With so many books on San Diego and Coronado history around, it’s amazing there are still stories to be told. One woman’s passion for our history, however, has led to a fresh new book, “Officers’ Row 1904,” based on a true story that captures a bygone era of Army glory in Coronado and Point Loma.
The Army’s presence is a little known chapter in our mostly dominant Naval history, yet crucial to the development of early Point Loma, San Diego and Coronado. Before the Navy there was the Army, both on North Island and at Fort Rosecrans.
“Officers’ Row 1904” is historical fiction based on research unearthed by Navy wife and historian Mary Ellen Cortellini while living in those historic quarters. It’s a smart-looking and quick reading book that brings to life many forgotten pieces of our past, while adding personalities and personal interaction based on written accounts of the time.
The text weaves in and out of early Coronado, taking readers on descriptive visits to Tent City, lavish military balls at the Hotel del Coronado, and fireworks displays over Glorietta Bay. It’s a book that adds missing pieces of the history puzzle that anyone with an interest in our past will want to have on their shelf.
In addition to providing a worthy glimpse into this region a century ago, it brings the reader back in time to 1904 and the former post of Fort Rosecrans, where houses, barracks, a hospital and even a bakery were constructed to create a small garrison on Point Loma in the name of seacoast defense (at that time it was home to the Army’s Coast Artillery Corps).
The book also relives the tragic explosion of the USS Bennington that took the lives of 65 men another major piece of our history that has all but been forgotten over time. The late Joe Jessop recalled as a boy of seven standing on the sand near where The Landing resides today. “The explosion from the Bennington was so strong it literally knocked me off my feet,” said Jessop. “It was a real tragedy.”
The explosion took place on July 21, 1905 in San Diego Bay. It remains one of the most terrible peacetime military disasters of all time. The burial of those unfortunate sailors took place on top of Point Loma, in a small graveyard mostly populated by those who fell at the battle of San Pasqual in 1846.
For a time it was known as the Bennington National Cemetery. It is now Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Today a small park in Coronado bears the name of one of the 11 Medal of Honor recipients from the Bennington disaster William Cronan Park, located at Pomona Avenue and Sixth Street.
Cortellini found herself sitting on the front porch of her new home, at Officers’ Row, a century later, looking out across San Diego Bay. “Who built these beautiful old homes,” she began to ask herself. “Who lived here long ago? What stories would they tell? I wanted to know ”
The book gives a fine look at the architectural splendor of these simple but historic Army-built homes and buildings captured in photographs then and now as well as floor plans of the structures. Today they are home to senior-level Naval officers and their families.
Cortellini explores the wrap around front porches, the ornate pressed-tin ceilings, secret staircases and even built-in sideboards in describing architectural elements of Officers’ Row.
The author contributed to an exhibit at the Coronado Public Library last year based on her research for “Officers’ Row 1904” and Fort Rosecrans as well as other works in progress. Her peers regard her as a first class historian. “This is an important part of San Diego history,” said Candice Hooper, who worked with the author in building the exhibit at Coronado Public Library.
“Officers’ Row 1904” is 84 pages and printed on oversized coated stock with soft cover. Merriam Press, a company known for military titles since 1988, publishes the book. It sells for $34.95, and is available at www.merriam-press.com.
The book is dedicated to three “Fort Rosecrans” soldiers of the 710th Ordnance Company killed in Afghanistan post 9/11. Proceeds from book sales will benefit families of fallen EOD personnel from all branches of service.
“Officers’ Row 1904” is a new book of coffee table quality and based
on the history of our region a century ago.
This view from Tent City looks north towards Point Loma and Fort Rosecrans.
Much of the book “Officers’ Row 1904” relates to early Coronado.
Photo courtesy San Diego History Center.
The officers and crew of the USS Bennington prior to the maritime disaster
that took place on San Diego Bay in 1905 while anchored just off Coronado.
Photo courtesy Naval History & Heritage Command.
This early scene captures a new Fort Rosecrans, with fresh paint and smoke
coming from the chimneys. Most of these structures exist today.
Photo courtey the Colonel George Ruhlen Collection.
San Diego’s original Santa Fe Train Depot prior to 1915.
Photo courtesy Coronado Public Library.
Coronado’s Tent City in the early days. Land is still being groomed.
The Salt Water Plunge can be seen in the foreground.
In the bottom left corner is the old Livery Stable and Hotel del Coronado Laundry,
which serviced all of Coronado in addition to the Hotel Del and Tent City.
Photo courtesy San Diego History Center.
