"San Diego’s City Park, 1868-1902, An Early Debate on Environment and Profit," by Gregory E. Montes (October 15, 1976).

INTRODUCTION: The history of City Park in 1868-1902 has fascinating and amusing moments but above all it is sobering to think that the entire 1400-acre park was generally preserved in the late 19^th century, heyday of shady land deals, whereas, in the presumably more enlightened 20^th century, 322 acres of the park have been deeded or leased to freeways (109.2 acres), a burgeoning naval hospital (92.6 acres) and other incompatible uses.

CONCLUSION: The history of City Park in 1868-1902 has presented the major figures, issues, and possible motives related to the founding, attempted reductions, actual and proposed motives and tenacious preservation of the 1400-acre tract. Despite rife land speculation in San Diego, City Park remained intact until 1902, mainly due to the efforts of relatively few, although well-placed people who appreciated the unique, mild climate, diverse vegetation and dramatic scenery of San Diego. They had migrated to enjoy these assets and not just to get rich. These individuals faltered at times and allowed some park incursions which later bode ill for it, but generally they stoutly defended City Park and retained their vision of what it could and must become someday for inevitable, growing urban needs. The City Park advocates learned and convinced others, especially from the example of New York’s Central Park, that a large, well-designed public park could improve not only the health and spirits of all classes of city residents but also the local tourism, settlement, tax base and economic growth. But beyond that the City Park champions who got their fill of economic realism in their daily work, prized a large park for providing near the hectic town, quietude, chances to reflect, romance, vast views of distant scenery, and close observation of colorful, native wildflowers.

History of San Diego, by H. C. Hopkins, City Printing Company, San Diego, 1929, pp. 319-328.

February 13, 1868. Isabella Carruthers purchased 40 acres for $175.00 at the southwest corner of what otherwise would have been a square park of 1440 acres.

February 15, 1868. First park resolution stating that the present park board (E. W. Morse, Thomas H. Bush, J. H. Mannasse) reserve two of the 160 acres of city land for the purpose of securing a suitable park.

April 29, 1868. New board took office (Marcus Schiller, Jose G. Estudillo, Joshua Sloane).

May 26, 1868. Moved and seconded by Board of Trustees that Lots (by number) "be for a park."

"Byways of Old City Park," by Herbert G. Hensley, San Diego Historical Society Quarterly. Vol. 1, No. 3, July 1955, pp. 35-36.

The isolation camp for plague-ridden persons lay across the divide over which Pershing Drive now passes, in that branch-canyon up which the old Park Belt Line Railway ran for a brief while. . . . Another spot in the park was the cave-dwelling of Professor LeBatt.

Balboa Park --- in those days called City Park --- was a waste of canyon and mesa, when our family moved to town in 1882. It was not entirely unused, although nothing had been done toward its improvement for public recreation: there were two powder-houses, which were off and on, the cause of worry and near-tragedy, and the City Pound was located in the canyon more recently named Cabrillo. In the early nineties, the militia companies had their target ranges there.

Another institution in the park, which may have been thought to be sufficiently distant from town, was the so-called "pest house." This was the isolation camp for any plague-ridden persons, and it lay across the divide over which Pershing Drive now passes, in that branch-canyon up which the old Park Belt Line Railway ran for a brief while. The site was where the little, farm-like clump of houses can be seen now, in the bottom of the canyon, just east of the 30^th street bridge; and I rather think that one of those small buildings is part of the original isolation camp.

The place was mostly unoccupied, but during the smallpox scare of 1887 it harbored several cases of that disease, and the town had equipped and furnished it generously in apprehension of possibly more of them. There were sixteen beds, supplied with good mattresses and blankets, chairs, tables, two stoves with cooking utensils, besides picks and shovels and sundry other tools.

During the following years of its vacancy nothing appears to have been removed by the town, and the place was left entirely unguarded. It lay so far beyond the built-up part of town that scarcely anybody ever passed within sight of it.

However, late in 1892, John Palmer, who had been its last keeper, having business in that direction, was moved to go over and take a look at it. He discovered that some very enterprising person had established himself there, evidently for a protracted period, and engaged in bee keeping. Palmer found many hives stacked in the main house, together with great numbers of empty combs from which the honey had been extracted. But every article of furniture, including stoves and bedsteads, had been carried off. And they were never recovered.

When this news got about, many people who had a liking for honey were worried. No doubt the bee keeper had sold his produce right in town and some of that honey might have dated from only shortly after the last smallpox patients checked out of the place --- alive or dead. Apparently, however, nobody took any harm thereby; nor, I believe, was the identity of the enterprising apiarist ever learned.

Incidentally, so concerned were people with the dangers of the "plague" that one citizen gave the following advice in his "letter to the editor" of the Sun: "Every person who has anything to do with smallpox patients should have a distinctive mark about him --- say a yellow band around his hat --- or something of this kind should be worn, thus advising the unwary that the wearer has been in contact with the disease."

Another spot in the city park, not so well known then and scarcely to be located now, was the cave-dwelling of Professor LeBatt. This unfortunate man, though said to have been highly talented, apparently was brought to the pass of living in a hole in the hillside, almost hidden by huge sumac bushes, through a strange inability to profit financially from his gifts or to make a fair living in other ways. At least, that was the general understanding. He was, people said, a pianist of brilliant parts; he gave at least one concert at Horton Hall, and for a time he tried to teach. He made one trip somewhere up north but soon returned to his cave, and he finally committed suicide there in the canyon.

