An amazing Rex the Lion sculpture has debuted in front of the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park!
Wow! Look what debuted this morning in the recently renovated plaza in front of the San Diego Zoo! A gigantic sculpture of Rex the Lion, whose roar during Balboa Park’s 1915 Panama-California Exposition inspired Dr. Harry Wegeforth to establish a city zoo!
The amazing, mind-boggling 27-foot sculpture is made of 10 tons of stainless steel and bronze. It was created by the obviously talented people of Blue Rhino Studio. This landmark public artwork is sure to become an iconic sight known by people all around the world!
When I saw a mysterious construction fence here weeks ago, I originally surmised the historic Jessop’s Street Clock presently in Horton Plaza would be installed near the zoo’s entrance. Boy, was I wrong!
During the ceremony this morning, colorful puppeteers and costumed stilt walkers entertained the crowd right next to the sculpture, while a couple brief speeches were made. I noticed lots of huge smiles lit up faces–including my own!
Super cool!
A 27-foot 10 ton sculpture of a lion that inspired the San Diego Zoo’s founding now stands in a newly renovated plaza by the zoo’s entrance.Reporters and lovers of the zoo have gathered for a special dedication ceremony on Sunday morning.People wait for the historic event to begin.I learned this cool It Began With a Roar t-shirt logo was designed by a lady in the zoo’s marketing department. Very nice!The ceremony is starting! Looks what’s entering the area near Rex the Lion!A fun blue rhino circles around the sculpture to the delight of young and old alike!These cool costumed stilt-walkers circled around from the other side!Giraffes, too! Oh, man! What fun!Councilmember Chris Ward makes a short speech. Who knew sparsely populated San Diego a century ago would originate one of the world’s most famous zoos?In the plaza around the base of the Rex lion sculpture are a bunch of fun inlaid animals.Inlaid near the public art’s base is the shiny inscription Rex’s Roar. One Man – One Lion – One Encounter. 1916-2016. Celebrating 100 Years.I’ve spotted some flamingos nearby!Kids rush up to touch the golden sculpture!Another nearby sign indicates Rex’s Roar was made possible by a generous gift from Craig and Mark Grosvenor and their families.Everybody wants a close look!A gigantic golden lion now guards the entrance to the San Diego Zoo. It’s Rex, truly King of Beasts!An historic day at the much-beloved San Diego Zoo.Parrots take flight underfoot.Rex the Lion, inspiration for the San Diego Zoo’s creation, now lives eternally in Balboa Park!
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Old photo of The Barcelona Apartment-Hotel in Bankers Hill, built 1921-1923.
I hadn’t planned to visit The Barcelona yesterday during the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s 2018 OPEN HOUSE event. But as I walked up Bankers Hill from one site to another, I spotted the old building and decided to venture inside. I’m so happy I did!
The almost century-old structure originally featured both a hotel and apartments, complete with solarium, ballroom, restaurant and golf course. Today it has been converted into an apartment building with amazing views of nearby downtown San Diego.
My favorite part of the short tour was visiting the sky deck up on the rooftop. Check out my photos and you’ll see why! Make sure to read the captions for more info about this historical building.
The Barcelona’s apartments today, photographed from Juniper Street.The Barcelona is a featured location during the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s 2018 OPEN HOUSE event.City of San Diego historical landmark plaque near entrance to The Barcelona.The Barcelona was built in the Spanish Colonial/Spanish Eclectic style. It was designed by architect Eugene Hoffman.Excavation of the site took 6 months. The current penthouse units on the 5th floor roof originally formed a solarium.Historic postcards of The Barcelona in San Diego.A volunteer for the OPEN HOUSE architectural event took me up the historic elevator!The cool old elevator reminded me of my childhood, when I dreamed of becoming an elevator operator!The volunteer guide quickly showed me one of the sunlight-filled apartments. The view of downtown is incredible.But the sky deck will take your breath away!Incredible view of Bankers Hill and San Diego Bay from the sky deck of The Barcelona!The building’s penthouse apartments are beyond this comfy outdoor sofa.Looking down on the many colorful rooftops of Bankers Hill!An incredible view of the downtown San Diego skyline from the sky deck of The Barcelona!
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An enormous yellow lemon welcomes travelers passing through the heart of Lemon Grove, a community east of downtown San Diego.
Step off an Orange Line trolley at the Lemon Grove Trolley Depot and you’re in for a surprise! On either side of the trolley station are several fun installations of public art. Signs also describe the unique agricultural history of Lemon Grove, which today is a sunny suburban community east of downtown San Diego.
I cruised into the trolley station last weekend to explore the immediate area. Of course, I had to direct my feet toward the big iconic lemon, which stands directly across the street from the depot, at the intersection of Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue. The 3000 pound lemon was originally created in 1928 as a proud civic float for San Diego’s big Fourth of July parade. It was afterward turned into a permanent monument with a generous application of plaster!
