1900-1910
John D. Spreckels and his brothers gained controlling interest in the Coronado Beach Company which included the Hotel del Coronado. Along with their prior investments, San Diego Street Car Company along with the Coronado Line which became the SD Electric Railway which later converted into electric tracks. The first electric car barn was built on northwest side of Orange Avenue near First Street. Improvements during this decade at the Hotel Del: building an indoor plunge (swimming pool), refurbishing the main floor to create more of an elegant entry, developing a reading room. (Photo of Spreckels with his wife, Lillie Siebein in front of the San Diego Arizona train.).Louis Bandel became Superintendent of Parks. Bandel held that position for many decades and is responsible for much of the landscaping in Coronado. With water being expensive, he arranged for the volunteer fire dept. to have their weekly drill in parks so the water they used would help keep the plants/grass growing. He later transplanted the tree that is now the official city Christmas tree .
The 125th year anniversary of the incorporation of Coronado as a city is an opportunity to learn more about our history as a community. We will post a few interesting moments of the past 125 years along with some interesting historical photographs from the archives of the Coronado Historical Association, the Coronado Public Library, and the Kingston Trio Legacy Project. Thanks to these organizations and to Susan Enowitz, coordinator of this project, along with Mary Beth Dodson.
