Balboa Park History 1962

January 2, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:8. Work on Center City will start this week; theater, meeting hall first.

January 13, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1:1-2. San Diego Zoo – Aardvarks; Zoo stay a short one (photo: This sky aardvark inspects her new glass-walled tunnel home, in which she was places three days before her death. Animal was Zoo attraction.)

January 24, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:1-2, A-18:1-2. City backs alterations for Stadium; Council tentatively approves $155,800 improvement plans.

January 25, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:4-5. Competition urged on Balboa Park arcade design.

The contest would be open to all of the approximately 150 registered architects here and would not be limited to AIA members.

January 27, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:6-7. Mrs. J. J. Kenneally writes park improvement help needed.

It puzzles me that the city is now spending its second million on the Chargers and just can’t find funds to even maintain Balboa Park.

January 31, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19:5. City Council okays Center City architects.

January 31, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19:6-8. $22.6 million bond election plan backed; port issue vote also supported

$12.6 for Mission Bay

10.0 for Parks and Recreation (about $2.29 million for Balboa Park)

1.9 for Harbor Island

2.10 for 10th Avenue Terminal

February 8, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:8. Helen Goodman protests rule that Junior Theater must reimburse the city $7,200 by June 1, or else this service will not longer be offered as a cultural activity.

February 21, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:8. The City Council yesterday approved the hiring of an engineer to design $155,000 in improvements to Balboa Stadium.

February 22, 1962, San Diego Union, A-22:4. Joint board of city, bay parks urged; change in appointment of members of the Park and Recreation Commission suggested.

February 25, 1962, San Diego Union, A-13:8. San Diegans at a Town Hall meeting yesterday were asked to help the city keep pace with its future promise by support of $26.9 million in bond issues on the June ballot, by Nick Williams.

March 5, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:4-5. Project start due at Alcazar Garden, by Nick Williams.

March 7, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19:5, A-20:8. City Council okays delay in 23 projects; Balboa Park projects deferred: California Tower improvements, $25,000; replacement of lily pool balustrades, $7,300; construction of electric cart storage building at 18-hole golf course, $30,000; rewiring Natural History Museum’s electrical circuits, $41,200.

March 9, 1962, San Diego Union, A-22:4-5. War Against Litter Committee lauds Alcazar renovation project.

March 9, 1962, San Diego Union, A-22:7-8. Balboa Park plan revision proposal detailed.

Organization and a suggested course of action for a 50-member citizens’ committee to update the city’s 1956 master plan for park and recreation were given to the City Council yesterday.

March 11, 1962, San Diego Union, F-1:1-8, F-12:2. Balboa Park will have orchids by the handful next Saturday and Sunday in the Conference Building.

March 12, 1962, San Diego Union, A-9:1-2, A-10:1. Last concert slated for Bonham Brothers Boys Band April 22 in Balboa Park Bowl; Bonham group will end 36 years here, by Michael O’Connor.

March 17, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:7-8. Mrs. George Goodman asks City Council aid for Junior Theater.

In compliance with the notice given the San Diego Junior Theater that it must reimburse the city $7,200 by June 1, the money was raised by a non-tax deductible fashion show on March 5 through the efforts of the San Diego Youth Symphony, the San Diego Civic Ballet and the San Diego Junior Theater. Such cooperation was fine but cannot be considered as a prediction of ability to play . . . forever.

March 20, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:4-5. Anne Putnam, 94, funeral today; art patron; died Sunday.

March 22, 1962, San Diego Union, A-24:1-4. Three members of the City Council have submitted their appointees to a citizens committee which will update San Diego’s 1956 Master Plan for Parks and Recreation.

March 25, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:4. Cancer Memorial Service at Organ Pavilion April to open April cancer crusade..

March 27, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:1. Renewed paths provided for Alcazar Garden (illus.).

April 12, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:1-2. City Park and Recreation Commission yesterday recommended a study aimed at getting rid of all-day auto parkers in Balboa Park; cited main areas involved; gave suggestions for solving problem.

Pauline des Granges, assistant park and recreation director, said some aircraft workers have been in the habit of parking in Balboa Park and catching a ride to their plants with co-workers.

May 16, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:5-7. Women in recreation units will tour city’s park sites.

May 16, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:8. San Diego Taxpayers’ Association backs four city bond issues.

May 17, 1962, San Diego Union, A-31:1-2. One of the largest of 40 community parks which will be created by the passage of Proposition N, the $10 million Park and Recreation bond issue appearing on the June 5 ballot is San Clemente Canyon. Improvements to the canyon, which is owned by the city, will include access roads and parking lots, picnic facilities, restrooms, utilities and sprinklers. Cost is estimated at $500,000 and completion would be in 1966 or 1967 (map of proposed San Clemente Canyon Park).

May 18, 1962, San Diego Union, A-2. The measure calls for a municipal bond issue to finance development of a 1,765 acre recreation area north of Mission Gorge Road, at the northeast extremity of San Diego city limits.

The proposal is for the city to acquire 1,358 acres of land, now a part of Camp Elliott, join it with 407 acres of land in the gorge, now owned by the city, and call the whole Fortuna Mountain Park.

May 18, 1962, San Diego Union, A-12:1-2. Proposed (Fortuna Mountain Park) tops Balboa Park area (map).

May 18, 1962, San Diego Union, A-25. The district stage highway engineer told the Building Contractors’ Association last night that Cabrillo Freeway soon must be widened to eight lanes to make it safe and facilitate traffic flow at the Crosstown Freeway interchange..

May 19, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1. Park proposed for Kearny Mesa in Proposition N (map).

May 20, 1962, San Diego Union, A-27. Two-hundred acre Lake Murray Park asked in Proposition N (map).

May 21, 1962, San Diego Union, A-13. Proposition M bay park bonds to spur income.

May 23, 1962, San Diego Union, B-3. EDITORIAL: Park Development Is Needed: “Yes” on Proposition N.

May 27, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15. Tax rise in city bond denied.

