Tag: monuments

Frogman statue installed in downtown San Diego!

A lifelike bronze statue of a Navy SEAL frogman was installed this morning in downtown San Diego!

The frogman sculpture arrived by box truck, which parked on Kettner Boulevard near One America Plaza, just outside the future Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. (The museum opens very soon–on October 4, 2025.)

With extreme care, slowly, methodically, the new public art was removed from its crate and elevated to its black marble pedestal, which had been installed outside the museum a few days ago.

I and some bystanders were wondering how exactly the operation would proceed. We watched with great interest, and I snapped a bunch of photos.

Words engraved on the pedestal explain:

This statue is adapted from the original at the Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida. It depicts a SEAL placing a limpet mine, an underwater explosive device.

It was designed by master bronze portrait sculptor Lena Toritch, and honors the U.S. Navy SEAL combat diver: a symbol of unwavering courage, stealth, and precision, standing as a testament to their dedication, rigorous training, and selfless service to our nation.

Cleaning the top of the pedestal…

Injecting epoxy into four holes atop the supporting pedestal…

Aha! They’re going to use straps.

Tilting the diving frogman sculpture upright.

Up it goes!

So far, so good!

Centering it…

Workers screw in four rods, which will descend into the epoxy-filled holes on top of the pedestal.

Success!

As I understood it, the statue would remain this way for a while as the epoxy hardened. So I left.

I returned several hours later and found…

…

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!

Sportfishing Legacy monument in Point Loma.

The Sportfishing Legacy monument can be found steps from the docks at Fisherman’s Landing in Point Loma. If you’ve ever gone on an ocean fishing charter in San Diego, you might have departed from here and seen the remarkable bronze sculpture of a man.

I saw the monument for the first time last month during the Day at the Docks event. I’m finally getting around to sharing these photographs.

A plaque states:

SPORTFISHING LEGACY

DEDICATED TO CAPTAIN BILL POOLE AND ALL THE DEVOTED CAPTAINS WHO HAVE MADE SAN DIEGO HOME PORT TO THE WORLD’S FINEST SPORTFISHING FLEET.

THE PIONEER OF LONG RANGE SPORTFISHING, CAPTAIN POOLE EXPLORED THE OCEAN FOR THE FISHING GROUNDS AND ESTABLISHED INNOVATIVE FISHING TECHNIQUES. AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, HE INSPIRED NUMEROUS SUPPORT BUSINESSES INCLUDING LANDINGS, FUEL DOCKS, AND A BOAT YARD, WHERE HE BUILT MANY OF THE NEWEST HIGH TECH SPORTFISHING BOATS.

THIS MONUMENT SERVES AS A TRIBUTE TO ALL WHO HAVE ENJOYED THE MAGICAL MOMENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED ON THESE DOCKS AND AT SEA. THE FLEET CONTINUES TO ENSURE THAT SAN DIEGO IS THE PREMIER DESTINATION FOR SPORT FISHERMEN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

…

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!

Blue Star Memorial By-Way marker in Lakeside.

Sharp-eyed people walking through Lindo Lake County Park in Lakeside might notice an old marker in the grass, on the south side of the lake, not far from a large shelter structure. A close examination reveals that it is a Blue Star Memorial By-Way marker, placed by the Lakeside Garden Club. It is dedicated to the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The marker was placed here almost 40 years ago. This Facebook post recalls: Fourth of July 1986, the Blue Star By‑Way Memorial Marker and star pine were dedicated in Lindo Park, Lakeside, California as part of the opening ceremonies of the Centennial Celebration of Lakeside. As the red, white and blue balloons were released into the sky at the end of the dedication. I think we all felt pride in a job “Well done”.

I noticed that earlier this year, when I spotted the marker, a new tree had been planted near it. Was this the location of the star pine? Anyone who knows more about this history, please leave a comment!

What is a Blue Star Memorial By-Way? Check out this Wikipedia page for an explanation.

…

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!

Monument to William Heath Davis, Jr. unveiled!

A very special event was held today in San Diego’s Pantoja Park. A monument to downtown’s original founder, William Heath Davis, Jr. (aka Kanaka Davis) was unveiled during a beautiful ceremony!

The monument is in the form of a bronze bust. During the ceremony many leis were hung around its neck by organizations instrumental in creating the historical monument. Representatives were from Ahahui Kiwila of San Diego, Kaha I ka Panoa (Hawaiian Civic Clubs), Hui o Hawaii of San Diego, Pacific Islander Festival Association and The Samoan Association San Diego. Other organizations at the event who helped to make this monument a reality included the Gaslamp Historical Foundation and the Asian Pacific American Coalition.

William Heath Davis was born in Hawaii and eventually made his way to early San Diego. With a vision of the future, great courage and much energy, he strategically created the initial version of “New Town” on San Diego Bay, where downtown is today. Read his history here.

