Our beautiful day demanded a return to the sea and a walking tour of Coronado Island.
There is so much to see and do here. The history is told in the architecture and we're here to learn even more.Coronado was named for the Coronado Islands off the coast of San Diego. They were first sighted November 8, 1602 by Spanish navigator Vizcaino. He named them Los Coronados or “the crowned ones,” for four martyred saints of ancient Rome whose death had been on that day. Crowns adorn much in this town of 25,000 islanders.
This Tudor Revival was designed by famous architect, Irving Gill and William Sterling Hebbard in 1898. Various renovations by various owners expanded the home to include a ballroom, elevator, and basement gymnasium. Gorgeous!Steve and I both agreed that this 1903 home is our very favorite. It was designated as a Historic Resource as a special element of Coronado's military and architectural history; for its association with significant individuals the Jessop family and George Thompson; and as an example of the Hawaiian Plantation architectural style. Can you believe this home is 118 years old? Oh, and the landscaping is lush and incredibly tropical. WOW.Many homes here get historic designations not only for the age and architect (c. 1913 by P.M. Holt) but also by who lived there. Tarzan author, Edgar Rice Burroughs, lived in this home and came to Coronado, it is believed, to connect with his idol, L. Frank Baum, who also lived here. Oh, so much literary talent all in 32.67 mi²?This Moderne architectural style home was built in 1928 by Walter Trepte. It is possesses a special element of Coronado's social and economic history; for its association with a significant individual, Albert Laing, a man with the distinction of building more fine homes than anyone in Coronado.Steve is standing in front Charles Frederick Herreshof's 1926 Spanish Moderne work, created as part of a cluster of three homes facing a common front walkway. 625 A Avenue was the home of the McCain family (Senator John's aunt lived here and he spent a great deal of time here, too).
629 was was owned, during the WWII era, by John Roosevelt, son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who visited frequently.
631 was the first of the three built and was designated historic due to the notable work of the architect, and for its association with Captain Wadleigh Capehart, a naval officer. What a hero. In his long and illustrious career, he was awarded the Commendation Ribbon, the World War I Victory Medal, Overseas Clasp; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal. He also holds the French decorations “Chevalier of the Legion of Honor” for World War I service in France. Who knew a cluster of homes could hold such history.
This 1916 Italian Renaissance Revival was built by General Joseph H. Pendleton, USMC and mayor of Coronado from 1928 to 1930. For us locals, Oceanside's Camp Pendleton bears his name. This 1911 Craftsman Bungalow was the residence of Franklin Van Valkenburg (April 5, 1888 – December 7, 1941), an American naval officer who served as the last captain of the USS Arizona (BB-39). He was killed when the Arizona exploded and sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sad.There aren't many groovy homes here. This 1957 property, and landscape, were designated as a special element of the City's architectural history as a rare intact example of Mid-Century Modern architecture in the Bay View Estates Development; and as a notable work of the architect, Loch Crane (who apprenticed under Frank Lloyd Wright), of the builder, Walter Vestal, and of the landscape architect, Frank Koge.
In 1955, Richard George Wheeler designed 940 Country Club Lane, only residential work in Coronado. The property was designated as a historic resource as an example of a custom-designed mid-century home in the Mid-Century Modern Residential Post and Beam construction. Wheeler retired in January of 1989 after 41 years of practice. By his own accounts, he was involved in the design of approximately 400 buildings.As we were strolling about, we discovered this cool structure and learned even more local history. This is the original ferry landing. The ferry was designed to transport horses and buggies, and later automobiles, across the bay. This vital link to downtown San Diego ran from 1886 to 1969, the year the Coronado Bay Bridge finally opened. This restored ticket booth, in its original location, reminds travelers of the original ferry boats which shaped Coronado and brought people from all walks of life to this little island.No trip is complete without walking, eyes focused at our feet. We have learned to look for the “marques" of the construction firms who laid the sidewalks in historic town. Stamps in solid concrete tell us when and by whom they were laid (and truthfully how talented these guys were).And finally, it seems people are catching on as to the coolness in sidewalk scavenger hunts!The following photos capture just a few of the delights found along our path.The Hotel Del is showcased in many ways here. From darling birdhouses...... to Little Free Libraries!How adorable is this baby Fiat?!This Danish mailbox was my favorite.With the butterflies propelling about, the day couldn't have been better!
“When you give yourself to places, they give you yourself back;
the more one comes to know them, the more one seeds them
with the invisible crop of memories and associations
that will be waiting for when you come back,
while new places offer up new thoughts, new possibilities.
Exploring the world is one the best ways of exploring the mind,
and walking travels both terrains.”
– Rebecca Solnit
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2 comments:
How are you finding out about the history of these houses? Do they have plaques? Or is there a map you're following? Or do you look them up before you go? Just wondering.
Super great questions. In case anyone else is curious, I do have a website I use that is amazing https://www.coronado.ca.us/government/departments_divisions/community_development/historic_preservation (though today it is down). Before heading out, I look at the interactive map and hone in on a small area of the island, looking at what interests us currently. There are hundreds of homes, buildings and even parks on Coronado's historic list so we pick and choose. I print out the info of each home. Armed with the address, Steve finds the home, ponders its historic value, then I read why we are standing there. It is a scavenger hunt of sorts, with as you can see, so many elements to delight in. Fun right?
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