LOOKING BACK

LESLIE CRAWFORD COLLECTION PHOTOS The toll plaza on the newly opened San Diego-Coronado Bridge in 1969.

THIS MONTH IN CORONADO HISTORY

Aug. 1, 1887

The Coronado Beach Co. deeded land between 6th and 7th streets and E and F avenues to the Coronado School District after a bond for $40,000 was passed unanimously by the eight legal voters in a bond election.

Aug. 2, 1969

Gov. Ronald Reagan and San Diego Mayor Frank Curran dedicated the 2-mile-long San Diego-Coronado Bridge. At 12:01 a.m. the following day, the San Diego-Coronado Bridge officially opened, ending the Coronado Ferry’s 83-year operation.

Aug. 7, 1962

The First Methodist Church on the corner of Seventh Street and D Avenue, designed by architect Joseph Falkenham, was demolished to make way for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, which stands on the site today.

Aug. 7, 2003

The aircraft carrier, USS Constellation (CVA/CV-64), was decommissioned during a ceremony at North Island Naval Air Station where it had been home ported since 1962. Dubbed “America’s Flagship” by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, the “Connie” served 41 years, 9 months and 11 days through multiple overhauls and 21 deployments. During the ship’s service, 436,000 “traps,” or aircraft landings, had been performed on the deck and nearly 120,000 sailors and Marines had worked on board.

Aug. 8, 1970

The new $4.5 million Coronado Hospital was dedicated. On hand for the ceremony was Frances Winzer from La Jolla. Her daughter, Frances G.

Harpst of Coronado, convinced her mother to donate half the construction cost so the hospital was able to open free of debt.

Aug. 11, 1950

Liberace, who was performing at the Hotel del Coronado, was discovered by TV producer Don Fedderson. The Liberace Show started its 17-year run in 1952.

Aug. 12, 2006

The Coronado City Council voted unanimously to ban smoking at the beach, in parks and on public property surrounding school grounds.

Aug. 15, 1963

Naval Air Station North Island was granted official recognition as the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation” by a resolution of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.

Liberace performing in 1955.

WIKIMEDIA

Aug. 18, 1915

Tent City News reported that Tent City Day at the California Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park was celebrated by a large turnout, effectively emptying Tent City for the day. The Coronado Tent City Band was a main attraction, giving concerts all afternoon. The band also played for the evening dance under the stars. Tent City patrons asked the officers of the Exposition if they could wear their swimsuits to the ball because they were accustomed to wearing their gear all day at Tent City. The answer: “We don’t care what they wear as long as they come.”

Aug. 18, 1923

The San Diego Yacht Club formally opened its new and permanent home on Glorietta Bay. The club flag was raised by John D. Spreckels, one of the organization’s original members.

Aug. 23, 1887

The San Diego Union reported that the contract for shingling the Hotel del Coronado was awarded to William Cooper. It was estimated that 2 million shingles were needed for the roofs and sides of the buildings.

August 27, 1892

The Coronado Evening Mercury reported that school would begin the following Monday, the ostriches at Coronado Beach were plucked on Wednesday and that this was the last issue of the Mercury, Coronado’s first newspaper. The local news would live on through a new publication, Seaport News. ■