Balboa Park History 1958
January 10, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2. EDITORIAL: Nature’s Art Gallery.
Warren Beach, director of the Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park, touched on a bit of sensible philosophy when he noted that the beauty of art is not confined to a few stuffy museums and somber picture galleries.
Mr. Beach pointed out that there is a very definite art value in the streams, hills and clouds painted by that master-artist Mother Nature. And these masterpieces belong to no one collector or critic. They are hung in the huge gallery belonging to all human beings on earth. And there is no admission charge.
Stop outdoors and open your eyes.
January 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15. Fiesta Board orders 1960 Fair survey; firm to study feasibility of world trade exposition here; Wayne Dailard, fiesta executive director, wants to hold in park; says city can get permanent facilities.
January 12, 1958, San Diego Union, A-31:1-4. Enjoyment in tree-watching; 300 varieties thrive in wooded dells of Balboa Park, by Charles Hull.
January 14, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13. Fill for Cabrillo freeway cloverleaf; $3,317,000 project will be finished in 1959 (illus.).
January 27, 1958, San Diego Union, A-7. George S. Pruski installed as president of House of Pacific Relations Saturday night.
February 1, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:6-7. Natural History Museum to begin earthquake recording.
February 7, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:1-3. A collection of birds, mammals and reptiles from Australia is scheduled to reach the San Diego Zoo Monday.
February 10, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:1-2. “The California Story” to be restaged in Mission Valley.
February 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:4-6. Rare Animals Arrive; Dog Yodels Way into San Diego Zoo, by E. G. Martin (illus.).
A yodeling dog, two “brides of the devil” and three of the smallest penguins in the world arrived yesterday at the San Diego Zoo.
They were among a collection of more than 400 birds, reptiles and animals gathered by K C. Lint, curator of birds, on a trip to Australia.
February 14, 1958, San Diego Union, A-16:1-2. Old Globe Theater will present the New York comedy hit, “Anniversary Waltz.”
February 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-31:4. A model of Convair-Astronautics Atlas missile — America’s first intercontinental ballistic missile — went on display last night at the second annual Engineers’ Exposition in the Electric Building.
February 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-31:4-8. City Council approved Torrey Pines Lodge lease yesterday (illus.).
March 12, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:5-7. City Council Accepts Report on Balboa Park Land Use; City Manager Bean calls for completion of Master Plan within two years (map of Balboa Park showing possible land use plan for the area).
The City Council yesterday, in conference, approved a report of possible uses of Balboa Park submitted to the council last May 27 by the Balboa Park Citizens Study Committee.
The council offered resolutions drawn adopting the report that paves the way for preparation of a master plan for the park’s continued development.
City Manager Bean told the council the master plan should be developed and presented to the council for adoption within two years. He said many of the steps necessary are time consuming but can be processed simultaneously to keep the time required at a minimum.
Bean’s report said necessary technical work can be done by either hiring a firm of consulting architects, engineers, landscape architects and land planners to prepare the master plan or by employing consultants for a limited portion of the master plan and using city staffs for the remainder. He recommended the latter.
The manager said the city Park and Recreation Commission and the city Planning Commission recommended procedures and a program of assignments. Those approved by the council in yesterday’s conference were:
- That city staffs prepare a basic land use plan for the park.
- That official hearings be held and a basic land use plan be adopted.
- That structural engineers be employed to survey buildings in the park.
- That the engineers report on the life expectancy and maintenance costs of the various park buildings.
- That the city staffs report on the size, needs and types of uses to be accommodated in the park.
- That qualified architects and park consultants be employed to plan building locations and landscaping of the park’s “exposition area” in accordance with basic land plan space allocations and types of uses approved for the park.
March 16, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:5-6. The San Diego Children’s Home hopes to start construction by July 1 of a new center on Kearny Mesa.
The home must clear its present site at 1365 16th Street to make way for a crosstown freeway.
In the last 70 years the San Diego Children’s Home Association has continuously served children and families of San Diego County. More than 6,000 homeless and neglected children have received care.
March 22, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:4-5. A nursery, a dairy and a fence company took top honors last night at the opening of the 10th Annual Home Show in the Electric Building, Balboa Park.
March 26, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:4. The Citizens Charter Study Committee tomorrow will discuss two possible city charter amendments affecting city planning.
The committee will consider proposals to increase membership of the city Planning Commission from seven and to establish a board of planning examiners to hear appeals from commission decisions.
April 6, 1958, San Diego Union, A-11:1-8. Students prepare their exhibits — Greater San Diego Science Fair to open Friday in Conference Building.
April 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:5-6. Churches report record throngs; estimated 1,700 persons attended San Diego County Council of Churches service at 6 a.m. at the Organ Pavilion.
April 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:5-6. Crowds brave rain for Easter concert in Balboa Park Bowl, by Constance Herreshoff.
April 8, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:1-2. Five-day Auto Show opens tomorrow at Electric Building.
April 12, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:7-8, A-14:4. Science Fair opened in Conference Building last night.
April 15, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-2. Thousands due for Greater San Diego Science Fair’s last day.
April 18, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:1-3. Robert Shaw forced by ill health to give up post as conductor of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s summer series.
April 22, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:4, A-17:1-2. Modern Home Ideas Fair to open tonight in Electric Building..
April 22, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:5-6. Baby gorilla given to Children’s Zoo.
New York, April 21. James S. Copley, publisher of The San Diego Union and Evening Tribune, announced today he has purchased a young North African gorilla to be donated to the San Diego Zoo’s Children’s Zoo.
