Crown City History

I N C O L L A B O RAT I O N WI T H H OT E L D E L C O RO N A D O & C O RO N A D O H I STO R I CA L A S S O C I AT I O N

Curtiss Flying School’s first students and instructor (above left to right) 2nd Lt. George E. M. Kelly, Army; aviator and instructor Glenn Curtiss; 1st Lt. Paul W. Beck, Army; Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson, Navy; 2nd Lt. John C. Walker, Jr., Army. (Above right) Ellyson behind the wheel.

Curtiss Flying School Lifts Off in 1911

In 1911, Glenn Curtiss established the Curtiss

Flying School on North Island, inviting the military and interested civilians to join him as he tested different models of the newly created airplane. The Navy

PICRYL

ordered Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson to report to the camp to undergo flight training under Curtiss’ instruction.

Curtiss offered an exhibition to the San Diego Aero Club on Jan. 27, 1911, to cultivate more

Harry Harkness purchased three French-built Antoinette monoplanes to jump-start the new San Diego Aero club. This photo was taken by Waldo Waterman just after the arrival of Glenn Curtiss on the North Island and shows two of Harkness’ planes along with several early Curtiss pushers.

interest and investment in flight. He made an entrance from North Island at 200 feet, flew along the beach line and landed in front of the grandstand by the Hotel del Coronado. The following day, 10,000 spectators gathered to witness the demonstration again.

During the show, Ellyson accidentally made his first flight when he tried to move an airplane in front of the audience for exhibition and ended up taking off about 15 feet in the air. At that time, Ellyson had not received any formal flying instructions. The aircraft was damaged slightly upon landing, but Ellyson walked away unscathed.

Curtiss began providing lessons in February 1911 with six students — Ellyson along with three Army officers and two civilians. After a month of training, Ellyson was able to stay in the air for 100 feet. He acquired an aviation pilot’s license and was designated Naval Aviator No. 1.

The San Diego Aero Club staged an exhibition meet at the Polo Grounds on Coronado Island on Jan. 26 and 27, 1911. During the meet, Glenn Curtiss (left) and his aviators dazzled an audience of 10,000 with a series of aerial stunts. (Below) Lt. Theodore Ellyson made his first flight when the block came out from under the throttle and the plane took off by accident.

PICRYL; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

A copy of Lt. Theodore Ellyson’s pilot’s license. He became the Navy’s first official aviator on Jan. 1, 1914.

May 3, 1887

The Coronado Beach Company and Mr. Johnson, owner of the Fallbrook ostrich farm, signed a contract to bring ostriches to Coronado Beach. Johnson moved his ostrich flock onto Block 40 (between 9th and 10th on A Avenue). Numerous chicks were hatched within the first year and the ostriches adapted well to conditions in Coronado. The big birds were a popular tourist attraction.

May 5, 1906

John Spreckels received the first automobile license by the state of California. He paid $2 and was issued license No. 1 for his automobile, a White Steamer.

May 8, 1892

An 80-foot-high chimney was being built just south of the Hotel del Coronado as part of the system that provided electricity to the hotel and Coronado.

LESLIE CRAWFORD COLLECTION

Charles Lindbergh took off from North Island and flew to the East Coast, the first leg of his groundbreaking flight to Paris. After the historic feat, he returned to San Diego in September and was regaled by thousands. A gala in his honor was held at the Hotel del Coronado, which quickly became the social event of the season. May 10, 1927 May 23, 1968 The city’s oldest landmark, the old boathouse, was moved to its present location on the shore of Glorietta Bay. The move was necessitated because the original pilings were disintegrating. At 81 years old – predating the Hotel del Coronado and thought to be a practice model for the hotel – the building was jacked up 4 feet, winched 70 feet toward the shoreline over big rollers, and placed on a new subfloor and foundation built on 40-footdeep pilings. After months of renovation and remodeling, the building was leased to the Chart House restaurant.

Hotel Del Honored with Landmark Designations H otel del Coronado was designated California Historic Landmark

No. 844 on Dec. 17, 1970 and received national historic designation on May 5, 1977. The original building is entirely wood frame construction, built with Oregon pine and redwood. To save time, the hotel was built from simple drawings and drafts. Considering the hotel was built in just a year, it has stood the test of time beautifully.

May 25, 1887

B.L. Muir and Lizzie Barber became the first couple to be married on Coronado in Mrs. E. D. Garrison’s restaurant tent decorated with flowers and evergreens. The Muirs later built the Queen Anne Victorian home still standing at 1022 Park Place.