Read the photo captions to learn a little bit more about fascinating Lemon Grove!
The Lemon Grove Trolley Depot is a 1986 replica of the original 1895 train depot, which stood near the Lemon Grove Store and a fruit-packing shed.The city of Lemon Grove boasts the Best Climate on Earth! I spotted this sign at a nearby bus stop.Fun street art near the Lemon Grove Trolley Depot provides tasty advice for those times when life gives you lemons……make lemonade!Or a lemon cupcake!A walkway between the Celsius residential building and the Lemon Grove Trolley Depot contains tile mosaic lemon slices!What appears to be a tall, shiny sculpture near Celsius and the trolley station rotates in the wind and generates electricity.Colorful tiles radiate at the base of the rotating windmill.People wait for an Orange Line trolley at the Lemon Grove station. The original structure had an open cupola so the depot agent could wave signal flags at oncoming trains.A farm’s windmill and tractor are artistic reminders of an agricultural past. They stand in the promenade beside the Lemon Grove Trolley Depot.Both sides of this fun public art tractor are composed of small tiles.A creative bench in the public promenade. It appears like crates that were used by the Lemon Grove Fruit Growers Association!A sign near the depot shows the old Lemon Grove Store, circa 1900. The store provided supplies for nearby ranches, contained the post office, and was a community gathering place.Another sign contains a view of Lemon Grove orchards looking towards Mount Miguel across the McTear Orchard in 1910.Old photo of the Sonka Store in 1912. The building eventually became the Grove Pastry Shop.Old photo shows the Lemon Grove float during the San Diego parade in 1920. The parade celebrated the opening of John D. Spreckels’ railway, which existed where the trolley runs today.Another sign features a photo of local women working in the packing house during the Great Depression. During peak season, two or three railroad cars would be loaded full of lemons per day.The historical legacy of Lemon Grove is remembered around the site of the old train depot, which is now a stop of the San Diego Trolley.Lemons have a history of thriving in Lemon Grove, a community that claims to have the Best Climate on Earth!
UPDATE!
I took the following photos several years later, after the lemon had been repainted and a plaque had been installed in front of it.
The plaque reads: The Big Lemon 1928. Alberto Treganza designed the Lemon as a July 4th parade float. Today it is the City’s symbol of its noble agrarian past and its “Best Climate on Earth.” A Heritage Project of the Lemon Grove Historical Society and the City of Lemon Grove.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
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Banner along entrance gangway explains the Historic National Landmark 1898 Steam Ferry Berkeley Preservation Project.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego’s historic 1898 steam ferry Berkeley is undergoing much-needed restoration. The wooden superstructure, exposed for many years to direct sunlight and weather, is in need of repair, as you can see from a couple of my photographs. The south side of the ship, which receives the most sunlight, is in especially poor condition. Work has already begun there.
The museum has received funding for the restoration in the form of a $200,000 grant from the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program. This prestigious grant will match every dollar contributed by the public. Funds are being used to create a watertight, weatherproof, much more durable structure that will last for another generation.
Every contribution you make will be effectively doubled by the matching grant. To make your 100% tax-deductible donation, and learn much more, please visit this page.
To see more photos of this truly amazing vessel and learn about its special place in history, you might want to visit this past blog post. Berkeley was not only the first screw propeller driven steam ferry on the West Coast, but it assisted in the evacuation of a burning San Francisco after the devastating earthquake of 1906. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of that blog post and read the extensive comment by the former museum librarian, who provides more fascinating information concerning the Berkeley!
The beautiful Berkeley is hub of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The vessel houses many exhibits, and hosts special events and education programs.Damage from sun, salt, wind and weather is visible in this photo taken shortly before restoration began.Guests to the museum are asked to be part of preserving local history. Contributions can be made online. Every dollar will be matched by a Maritime Heritage Grant.Scaffolding along a section of the steam ferryboat Berkeley’s south-facing side. Restoration has begun.
UPDATE!
Look at the great progress made by early 2019!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Front of the 1924 Army-Navy YMCA building in downtown San Diego, designed by architects Lincoln Rogers and Frank W. Stevenson.
The grand entrance of the historic Army-Navy YMCA building in downtown San Diego is presently shuttered from view. That’s because the structure, built in 1924 for the recreational activities of San Diego’s many enlisted military men, is being converted into an elegant new hotel on Broadway. The Guild San Diego will open in spring 2018 and promises to offer a variety of unique features, including a ballroom inside what was once the old YMCA basketball court.
Before the present construction began, I took some photos of the columns and artwork around the building’s amazing front entrance. These images have been sitting idle in my computer. Here they are for your enjoyment.