Copley said he arranged for the purchase of Scoop through the Navy. The gorilla arrived here today and was housed temporarily in the Bronx Zoo.
Copley, chairman of the Copley Press, Inc., is here attending the annual convention of Associated Press directors.
Dr. Charles Schroeder, director of the San Diego Zoo, said the baby gorilla would be placed on the same moated island in the Children’s Zoo with Noell, the baby orangutan, and Tria, the baby chimpanzee.
This will make the Children’s Zoo the only place in the world where the three great apes will be living together, Schroeder said.
Negotiations for the gorilla started late last year with an animal dealer in the French Cameroons.
The animal, a 22-pound male, arrived at Idlewild Airport. In 15 years the baby gorilla will be six feet tall and weight 600 pounds.
The animal is expected to arrive in San Diego April 30. Scoop will be exhibited in the Children’s Zoo, after an observation period in the zoo hospital.
April 24, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:3. Yaakov Avnon, consul general of Israel for the 11 western states, will speak at a celebration in honor of the 10th anniversary of the birth of Israel at the Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, Sunday.
An added feature will be native folk dancing to music of Israel at the Israel Cottage in the park.
April 26, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:3. Thirty-first annual Spring Rose Show opens tomorrow in Conference Hall.
April 27, 1958, San Diego Union, A-20:1-2. Home Ideas Fair attracts 107,500; show ends tonight..
April 30, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:4-5. Roger Wagner, Maurice Abravanel, John Barnett and Daniel Lewis will share the podium during this summer’s concert series of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, it was announced yesterday.
May 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-29:1-3. Science, Industry exhibit to be held in Conference Building, June 4-5.
May 12, 1958, San Diego Union, B-3:1-2. Constance Herreshoff praises “Mothers’ Day” concert in Balboa Park Bowl.
May 13, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:7-8. Pledges to Fine Arts Society come to $376,000; the most recent gift was a donation from the Caliente Race Track by John Alessio, to be used in construction of a library.
May 15, 1958, San Diego Union,A-21:5. City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed master plan for developing Mission Bay Park.
May 15, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:8, A-26:4. Board of Supervisors yesterday voted “to hold the line” on 1958-59 preliminary budget appropriations for advertising county resources and for museums and zoo.
May 15, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:2. EDITORIAL: A Sense of Beauty.
The Development Fund Campaign being conducted by the Fine Arts Society is deserving of support, for its success will add to the already great cultural statute of San Diego.
May 17, 1958, San Diego Union, A-7:3. “The Time of Your Life” by William Saroyan opens Tuesday at Old Globe.
May 18, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:1-2. An estimated 1,000 persons yesterday attended the San Diego Industrial Education Association’s annual exhibit in Conference Building.
May 19, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-3. Falconry exhibits stolen from Natural History Museum.
May 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:1-2. Junior Theater offers enlarged curriculum.
May 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:3. Pictures of ancient wonders of World currently on display at San Diego Home and Vacation Exposition in Electric Building.
May 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:4-5. Constance Herreshoff lauds “Time of Your Life” at Old Globe.
May 23, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:2. San Diego Zoo sends animals to Moscow.
May 24, 1958, San Diego Union, A-9:3-4. Gilbert Warner’s piano playing sparks “Time of Your Life” at Old Globe, by Constance Herreshoff.
May 24, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:7-8. Falconry objects back at Natural History Museum; two teenage boys who stole them had clear consciences again.
May 26, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1. James S. Copley donor of “Scoop”, an 18-month old gorilla, to Children’s Zoo (illus.).
May 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-8:6-7. Starlight Opera speeds production work.
May 31, 1958, San Diego Union, A-7:1-2. Summer Symphony tickets now on sale.
June 12, 1958, San Diego Union, A-1:4. Navy will shift carrier Hornet to Long Beach; leaves San Diego with five carriers.
June 12, 1958, San Diego Union, A-19:4-5. May Company Center map is approved; Planning Board okays subdivision plan in Mission Valley.
June 16, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:2-3. Shriners donate buffalo to San Diego Zoo.
June 17, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-2. Television’s Art Linkletter to be guest star in “The California Story,” August 30 – September 9.
June 20, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:3. City Council yesterday authorized Torrey Pines shift.
June 20, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:6. Band concert series at Organ Pavilion to begin Sunday.
June 27, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13. City Council okays May Company rezoning in Mission Valley.
June 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-2, A-18:1-2. Fiesta del Pacific program expanded.
June 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-30:1-3. Children’s Zoo prospers thanks to adult patronage, by R. Van Denbrugh.
More adults than children have been visiting the San Diego Children’s Zoo, Charles Shaw, the zoo’s assistant superintendent said yesterday.
“When the zoo was opened last June 30, it was a doubtful venture,” he said, “and several persons thought it would be unable to support itself. But it has been a success.”
Estimates last year indicated that one-third of the persons attending the main zoo would have to visit the children’s zoo in order to make it self sustaining. Approximately 592,000 persons, or 35 percent of the main zoo visitors, have paid the 35-cent admission charge to the 1-1/3 acre area.
“The surprising thing, ” he said, “is that 51 percent of the persons visiting the zoo were adults, and they have problems.”
The zoo was scaled to children’s size and complaints often come from adults who bump their heads when they fail to watch where they are going.
“We want to stress intimate association between the children and animals,” Shaw said. “But we have a staff of attendants on hand to insure safety for both.”
Reports indicate few accidents have occurred, and those have been minor. Many persons feared the animals would be injured or abused by children but to date most injuries have been caused by one animal abusing another.
