Archive for May, 2011

23rd May
2011
written by Richard
Palmer & Son created some interest yesterday by driving a house through the streets, mounted on an improvised truck. In about two hours the building was hauled not less than ten blocks. Telegraph and telephone lines along the route were demoralized. –San Diego Union, Sept. 23, 1885
Rarely seen today, house moving became a common sight in San Diego once the Palmers came to town. In the late 19th century, moving a building often made more economic sense than razing the structure and starting over with new materials. In San Diego, the house moving franchise of the Palmer family moved buildings around town for over half a century.

Click here for the story of The House Movers.

16th May
2011
written by Richard

Raid on the Emerald Hills Golf Club.

On Monday morning, July 22, 1935, San Diegans opened their morning newspaper to see a stunning headline: “AGUA CALIENTE PADLOCKED.” The closing of the lavish resort sent shudders across the border. . .

Would illegal gaming now grow in San Diego? Police Chief George Sears assured the public that “the gambling lid was on.” But the “lid” was teetering. . .

Click here for the story of San Diego’s War on Gambling.

9th May
2011
written by Richard

A cartoon linked fluoridation to a Communist conspiracy.

The endorsement was overwhelming. By a five-to one vote on October 25, 1951, the San Diego City Council approved the addition of fluoride to the city water supply. San Diego would soon join hundreds of American communities that treated its water to improve the dental health of its citizens. But for an issue that met little argument at first, fluoridation would soon generate fierce controversy. . .

The story of San Diego’s battle over Fluoridating the Water Supply.

6th May
2011
written by Richard

Chatham Helm

There has been some trouble with Pablo’s band of Indians, in Agua Caliente Township . . . a party of Indians, some 20 or 25 in number, appeared with the purpose of driving off Chatham Helms and other settlers. A house owned by Helms was set on fire and burned, and an Indian, named Francisco, was shot and killed.  –San Diego Union, August 18, 1877.

 The story of Chat Helm and the Indians.