May 28, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:1-2. San Diego Zoo week accent on baby animals.

June 2, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19. City bond approval termed civic duty.

The chairman, Jack E. Percival, Jr., termed approval of the measures “a matter of civic responsibility for every conscientious citizen.”

John Quimby, secretary-treasure of the San Diego County Labor Council, said most of the 850 jobs that would come with passage of the bond issue would be in semi-skilled and unskilled classifications where labor surpluses exist now.

June 3, 1962, San Diego Union, A-27, A-34. City voters to weigh four bond issues.

June 6, 1962, ELECTION: Harbor Island Improvement Bond Issue.

Yes 92,282

No 45,390

Tenth Avenue Terminal Improvement Bond Issue

Yes 104,322

No 33,640

Proposition M – Mission Bay Park Development Bonds ($12.6 million)

Yes 89,172 (Failed – 64%)

No 50,055

Proposition N -Park and Recreation Bonds to improve Balboa Park and to acquire and improve additional parkland ($10.0 million).

Yes 86,064 (Failed – 62%)

No 52,268

Balboa Park money to be used for arcades to Fine Arts Gallery wings, restoration of California Tower, 16 tennis courts and redevelopment of Golden Hill and 28th Street areas.

Defeat Propositions M and N blamed on number of bond issues facing voters and the two-thirds majority requirement.

Endorsed by San Diego Taxpayers’ Association.

June 7, 1962, San Diego Union, A-1. Bond issue defeats blamed on law, by Edwin G. Martin.

The apparent defeat of two of the four city bond issues yesterday was blamed by city officials on the number of bond issues facing voters and te “antique” requirement of a two-thirds majority for the approval of general obligation bonds.

City Manager Tom Fletcher said the apparent defeat of the $12.6 million Mission Bay bond issue

and the $10 million park and recreation issue will require a major revamping of the city’s capital outlay budget.

Les Earnest, city park and recreation director, said money for rip-rapping Mission Bay, for example, will have to be found because the project is necessary. Also, capital outlay funds must be appropriated to repair the California Tower in Balboa Park, Earnest said.

Mayor Dail expressed disappointment over the apparent defeat of Propositions M and N, and lashed out at the state law requiring a two-thirds majority for city general obligation bond issues.

Councilman Allen Hitch said he favors putting the two bond issues on the November ballot “to give voters a chance to reconsider.”

“A majority of voters wanted the improvements that the bonds would have provided,” Hitch said. “The work will mean more jobs, and in Mission Bay it could help develop the site for a 1969 World’s Fair.

June 7, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19:1-4. Old park garden is now restored (illus.).

Formal presentation of the restored (Alcazar) garden will be July 12, according to Stephen G. Fletcher, president of the San Diego Rotary Club.

June 8, 1962, San Diego Union, A-5:1-4. Proposition M ($12.5 million bond issue for Mission Bay Park.

YES 71,288 67 percent

NO 34,496 33 percent

Proposition N ($10.0 million for park and recreation areas.

Excluding Mission Bay Park ($2,250,000 for Balboa Park)

YES 68,757 63 percent

NO 41,152 37 percent

July 1, 1962, San Diego Union, E-1:3-4, E-3:1. “Othello” to join Shakespeare Festival.

July 3, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:2. EDITORIAL: The Bright Garden

The San Diego Rotary Club has given the city an invaluable gift in its renovation of Alcazar Garden.

The net result is worth far more than the $10,000 donated by the club and the $5,000 matched by the city. The garden has fallen into weedy neglect. Its dirty disuse set a bad tone for all of Balboa Park.

The Rotary Club couldn’t have selected a better target. We think the good work of the club in the Alcazar Gardens will rub off on the rest of the park.

There are improvement projects throughout the park available to clubs and other groups. The entire city will benefit if the example of the Rotarians is followed.

July 6, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19:2-3, A-20:4-5. “Music Man” opens Starlight season; 3,500 in Balboa Park Bowl captivated by first of summer musicals, by Joe Brooks.

July 7, 1962, San Diego Union, A-9:3-4. Starlight offering of “The Music Man” handsome, peppy, by Constance Herreshoff.

It was regrettable that the cast had to complete with quantities of airplanes that flew over the bowl during the performance on the stage.

July 8, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:2-5. San Diego Rotary Club to dedicate Alcazar Gardens at an outdoor luncheon Thursday..

July 8, 1962, San Diego Union, E-1:1, E-2:4. Earl Bernard Murray gives city the jazziest symphony summer schedule, by Joe Brooks.

July 8, 1962, San Diego Union, E-8:1-8. Old Globe: “Dancing on the Green,” the pre-show festivities of Queen Elizabeth and her court, have been enlarged for the present festival with the addition of gypsy actors, acrobats, a trained bear, fencing masters and Highland dancers..

July 9, 1962, San Diego Union, A-10:3. Old Globe’s “Othello” is forceful, by Alan M. Kriegsman.

The highest compliment one can pay to Michael Forest’s Othello is to observe that it maintains stature even alongside William Ball’s brilliant portrait of Iago.

July 11, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:1-2. Joseph E. Dryer, San Diego planetarium booster, honored.

July 12, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19:7-8. City to accept Rotary garden gift today.

July 12, 1962, San Diego Union, A-20:4-6. A contract with the Putnam Foundation for construction of a $1 million Timken Gallery on the east side of the Fine Arts Gallery, a site now occupied by the American Legion Building, is up for consideration by the City Council.

The agreement may come before the council for action next week, according to city officials.

Mayor Dail said he was “extremely pleased” over the decision of Putnam Foundation directors to resume negotiations with the city on plans for the structure, which would house a collection of paintings by old masters as well as other art treasures.

“This gallery would be a priceless addition to the cultural life of San Diego,” Dail said.

The Timken Gallery would be built next to the Fine Arts Gallery on the east, on a site now occupied by the old American Legion Building, which has been condemned as unsafe for occupancy.

The contract calls for the city to begin demolition of the American Legion Building with 45 days after being informed the Putnam Foundation is ready to proceed.