When I took this photo, the 500 West Hotel had closed. Today a new luxury destination, The Guild Hotel, is under construction. Much of the historic building will be preserved.Some beautiful sculptural work around the elegant front entrance.I believe this represents Cabrillo’s ship San Salvador, which entered San Diego Bay in 1542.Part of the very ornate front entrance to the Army-Navy YMCA building in San Diego.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Rotary Plaza in Coronado includes several interesting features, including a clock, fountain and community Christmas tree.
During my recent walk through Coronado, I paused for a bit at Rotary Plaza to check out the old clock, pleasant fountain and community Christmas tree. I read a few plaques near each of these features and learned a little about the history of the place. I’ve never seen the very tall star pine lit at night during the holidays, but I bet it’s quite a sight!
Coronado Rotary Plaza (sometimes called Rotary Park) is located on Orange Avenue at Isabella Avenue.
A handsome Rotary International clock and peaceful bench await passersby in Coronado Rotary Park.Plaque on the Electric Time clock reads Presented to Coronado by the Rotary Club of Coronado for Rotary International’s Centennial, February 23, 2005.The bubbling Jim Vernetti Fountain in Coronado’s Rotary Plaza, dedicated 2009.A Hanukkah menorah stands in Rotary Plaza during the holiday season. (The trunk of the large Coronado star pine Christmas tree is in the background.)Walking along Orange Avenue toward Rotary Plaza and the high Coronado Rotary Club Christmas Tree, which is lit at night.In May, 1936, the Rotary Club planted this starpine for the citizens of Coronado. This tree given by Emily T. Thompson in memory of her husband Charles.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
View of the Serra Museum through trees atop Presidio Hill, near the spot where European civilization first took root in California in 1769.
A few years ago I walked from Old Town San Diego up to the top of Presidio Hill and wrote a simple blog about what I saw. You can revisit that post here.
What I failed to do at the time was photograph many of the historically important plaques that can be found around various sites and monuments, so I thought it would be proper to finally correct that omission.
I’ve included one informative sign which stands near the ruins of the old Spanish presidio’s chapel, and a variety of plaques. One of the plaques is at the base of the Padre Cross; two are near The Padre sculpture; one is on an observation structure near the Junipero Serra Museum parking lot; and several others are found at Fort Stockton, where the Mormon Battalion camped after their 2000-mile march from Iowa to San Diego.
Click the photos and they will enlarge for easier reading.
Sign marks the Old Presidio Historic Trail. Grassy mounds on the hill below the Serra Museum are the ruins of the old presidio chapel. It was built for the garrison’s soldiers after the original Spanish mission was relocated up the valley.The large Padre Cross, made in 1913 of tiles from the Presidio ruins, marks the location of the first Spanish mission in Alta California, established in 1769 by Junipero Serra.Plaque at base of the Padre Cross remembers the Indian village of Cosoy, named San Miguel by Cabrillo in 1542, then San Diego de Alcala by Vizcaino in 1602.Between the Padre Cross and The Padre sculpture, a plaque covers a time capsule that was created two centuries after the establishment of Mission San Diego de Alcala. It is to be opened on July 16, 2069.A plaque in the ground behind The Padre sculpture, placed on December 29, 1981 by the Presidio Hill Society Children of the American Revolution.Photo taken behind The Padre on Presidio Hill. The 1908 bronze sculpture is by Arthur Putnam.A plaque can be seen on the observation structure near one corner of the Serra Museum parking lot.The plaque begins: Sylvester Pattie, pathfinder, leader of the first party of Americans into Alta California over Southern trails. Arrived at San Diego Presidio March 27, 1828.Mural at Fort Stockton depicts the long march of the Mormon Battalion.California Historical Landmark plaque at Fort Stockton. The top of Presidio Hill was first fortified by Carlos Carrillo in 1838. From July to November 1846 the site was called Fort Dupont when American forces temporarily held Old Town.
Plaque by mural, commemorating the heroic sacrifice and history-making achievements of the Mormon Battalion.More plaques nearby explain the history of the Mormon Battalion, which blazed the first wagon trail to the Pacific over the southern route.Members of the Mormon Battalion worked to improve San Diego by making the first kiln in California, the first pumps to draw water, and the first blacksmith shop and bakery.The two plaques described above can be found near the Mormon Battalion Monument, a bronze sculpture created by Edward J. Fraughton.Another nearby plaque explains the history of the statue. It was a gift to the City of San Diego in 1969 by the National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers.A plaque by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers also stands at the site of old Fort Stockton.Women of the Mormon Battalion. Almost eighty women and children accompanied the soldiers during the long march. Four wives traveled the entire distance to San Diego.Flags of the United States, Spain and Mexico fly atop Presidio Hill, birthplace of California. Here many chapters of history are remembered.
