Carlsbad: History, Flowers & More

We go to the beach village of Carlsbad quite often. Steve's Mom, Betty, lives there and since it's a one hour drive minimum (on a very good day), we always try to do something else to make the day complete (Betty can only take so much of us).

The plaque below Capt. John A. Frazier (July 18, 1833 - July 16, 1899) read, "Discoverer of the famous Carlsbad mineral water and co-founder of the City of Carlsbad, California. While drilling for fresh water for his farm on this spot in 1882, John Frazier sank three wells - one 415 feet, one 450 feet, and one 510 feet deep. As well as fresh water, he found two artesian springs with mineral water that proved therapeutic for internal and skin ailments. Several wealthy men from the mid-west jointed him in founding the city of Carlsbad, California. They built on this property a beautiful 85-room hotel and spa that drew thousands from across the United States until the hotel burned down in 1895. The mineral water continued to be bottled and sold all over the country.

In 1930, the luxurious 130-room California-Carlsbad Mineral Springs Hotel & Spa was built across the street from this spot and the health resort was visited by many famous people. The mineral water made Carlsbad world famous for many years until the Great Depression, and because of lack of maintenance, the wells broke down. The water was untapped from then until restoration of the mineral springs was begun in June 1993. The mineral springs was reopened, after 110 years, during a ceremony on July 24, 1994. An official delegation from its European Sister City, Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad), Czech Republic visited the city, for the first time, to participate in this historic event."

And what makes this water so special? "Carlsbad Alkaline Water™ Is Made By Nature Not By Man. Feel And Taste The Pure Artesian Alkaline Difference. Naturally alkaline, ultra energizing and hydrating Carlsbad Alkaline Water™ comes from a 1,700 foot deep aquifer and protected with 200 feet of non porous clay and 1,500 feet of granite rock. Our water originates from the Cleveland National Forest about 40 miles east from Carlsbad completely protected from any pollution or any possible radiation fall-out. It takes about 9,500 years for the water to work its way through the substrata to our deep artesian wells just one block from the Pacific Ocean where is discharged at the deep bottom. Along the way, it is naturally enhanced with pure minerals that turn the water into a highly alkaline Carlsbad Alkaline Water™ Most Healthful Water ultra hydrating and Eden In A Glass!"

There were so many people filling up bottles of this uniquely therapeutic and beneficial liquid. Wow. Who knew? I guess Capt. Frazier did!

The next history lesson was found in the historic Twin Inns building. This landmark Victorian structure was built as a private residence in 1887 by Civil War veteran Gerhard Schutte. His role in the town’s development led to his being called the Father of Carlsbad. Schutte and his partners, Samuel Church Smith and D.D. Wadsworth founded the Carlsbad Land and Mineral Water Company to create “a town of small farms and gracious homes.” To achieve this, they purchased 400 prime acres for $40 per acre for development into a community. They laid out a townsite, planted eucalyptus seedlings along the roads, and named the streets.

Various owners took possession of the Inn over the years. In 1922, an immense octagonal dining room was added to the building during extensive renovations. Although the inn was not a hotel, it became a popular stop for Hollywood celebrities during Prohibition, as it also served liquor. The inn had its own colossal chicken farm and was known for its all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners and operated until 1984. Today it houses various businesses including Sun Diego Boardshop.

This is the roof of that immense octagonal dining room. Stunning.

Sun Diego had a very interesting display of at least a dozen 'historically significant' surfboards with their stories attached. The exhibit is called CALIFORNIA DREAMING: Surfboards that changed the way we surf. The large, blue board, on Steve's right, is a very rare piece of surfing history indeed. The Jet Board was designed by a Boeing engineer and bankrolled by Bloomingdale's Department Stores. They were produced from 1965 to 1968. These Jet boards were the result of Alfred Bloomingdale's (heir to the Bloomingdale Department store fortune) distaste for paddling a surfboard. He used to come to Waikiki to play and wanted something to get around the large playground out front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and that was the basis for the design.

How weird is this? "Jet Board Corporation was located at 9255 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. An aeronautical company called Sargent Fletcher, located in El Monte, California, made the hulls. The body is all aluminum, 11ft long and 88 lbs., it features a 6.25 hp water-cooled Tecumseh engine. The engine is the original engine. This is one of only a couple hundred ever made. The unique board design turned off via a magnet attached to the surfer's leg."

The white one, to his far right, is a 9' Kook Box (c. 1940) Hollow Kook Boxes that were popularized by Tom Blake in Hawaii in the 1920s, were still being used around world well into the 1950s. "This cut down version was used at a rental concession in Long Beach during the 1940s. This was when there were waves there prior to the Long Beach Harbor being built. These things were definitely responsible for numerous injuries in the surf!"

I have said before that it is interesting where history can be found.

A stroll through the Farmers Market is always a great way to pass time.

I was just reminiscing about this type of skirt. One of my best friends in elementary/jr. high school wore one. Her mom took a pair of jeans, split open the inseams and inserted a printed fabric piece thus turning pants into a very groovy maxi skirt. I hadn't seen one of these creations in years. What a memory evoker.