“The children sometimes do get a bit overzealous in fondling an animal,” Shaw said, “but our attendants try to teach the youngsters to respect animals.”
Shaw said he hopes the support will be continued as the area, built with contributions of $178,000, costs $6,500 a month to operate.
Attendance reports show that weekdays are best for a leisurely visit. Holiday visitors swell attendance to approximately 6,000, with Sunday attendance at 5,000 and Saturday 4,000. The middle day of a three-day weekend is always a top attendance day. Approximately 8,000 persons visited the zoo August 31 last year.
Animals selected for the children’s zoo are considered harmless and hardy enough to withstand handling by children.
“They have to be both interesting and entertaining,” Shaw said, “but often adults provide much of the amusement.”
An adult recently livened up the area when his false teeth dropped into the bear pit. Keepers retrieved the teeth but many of the children forgot the animals and stood around the pit staring and giggling.
“It was quite a scene,” Shaw said.
Plans for the immediate future call for making the area a garden and beauty spot. Most flowers and plants to be used have been donated by local garden and flower clubs.
Exhibits scheduled are a mouse house, a turtle aquarium, a snake pit and a house of spiders, scorpions and insects children should know, he said.
To celebrate the first birthday of the zoo, a party will be held in the area from 3 to 4 p.m. tomorrow. Cake will be served to children..
June 29, 1958, San Diego Union, E-1, E-8. Charlie Cannon is Starlight Opera’s “big gun.”
July 1, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:1-2. Starlight Opera ready for 13th season.
July 2, 1958, San Diego Union, B-3:3-4. Shakespeare play season previewed, by Constance Herreshoff.
July 3, 1958, San Diego Union, A-17:5-6. Starlight Opera arrives tonight.
July 3, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:3. Ralph J. Virden, superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, has retired after 28 years at the San Diego Zoo.
July 4, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-2, A-16:4. Starlight Opera opens 13th year, by Joe Brooks.
July 4, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:3. “Damn Yankees” win nod in gay, lavish fantasy at Starlight, by Constance Herreshoff.
July 4, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:7-8. San Diego Zoo’s orangutan gets boy friend.
July 8, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:6-8. San Diego Symphony opens tonight in Balboa Park Bowl.
July 9, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-2. Three thousand attend first summer concert.
July 9, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:2-3. John Barnett conducts Symphony in Balboa Park Bowl opener, by Constance Herreshoff.
July 13, 1958, San Diego Union, A-19:7-8. Car plunge in Balboa Park kills two occupants.
July 13, 1958, San Diego Union, E-1:7-8, E-3:4-8. Old Globe bills “Macbeth,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “Antony and Cleopatra.”
July 13, 1958, San Diego Union, E-3:4-8. “Oklahoma!” next under the Stars.
July 18, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:3. Starlight scores with “Oklahoma!,” by Constance Herreshoff.
July 18, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:4. Shakespeare Festival opens with “Macbeth.”
July 19, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:2-3, A-14:1-2. Dance on Green opens Festival, by Tim Shepard.
July 19, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:1-2. “Macbeth” acting strong, dramatic, by Constance Herreshoff.
July 20, 1958, San Diego Union, C-2:1-2. EDITORIAL: San Diegans Well Armed Against Doldrums . . . cultural, recreational calendar keeps city free.
July 20, 1958, San Diego Union, E-1:4-8, E-3:3-8. Symphony to present “Damnation of Faust” by Berlioz Tuesday in Balboa Park Bowl.
July 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-1:1-2, A-3:2-4. Twenty nine thousand jam Balboa Park Bowl to hear Billy Graham, by E. G. Martin.
July 21, 1958, San Diego Union, B-3:6-7. “Much Ado About Nothing” rates hearty applause, by Constance Herreshoff.
July 22, 1958, San Diego Union, A-7:4-6. “Antony and Cleopatra” fine as educational tragedy, by Constance Herreshoff.
There are good reasons why “Antony and Cleopatra” is so seldom produced. The play is not quite up to Shakespeare’s best. There are too many long oratorical dissertations that could well be cut.
July 22, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:4-5, A-14:7-8. Larger buildings, new effects set for “The California Story,” by Bill Burris.
July 22, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:2. EDITORIAL: The Fiesta Story.
July 23, 1958, San Diego Union, 11:1. W. E. Starke, attorney, writes City Council protesting possibility of locating city offices in Balboa Park buildings; says park was intended for recreational not civic government use; proposals have been made to move city engineering offices from Civic Center to Balboa Park; water engineering offices already there.
July 24, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:3. Roger Wagner excels as Symphony offers “Damnation of Faust,” by Constance Herreshoff.
July 24, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:3. Amy Putnam, art patron, dies.
July 25, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:1-4. Penguin cage and pool recently completed at San Diego Zoo at cost of $75,000.
July 28, 1958, San Diego Union, A-6:1-2. Shakespeare fete spurred by music, by Constance Herreshoff.
July 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-7:4-5. Cast of 150 to be in “Golden Trail,” a musical to be presented in Balboa Park Bowl August 27-28 as part of Fiesta del Pacifico; sponsored by Park and Recreation Department.
July 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-16:1-2. New Fiesta Dahlia to be exhibited at Dahlia Show this weekend in Conference Building.
July 31, 1958, San Diego Union, A-9:5-6. “Most Happy Fella” will open tonight in Balboa Park Bowl.
July 31 1958, San Diego Union, A-23:1. Dallas Clark has been named president of House of Hospitality Association.
July 31, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:1-2. Wayne Dailard praises aides on “The California Story.”
