Union-Tribune column

written by Richard

“The Way We Were” is a local history column, published weekly in the Union-Tribune between January 2008 and November 2011. Nearly half of the articles listed below were also published in the books The Way We in San Diego and San Diego Yesterday.

PLEASE NOTE: Many of the older articles below have not been linked yet.
147 — SNAKE OIL SALESMAN TARGETED REGION IN THE 19TH CENTURY
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 31, 2011.
146 — SLAYING OF CITY MARSHAL LEFT AN IMPACT IN OCEANSIDE
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 24, 2011.
145 — FIRST REGULAR DAILY AIRLINE SERVICE WAS FROM L.A. TO S.D.
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 10, 2011.
144 — MYSTERY OF SHIPWRECK NEAR SAN DIEGO REMAINS UNSOLVED
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 19, 2011.
143 — LOCAL EFFORT TO MAKE SAN DIEGO DRY WAS ALL WASHED UP
San Diego Union-Tribune, February 24, 2011.
142 — TEXTBOOK AUTHOR WAS ACCUSED OF BEING UN-AMERICAN
San Diego Union-Tribune, February 17, 2011.
141 — CAMP PENDLETON SHINED IN FILM CLASSIC SANDS OF IWO JIMA
San Diego Union-Tribune, February 10, 2011.
140 — THIEF CHECKED OUT VALUABLE PAINTINGS FROM CITY LIBRARY
San Diego Union-Tribune, February 3, 2011.
139 — MAN TRIED TO BLOW UP POPULAR CLERK’S HOUSE.
San Diego Union-Tribune, January 27, 2011.
138 — TRAIL BLAZING WOMAN SET FLYING RECORDS IN SAN DIEGO
San Diego Union-Tribune, January 13, 2011.
137 — WORLD’S GREATEST ESCAPE ARTIST WOWED ‘EM IN SAN DIEGO
San Diego Union-Tribune, January 6, 2011, C2.
136 — LOCAL WATERS WERE THE SITE OF A FILMMAKING EXPLOSION
San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Dec. 23, 2010
135 — RINCON SLAYING CLAIMED LIFE OF RESPECTED BUSINESSMAN
San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Dec 16, 2010. p. CZ.2
134 — SAN DIEGO’S CITY ATTORNEY FOUND CONTROVERSY IN 1930s
San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Dec 9, 2010. p. CZ.2
133 — FORMER SCRIPPS SHIP WAS PUT TO USE AS GERMAN GUNBOAT
San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Dec. 2, 2010. p. CZ.2
132 — BALBOA PARK LILY POND MADE A VITAL WARTIME SACRIFICE
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov. 25, 2010. p. CZ.2
131 — ‘ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS’ WAS SPAWNED NEAR JULIAN
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov. 11, 2010. p. CZ.2
130 — FISHING BARGES OFF SAN DIEGO COAST WERE QUITE A CATCH
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov. 4, 2010. p. CZ.2
129 — HALLOWEEN DURING WAR YEARS LACKED TRICK OR TREATING
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 28, 2010. p. CZ.2
128 — POOR SERVICE AT LOCAL NIGHTCLUB LED TO CHIEF’S DEMISE
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 21, 2010. p. CZ.2
127 — TROUBLED DAM COULDN’T WITHSTAND MYRIAD CHALLENGES
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 14, 2010. p. CZ.2
126 — NAVY SHIP SAN FRANCISCO LEFT ITS HEART IN SAN DIEGO
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 7, 2010. p. CZ.2
125 — AMERICAN LEGION DRINKFEST DURING PROHIBITION DIDN’T GO AS PLANNED
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sept. 30, 2010. p. CZ.2
124 — SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY BEGAN ON A WING AND A PRAYER
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sept. 16, 2010. p. CZ.2.
123 — SPRECKELS YACHT LEASED TO NAVY FOR WWI SERVICE
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sept. 11, 2010. p. NI.8.
122 — FLOATING STADIUM ON MISSION BAY REALLY COULDN’T HOLD WATER
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sept. 2, 2010. p. CZ.2.
121 — 1920s bigotry turned violent in Ocean Beach
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 26, 2010.