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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Image on tiles indicates Portuguese American Social and Civic Club.
The history of the Portuguese community in Point Loma is fascinating. During a walk along a block of Avenida de Portugal, I got just a small glimpse of it.
Many have heard of Little Italy in San Diego, but I suspect few have heard of a neighborhood that some call Little Portugal. It can be found near the entrance to Shelter Island, an area settled by many families of Portuguese fishermen when the tuna industry flourished in our city. The neighborhood was once called Tunaville. Two landmarks that were built by the Portuguese almost a century ago still exist today: the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall where the community gathers and a small Catholic chapel beside it.
I spotted some round plaques in the sidewalk and images on tile on the hall’s exterior during my walk beside these two buildings. They provide a small taste of Little Portugal’s history. I thought you might enjoy taking a look at a few of them.
Small Catholic chapel in Point Loma, in a neighborhood sometimes referred to as Little Portugal.Front of the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall on a sunny San Diego day.Plaque in the sidewalk is a Tribute to our Immigrants. Determination, hard work and strength of character are only a few of the gifts you have given us.In admiration of their loyalty and commitment to the Fishing Industry and never ending support of our Portuguese Community.Age of Exploration. In thoughtful memory of God and our parents who so successfully contributed to our Festas do Espirito Santo, the tuna industry and our lives in America.The flag of Portugal flies proudly in San Diego near Shelter Island.Map of the island of Madeira and image of Santo Amaro.Image of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s galleon San Salvador and his statue at Cabrillo National Monument, a gift from the government of Portugal. Exploring on behalf of Spain, Cabrillo was Portuguese.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
Photographs of Old Town’s history slowly fade with the passage of time.
I recently walked down a few streets in Old Town that are seldom visited by tourists. After taking photographs of the Old Adobe Chapel, I noticed that across Conde Street there was some sort of structure containing glass display cases.
Upon closer inspection, I saw this was an outdoor exhibit concerning San Diego’s early history. And that its contents were in a sad state of decay.
No one seemed to know who’d created this exhibit until I spoke to a cashier in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park’s visitor center, inside the Robinson Rose House. She told me the structure had been built decades ago for the Old Town Mexican Cafe and that the displays had been designed by a woman who loved history. But she had gone blind.
Time moves incessantly forward.
You can find this fascinating but faded exhibit on Conde Street, behind Cafe Coyote.
Displays behind glass windows include old photos and historical artifacts. This was created many years ago, I was told, for the nearby Old Town Mexican Cafe.It is silks, satin and fancy soaps, blue jackets, denims and bear grease… It is Richard Henry Dana visiting the pulperia…rowdy sailors, soldiers; gambling and vigilantes…Early residents of Old Town, fading away.A collection of photos show life as it was in Old Town San Diego.It is chocolate cups, gunpowder, Louis Rose’s seaweed mattresses… Spinning wool, Juanita’s cactus garden…a game of basketball behind Seeley Stable…More old photos. Life remembered here as it once was…A few household objects in one display case. Perhaps life those many years ago wasn’t so very different…Youthful faces.Faded by time, now ghostlike.Memories of days gone by can be traced now only by adobe hummocks that the yearly rains are slowly beating down.History captured, for those who might pass down the sidewalk.Palms grow. Some words fade.Wooden boxes were sunk in the center of Fitch Street from the river bank to the post office for sewage.Photo of the Old Adobe Chapel. In November when it was complete, the little church could be seen for miles around…By 1866, the little adobe chapel was enclosed in clapboard and a new roof was installed. It served the community of Old Town for decades…The Old Adobe Chapel has been preserved. Now a historical landmark, it stands across Conde Street.Decayed flag, and old photos of flagpole at center of La Plaza de Las Armas.Old photos of the Campo Santo Cemetery. Words describe: A mingling of men, women, and children from places and lives so different…One empty display case, graffiti and a hard place for the homeless.A monument to the human desire to remember.Many years, many faces.
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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of interesting stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Amazing, brightly glowing clouds filled the sky this morning above San Diego’s beautiful Cortez Hill neighborhood.
The first thing I noticed upon stepping outside this morning was the amazing sky above Cortez Hill. The clouds were glowing and so beautiful and complex that I almost got a kink in my neck.
I took lots of photos as I walked. As it turns out, my most incredible images all seem to include the handsome El Cortez building–so the subject of this blog post became obvious!
A crescent moon is just visible to the left of the landmark El Cortez sign.A street lamp is still on. Another fantastic morning in downtown San Diego for a pleasant walk.Amazing clouds paint the blue sky above the historic El Cortez and other nearby, more modern high-rises!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
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