August 1, 1958, San Diego Union, A-10:1-2. “Most Happy Fella” at Starlight bound to succeed, by Constance Herreshoff.
August 3, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:1-2. Solana Beach man wins dahlia prize at show in Conference Building.
August 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-6:3-4. Daniel Lewis, David Brubeck hailed at concert in Balboa Park Bowl, by Constance Herreshoff.
August 7, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:1-2. Downtown Paseo August 25 to herald Fiesta.
August 9, 1958, San Diego Union, A-6:1-2. Viennese concert in Balboa Park promises thrills, by Constance Herreshoff.
August 13, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:1-2. Night program, August 29, on terrace of House of Hospitality to open Fiesta del Pacifico.
August 14, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:3. Concert brings back Vienna’s music spirit, by Constance Herreshoff.
August 15, 1958, San Diego Union, A-23:3-4. Starlight Opera’s “King and I” revival tops 1956 show, by Constance Herreshoff.
August 15, 1958, San Diego Union, A-23:1-2. Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis” offered for final Symphony concert; Roger Wagner, conducting; Marilyn Horne, Katherine Hilgenberg, Richard Robinson and Robert Oliver, soloists.
August 15, 1958, San Diego Union, A-25:4-5. Zoo flight cage is remodeled.
A twisting path takes visitors from the tope of the huge cage to the bottom. A waterfall at the top of the cage feeds into a stream that runs the length of the exhibit.
August 16, 1958, San Diego Union, B-3:1-2. Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis” to close summer Symphony season.
August 17, 1958, San Diego Union, A-11:3, A-15:3. Parking space at Westgate Park expanded for Fiesta’s “story.”
August 17, 1958, San Diego Union, A-37:1-2. Charles Scaruso, “Story’s” make-up artist, a veteran.
August 18, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:2-4. City to adopt Fiesta mood with Paseo, dancing August 25.
August 19, 1958, San Diego Union, A-8:3. Concert series ends tonight in Balboa Park Bowl.
August 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-8:4. “King and I” continues run in Balboa Park Bowl.
August 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-8:5-6. “Missa Solemnis” wins applause, by Constance Herreshoff.
August 22, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:7. Robert H. McPherson writes “The California Story”; needs more support.
August 23, 1958, San Diego Union, B-3:5-7. “King and I” may set attendance record.
August 24, 1958, San Diego Union, A-17:1-4, A-20:4-5. Downtown Paseo set for tomorrow night.
August 25, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-2. Chinese colony plans Fiesta role.
August 26, 1958, San Diego Union, A-1:3-6, A-3:1-3. Gala Paseo draws crowd of 50,000.
August 26, 1958, San Diego Union, A-4:1-4. Westgate Park shifts for “California Story.”
August 27, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:7. George A. Scott writes Tourist Bureau publicizes Fiesta.
August 28, 1958, San Diego Union, A-11:4-8, A-16:1. George A. Scott says Fiesta for all; event begins tomorrow.
August 28, 1958, San Diego Union, A-32:4-6. “Golden Trail” in Balboa Park Bowl is lavish, well costumed production, by Constance Herreshoff.
Charles Wakefield Cadman’s operetta, “The Golden Trail,” was enjoyed by moonlight at Tuesday night’s dress rehearsal in Balboa Park Bowl. This lavish production, presented by the Park and Recreation Department, opened officially last night and will be given a final performance at 8:30 tonight.
Giving their all in this frolic are a cast of 100 drawn from the Junior Civic Ballet, young choral groups of the city and the 80 musicians of the Youth Symphony. Maria Fielding, supervisor of the production, shares choreography honors with Don Ward, also serving as drama director. Other valuable contributors to the cause are Walter Peterson, conductor of the Youth Symphony, and C___ Dewse, vocal director.
“The Golden Trail” is brimming over with typical California melodies. The book by George Murray Brown deals with early California history, a step in the right direction to the “California Story,” a coming Fiesta del Pacifico attraction.
In the Bowl production, “The Golden Trail” is blown up with an extravaganza that did not originate with Cadman. But what matter, since everyone had such a good time, that deluxe can-can dancers and Parisian type ballerinas arrive at a lonely stage stop along with the bandits and visiting firemen.
As put on by 180 young enthusiasts, “The Golden Trail” is lively entertainment. Dancing, costuming and choral ensembles are especially effective. Jose Martine, a guest artist, is a winner in his Spanish dance. You will also like the three youngest members of the cast, Nina Janowsky, Helen Palma and Jinx Palma, in their “Little Girls” episode.
Among the talented principals are Richard Crittenden as Don Pedro, Suzanna Reamo as his beautiful daughter, and Rick Hollenberger, the jaunty comedian. Many other talented young people appear in this show and in the gold rush days of 1849.
August 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-17:7-8. Coronation Ball to open Fiesta tonight; George A. Scott to signal celebration at Balboa Park ceremony.
August 30, 1958, San Diego Union, A-1:4-6, A-2:7-8. Gaiety, spectacle open San Diego Fiesta.
August 30, 1958, San Diego Union, A-11:4-6. “The California Story” ready for gala opening tonight.
August 31, 1958, San Diego Union, A-1:1-4, B:5. “The California Story” opens Fiesta run before 7,800.
August 31, 1958, San Diego Union, B:1-3. Musical spectacle praised for its stimulating realism, by Charles Hull.
August 31, 1958, San Diego Union, A-17:1-8, A-18:1-3. Fiesta parade slated tomorrow.
August 31, 1958, San Diego Union, C-2:1-2. EDITORIAL: Fiesta’s Success Reflected in “Story’s” Opening.
