THE LAND that became a camp
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The history of YMCA Camp Surf’s 45 acres is reflective of the history of coastal Southern California. It has changed hands many times, ultimately becoming federal land due to its strategic placement and the influence of wartime security. Several branches of the military have operated on it since that time. 2
SPANISH LAND GRANT Rancho Isla Peninsula de San Diego (Coronado, North Island, and the Silver Strand) was deeded to Pedro and Josefa Carrillo as a wedding gift in 1846. The land was quickly sold for $1,000 in silver. California became a state in 1850 and the land remained a cattle ranch into the late 1800s.
THE SPECULATIVE BOOM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story purchased the same land for $110,000 in 1885 to develop the City of Coronado, including the Hotel Del Coronado. They laid out what was called Coronado Heights at the south end of the Silver Strand. In 1887, they constructed tree-line streets, and hoped Coronado Heights would be as successful as their property development had been on the Island in Coronado. Unfortunately for Babcock and his associates, the land boom turned into a bust in 1888. Coronado Heights remained a vacant tract of tree-lined boulevards until it was purchased by John D. Spreckels, who unsuccessfully tried to sell the land to the State of California for use as a state a park.
10 ||| The Land That Became A Camp
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