Balboa Park

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Tip of the Week: January 17, 2009

"Between these twin efforts--public works and industrial re-employment -- it is not too much to expect that a great many men and women can be taken from the ranks of the unemployed before winter comes. It is the most important attempt of this kind in history.

As in the great crisis of the World War, it puts a whole people to the simple but vital test: "Must we go on in many groping, disorganized, separate units to defeat or shall we move as one great team to victory?"

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Statement on the National Industrial Recovery Act - June 16, 1933

If last week's "Tip" was about inspiration in the New Year, then

this week the theme is committing to rebuilding America.

We're inundated. On the news, in the papers, in our communities,

families and homes - the news of economic stress is on the tip of

every pen and every tongue.

There's a lot of talk about economic stimulus packages. Just like

Franklin Delano Roosevelt seventy-seven years before him, Barack

Obama, as we all know must put Americans back to work, get money

flowing through the economy and get this country into an economic

recovery mode.

Like Roosevelt, Obama plans to jolt this country back to a stronger

heartbeat with public works projects that put folks back to work,

back to spending money, back to the core values of America. If

Americans work hard, economic prosperity follows.

The Works Progress Adminstration (WPA) sought to put the people

back to work providing social and cultural benefit to their

communities.

We were curious. We were curious to know what the Works Progress

Administration did in San Diego to put over 16,000 men and women

back to work and help the 4,000 families that were forced to accept

relief support back in the early 1930's.

If curiosity doesn't kill the cat, it surely will create a

scavenger hunt. We've got one for you.

San Diego benefited by the WPA with some beautiful construction and

art projects scattered all around the region. Some of the

structures built by the WPA, the likes of which will never be built

again, remain a part of our community often taken for granted for

why they were built and what they stand for today. They are still

some of San Diego's most beloved structures.

We'll never see buildings like those built in the 1930's. It will

be hard to get excited about paving more of paradise for hybrid

highways, but things have changed. History is back again and

with it is the opportunity to remember our history, appreciate the

men and women who, with heart and grit, brought this country back

to the future.

Take the scavenger hunt challenge and take a look at these

structures, murals, and sculptures. You don't have to check off the

whole list in one day. Take your time, appreciate the workmanship

and pride that went into all of these projects.

America has been in tough times before. America with the physical

and emotional strength of her people will come back again from the

tough times we're facing in 2009.

We can pay homage and have fun in the process!

Here's the list of WPA projects (buildings and art) in San Diego County:

Del Mar Fairgrounds - Buildings

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

TIP: The Del Mar race track was the only WPA built race-track. Why? Horse racing would be an economic boost. It was one of the most expensive WPA projects in San Diego County.

Oceanside Bandshell - Structure

Oceanside Municipal Pier

La Jolla Post Office - Building & Mural

1140 Wall St., La Jolla

Mural: "Scenic View of the Village" by Belle Baranceanu

San Diego Adobe Chapel - Building

4002 Wallace St., San Diego

TIP: This chapel actually was built as a house in 1850 and later became a chapel in 1858. With the WPA, in 1937, the chapel was brought down and rebuilt on neighboring site. Original parts of the structure including the tabernacle, altar, woodwork, pews, confessional and doors were incorporated into the rebuilt chapel. The new bricks for the chapel were made by the hands of the WPA workers.

Balboa Park - Buildings, Sculptures, Mural

Buildings

San Diego Hall of Champions

House of Hospitality

Old Globe Theatre

Balboa Park Club

Starlight Bowl

Sculptures:

"Four Cornerstones of American Democracy" by Frederick Schweigardt - Balboa Park Club

"Woman of Tehuantepec" by Donal Hord- House of Hospitality

Mural

"Progress of Man" by Belle Baranceanu - Balboa Park Club

San Diego Zoo Reptile House - Building

2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego

Pepper Grove Playground - Picnic tables and benches

2004 Park Blvd., San Diego

Presidio Park - various work projects

2811 Jackson St, San Diego

TIP:The WPA constructed a lookout on the western edge, paved roads, created the rock gutters, built trails, installed the flagstaff, sprinkling system, drainage, and landscaping. Thank them for the restrooms, too.

Calvary Cemetery - Mission Hills (currently Pioneer Park)

1501 Washington Pl., San Diego

San Diego Post Office - Building & Mural

815 E St., San Diego

Mural: "The Transportation of the Mail"

TIP: Mural can be scene on exterior of building just above windows.

San Diego County Administration Center - Building & Sculpture

(Richard Requa-architect)

1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego

Sculpture: "Guardian of Water" sculpture fountain by Donal Hord can be found near the Harbor Drive entrance.

Coronado High School - Mural

650 D Ave., San Diego

Mural: "The Legend of California" 7-panel relief

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - various work projects

12551 Highway 79, San Diego

Fire Station and Ranger Station

Green Valley Campground

Paso Picacho Campground

Girl Scout and Boy Scout Camps

Palomar Mountain- roads

Roads leading to Palomar Mountain.

San Diego State University- various work projects

5500 Campanile, San Diego

Buildings:

Open Air Theatre

Physical Plant Boiler Shop

Hardy Memorial Tower murals

Park benches

San Diego State classroom buildings

San Diego State ground improvements

Aztec Bowl

TIP: The WPA contributed $217K toward the Aztec Bowl project. The Aztec Bowl sat 10,000 people. It was dedicated October 3, 1936.

Sculpture: "Aztec" at Prospective Student Center

Donal Hord's Aztec Statue nicknamed "Montezuma"

Murals: Hardy Tower (now in Love Library)

"NRA Packages"

"San Diego Industry"

TIP: SDSU had two WPA commissioned murals. Both were located in the Hardy Memorial Tower. Years later, in 2004, they were discovered by students. Though some damage had been done, you can see the restored artwork in the Love Library.