September 1, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:1-2. Missourians yesterday joined Balboa Park festivities; held picnic in Pepper Grove (illus.)
September 2, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:1-8, A-16:4-6. Fiesta del Pacifico’s Pageant Parade unfolded along western fringe of Balboa Park yesterday (illus.).
September 4, 1958, San Diego Union, A-8:6. “Carmen Jones” opens tonight at Balboa Park Bowl.
September 4, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:1-2, A-24:3. Fiesta featured Tijuana group last night at Organ Pavilion (illus.).
September 4, 1958, San Diego Union, A-22:3. Zoological Society reelects all officers.
September 5, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1-4, A-15:1-2. North Park street dance contest attracted thousands last night; part of Fiesta del Pacifico.
September 5, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:6-7. $522,250 pledged for Science Hall at University of San Diego in Alcala Park.
September 6, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:1-2. “Carmen Jones” Starlight finale, by Constance Herreshoff.
September 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-1:4-5, B:7. Big final weekend of Fiesta del Pacifico.
September 7, 1958, San Diego Union, B:1. Two thousand join Fiesta-style lawn party in Balboa Park.
September 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:1-2, A-30:1-2. “California Story” ends run Tuesday.
September 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:3-4, A-30:3. Fiesta crowds jam Convair plants during open house.
September 8, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:5-6. Fiesta whirls to big wind up.
September 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-8:1-2. “Carmen Jones” breaks records, by Edwin Martin.
September 13, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:3-4. Atlas award winners at Old Globe chosen ; Joe Angarola, best actor; Anne Farrar, best actress (illus.).
September 14, 1958, San Diego Union, E-1:1-8, E-3:1-2. A Critical View: An appraisal of summer theatrical activities, by Priscilla Sellman.
In town at the Globe, three Shakespearean plays came to life for the ninth annual fiesta. They did not all gain that status in equal degree, however. Only “Much Ado About Nothing” caught the imagination and went along on its own prescribed way.
September 14, 1958, San Diego Union, E-3:3-8. Starlight Opera year ends tonight (illus.).
September 15, 1958, San Diego Union, A-8:3-4. Junior Theater plans workshop.
September 18, 1958, San Diego Union, A-9:1-2. San Diego Zoo acquires Indian striped hyena (illus.).
September 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-33:1-8. Museum row culture along El Prado, by Alfred Jacoby (illus.).
September 22, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:4-7. Thirteen hundred pianists played for Balboa Bowl crowd yesterday (illus.).
September 27, 1958, San Diego Union, A-6:1-2. “The Boy Friend” season opener at Old Globe, by Constance Herreshoff.
September 28, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:6-7. City Manager George Bean recommends that the city contract with Harland Bartholomew and Associates of St. Louis to make professional studies toward a master plan for Balboa Park.
September 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-16:5. Fine Arts Gallery annex plans authorized.
An architectural firm yesterday was authorized to begin preliminary drawings of two new buildings to be added to the Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park.
October 1, 1958, San Diego Union, A-23:1-2. City okays survey of Balboa Park; $35,000 master plan.
October 3, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:3. “Boy Friend” plays nightly at Old Globe.
October 20, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:7-8, A-21:6-8. Five hundred attended United Nations program yesterday afternoon at the House of Pacific Relations.
October 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:8, A-16:7. San Diego Science Museum urged in Balboa Park.
Proponents of creating a science museum and planetarium in Balboa Park’s Ford Building will discuss the proposal with city councilmen at a dinner November 6, it was announced yesterday.
Paul Skelton, vice president of the none-profit San Diego Hall of Science and Industry Corporation said the date with the councilmen was made when he, Dr. Glenn G. Havens, group president, and Dr. Edward Creutz, one of its directors, called on Mayor Dail this morning.
October 26, 1958, San Diego Union, A-14:1-2. Massing of Colors slated next Sunday in Balboa Park.
November 3, 1958, San Diego Union, A-15:4-5. Two thousand heard Admiral Rafferty at Massing of Colors in tribute to war dead in Organ Pavilion yesterday (illus.).
November 6, 1958, San Diego Union, A-17:6. Yule, Easter rites banned in city parks; curb hits religious services.
The city has informed the San Diego County Council of Churches that religious services must be halted on all city property, it was learned yesterday.
November 6, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:1. San Diego Zoo birds, animals with a common native habitat to share pens (illus.).
November 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-19:6, A-21:1. Park rite ban stirs surprise over state; attorney sites Los Angeles approval.
Other California cities yesterday expressed surprise over a San Diego city attorney’s opinion that religious services cannot be held on city-owned property.
November 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-20:3. Ford Building sought for museum.
The City Council yesterday referred to the city manager a proposal to use the ford Building for a museum of industry and science.
November 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-9:4-5. Roberta, baby orangutan, gets acquainted with San Diego Zoo friends (illus.).
“She was the first baby of Doris, one of our group or orangutans,” Mrs. Kadas, nursery attendant at the San Diego Zoo hospital said. “Doris didn’t seem to know what to do with her when she was born. We had to take her the first day.”
November 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-9:4-5. Thanksgiving rites approved for park.
The Park and Recreation Department had acted on the advice of the city manager’s officer, which said the city attorney had ruled that religious services could not be held on city property. City Attorney Jean DuPaul last Friday denied this. He said non-sectarian services are permitted on city property.
November 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:6-7. Square dances ready for 8th annual Fiesta de la Caudrilla, sponsored by the San Diego Dance Association and the city Park and Recreation Department (illus.).