Simultaneously with the notification, the Putnam Foundation would deposit $25,000 in cash, or acceptable securities, with the city to cover cost of demolition in the event something happens to prevent the construction.

Construction, under terms of the agreement, must begin within six months after the American Legion Building is demolished, and the Timken Gallery must be completed within 30 months after the start of construction.

The city has budgeted $21,000 in capital outlay funds to cover cost of demolishing the American Legion Building and the old Medical Arts Building, located immediately west of the Fine Arts Gallery, opposite the Hall of Champions. The Medical Arts Building site would be taken by a proposed new west wing of the Fine Arts Gallery.

July 12, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:7. George A. LaPointe, editor of California Garden Magazine, criticizes editorial praising San Diego Rotary Club’s Alcazar Garden project; says editorial does injustice to park’s gardeners.

July 13, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:5-6. Old Globe wins festival honor.

July 13, 1962, San Diego Union, A-21:3. $21 million city capital outlay okayed; Council revises program as result of bond’s defeat.

July 13, 1962, San Diego Union, A-21:4-5, A-27:2. Restored (Alcazar) gardens presented to city Thursday; story behind restoration project by Rotary Club, by Nick Williams.

July 13, 1962, San Diego Union, A-21:5-7. Flamingo has shrimp cake; Little Joe’s fourth birthday.

July 13, 1962, San Diego Union, A-21:7-8l An apparent low bid of $238,703 to landscape the U. S. 101-395 Interchange was opened Thursday in Los Angeles.

July 15, 1962, San Diego Union, E-3:1-8. Starlight picks up steam, a steam-spewing locomotive that splits it two to form a set for the first scene in “The Music Man.” In a later show, “Wizard of Oz,” cast members exit on vacuum cleaners.

July 16, 1962, San Diego Union, A-13:4, A-15:6-8. $6.6 million park street work okayed, projects to use nearly one-third of capital outlay, by E. G. Martin.

In Balboa Park, $37,000 has been allocated to construct an electric cart storage building at the 18-hole golf course as well as cart paths in the 18-hole course and a sprinkler system in a low area of the 9-hole course.

The city also will spend $46,000 to construct a bus turn-around area at Balboa Stadium, $10,000 for an engineering study of the California Tower structure and $21,000 to demolish the old Medical Arts and American Legion Buildings along El Prado. The latter work to be done when additions to the Fine Arts Gallery are ready to be built.

July 16, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:6-8. Old Globe Theater wins award at Stratford, Conn. for stimulating public appreciation of Shakespeare and classical theater (illus.0

July 17, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:7. Edward S. Barr applauds Balboa Park organ concerts.

July 18, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:1-4, A-18:3. Symphony season off to fine start; near-capacity audience responds to guest Roger Williams’ light mood, by Charles Eischen.

July 18, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:4-7. Symphony concert draws applause — and barbs, by Alan M. Kriegsman.

Roger Williams, slim, trim, complete with TV smile, leaves me strictly cold.

July 22, 1962, San Diego Union, E-3:1-8. At Starlight: A Booster for San Diego.

Miss Marie Moneen, who stars as La Mome Pistache in “Can-Can,” opening a two-week run Thursday night in Balboa Park Bowl will soon move to Hollywood.

July 22, 1962, San Diego Union, E-3:4-7. A Salute to Vienna, by Alan M. Kriegsman.

For its second concert of the summer season Tuesday night in Balboa Bowl, the San Diego Symphony, conducted by Earl Bernard Murray, has prepared a Viennese confection which should be as appealing to the musical palate as Sacher Torte is to the pastry fancier.

July 22, 1962, San Diego Union, F-19:1-4. Floral Association membership urged, by Arthur F. Otis.

The ancient and honorable group meets at 8 o’clock in the evening on the third Tuesday of each month in the Floral Building in Balboa Park.

July 24, 1962, San Diego Union, A-6:1-4. San Diego Zoo – Dr. Georges Ungar to head new Biology Institute at Zoo, by Bryant Evans.

Creation of a significant new research institution in connection with the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the selection of a distinguished scientist to be its director were announced here yesterday.

The Institute for Comparative Biology has been formed as an activity of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

The new director is Dr. Georges Ungar of New York City. He is credited with compounding the first of the antihistamine drugs and with the development of one of the first American oral drugs for treating diabetes.

Ungar, 58, is now director of the department of pharmacology of the U. S. Vitamin and Pharmaceutical Corp.

Ungar has published 157 scientific papers and has command of several languages, including Russian, which he learned while assisting his daughter who was studying it.

Dr. Charles R. Schroeder, Zoo director, said the Zoological Society has spent two years in trying to find a suitable director of research for the institution. He said that he considers the acceptance of Ungar a coup for the new institution.

Schroeder said that he could not anticipate the research program of the new institution because it will be fashioned by Ungar.

“But he has written me,” Schroeder said, “that he hopes to have four of five full-time scientific investigators busy here by the first of the year.

“He has also told me that he is interested in the physiology of hibernation.”

The new institute is an outgrowth of the Zoological Hospital and Biological Research Institute which has been operating at the Zoo for many years.

This has operated mainly by making grants for research to visiting scientists but has not operated as an organized and coordinated research entity with a full-time paid staff.

“The foundation of a scientific program in connection with the Zoo was one of the principal ambitions of Dr. Harry Wegeforth, the founder of the Zoo,” Schroeder said.

He added that the development of the institution at this time is in keeping with the expansion of biological research activity in the San Diego community.

He said that the institute is bound to benefit from liaison with the Scripps Institution and the School of Science and Engineering on the La Jolla campus of the university, the new Salk Institute for Biological Research and the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation which has recently expanded its research program.

Schroeder said he was astounded by one phase of the search for a director. He said that a classified advertisement inserted in Science, the official publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, brought 226 replies from persons holding doctor’s degrees, many of whom were highly qualified.

He explained that the Zoological Society has remodeled the Zoological hospital for research use. It also will supply a part of the pay of the director, maintain the premises and furnish secretarial held as its support to the new institution.