120 — 1920s editor’s accusations did hold water
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 14, 2010. p. EZ.1
119 — Aqueduct kept County from running dry
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 7, 2010. p. EZ.1
118 — TB scare gave rise to Rest Haven for at-risk children
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 22, 2010. p. EZ.3
117 — 1888 jailbreak by ‘desperate characters’ captivated town
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 8, 2010. p. CZ.1
116 — Fourth of July crowds a Coronado tradition
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 3, 2010. p. CZ.1
115 — Ostriches were an exotic attraction
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 26, 2010. p. CZ.1
114 — Boarding of British clipper ship sparked ‘outrage’
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 19, 2010. p. CZ.1
113 — Cold War fallout: big boom in building of home shelters
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 12, 2010. p. EZ.1
112 — Americans stranded at border when fence gets fixed
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 5, 2010
111 — S.D. fishermen became WWII’s ‘pork chop express’
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 27, 2010. p. CZ.1
110 — Bombing sparked 1892 labor war
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 20, 2010. p. CZ.1
109 — S.D.’s Central Library camped in Balboa Park
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 13, 2010. p. CZ.1
108 — Riptide swept bathers to their deaths
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 6, 2010. p. CZ.1
107 — 1890 census raised ruckus in S.D.
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 1, 2010. p. CZ.1
106 — Discrimination takes center stage
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 24, 2010. p. CZ.1
105 — Liquor, gun a deadly mix in hands of Russian Mike
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 15, 2010. p. CZ.1
104 — Public art sculptor had soft spot for working with hard materials
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 9, 2010
103 — Entertainer founded Grossmont
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 3, 2010. p. EZ.1
102 — Dulzura gold fever quickly passed
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 27, 2010. p. CZ.1
101 — Cruiser San Diego the ‘unbeatable ship’ of WWII
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 18, 2010. p. CZ.1
100 — Civic pride on the line in Phoenix road race
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 11, 2010. p. CZ.1
99 — In 1926, Mexican rebellion was thwarted near Dulzura
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 4, 2010. p. CZ.1
98 — In 1800s, town came out for the circus
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 25, 2010. p. CZ.1
97 — Riot at sea brought ‘hell ship’ to San Diego Bay
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 18, 2010. p. CZ.1
96 —Thirst for news scoop led to theft of photos in 1908
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 11, 2010. p. CZ.1
95 — New Santa Fe Depot nearly sidetracked
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 30, 2010. p. CZ.1
94 — Zoo director hired, then things got wild
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 23, 2010. p. CZ.1
93 — S.D.’s ‘Information’ Anderson had all the answers for 30 years
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 16, 2010. p. CZ.1
92 — San Diegans lined up to tour Old Ironsides
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 7, 2010. p. CZ.1
91 — Navy brings submarine show to San Diego Bay
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 26, 2009. p. CZ.1
90 — Over 7 days, 7 inches of rain fell in S.D. | 1927 storms cut off county from world
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 17, 2009. p. EZ.1
89 — Gangland ties initially suspected in deadly 1929 heist
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 13, 2009. p. NZ.1
88 — Airship’s 1932 visit to S.D. brought tragedy
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 5, 2009. p. CZ.1
87 — Winemaking icon left a sour taste in San Diego’s mouth
San Diego Union-Tribune, November 28, 2009
86 — Point Loma site of harrowing 1915 automobile race
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov 19, 2009. p. CZ.