November 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:1. Marine, stellar exhibits slated for Museum of Natural History.
Dr. George Lindsay, director, said that it is hoped to add a wing to the present building when funds become available.
November 11, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:1. EDITORIAL: Religious Services.
The issue that has now been raised as to whether conducting religious services in the city’s public parks conflicts with the state constitution.
It is difficult to conceive that it does.
Last week some city officials ruled that holding such services violates a constitutional provision prohibiting aid or subsidy to any sect. However, most city attorneys of the state’s municipalities have found no conflict in the law or in interpretation of the constitution for permitting various denominations to hold services on public property.
The church groups which have used public lands or buildings for services have usually paid rend on a business basis. This makes it difficult to understand an interpretation of the Constitution which maintains that the churches are beneficiaries of indirect subsidies.
Indeed, an interpretation of the Constitution that would deny the traditional right of all religious denominations to hold special services in public parks is open to question. The U. S. Supreme Court has frequently proved that the same law can be interpreted in various ways.
San Diego’s public parks have traditionally been made available for divine services of all religions. This tradition should not be voided on the base of arbitrary and isolated interpretation of the law.
November 13, 1958, San Diego Union, A-1:4. Art Gallery, Old Masters given San Diego; paintings valued at two million, building at million, by Bryant Evans.
A new million-dollar art gallery and a collection of Old Masters that will rank among the most famous in the world was assured for San Diego yesterday. The collection is valued at more than two million dollars.
The offer to build the new gallery as a wing of the present Fine Arts Gallery was made by two foundations established by the Timken and Putnam families. These families have been the principal benefactors of the Fine Arts Gallery in its founding and subsequent operations.
The offer was accepted yesterday by the board of directors of the Fine Arts Society after it had been presented on behalf of the Timken and Putnam Foundations by Walter Ames, San Diego attorney and president of the Putnam Foundation.
The foundations propose to build a modern wing on the Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park to house and display the painting collection owned by the Putnam Foundation. The wing is to be known as the Timken Gallery.
Directors of the Fine Arts Society rose and cheered Ames and Allen J. Sutherland, senior vice president of the Security-First National Bank of San Diego, a director of the Putnam Foundation, in their acceptance of the proposal.
The action came at the end of the board meeting which Michael Ibs Gonzales, president of the society, described as “the most important this board has ever held.”
The proposal now awaits a contract with the city. Under the proposal, the gallery would become the property of the city but would be leased to the Putnam Foundation for a long term.
The wing would be a one-story structure between the present Fine Arts Gallery and the Balboa Park lily pond.
Ames said the foundation would sacrifice size for quality. He said it is planned to incorporate the most modern air conditioning and lighting techniques. He estimated the cost at $50 a square foot.
Ames told the directors that the Putnam Foundation owns about 20 Old Masters. With the exception of two stored in vaults, these pictures are displayed on loan in the National Gallery in Washington, D. C. and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Ames added that the Putnam Foundation has an income that would make it possible to buy two or three established Old Masters every year and these would be added to the collection in the Timken Gallery.
In the proposal accepted by the Fine Arts Society, some of the paintings owned by the society — which were given to it by Miss Anne Putnam and the late Miss Amy Putnam — would be hung in the new wing.
Ames explained that at first the Putnam collection would not fill the new wing.
He said the pictures so provided would be restored and cared for by the most skilled experts obtainable in the United States. He said the cost of restoring these pictures might run as high as $50,000.
Ames pointed out that the two families whose benefactions had made the Fine Arts Gallery possible are the same families providing the two foundations’ resources for the new facility.
He recalled that Mrs. Amelia C. Bridges, who was the daughter of Henry H. Timken, founder of the Timken Roller Bearing Co., provided the funds for building the present gallery and that she employed the director until she died in 1939,
In addition, her husband gave the gallery $100,000 as an endowment in 1930 and Mrs. Cora Timken Burnett recently bequeathed a valuable collection of oriental art.
The Misses Putnam, Ames said, had given the gallery more than 90 percent of the Old Masters in the gallery’s present collection.
The Timken and Putnam families were prominent in San Diego during the first two decades of this century. No member of the Timken family now lives here and Miss Anne Putnam, an invalid, is the only surviving member of her family.
Ames explained that in recent years the Putnam sisters had been unwilling to hang their later acquisitions in the San Diego gallery because of its physical and financial inability to give the pictures the quality of care which valuable paintings should have.
Under the terms of yesterday’s agreement, the new facility will be used exclusively for old paintings. Ames estimated that about 20 of the Old Masters collection would be moved from the present gallery to the new wing.
This would create room in the present gallery for activities and exhibits now precluded by crowding.
He said the new building will doubtless have a physical connection with the present gallery and an interior passageway will connect them.
He said the architecture of the building would have to meet city requirements for park buildings.
November 14, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:8. The City Council, acting on a suggestion by City Attorney Jean DuPaul yesterday asked the city attorney’s office for a formal legal opinion on whether religious services can be held in city parks.
Du Paul said there is no question about the Council being permitted to hold Thanksgiving services in the Balboa Park organ pavilion. He said that is a national holiday, not a religious holiday.
“But Christmas or Easter are still to be decided,” DuPaul said. “You also have Passover and Hindu Rites.”
DuPaul said he would welcome a request for a formal opinion on the effect of a state constitution ban on governmental agencies granting aid to sectarian religious activities. He said differences of opinion exist within his office regarding the issue.
The city manager’s office had notified the Council of Churches that the attorney’s office said the constitutional ban would apply to the council’s Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter services, traditionally held in city parks.