The remainder of the research funds, he said, would come from research grants of both public and private organizations.

July 25, 1962, San Diego Union, 15:8. City authorizes work to begin on Timken Art Gallery.

An agreement to enable the Putnam Foundation to begin construction of the $1 million Timken Gallery in Balboa Park was approved unanimously Tuesday by the City Council.

The agreement calls for the Putnam Foundation to notify the city when it decides to proceed with construction of the gallery on the site of the old American Legion building, next to the Fine Arts Gallery.

Upon notification and receipt of a $25,000 bond, the city will let a contract for demolition of the American Legion building. The Putnam Foundation then will have six moths, after demolition, in which to begin construction and 30 months to complete construction.

The city had budgeted funds to pay for demolition of the American Legion building as well as the old Medical Arts building on the west side of the Fine Arts Gallery. The latter site will be occupied by a new west wing of the gallery.

The resolution authorizing City Manager Tom Fletcher to sign the agreement was adopted by the council without comment.

July 26, 1962, San Diego Union, A-8:3-4. Viennese concert in Balboa Park Bowl Tuesday night was disappointing, by Alan M. Kriegsman.

It takes more than following a recipe faithfully to achieve the legendary “Viennese touch.”

By the by, if the concert had been played in the middle of the landing strip at Lindbergh Field there could not have been more disturbance from jet noises.

July 27, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:2. EDITORAL praises generosity of Putnam Foundation and congratulates City of San Diego on this addition to its art facilities.

July 28, 1962, San Diego Union, B-3:4-5. Old Globe festival sales are brisk; seat reservations must be made well in advance of the dates of the plays patrons wish to attend, by Constance Herreshoff.

July 29, 1962, San Diego Union, F-17:2-3. The San Diego County Dahlia Society will hold its annual show next weekend in the Conference Building.

July 29, 1962, San Diego Union, F-17:5. George LaPointe, California Garden editor, urges Garden Center in Balboa Park.

August 5, 1962, San Diego Union, E-3:1-7. Profiles of Old Globe’s acting scholars (illus.).

August 7, 1962, San Diego Union, A-13:2-4, A-19:8. A city proposal to charge for auto parking in a 600-car lot west of Balboa Park Bowl drew opposition yesterday from the San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association and Starlight Opera Company, by E. G. Martin.

August 10, 1962, San Diego Union, 17:2-3. City Council yesterday approved paid parking in three lots, but part of the lot west of Balboa Park will remain for free parking; charges cited; description and location of paid parking lots.

Lots created by filling canyons with dirt from Crosstown Freeway project and eliminating the old Naval Hospital golf course.

  1. 823 car lot on the site of the old Naval Hospital golf course.
  2. 480 lot south of Balboa Park Bowl.
  3. 210 lot east of Balboa Park stadium.

A small lot created near Federal Building.

Les Earnest, city park and recreation director, said there were 2,916 spaces in Balboa Park previously and 2,995 now. Agreement with Paul Sutherland, central area parking lot entrepreneur; he will charge $1.00 per car for all events except high school and city college events, when the rate will be 50 cents; contract runs until June 1963.

August 14, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1:4-5. Park, Bay bonds won’t appear on November ballot.

August 17, 1962, San Diego Union, A-23:2-3. The City Council yesterday approved a $10,000 engineering study to determine the best way to repair the California Tower in Balboa Park; Ferver-Dorland and Associates of San Diego will investigate and prepare plans for restoration; city has estimated cost of $150,000 for repairs in listing the project as one of those on which park general obligations bonds were needed. Park bonds failed in June primary..

August 19, 1962, San Diego Union, E-1:1-6, E-3:1. Old Globe: a 26th season of mystery, comedy, drama, by Syd Love.

August 19, 1962, San Diego Union, E-2:3-5. The Old Globe Theater’s 13th annual National Shakespearean Festival will be extended two weeks from September 9 to September 23.

August 19, 1962, San Diego Union, E-3:4-8. Symphony set for jazz duel in Balboa Park Bowl Tuesday night.

August 20, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15-6. Mexican celebration set September 15 in Balboa Park Bowl.

August 19, 1962, San Diego Union, E-1:1-6. Old Globe: A 26th Season of Mystery, Comedy, Drama, by Syd Love (illus.) . . . “The Fantasticks,” a musical comedy opens the season October 9.

August 19, 1962, San Diego Union, E-3:1-2. A dedicated group of young people will be rewarded with two nights in the spotlight when “The Forest Prince” is presented in Balboa Park Bowl Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (illus.).

August 22, 1962, San Diego Union, A-16:4-5. Thirty nominees vie for Atlas awards.

August 24, 1962, San Diego Union, 17:4-5. M. H. Golden Construction Company selected for contract negotiations to construct an estimated $1 million addition to the Fine Arts Gallery; firm representatives revealed they had been selected to construct the $1 million Timken Art Gallery..

August 24, 1962, San Diego Union, B-3:1-2, Old Globe extends festival run, by Constance Herreshoff.

August 26, 1962, San Diego Union, E-1:2-3, E-8:5-8. “Bye Bye Birdie” set for Starlight last night, by Barbara Hartung.

August 26, 1962, San Diego Union, E-3:1-6. There’s a no man’s land at the Old Globe in Dressing Room Three, where the Shakespeare festival’s four lone female performers hold their own amidst an overpowering population of males, by Regina North (illus.).

August 30, 1962, San Diego Union, A-27:1-2. San Diego Zoo – Caroline, pachyderm at Zoo, by Mary Schruz.

August 30, 1962, San Diego Union, A-40:1-2. Giorgio Tozzi, San Diego Symphony a double delight in Balboa Park Bowl Tuesday night, by Alan M. Kriegsman.

August 30, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1:2. Fourteenth annual Home Show to open today in Electric Building.

August 31, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:3. “Bye Bye” puts a fresh glow onto Starlight, by Barbara Hartung.

