a good crowd had gathered for this inaugural event.

I enjoyed listening to the Campo Bird Singers, visiting various booths and eating crispy tacos.

What are some of the things I learned?

I learned the people in the next photo represent Volunteer Escondido. They’re neighbors who come together to help build a stronger community and enhance the quality of life for all!

You can visit their website here! Check out their event calendar and perhaps you can participate as a volunteer in their good work!

I was interested to learn from the next group of smiling people that there is a National Native American Hall of Fame!

The organization, with its headquarters in Oklahoma City, honors Native American achievements in contemporary society, from the 1860s to present day!

Visit their website here! There are various ways that you can support them!

Look! More friendly people at the next booth!

They represent the La Jolla Generations Program, a tribal youth program of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians.

They would be demonstrating basketmaking later during the festival!

In the late morning, the Campo Bird Singers were on stage performing traditional, sacred Bird Songs.

Lots of tasty food, including carne asada and Kumeyaay frybread!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

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Two sculptures seen entering Escondido!

If you’ve driven into downtown Escondido from Interstate 15, there’s a chance you’ve spotted these two fun sculptures on West Grand Avenue.

The first, a red, white and blue rooster, stands at the end of Hawthorne Country Store’s lot.

The second sculpture is located a very short distance away, in front of Raining Cats & Dogs. This one is covered with colorful mosaics depicting sea life.

I can’t tell you a thing about either sculpture–apart from the fact I love them.

Know anything? Leave a comment!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

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Mural at Escondido’s Hawthorne Country Store.

Driving into Escondido on West Grand Avenue, it’s possible you glimpsed this mural on the side of Hawthorne Country Store.

The last time I enjoyed a long walk in Escondido, I made it a point to have a look at the mural and take several photographs.

The colorful artwork seems a bit faded, so I increased the contrast for my first and third photos. The artist is Tristan Pittard (@taggtristan). I see he has worked with Esco Alley Art.

Five words in the mural form the trunk of a tree: History, Diversity, Identity, Pride, Community. From the upper left corner of the mural sunshine beams down. Written inside the bright sun is the phrase: Community creates the future.

I love the fun image of a child and happy dog!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

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Building a chuck wagon at Escondido history center!

The Escondido History Center is always full of surprises!

Imagine my own surprise today when I discovered guys building an old-fashioned chuck wagon at the history center’s Bandy Blacksmith & Wheelwright Shop!

The retired volunteers, working on the project, let me step into the wheelwright shop to see exactly what they’re up to.

Check it out! The chuck wagon is being built from scratch and will be faithful to designs used over a century ago in the Old West. They hope to have it ready in time for Escondido’s 2025 Grape Day Festival, which will take place this September in Grape Day Park.

A chuck wagon is a horse-drawn wagon operating as a mobile field kitchen….They were included in wagon trains for settlers and traveling workers such as cowboys or loggers…

As you can see from my photos, this wagon is going to be awesome when finally completed!

First, here’s the old blacksmith and wagonworks building on the Escondido History Center‘s Heritage Walk, where the chuck wagon is being built…

Next is an old photo of a typical chuck wagon (without its cloth covering).

The guys working in Escondido will create a covering for their chuck wagon using duck cloth. You can see how the rear of the old chuck wagon in the photo has compartments used for storing food and cooking materials.

Now, inside the busy wheelwright shop today…

In the next photo, the wooden section that folds down near the front of the wagon is the foot board. The wagon’s seat will be mounted there behind it.

Next is the chuck box, which will be mounted to the rear of the chuck wagon. The combined cupboard and fold-down workspace stores cooking utensils, spices, and essential ingredients for cooking out in the field.

(Think of an old-fashioned tailgate party–featuring baked beans!)

The box-like pan boot is mounted under the chuck box. It typically held pots and pans and other cooking necessities such as a Dutch oven…

The opposite side of the chuck wagon under construction appears slightly different…

A barrel for water or other “liquid refreshment” will be mounted to this side!

The adjacent Penner Barn had its door opened by one of the friendly guys so I could take a peek inside…

The chuck wagon’s undercarriage is ready to go!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

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Community Unity Mural brightens Escondido alley!

This very beautiful and inspiring mural debuted in an Escondido alley last April, during Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month. Titled Community Unity, it was created by twelve students from Calvin Christian School.

I saw the mural for the first time today during a long-overdue walk around downtown Escondido!

This webpage describes the public art and its origin.

The mural contains colorful imagery representing Escondido and people in the local community. It was printed on large panels and placed in the alley that runs half a block south of Grand Avenue. Walk west down the alley from Broadway and you’ll come to it. The mural stands as a joyful reminder that unity is possible when all voices are welcomed and celebrated.

When you see the bright artwork, your day will be brightened, too!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

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Native plant garden at Sikes Adobe Farmhouse.

A beautiful native plant garden can be enjoyed at the Sikes Adobe Farmhouse in Escondido. The garden is on the grounds of the historic farmstead, directly next to the San Dieguito River Park’s long Coast to Crest Trail.

I visited the native plant garden during a walk today and took these photographs. I noticed a sign indicating it was an Eagle Scout Service Project, undertaken in 2021 by Matthew VanderVorst of Escondido Troop 668.

It’s late Spring, so many flowers are in bloom. Signs identify the plants, which include Monkey Flower, Deerweed, Bladder Pod, Black Sage, White Sage, California Buckwheat, Shaw’s Agave, Coastal Prickly Pear, and others.

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

Feel free to share!

Escondido Library’s mall location Grand Opening!

The Escondido Public Library had their official Grand Opening inside North County Mall this morning! The library has temporarily relocated to the shopping mall as their main downtown building undergoes renovation.

The Library at the Mall is inviting and substantial. Several past store spaces are now filled with shelves, and constitute the General Library, Children’s Library, and a Book Store, which is operated by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library.

You can find details about the library’s temporary mall location, including hours, by clicking here.

Funny thing is, I had no idea this was happening today. I arrived at North County Mall after a nearby hike and learned I’d missed the Grand Opening ceremony, which included Escondido’s mayor, by about an hour!

The Escondido Public Library will be found inside North County Mall until Spring 2026, when they’ll return downtown to their renovated building. I was told there’s a good possibility some sort of library presence will remain at the mall after the move.

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

Feel free to share!

A star lands in Escondido!

What’s that star-like sculpture sitting on the grass near the box office of California Center for the Arts, Escondido?

It’s *!

The cool creation, named * (pronounced star), is a 30 foot diameter great stellated dodecahedron created by Escondido’s own Glass House Arts. According to posts on their Instagram page, * appeared at Burning Man last year! If I understand correctly, the sculpture was called MOOT (Matter Out of Time) back then, and said to be a time machine!

By night, 30 programmable LED floodlights illuminate the fabric sails, transforming the piece into a glowing beacon. I saw * in the daytime during my visit to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and thought it was pretty cool as it was!

The sculpture will be on view through May 17, 2025. It celebrates Escondido Arts, Culture & Creativity Month!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

Feel free to share!