85 — Communist protesters were pitted against police in ’33 demonstration
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov 7, 2009. p. CZ.1
84 — Outbreak of World War I sparks a mutiny
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct 31, 2009. p. CZ.1
83 — Wooden-plank road cut through dunes to Yuma
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct 24, 2009. p. CZ.1
82 — S.D. partied hard ahead of start of Prohibition
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct 11, 2009. p. N.1
81 — Hilton’s Chargers left L.A. after whirlwind courtship
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct 1, 2009. p. CZ.1
80 —School board action sparked student strike | Firing of teachers emptied S.D. High
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sep 24, 2009. p. CZ.1
79 — First city sewer an engineering marvel | Waste sent into the bay through 40 miles of pipe
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sep 17, 2009. p. CZ.1
78 — Bookmobiles filled growing void where libraries were in demand | Rolling service operated for nearly a half-century
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sep 10, 2009. p. CZ.1
77 — Early autos drove residents wild with wonder
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 30, 2009. p. N.1
76 — Ruffians’ a challenge for police in 1880s
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 23, 2009. p. N.1
75 — Mayor offered `jazz-cat gamble’ oil scheme
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 16, 2009. p. N.1
74 — Caustic newsman mocked famed evangelist | Herald publisher faced obscenity charge in 1926
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 6, 2009. p. CZ.1
73 — Federal-city ties date to 1846 U.S. flag raising
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 30, 2009. p. CZ.1
72 — Shootout left its mark on the law and police | Death penalty ban, S.D.’s first SWAT team resulted
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 16, 2009. p. CZ.1
71 — Babe Ruth was a very big hit with local fans | Slugger’s exhibitions were full of fun, showmanship
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 9, 2009. p. CZ.1
70 — San Diego mayor’s term short, anything but sweet
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 2, 2009. p. CZ.1
69 —1870s gold strike brought much excitement to S.D.’s backcountry | Rancher discovered the precious metal
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jun 25, 2009. p. CZ.1
68 — For decades, tuna canneries dominated local waterfront
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jun 18, 2009. p. CZ.1
67 — Library provided literary oasis for S.D.
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jun 6, 2009. p. CZ.1
66 — Wooden pipes delivered water to a thirsty city
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 28, 2009. p. CZ.1
65 — Business ledgers not just numbers | Books contained folk remedies, notes
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 23, 2009. p. CZ.1
64 — Fight over rail-track care was a bumpy ride
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 14, 2009. p. CZ.1
63 — Seabiscuit race put Del Mar on the horse racing map
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 2, 2009. p. CZ.1
62 — Balboa Park showpiece reduced to ashes
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 25, 2009. p. CZ.1
61 — Rancher’s 1877 run-in with Indians ended badly
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 23, 2009. p. EZ.1
60 — Westgate Park a major marvel as home for minor-league Padres
San Diego Union-Tribune., Apr 9, 2009. p. CZ.1
59 — Whaling was once a prosperous business in San Diego
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 2, 2009. p. CZ.1
58 — Accidental fire proved fatal for prisoners
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 4, 2009. p. SZ.2
57 — Pioneering pilot proved to Navy that sea could be used as runway
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 19, 2009. p. CZ.1
56 — Engineer found humorous side of San Diego
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 12, 2009. p. CZ.1
55 — River crossing perilous for some
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 21, 2009. p. CZ.1
54 — Anthony Home housed young offenders: Unruly behavior common at Mission Valley facility
San Diego Union-Tribune, February 14, 2009
53 — Whaling ship mastered reinvention | Vessel had many roles before its local demise
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 15, 2009. p. CZ.1
52 — Early chain gangs more like prisoner `picnics’ | `Nominal’ requirements, free food in late 1880s
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 10, 2009. p. CZ.1
51 — Icicles formed, milk froze in cold snap | Temperatures fell into 20s in Big Freeze of 1913
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 1, 2009. p. CZ.1
50 — May Co. paved the way for shopping in Mission Valley
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 20, 2008. p. SZ.3
49 — Library Commission stood up to effort to ban `Last Temptation’
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 18, 2008. p. CZ.1
48 — `Toy libraries’ brought joy to Depression-era children
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec 6, 2008. p. CZ.1
47 — San Diego took garbage problem offshore | Trash dumped at sea, but not without complications
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov 29, 2008. p. CZ.1
46 — Thanksgiving got a late start with westward migration
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov 27, 2008. p. CZ.1
45 — White snails laid siege to La Jolla in 1922
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov 15, 2008. p. CZ.3
44 —1918 Spanish flu epidemic held San Diego in its grip
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov 13, 2008. p. EZ.3
43 — Mission Gorge nearly got a San Diego River dam
San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov 1, 2008. p. CZ.1
42 — Julian’s association with apples began in 1870s
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct 25, 2008. p. CZ.5
41. — Riding the streetcar rails was the way to go in San Diego
San Diego Union-Tribune., Oct 18, 2008. p. CZ.3
40. — Whistling, singing greeted debut of telephone in San Diego
San Diego Union-Tribune., Oct 11, 2008. p. CZ.2
39. — Palmers prospered by moving houses and buildings in S.D.