Traditional Hawaiian dance was performed during the ceremony, and numerous speakers expressed pride in having a monument to Davis placed in Pantoja Park–the city’s first park, not far from where he himself lived. Two of the speakers were descendants of Davis.

The event brought many members of the local Asian and Pacific Islander community together. As caretakers of their culture and creators of the monument, they now have this visible tribute to San Diego’s past for younger generations to see. As one speaker said, We Are Here. The Spirit of Kanaka Davis Lives On.

Toward the end of the ceremony an impersonator of William Heath Davis spoke. He recalled the life of one of San Diego’s most important historical figures.

I took photos of more history being made…

UPDATE!

During a later walk in the park, I took a good photo of the historical plaque…

…

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!

Monument coming for downtown San Diego founder!

On May 10, 2025, a monument will be unveiled in the northeast corner of Pantoja Park. The bust of William Heath Davis Jr. will debut, commemorating the founder of downtown San Diego!

The public event will take place between 10:30 am and 2 pm. There will be speeches, informational booths, a blessing by Kumeyaay Bird Singers, and Pacific Islander traditions. William Heath Davis “Kanaka Bill” was born in Hawaii.

Many associate Alonzo Horton with the founding of downtown San Diego. Horton’s ultimately successful New Town, however, came after an attempt by William Heath Davis to build a new community closer to San Diego Bay than the original Old Town San Diego… His New Town was located west of today’s Gaslamp Quarter. The venture did not do well due to a lack of fresh water and hostility from the established settlements at Old Town and La Playa…

Pantoja Park, at 500 West G Street, was established in 1850. It was created at the center of William Heath Davis’ 160-acre subdivision and is San Diego’s oldest city park. Originally it was known as New Town Park. Appropriately, it will be home to the soon-to-be-unveiled bust.

The William Heath Davis Monument and the Monument Unveiling Ceremony are the work of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and The Kanaka Davis Trust Group.

(I saw a preview of the monument a couple years ago. See that blog post here.)

…

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!

Glider history made in San Diego’s Point Loma.

Did you know that glider history was made above the bluffs of Point Loma in San Diego?

Two landmark plaques that commemorate this history (which includes the breaking of a sailplane flight duration world record) are located just inside the entrance gate of Cabrillo National Monument. A small dirt footpath leads up to the boulder upon which they are mounted. Beyond, a slope descends steeply to the Pacific Ocean.

I recently walked from the Cabrillo National Monument’s visitor center down to the plaques to have a close look…

The plaque on the left states:

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE EARLY AVIATION PIONEERS THAT FLEW AMERICAN DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED SAILPLANES IN SAN DIEGO. THESE AVIATORS ARE REMEMBERED BY THOSE WHO FLEW AFTER THEM AND THE CITIZENS OF SAN DIEGO

John C. Barstow – William Hawley Bowlus – Alan R. Essery – Forrest H. Hieatt – Anne Lindbergh – Earle R. Mitchell – Adolph R. “Bud” Perl – William Beuby – Lowell E. Bullen – Albert E. Hastings – I. N. Lawson – Charles A. Lindbergh – Allison J. Moore – William Van Dusen

SAN DIEGO SAILPLANE ENTHUSIASTS – THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST

(Yes, the names include Anne and Charles A. Lindbergh!)

The plaque on the right states:

POINT LOMA

THIS LANDMARK IS DEDICATED TO THE PIONEERING SPIRITS OF THE PILOTS WILLIAM HAWLEY BOWLUS AND JOHN C. BARSTOW WHO MADE MILESTONE FLIGHTS IN GLIDER HISTORY AT THIS SITE

WILLIAM HAWLEY BOWLUS – FIRST AMERICAN SOARING FLIGHT TO EXCEED ONE HOUR DURATION – 1 HOUR 21 MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 1929

JOHN C. BARSTOW – DURATION FLIGHT OF 15 HOURS 13 MINUTES EXCEEDING THE WORLD RECORD – APRIL 29-30, 1930

DEDICATED APRIL 27, 1996

THE NATIONAL SOARING MUSEUM – HARRIS HILL, ELMIRA NY – AN AFFILIATE OF THE SOARING SOCIETY OF AMERICA

SPONSORED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST

…

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!

History at Carlsbad by the Sea Retirement Community.

A historical plaque can be found in front of the Carlsbad by the Sea Retirement Community. I noticed it during my last walk up Carlsbad Boulevard.