August 31, 1962, San Diego Union, A-25:2-3. San Diego Zoo – Impala herd at Zoo nation’s largest.

August 31, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:7. William T. Stephens, president, Fine Arts Society, writes one important gallery room in the West Wing will be exclusively for American art, but this is only part of the Wing; there could be as much as 15 feet between the rebuilt arcades and the south wall of the new wing as an area for lawn and planting; south wall will be 50 ft. from the Laurel Street curb.

September 3, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:1-4, A-21:1-2. Balboa Park Tower shows ravages of time, neglect; beauty fading, by Kay Jarvis (illus.).

A fading beauty, Balboa Park’s California Tower looks charming from a distance but at close range reveals the disillusioning ravages of time and neglect.

In 1915, as the only planned permanent building of the Panama-California Exposition, the California Building tower leaped above its verdant bed like an early-day space needle.

Visitors trekked, camera in hand, to the top of the city landmark to see and photograph a dazzling view of San Diego.

The state spent over $225,000 in 1913 to design and build the structure and received its money’s worth through public acclaim.

But nearly a half-century later, San Diego voters turned down a move to restore the beauty of the tower.

In last spring’s primary election the electorate failed to approve a Park and Recreation bond issue which would have painted a new face on the classic spire.

City officials will submit the proposal to voters again next year, but as each day passes more dust gathers in the tower’s aged recesses.

Ferver-Dorland Associates, a San Diego engineering firm, was contracted by the city, August 16, to prepare a study of the tower’s restoration needs. The $10,000 study should reveal many scars not visible to a casual observer.

Entrance to the tower is gained through a door on the south balcony of the Museum of Man, which has been located in the California Building since the 1915 Exposition. Few enter the door. The 200-foot tower is closed to visitors, and has been since 1935.

A visitor’s footsteps echo strangely; great cracks appear on the exterior walls. The tower is old and tired.

Steep stone stairs wind for five levels through the plain lower portion, ending at the first of three superimposed belfry stories. The first open landing is 105 feet above the ground.

From there, the way becomes more perilous. The narrow iron stairway which leads to the other two belfries is rusted and filthy. The risers are littered with debris and footing is unsteady.

The highest vantage point is 158 feet and that, in turn, is surmounted by a bell-shaped dome topped by a wrought-iron weathervane in the shape of a Spanish caravel.

On the walls are scribbled messages to loved ones. The forgotten vows are dated through the early 1930s.

A dust-encrusted sign on the cracking tile wall states:

“This tower is open without charge for the pleasure of visitors to the San Diego Museum. Persons are cautioned against undue speed on the stairways or disregard of barriers that have been provided for their safety.”

W Allen Perry, former superintendent of parks, remembers that at least two visitors disregarded the notice and leaped to their deaths from the highest belfries.

The tower continued as a favorite of sightseers to the park and reached a high during the California Pacific International Exposition which opened in 1935.

Designed by a famous architect of the early 1900s, Bertram Goodhue, the plain lower portion is relieved by three superimposed stories. From the highest, the California Quadrangle is easily seen to be in the shape of a Greek cross. The tower is set in a southeast angle, formed by the name and transept of the building.

The enthusiasm generated by the structure is illustrated by the following excerpts form the Papers of the School of American Archaeology, circa 1916:

“A strikingly beautiful effect is obtained by the concentration of ornament at the summit of the tower and in the center of the facade, in marked contrast with the severely plain wall surfaces of the lower portion of the tower.”

In 1946 the tower’s Carillon, or Ona May Lowe chimes, were donated to the city by Dr. Frank Lowe. Music is broadcast from the tower; the keyboard is located across Laurel Avenue.

The tower has remained a haven to the pigeons of the city; the erosion and cracks have become more pronounced and the debris has piled higher along the stairways.

The only sounds at the summit is the soft murmur of the wind through the ornate cornices. Little eddies of dust from the ever-widening cracks in the wall sift lazily down to settle on the unused walkways.

September 3, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1:1-2. Mexico salute planned in Balboa Park Bowl September 15.

September 6, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:6, A-19:1. Howard Chernoff, society president, says San Diego Zoo tops in nation.

September 7, 1962, San Diego Union, A-16:4. Awards event to be tonight at Old Globe.

September 8, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17;1-2. Old Globe awards taken by Ken Letner, Mrs. Minnie Cea Chambers; “A Raisin in the Sun” best play of season; Shakespeare honor goes to “Taming of the Shrew.”.

September 8, 1962, San Diego Evening Tribune, C-1. Park pay lots stir row; Balboa precedent alarms citizens; extension feared, by Vincent Dunne (map showing areas where motorists must pay to park)..

Civic leaders and other citizens associated with park development say they are disturbed by the precedent set by the leasing of Balboa Park property for a $1-a-car parking lots.

The feat the practice may spread.

City Councilmen who voted to establish three pay lots near Balboa Stadium and adjacent to the Balboa Bowl and the park’s Federal Building answer that there are no plans at present for other pay lots in the park system.

One councilman, however, disclosed an idea which, if adopted, would extend pay parking elsewhere in the park.

There was a suggestion that auto parking fees be levied immediately adjacent to certain areas that need improvement. The fees would finance the improvements.

Several of the many San Diegans who through the years have been vigilant in safeguarding Balboa Park voice their alarm over the leasing.

The cite the wording of a state legislative action of 1870 which specified that the park was “to be held in trust for the use and purposes of a free and public park . . . and for no other or different purpose.”

Attorney W. E. Starke, who has been associated with past legal steps in connection with Balboa Park use and policies, said he thinks public rights have been encroached.

“I don’t believe it is fair at all,” Starke said. “Balboa Park is public property. It should be free. Nobody should be charged to park in a public park.”

Others voiced similar concerns.

“I hate to see paid parking brought to the Exposition (west) side of Balboa Park,” said Allan Perry, bank executive and former San Diego park director.

“The San Diego Symphony is struggling to give the people something really worthwhile. If pay parking detracts from the crowd, I’d say the fees should be dropped.”