San Diego Union-Tribune., Sep 27, 2008. p. SZ.3
38. — Civil engineer carved a legacy with water during varied career
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sep 25, 2008. p. CZ.3
37 —Colorful saloonkeeper was known for his menagerie
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sep 14, 2008. p. N.2
36 — Forty-niner’s diary a window into San Diego history: Journal a valued Gold Rush account
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 30, 2008. p. CZ.3
35 — Eucalyptuses have long roots in state history
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 23, 2008. p. CZ.2
34 — San Diego was flagship cruiser of Pacific Fleet
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 23, 2008. p. SZ.3
33 — Judge declared election void, but mayor persevered
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 9, 2008. p. CZ.3
32 — Imported illegality poured in during Prohibition
San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 2, 2008. p. CZ.3
31 — It took a lot of maneuvering to get Cabrillo statue to S.D.
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 26, 2008. p. CZ.3
30 — Bookkeeper’s diary gives early look at city
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 19, 2008. p. CZ.2
29 — ’60 melee spurred creation of raceways
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 12, 2008. p. CZ.5
28 — Town roiled by 1891 slaying of sailor on liberty
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jul 5, 2008. p. CZ.3
27 — 1913 Standard Oil blaze tested fire crews
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jun 28, 2008. p. CZ.5
26 — Twin steamship liners anchored luxurious travel wave
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jun 14, 2008. p. CZ.3
25 — Advent of arc lamps helped San Diego light up the night
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jun 7, 2008. p. CZ.3
24 — Gambler turned philanthropist left mark on San Ysidro [SOUTH Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 5, 2008. p. S3
23 — Before malls, cows ruled Mission Valley
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 31, 2008. p. CZ.4
22 — First library building quickly outgrew its space
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 24, 2008. p. CZ.3
21 — Balboa Park’s Cabrillo Bridge began as a pedestrian span
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 17, 2008. pg. C3
20 — Ocean Beach had its own amusement park long ago
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 10, 2008. pg. CZ.3
19 — Chula Vista kelp factory helped win World War I
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 3, 2008. p. SZ.3
18 — Horton hotel was centerpiece of city
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 3, 2008. p. CZ.4
17 — Ryan Airlines gave Lindbergh wings
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 26, 2008. p. CZ.4
16 — Pioneer parachute maker dropped in at right time
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 19, 2008. p. CZ.3
15 — Watch factory in Otay never quite lived up to billing [SOUTH Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 12, 2008. p. SZ.3
14 — William Heath Davis, forgotten pioneer of San Diego
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 12, 2008. p. CZ.4
13 —Sporting goods tycoon left mark on city
San Diego Union-Tribune, Apr 5, 2008. p. CZ.3
12 — Public baths were once all the rage
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 29, 2008. p. CZ.3
11 — Suspension of bank shook 1890s San Diego
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 22, 2008. p. CZ.3
10 — In 1888, Sweetwater Dam hailed as engineering marvel [SOUTH Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 15, 2008. p. SZ.3
9 — Publisher put heart into S.D.’s first newspaper [CITY Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 15, 2008. p. CZ.3
8 — S.D. made ready for Spanish invaders :[CITY Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar 1, 2008. p. CZ.3
7 — S.D.’s population skyrocketed in 1880s boom :[CITY Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 23, 2008. p. CZ.3
6 — Airship went over like a lead balloon :[CITY Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 16, 2008. p. CZ.3
5 — `Best harbor on the coast’ thrilled writer :[CITY Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 9, 2008. p. CZ.3
4 — Cops put kibosh on S.D.’s red-light Stingaree :[CITY Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb 2, 2008. p. CZ.3
3 — Rafts of timber floated to booming San Diego :[CITY Edition]
San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan 26, 2008. p. CZ.3
2 — Long before football trophies, New England vied here for furs
San Diego Union-Tribune, January 19, 2008.
1 —1916: The year a rainmaker says he ended city’s drought
San Diego Union-Tribune, January 10, 2008.