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The first of three North Park signs was installed in 1935 over the intersection of 30th and University. The background on the first sign
was black and the subsequent signs were green—all with white lettering. If you look closely at the image you can catch a glimpse of the Ramona Theatre (left of white car), one of North Park’s vintage movie houses. So what's going on in the photo: Ford Motor Co. in 1935 went on a national tour holding parades in major cities celebrating the 2 millionth Ford to roll off its assembly line.
Image is courtesy of the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park
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DIDJAKNOW?—North Parker Shawn Shaw commented recently on a Pillar to Post trivia item and it got me thinking about other North Park minutiae. Stuff that every historically minded hipster should know when bantering with the turistas. Shawn pointed out that two icon architects (two centuries ago) designed the St. Luke’s Chapel at Gunn and 30th Street. Who were they? Answer: Irving Gill and William Sterling Hebbard in 1897 designed the chapel, but it wasn’t until 1924 that it was moved to its present location.
So who was Gunn Street named after? Answer: While many North Park streets going north and
south started out being named after U.S. States, several streets going East and
West were named for early 20th century mayors of San Diego such as:
Douglas Gunn (1889-1991) and Edwin M. Capps (1899-1901 and 1915-1917).
How many versions of the North Park sign are there? Answer:
Three. Originally installed in 1935, it was taken down in 1949 when the
streetcar wires were removed. At that
time it was redesigned and reinstalled.
The second version was taken down in 1967 for cleaning and never
reinstalled. The current North Park sign
was installed in October, 1993.
There are a series of historic tablets sunk into the
sidewalks around 30th and University—who wrote them? Answer: The late Don Covington was asked by community
leaders to research and write the historical comments now in place.
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| Professor Don Covington |
Who was Don Covington? Answer: Donald
Covington, a Professor of Design in the Art Department of San Diego State
University, teaches courses in the history of architecture and design. He holds
an M.A. degree in Art from the University of California, Los Angeles. A Fellow
of the Royal Society of Arts, he has studied at the Attingham School,
Shropshire, and the Study Centre of Fine and Decorative Arts, London. A member
of the Editorial Board of the journal of Interior Design, he currently conducts
research in the history of architecture, and the decorative arts.
For an article by Prof. Covington
about early North Park master builders go to:
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| North Park Water Tower |
When was the North Park water tower built? Answer:
1924. Why was it built? Answer: The tank is more than 50 feet high and had a
capacity for 1.2 million gallons of water. Sitting on 12 piers, the entire
structure is more than 125 feet tall. The water tower was one of the essential
building blocks of infrastructure that allowed the Greater North Park area,
including University Heights and the development tracts south of University
Avenue, to grow after World War I. Does
the tank still have water? No. Is it historic? No, but several local historic groups are
chasing down historic status for the tower.
What can you see from the top of the tank? Answer: The Mission Beach roller coaster, of
course.
Where was the Palisades Gardens Roller Rink located? Answer: at
the corner of University and Utah Streets (1946-1985).
What was the last sitting U.S. President to visit
North Park? Answer: John F. Kennedy in the spring of
1963. He drove in a motorcade along El
Cajon Blvd. to San Diego State, where he received an honorary degree and
addressed San Diegans.
One architect designed the current Union Bank and
Jack-in-the-Box on 30th Street, who was he? Answer: Russell Forester.
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| 1940 Baseball Card |
Before Mission Restaurant took over the building at
28th and University, what business was located there? Answer
Zumwalt’s Bicycle Shop. Bob Zumwalt, Jr.
won many national amateur bicycling events.
In 1954 he was the national Junior Spring champion.
When he was growing up what North Park street did Hall
of Fame baseball great Ted Williams live on? Answer: Polk Street, a block
east of North Park Recreation Center.
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| Stern's Gym today |
When Ted Williams flew fighter jets in the Korean War, he served in the same U.S. Marine Corps air unit with what U.S. Senator?
Answer: Astronaut John
Glenn.
Who was Leo Stern? Answer: In 1948, he founded
Stern’s Gym on Granada Avenue. It is
still in business and continues to bear his name.
What North Parker co-founded West Coaster craft beer mag and blog? Answer:
Mike Shess in 2010 while still in college. A lifelong North Parker, Mike was also
circulation director of the North Park
News at age 12. West Coaster co-owner
Ryan Lamb and Mike graduated from St. Augustine High School in 2005.
Is there an active gasoline pipeline running under
North Park as we speak? Answer: Yes. The North Park segment runs from
the Embarcadero to the gasoline tank farm in Mission Hills via 28th
Street and Utah Streets.
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| Smoke from south facing view of PSA jetliner crash as seen from Mission Village |
What date did PSA Flight 182 crash into North Park
after colliding with a private plane? Answer: September 25, 1978. Because San Diego was in the midst of a Santa
Ana wind condition many of the items that went up in the fireball re-landed
west of the Dwight & Nile Sts. crash site. Many residents as far as 28th Street
and other streets found personal items from the victims on lawns and
rooftops. Karon Covington, who lived at 28th
and Myrtle Street found several pharmacy vials on her lawn belonging to the
tragic victims. St. Augustine High
School gym that day was commandeered by the City as a temporary morgue.
What famed San Diego architect designed the original
St. Augustine High School in 1922 on Nutmeg Street? Answer: Richard Requa, AIA.
Name two North Park movie theatres? Answer:
North Park Theatre and the Ramona Theatre.
The Ramona theatre was located in the current vacate building on the
northwest corner opposite Ray Street along University Ave. Why did the Ramona Theatre close? Answer: In the late 1950s during an evening
intermission a large chandelier style light snapped a cable and fell into the
aisle next to a ten-year-old movie-goer.
It closed soon after as a movie house.
And, I don’t mind telling you that chandelier falling right next to me
scared the bee-jesus out of me! My
parents were given free passes to the next flick. At that time tickets were two adults for 50
cents and kids free. Thanks, a lot!
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