Perry said he believes the charging of fees for parking near the stadium is not so objectionable.

“It’s all right near the stadium because the sports fans expect to have to pay,” he said. “Pay parking seems to go with stadium events. But not around the Bowl (Balboa Bowl, in the Palisades area).”

Business executive and civic leader Robert Sullivan said:

“I’m worried about the encroachment on the west side of Park Boulevard. Where will it stop?”

“We ask people to vote bonds for park improvement. This sort of thing (parking charges) might affect how a lot of people vote.”

  1. W. Cotton, long associated with San Diego’s development, expressed fear that with the city administration sanctioning pay parking adjacent to the Balboa Bowl concert area, such fees will be extended.

The concerts are a fine asset to the city,” Cotton said. “If they charge on lots there, they could start charging on the zoo lot, too. It might be possible for the city to take the fees off once it has its initial investments in the new lots back.”

Henri Jacot, an architect, who is president of the Balboa Park Protective Association, criticized the appearance of the pay lots.

“When they take land from Balboa Park and build these lots, they ought to landscape them instead of leaving them looking like concrete jungles,” he said.

The City Council put pay parking into Balboa Park by unanimous vote August 9. The project had been recommended by the city manager and park director.

City administrators say eventual cost to the city for installing all three pay lots will be $297,000. They now are in unfinished condition but are to be curbed, landscaped and otherwise improved, the park department said.

September 9, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:4. Five hundred groups asked to join Balboa Park flag rally.

September 9, 1962, San Diego Union, B-6:6-8. Two white rhinos, new gnu find homes at San Diego Zoo.

September 13, 1962, San Diego Union, A-21:5-7. A cake made of shrimp was served Thursday to Little Joe, the flamingo.

The occasion was the fourth birthday of Joe, the first baby flamingo to be hatched and survive at the San Diego Zoo.

Joe likes shrimp. It helps him keep his pink coloring.

Thursday he nibbled at the batter and seafood conglomeration during the excitement. An attempt to give him the cake in a floating pan at the Flamingo pond was unsuccessful.

The cake, baked by Mrs. Rose Goodner of the public relations department, involved dried shrimp in batter with fresh shrimp as top decoration. It also was topped by four candles.

A crowd of visitors gathered opposite the main zoo gate to sing “Happy Birthday.” K. C. Lint, curator of birds, presided.

Joe was hatched by his American flamingo parents in 1958, a rare birth in the West. Since Joe, five other baby flamingoes have been hatched and survived with the aid of Lint.

Zoo officials decided to celebrate this year because Little Joes are hard to raise. Zoo officials said none of the temperamental females laid eggs this year. The reason was the cool spring weather “that fouled things biological up again,” said Fred Mabbatt, assistant public relations director

September 15, 1962, San Diego Union, B-16:8. Don Wilson comments on Balboa Park Bowl concerts this summer.

September 16, 1962, San Diego Union, A-21:6, A-24:8. Balboa Park scene of Mexico Independence Day festivities (illus.).

September 23, 1962, San Diego Union, A-24:1-3. Globe’s One-Act Tournament Off To A Promising Start, by Joe Brooks.

The Old Globe’s original one-act tournament got off to an auspicious start last night with the first three plays of a series of nine. The tournament will continue tonight and tomorrow night with three more plays each night.

A near-capacity audience was on hand for the opening night fare — two dramas, “The Actress” by Beula Fair and “Patchwork” by Martin F. Garrish and a comedy, “The Mesdames MacGooly,” by Ruth Buell Stowe.

September 23, 1962, San Diego Union, A-24:1-2. Aerospace Award Goes To Scientist (illus.)..

John M. Peterson, an aircraft scientist, last night was presented the 1962 aerospace achievement award by the Junior Chamber of Commerce for his pioneering efforts in the new field of vertical take-off-and-landing flight technology.

The award was announced at the junior chamber’s seventh annual dinner in Balboa Park.

The dinner followed opening of the Aerospace Museum display in Balboa Park’s Conference Hall. At the opening, attended by 150 Jaycees and their guests, Capt. Robert Leeman, North Island Naval Air Station commander, presented a replica of the Curtiss A-1, the Navy’s first airplane to the city. It was accepted by Vice Mayor Harry Scheidle who praised joint sponsorship of the museum by the junior and senior chambers.

Rev. Arthur D. Spearman, a Jesuit priest of Santa Clara, was awards dinner speaker. He said many of John J. Montgomery’s inventions, designed in the early 1900s, are still in use by the aircraft industry.

Charles W. Brown, executive director of the Hall of Aerospace Sciences, said the museum will be opened today to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be moved in three weeks to permanent quarters in the park’s Food and Beverage Building.

Brown said a temporary display will be of replicas of Montgomery’s first glider, accompanied by photographs and date on early flights from Otay Mesa. The display includes fragments of the original glider that made the first heavier-than-air flight near Otay in 1883. The exhibit is on loan from the Santa Clara University.

September 23, 1962, San Diego Union, E-1:1, E-2:3-7. The Summer Symphony Season: here’s what happened, by Alan M. Kriegsman.

Instead of the usual summer mixture of standard symphonic fare, the season consisted principally of “popular” entertainment attractions plus a sprinkling of symphonic music.

September 24, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:1-4. Seventeen hundred children took part in Piano Festival in Balboa Park Bowl yesterday (photo).

September 28, 1962, San Diego Union, A-24:1-2. Opening of Aerospace display in Conference Hall.

October 1, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:1-2. San Diego Zoo – catering to birds’ appetite at Zoo, by Mary Schurz (illus.).

October 2, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:3. San Diego Zoo – Founder’s Day lures 7,000.

October 7, 1962, San Diego Union, F-1:1-8, F-15:1. A study in water, by Dr. Armin Kietzmann . . . fountains and reflection pools in San Diego (illus.).

Alcazar Garden

Casa del Rey Moro Garden

The Lily Pond brings a variant into this context. A feature of the 1915 Exposition, it was originally designed as a Laguna de Espejo, a mirror or reflection pool, devoid of lilies and gold fish.