Lester Halcomb, assistant to the city manager, said the attorney’s office was asked for advice after an injunction was threatened over use of Balboa Stadium for a Billy Graham rally. He said Aaron Reese, assistant city attorney, gave him a copy of a 1954 opinion denying use of the parks for religious services and reported orally that the opinion applied to the council’s Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter services.
Reese denied that Halcomb had talked to him about the Thanksgiving services. DuPont said his office gave no opinion on the use of the parks and the Council of Churches was told it could have the Thanksgiving services in the park.
“Somebody goofed,” DuPaul told the council regarding the order that the Thanksgiving services should not be held in the park.
“If you gentlemen want an opinion I suggest you make a motion and ask for a formal opinion,” DuPaul told the council.
Told that the question has been referred to the city manager, DuPaul said, “This is not a city manager’s proposition — this is a legal proposition.”
Councilman George Kerrigan suggested the possibility of seeking an amendment to the state constitution to clarify the use of city parks by religious groups.
November 15, 1958, San Diego Union, A-9:7-8. Gift raises hope for Art Center; second wing sought.
Announcement of the gift of a one-million dollar wing which will be added to the Fine Arts Gallery has increased hopes that funds to be raised to finance still another wing.
Edward S. Hope, chairman of the San Diego Fine Arts Society’s development committee, yesterday said a drive to complete facilities of the gallery in Balboa Park had been under way for two years.
He said $400,000 had been raised.
Hope said the Foundation offer to build a new wing should focus attention on the previous drive and should spur us to the completion of our campaign.
Walter Ames, attorney for the Putnam Foundation, Wednesday said an Old Masters wing would be financed with funds of the Timken Foundation and would house the Old Masters collection acquired by Miss Anne Putnam and his sister, the late Miss Amy Putnam.
“With the presence of the Putnam collection,” Hope said. “San Diego will take its place as one of the world’s great art centers.”
He said, it “will provide an added stimulus to our tourist trade and will benefit San Diego both culturally and materially.”
Six major additions are included in the society’s development plans, Hope said. They are a children’s wing, a program center, an enlarged library, exhibition and storage areas for major collections, and American and Asiatic wings.
The proposed wings, including the Timken wing, will be built on either side of the gallery building on the sites of two condemned buildings along the Plaza de Panama.
November 15, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:1-2. EDITORIAL: A Rich, Proud Culture.
The Timken and Putnam families are to be commended for their generosity in providing for the new wing and the showing of the Old Masters. The handsome building and the collection of great paintings are sure to attract thousands of visitors and deepen the impression of San Diego as a cultural center.
November 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-19:3. Ford Building Sought for Conventions.
The Convention and Tourist Bureau yesterday proposed renovation of the Ford Building as a meeting hall and convention facility.
The council recently received requests for use of the Ford Building by the Museum of Man and as a hall of science and industry. All three requests seek exclusive use of the building.
November 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-19:4-5. The City Council yesterday instructed City Manager George Bean to negotiate a formal agreement with the Timken and Putnam foundations for acceptance of a new million-dollar art gallery to house a multi-million dollar collection of “old masters” paintings.
Walter Ames, San Diego attorney and president of the Putnam Foundation, asked assurance that the foundation could remain in the gallery it builds. The gallery will become city property. He also asked that the city prepare the building site, including demolition of an existing structure which has been condemned, and care for the new wing’s exterior.
Ames said the foundations would build a wing with an exterior conforming to others in the park but asked a free hand with interior structure.
November 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:4-6. Appliance Show November 28 through December 3 in Electric Building.
November 21, 1958, San Diego Union, A-22:1-2. San Diego Zoo gets rare gorilla (illus.).
November 22, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:5. Mighty Mr. Moore, the San Diego Zoo’s mountain gorilla, failed to survive the first night in his new home.
A keeper found the young gorilla dead in his cage at 7 a.m. yesterday. Dr. Werner Heuschele, zoo veterinarian, said the animal died of severe inflammation of the lower intestine and severe diarrhea.
An autopsy also disclosed that Mighty Mr. Moore was suffering from a mild case of pneumonia, a mild stomach inflammation and was heavily infested with hookworm.
The ape was in weak condition when it arrived at the zoo. Its mate died in Antwerp, Belgium after the pair had been captured two months ago in the Belgian Congo.
The gorilla’s price, $5,000, was contingent upon its survival.
November 23, 1958, San Diego Union, E-2:1-2. Book of the Week: “The March of Archaeology” by C. W. Ceram and “The Thrones of Earth and Heaven” by Roloff Ben.
November 23, 1958, San Diego Union, E-2:1-8. History in Art: Exhibit at Museum of Man shows rise, decline of Mayas, by Dr. Armin Keitzmann (illus.).
Credit for this thoroughly prepared, clearly and stimulatingly presented exhibition goes to Clark Evernham, director of the museum, Dr. Norman Thomas, Maya scholar, and Mrs. Vicky Nelson and her helpers, staff artists.
November 24, 1958, San Diego Union, B-1:3. Children’s Zoo receives two Florida otters.
November 26, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:5-6. City property okayed for church events.
Yesterday DuPaul said “there is no constitutional objection to the use of parks, public buildings, community centers or (when built) civic auditoriums by a religious organization for religious purposes on the same terms and conditions as the same are available to nonsectarian organizations.”
November 28, 1958, San Diego Union, C-1:5. Electric Show opens 6-day run tonight in Electric Building (illus.).
November 28, 1958, San Diego Union, C-1:6-8. One thousand seven hundred told of blessings at park holiday service.
