This Month in History is a feature in PB Monthly highlighting local happenings from yesteryear. John Fry is a writer, publisher, historian plus co-founder and president of the Pacific Beach Historical Society. He also is the author of “Images of America: Pacific Beach” and “Pacific Beach Through Time.” He can be reached at [email protected].
125 years ago – July 1899
From the San Diego Union: The hotel is again open to the public. It is in charge of the Gregg brothers and their mother, Mrs. Greenwood. The several guests now stopping there unite in praise of the excellent cooking and service under the new management.
The bay is a most popular resort for young and old alike. Almost every afternoon carriages and wagon loads of Beachites repair to this charming locality for bathing and boating.
100 years ago – July 1924
Substantial repairs to Mission Beach’s bridge are made possible by the City Council appropriating $6,000 for that work. The Mission Beach bridge, over the Mission bay inlet, was constructed at great expense by the developers of Mission Beach as a recreation and amusement tract several years ago, and deeded to the city for maintenance.
It is 1,400 feet long. The vehicular drive across it is 24 feet wide, providing for three lanes of traffic. This planked drive has been in worn and splintered condition for many months and an asphalt surface will be greatly appreciated by motorists.
75 years ago – July 1949
Architectural plans for a new Pacific Beach Junior High School have been approved by the City Board of Education. Bids will be called early this fall, if plans are endorsed by the state. Construction is to be completed by the fall of 1950.
The Pacific Beach project has been estimated at $400,000, representing an addition to the present elementary school, which will be converted into the junior high school.
50 years ago – July 1974
While Steve Cairncross was off to camp his sister, Elizabeth, borrowed his new bike, left it on the beach for a few minutes and returned to find it gone. Neighbors saw three boys dump a yellow bike off the Mission Beach jetty. Elizabeth gathered some friends and headed for the jetty but was chased off by a fisherman.
A skin diver brought the bike up out of the water, said he was taking it to the police, but took it home instead. Steve’s mom got involved at this point and marched everyone up to the PB Fire Station, where Cairncross ownership was proved by the bicycle license.
25 years ago – July 1999
“Dr. Beach” — 51-year old Stephen Leatherman — was enjoying Tourmaline Surfing Park, basking in the sun and telling everyone how nice it was to be out of Miami’s sweltering humidity.
The author of “America’s Best Beaches” wasn’t adding Tourmaline to his list, however. Turns out the sand there is sort of brown. Leatherman liked white sand, or — better yet — pink. Also the water was a “little nippy” for visitors from the East.