October 10, 1962, San Diego Union, A-16:3. “Fantasticks” a big success at Old Globe, by Constance Herreshoff.

October 13, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1:1-3. Alternate routes mapped for Maple Canyon Road, by E. G. Martin (map).

October 15, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1:4-5. Visitor can peer back into history, yet never leave the city in Balboa Park, by Hal D. Steward.

October 21, 1962, San Diego Union, C-2:5. O. L. Sertanen criticizes loss of Balboa Park cactus garden.

October 26, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:7-8. Four northern seals welcomed at San Diego Zoo, by Syd Love.

October 26, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:5. Routes eyed for Maple Canyon . . . Three alternate routes for a major new east-west street to relieve traffic congestion in Hillcrest were outlined to 200 persons at a public meeting last night.

November 1, 1962, San Diego Union, A-28:1-2. Three thousand five hundred square dancers due at 3-day fiesta in park.

November 3, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:5-6. Fiddlin’ fills air at Balboa Park.

November 10, 1962, San Diego Union, A-2:7-8. Fire destroys Ford rotunda at Dearborn, Michigan.

November 11, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:4. Massed colors planned today at Veterans Day service at Organ Pavilion.

November 11, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:7-8, A-18:8. Bond vote due December 11; approval of $15 million issue will gain matching Federal funds, by E. G Martin.

November 12, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:2-4. Three thousand exhibit pride in flag as 350 units mass colors, by Nick Williams (illus.).

November 12, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:3-4. Replanted palms adorn U. S. 395-101 interchange (illus.).

November 18, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:1-4. City Manager Tom Fletcher outlines bond issue benefits.

November 18, 1962, San Diego Union, H-2:3-7. House of Hospitality is only one of its kind in America, by Hal Stewart. (No mention of the Gold Room.)

American traditional dining is the (Café del Rey Moro’s) specialty. And the fact manager Jerry Dicus and his wife, Bernice, who assists him in the café, are longtime students of American Indian lore is much in evidence. They have a huge collection of Indian objects of art, paintings and clothing that decorate the café.

At the end of one dining room is an original Cochiti drum, made by the Cochiti Pueblo tribe, famous drum makers for all Indian tribes. On a wall is an original Navajo rug and decorating one wall is a painting of the Apache mountain spirit.

November 23, 1962, San Diego Union, A-25:1-2. Appliance display opens in Electric Building.

November 23, 1962, San Diego Union, A-25:3. Three hundred attend Thanksgiving rites in park.

November 23, 1962, San Diego Union, B-1:3. Community Yule tree now in place near Organ Pavilion.

November 24, 1962, San Diego Union, A-15:1-5. “Christmas Tree Lane” lights up Balboa Park (illus.).

November 25, 1962, San Diego Union, A-28:1-2. Charles E. Harbison, Museum of Natural History, curator of entomology, glamorizes bugs, by Dick Bowman (illus.)

November 26, 1962, San Diego Union, A-10:3. “Becket” plot timely; Old Globe staging skilled, by Alan M. Kriegsman.

November 28, 1962, San Diego Union, A-20:3. Auction set Saturday in the Fine Arts Gallery to help finance the California South Spring Exhibition .

November 28, 1962, San Diego Union, A-20:3. Home Show attendance hits 156,000.

November 30, 1962, San Diego Union, A-16:1. Old Globe opens “Raisin in Sun” return tonight.

November 30, 1962, San Diego Union, A-28:1-3. Federal aid called boon to Park Boulevard project.

Park Boulevard can be widened one year earlier and a half cost to residents through a federal grant under the Public Works Acceleration Act, City Manager Tom Fletcher said yesterday.

The improvement, costing an estimated $490,000, will be between a point just north of the new U. S. 101 (Crosstown) Freeway and Upas Street.

Fletcher said a $245,000 federal grant has been approved for the project, subject to passage of a bond issue in a December 11 special municipal election.

December 1, 1962, San Diego Union, A-17:5. The Community Christmas Center in Balboa Park will open at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow with a program presented at the Organ Pavilion.

December 2, 1962, San Diego Union, A-30:1-2. Park Yule Center will open today.

December 3, 1962, San Diego Union, A-22:1-4. Christmas Community Center opens with music, lighting of 50 foot tree; Milton F. Fillius, Jr., president of the Chamber of Commerce, read the story “One Solitary Life,” taken from a religious publication (illus.)

December 9, 1962, San Diego Union, A-19:6-8, A-23:3-5. San Diegans to vote Tuesday on $15 million bond proposal; two-thirds majority required, by Edwin G. Martin.

Proposition 5: A $2.1 million park and recreation proposal to match grants for improvements in parks, recreation. Projects include replacing the Golden Hills and Southcrest Community Buildings; building a new Serra Mesa Community Center, and developing East Crown Point in Mission Bay. Grants totaling $293,000 have been approved this year and the city will apply for $1.8 million in additional grants.

December 9, 1962, San Diego Union, C-2:1-3. EDITORIAL: Bonds To Boost San Diego

The money would be used for a variety of projects — roads, libraries, harbor improvements, parks and fire stations — all vital to the city.

Second, it means jobs — 5,000 man-months of labor to stimulate an economy hard hit by unemployment.

December 10, 1962, San Diego Union, A-21:2-4, A-22:6. Teaches tricks to sea lions; San Diego Zoo trainer’s formula — affection and hard work.

December 11, 1962, San Diego Union, A-1:1-2, A-2:5. City to vote today on bonds; U. S. backs 33 projects; $5.5 million grant seen if proposals to match funds are okayed at polls, by Edwin G. Martin.

December 11, 1962, San Diego Union, A-10:1-2. A group that favors the southernmost route of three proposed for Maple Canyon road will meet at 7:30 tonight in the Natural History Museum

December 11, 1962, ELECTION: Proposition 5 – $2.1 million to match grants for improvements in the category of public works projects

Yes 47,336 (57%)

No 34,273

December 12, 1962, San Diego Union, A-1:1-2. City rejects all six bond propositions; attempts to match U. S. funds fail to receive two-thirds vote, by Edwin G. Martin.