Here’s a photo:

The plaque reads:

CARLSBAD BY THE SEA RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Dedicated June 20, 1998

In 1881, Captain John A. Frazier, a homesteader, purchased 127 acres of oceanfront land for $1200. While drilling for drinking water in 1884, Frazier tapped into an underground mineral spring. He built a 510 foot welltower and began promoting the water’s healing properties to passing travelers on the Southern California Railroad. The site became known as “Frazier’s Station”. In 1886 Gerhard Schutte and Samuel Church Smith purchased the land and renamed it “Carlsbad” with the intention of building a health resort. In 1929, after the paving of nearby Highway 101, construction began on the Spanish-Revival style “California-Carlsbad Mineral Springs Hotel” on this site. By 1939, the spa functions had ceased and the hotel changed owners several times. In 1957, Lutheran Services of San Diego purchased and re-opened the hotel as a retirement community. California Lutheran Homes acquired the community in 1964. The original building was demolished in 1996 to complete an expansion and modernization of the retirement community. The front facade has been reconstructed by California Lutheran Homes and Community Services as a replica of the original “California Carlsbad Mineral Springs Hotel.” A time capsule, buried behind this monument, will be opened 50 years from the ground breaking in October of 2046.

…

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.

Thank you for sharing!

A monument to Ed Fletcher in Solana Beach.

A historical monument to Solana Beach’s original developer Ed Fletcher stands by a pathway that leads through Fletcher Cove Park down to the beach. I’ve often wondered about the granite marker.

It reads:

THIS PLAZA PARK AND MILE OF OCEAN SHORE DONATED TO THE PUBLIC BY ED FLETCHER, THE DEVELOPER OF SOLANA BEACH – ERECTED BY ADMIRING FRIENDS

I’ve tried to learn something about the small monument, but to no avail. Perhaps a reader of this blog can contribute a knowledgeable comment.

When was this monument installed? Who were the admiring friends?

…

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.

Thank you for sharing!

Frogman statue coming to Navy SEAL Museum San Diego!

A large bronze statue that honors Navy frogmen is planned for the new Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego, which is scheduled to open later this year at downtown’s America Plaza.

The impressive statue will stand south of the museum entrance, in an outdoor space that is adjacent to the America Plaza trolley station. (You might recall, how years ago, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego had their Hammering Man sculpture located in the same spot.)

I’m told the diver statue should resemble one now situated at the original Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, in front of their Memorial Wall.

The statue that is coming to San Diego will stand atop a granite pedestal inscribed with the BUD/S classes that become plank owners of the new museum.

The museum’s Plank Owner BUD/S Class Campaign is presently underway. Those who contribute will become part of a legacy that will motivate and inspire generations of Americans for years to come.

As this webpage explains, the museum is reaching out to the Navy SEAL community. Donations are being accepted of any size to help with the construction of the Museum which will preserve our history and tell our stories to the nation.

Every donation will receive recognition on the museum website here. For those Classes reaching the $5,000 goal, the Class Number will be permanently etched into the granite pillar which holds the bronze Navy SEAL Sculpture.

Would you like to inspire future generations, and help build the Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego? Visit their website by clicking here!

…

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.

Thank you for sharing!

A closer look: Koester Memorial Sundial at SDSU.

The Koester Memorial Sundial stands prominently in San Diego State University’s Campanile Mall, directly in front of the iconic Hepner Hall. I took photographs of the sundial when I walked through the SDSU campus a few days ago. A couple of corroded plaques invite a closer look.

According to this article, dedicated on November 4, 1978, the Gübelin Equatorial Sundial [is] in memory of the late George A. Koester…

Koester began his career at San Diego State in 1950 and went on to complete 14 years as a professor of education and 10 years as executive dean. During his time on Montezuma Mesa, Koester played a prominent role in building the campus, working on the creation of Love Library, the music and drama buildings, Aztec Center, Zura Hall, student health services, and multiple parking structures…

A plaque embedded in the brick pedestal states:

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE A. KOESTER Ph.D – PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION – EXECUTIVE DEAN – IN APPRECIATION OF HIS SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY 1950 – 1974 – PRESENTED BY HIS FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND FAMILY

Within the sundial, a faded plaque (I increased the image contrast) describes how the beautiful and fascinating device works. I transcribed as best I could, without every word in caps:

THE KOESTER MEMORIAL SUNDIAL

The sundial indicates local apparent time. Two steps are necessary to convert sundial time to Pacific Standard Time: one to correct for the longitude difference between SDSU (117°04`2W) and the central meridian of the Pacific Time Zone (120°W), and the other to correct for the non-uniform motion of the sun (equation of time).

The design of the sundial automatically makes the first correction. The image of the sun will be between the two lines (correct noon) just to the left of the XII noon line when the sun crosses the meridian at SDSU (117°04`2W) and on the XII noon line 12 minutes later when the sun crosses the central meridian (120°W) of the Pacific Time Zone.

To determine the equation of time for today, locate today’s date along the top or bottom the curved brass plate. Taking the distance between each vertical line as being 10 days, then move straight up or down to the corresponding point on the blue line. Move horizontally from this point left or right to the time scale and determine the number of minutes to be added (+) or subtracted (-) from the time indicated by the bright spot on the sundial. The distance between each vertical line is now taken as being 20 minutes. One hour must also be added if Daylight Savings Time is in effect.

Whew! Got that?

I think I’ll stick to my wristwatch or phone!

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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.