Dr. Frank Lowe, council president, told the audience that a special cause for gratitude is in a legal opinion by City Attorney Jean F. DuPaul that religious groups may use city property for their services.
November 19, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:2. Convention and Tourist Bureau directors yesterday unanimously approved a proposal for rehabilitating buildings in the Palisades area of Balboa Park, including the Ford Building, for recreational, cultural and assembly uses.
November 29, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:6. Twenty thousand attend opening of Electric Show.
December 2, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:8, A-14:4. 50-ft. Yule tree was raised in Balboa Park yesterday (illus.); new scene of Nativity, “Let the Children Come to Me,” prepared by Rudolph Vargas, a Hollywood artist.
December 3, 1958, San Diego Union, A-16:1. Appliance Show in Electric Building ends tonight.
December 4, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:6. William A. Scroggs writes Ford Building perfect for conventions.
December 7, 1958, San Diego Union, A-33:1. The Board and members of the San Diego Convention and Tourist Bureau will discuss plans for converting the unused Ford Building into a community and convention facility December 15 at a meeting in the Ford Building.
December 8, 1958, San Diego Union, A-21:6. Christmas tree lighted in park (illus.).
December 11, 1958, San Diego Union, A-24:1-2. Session to study Palisades plans.
Convention and Tourist Bureau executives are hopeful that a large crowd will attend the meeting Monday noon at which plans for rehabilitation of the Palisades area of Balboa Park will be discussed.
Robert O. Peterson, bureau president, reminded San Diego residents that the meeting is open to the public. It will be held in the Ford Building in the park.
December 12, 1958, San Diego Union, B-2:7. R. W. Cotton writes park needs another east-west crossing.
December 13, 1958, San Diego Union, A-12:5-6. Christmas ballet scheduled in park tomorrow.
December 16, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:7-8. Convention Center Plans Unfolded For Balboa Park; Cultural Facility Also Envisioned, by Peter Kaye (illus.).
Five San Diegans yesterday unfolded a dream of a convention and cultural center in Balboa Park.
The five, Robert O. Peterson, Harry Foster, Dr. Glen G. Havens, John W. Quimby and Jerry Crary, spoke at a public meeting to arouse enthusiasm for a 1.5 million dollar program to rehabilitate the Ford and Federal buildings.
Petitions were circulated after the meeting to initiate a drive for community support of the project. About 150 attended.
The speakers said the plan would serve a two-fold purpose.
- It would at low coast provide the city with a convention center that would help stimulate local economy and a science museum that would enhance the park’s cultural usefulness.
- It would rehabilitate potentially useful park buildings that have fallen into disrepair.
Proponents of the plan are seeking City Council approval to spend 1.5 million dollars in capital outlay funds for the new facilities.
About two-thirds of the funds would be used to rehabilitate the Ford Building into an auditorium. The building, presently unused, would have an auditorium seating 5,000, exhibit hall and conference rooms.
The remainder would be used to renovate the adjacent Federal Building as a Hall of Science and Industry with a planetarium and improve the Palisades and Conference Buildings for use as smaller meeting places.
“Such a facility could not be duplicated elsewhere in the United States for 25 million dollars,” said Peterson, president of the Convention and Tourist Bureau.
He said the Balboa Park plan “is the only practical and feasible solution.
“Why is this the only plan?” he asked.
“It would have community-wide support on the site because it is located midway between downtown and Mission Valley hotels. It would dovetail in with present park uses, meets requirements of all studies, including the Stanford Report of 1955.
“Access will be provided by a new four-lane road and the crosstown freeway. Last but not least, it is a setting of natural beauty.”
Dr. Havens, president of the Science and Industry Corp., said his group already has asked for the Ford Building but would accept the Federal Building for a museum and planetarium.
“We must cooperate with each other,” Havens said. “The Palisades area is the place.”
Crary, executive manager of the convention bureau, said an auditorium seating 5,000 “would do the job.
“It would bring $300,000 to $600,000 daily in new dollars into San Diego,” he said. “We already have lost one big convention because of no meeting place and are about to lose another.”
Quimby said the convention center would provide jobs and could serve to attract big labor conventions to San Diego. He said the science hall would complement other park activities.
Foster, who was active in the 1935 exposition for which the Ford Building was constructed, said it could be adapted for use as a convention hall.
As an American Legion official, he said San Diego must come up with a meeting place to attract the 1961 state Legion convention.
“The 1955 Legion convention brought $1,600,000 to San Diego in five days,” he said, “although delegates were forced to meet in a tent. They won’t do it again.”
Foster said he had examined many convention facilities throughout the country for the Legion and that none could compare with the proposed park project. He said he has advocated the site since 1936.
Several members of the audience voiced approval of the plan.
However, Vice Admiral Wilder Baker, USN, ret., said he believed the site should include a civic theater. Peterson said the two facilities were not compatible in the same building because a convention hall requires a flat roof. He suggested the possibility of covering the outdoor Ford Bowl for use as a theater.
December 18, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:3, A-16:1-3. Board to discuss Fiesta fate, World’s Fair plans and to decide Dailard’s successor January 5, by Peter Kaye.
December 18, 1958, San Diego Union, A-13:2-4. Wayne Dailard resigns post as Fiesta del Pacifico director.
December 31, 1958, San Diego Union, A-9:5-6. San Diego Zoo to display three-horned Jackson chameleon, brought back from tour by Charles Shaw, zoo’s curator of reptiles (illus.)
Return to Amero Collection.
BALBOA PARK HISTORY
pre-1900
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