Defeat blamed on light voter turn out, opposition to the principle of federal grants, and sentiment that tax bills are too high.

Projects included replacing the Golden Hill and Southcrest Community Buildings, building a new Serra Mesa Community Center, and developing East Crown Point Shores in Mission Bay.

December 13, 1962, San Diego Union, A-18:8. Old Globe remodeling plans backed.

Plans of the Old Globe Theater for remodeling the building which now serves as the theater’s business office and costumery tentatively were approved yesterday by the Park and Recreation Commission.

Victor Wolff, San Diego architect, said the theater hopes to build a 25 by 65-foot, two-story structure in English Tudor style in place of the existing small building.

December 13, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:2. EDITORIAL: Contributing Factors.

The light vote can be attributed in part to the unusual number of elections in the last year.

There is still a possibility that the city may find other revenue sources to begin at least part of the projects with the aid of federal funds.

December 16, 1962, San Diego Union, B-2:1-6. Review of The Good Old Days by Oscar Cotton.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS, Exposition Press, New York, 1962, by Oscar Cotton

Chapter 19. Our First Exposition, p. 110.

Ever since the closing of this, our first Exposition, on December 31, 1916, the question has been asked and argued long and loud: “What shall we do with the obsolete Exposition buildings?” Again and again “experts” have advocated that the buildings be torn down and the ground developed as a park, in grass and trees.

Recently a friend asked me what I thought. I answered: “Yes, by all mans, tear the buildings down. Tear down the Recreation Center, where thousands play basketball, and the nearby halls where they hold the flower shows. Make the grounds into a park. Tear down the House of Hospitality, with its director’s rooms, cocktail lounge, theater, and beautiful dining terrace. Tear down the Fine Arts Gallery, the California Building, the Museum of Man, and the zoo. Tear down the Old Globe Theater and the Ford Bowl where they have been having summer symphonies and the Starlight Opera, and, while you are at it, tear down the Cabrillo Bridge and then put the whole five hundred acres into grass and trees.”

I must be losing my knack for salesmanship. My friend decided we had better keep the buildings.

December 16, 1962, San Diego Union, F-1:1-2. The Old Globe in 1963: Tales of Tragedy and Happiness, by Joe Brooks.

December 16, 1962, San Diego Union, E-7:1-6. 1915 show research turned up wrong adjectives, by Dr. Armin Kietzmann (illus.).

Director Warren Beach of the Fine Arts Gallery and his assistant Martin E. Peterssn have make a remarkable effort to recreate as near as possible the art display of the Panama-California Exposition of 1915, the first important showing of modern American painting in San Diego.

The same artists are featured with characteristic works, including 13 of the 49 canvases shown here in 1915. It is an original and valuable demonstration, yet if some of the comments around it suggest that the 1915 show met with censure or apathy, one feels inclined to disagree.

Six of the 11 exhibitors, namely Glackens, Henri, Lawson, Luks, Prendergast and Sloan had belonged (with A. B. Davies and Shinn) to a modernist group, “The Eight.” A preview by Professor Clifton Olds recalled violent polemics against the eight rebels’ city realism in an exhibit staged in New York in 1908. But was there only hostility? The Whitney Museum’s Lloyd Goodrich thinks the general tone was “open minded and frequently favorable.”

Speaking of the 1908 show, Goodrich added, “later accounts have exaggerated the critical opposition; the often repeated phrases “apostles of ugliness,” “the revolutionary gang,” and “the black gang” were used by academic artists, not by the critics.

. . . “At any rate, seven years, the Armory show and much reevaluation later the adjectives used here for the moderns’ work were not “vulgar,” “nauseating,” and “unhealthy,” but instead “vital,” “independent,” and “antidotal.”

Choosing another angle, Petersen’s foreword in the catalogue finds in the original show’s set-up, criticism and press response a general attitude of apathy. Why such negative interpretation? By its location within the Exposition’s main architectural feature, the California Quadrangle (now the Museum of Man buildings) and in a gallery with ample good light and natural tones (now remodeled at the Choco Indians hall), the art display was at an advantage from the first. To speak, in comparison, of emphasis on Indian arts seems sought.

Christian Brinton, a member of an international jury, modified his sarcastic impressions of June 1915, when he published them in book form in 1916. He spoke not of “pretentious” canvases anymore, but only of “sophisticated” ones. If he still though the moderns did not fit in the historicizing environment, he called them “admirable artists.” And he became quite explicit in his preference for the more concentrated San Diego Exposition if compared to its concurrent, the ambitious cosmopolitanism (“one of the surest indications of provincialism”) in 1915 San Francisco.

As to the press response, Petersen’s sentence “scarce items from the local newspapers” is contradicted by footnotes mentioning continued criticism. The show opened on January 1, 1915 and on January 4, The San Diego Union, brought the first of a series of art columns, written by Mrs. Henry W. Foote; she praised the art exhibit’s “independent spirit, pushing forward, unhampered by tradition, especially evident in Bellow’s “Man of the Docks,” Similarly, an anonymous “Onlooker” was given space in The Evening Tribune of January 23 to answer his rhetorical question, “have we no appreciation,” by pointing to the “vital,” “fresh,” “for the American people” attitude in paintings by Henri, Bellows, Sloan.

It may depend on how one looks at the records, but a least they should have been presented more completely. Strangely omitted is any reference to Eugen Neuhaus’ personal impressions of the show, published in 1916. On entering the gallery, Neuhaus says he felt at fire rudely awakened from the period reams, but “without investigating the raison d’être of this amazing collection of pictures, one must in all fairness admit their individual worth and interest, despite their antidotal effect in bringing one back to the modern world.”

After a brief but perceptive discussion of individual exhibits, he felt “quite consoled over the sudden departure from historic sentiment to modern matter-of-fact painting . . . . It is in a way refreshing and stimulating to be momentarily interrupted thus.”

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