San Diego Weekly Union, November 4, 1869, 2:3. Our Public Park, anonymous letter . . . The time was before the days of free schools, steam and telegraphs, when the dwellers in cities thought only of their narrow streets, gloomy buildings, their trades and occupations: when each one was concerned only for himself, and sought only his own interest or happiness. But happily the world has grown wiser since then, and men have learned that great public improvements concern and benefit every individual, just as much as they do the community to which he belongs. A park in which men may go and breathe the pure air, look upon the sky unobscured by smoke, and see grass and trees and shrubbery, undulations of surface combining to form an exquisite landscape, and hear the song of the birds, is the property of everyone who enters or possesses the privilege of entering it, and is maintained for his comfort and happiness. This is now so well understood that every considerable city in Europe and the United States, with the exception of San Francisco, has its vast tract of land reserved and beautified as a park.

If San Diego is to become an important city, as seems now generally to be her destiny, we, like other cities, must have our public parks. Fortunately, 1480 acres of land upon the Mesa have been reserved for this purpose. The land has cost us nothing. The tract selected is admirably adapted to the purpose, being diversified by plain, valley, gorge and ravine, and which can be so modified and improved by art as to present a scenery, the most diverse, grand and beautiful.

Yet, strange to say, dishonest adventurers, under various pretexts, are attempting to have the Park Reservation wholly alienated or so reduced as to be comparatively valueless. The commonest plea alleged for this is the great size of the Reservation. So far from being too large, our park is almost too small, as a glance at other parks will show. The Philadelphia park contains 2200 acres; that at Chicago over 2080 acres; Central Park, New York, over 800, and the people are anxious to have it enlarged. Prospect Park, Brooklyn, is to be much larger; London Parks contain from 500 to 1200 acres each. The Bois de Boulogne at Paris contains over 2000 acres. San Francisco squandered its 8000 acres of land and is today without a park or the means to purchase one.

Let us all take an interest in this matter, and assist in preserving for ourselves and our children, this Park Reservation. Let us by our private sympathy, conversation and influence, and by our public action resist to the bitter end all bad men who seek to take this away from us. With this park we have a perpetual source of pride and satisfaction, without it, of shame and bitter unavailing regrets.

San Diego Union, June 23, 1870, 2:3. EDITORIAL - An Artesian Well: A good water supply is the most urgent necessity of San Diego. At present our citizens depend upon the bed of the San Diego River, in Old Town, and a very few good wells in New Town; but the tax is heavy upon ninety-nine one-hundredths of the people, who have to pay the water-carrier for a scanty supply.

The remedy lies in artesian well boring. One good artesian well, with a proper reservoir, would afford an ample supply for this city for four thousand inhabitants, and would besides furnish a fair surplus for irrigation in gardens. The results obtained from the experiment of artesian well boring in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties fully sustains our position.

A singular fact connected with ordinary well sinking in this city is that while some wells contain pure, sweet water, others afford nothing but that which is muddy, brackish and unfit for even washing purposes. This is to be accounted for by the peculiar formation of this portion of the coast, consisting of alternate strata of sand and shells; first the wash of sand and then that of shell. These statra are not one upon another, but the lines of demarcation are perpendicular. Now where a well penetrates the same formation the result is pure water; where the layer of shells is encountered the water is bad, being impregnated with the salt and alkali of that formation.

But an artesian well sunk down through this shell formation to a proper depth would reach pure water. And our citizens should take a step in this direction. As it is beyond the means of any single individual, a plan should be devised whereby a company might be induced to undertake the work.

All know that we have laid off adjacent to town, a large tract as a Public Park. Nothing has yet been done towards its improvement; but with the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad this Park will become central, and will prove valuable as a place of recreation and pleasure to our people. With the present dry season nothing can be done in the way of cultivation there, and seasons of drought may affect us hereafter as heretofore. How important, then, that all the artificial means in our power be employed to aid in the improvement of the city’s "breathing place."

We suggest, then, that a movement of this kind be initiated. The Public Park has an altitude of an hundred feet or more above the city. Why cannot the city donate forty acres of this land to a responsible company of citizens, on condition that they bore a well, make it a success, and forever furnish to the city free of charge all the water necessary for public purposes --- and especially the park. Then this company can easily lay water pipe from the well and its reservoir to the city and all can be accommodated with a cheap and abundant supply of water. It is true that the Legislature must grant the authority to the City Trustees ere the work can be completed, and this action will be a wholesome check on any attempt at swindle or corruption. If the city builds to the extent we have reason to contemplate, then, of course, a water company of greater magnitude can operate. But we look to a present need; to actual work; and not to the sufficiency of a franchise as a matter of speculation.

We are not the advocates of the gratuitous giving away of city lands; but it seems to us this is practical, necessary and wise. Let something be done.

San Diego Union, June 30, 1870, 2:1. EDITORIAL: The Park of San Diego . . . One of the wisest things ever done by the city was the setting aside of fourteen hundred and forty acres for a public park. Owing to the want of such foresight the citizens of other places have been obliged, either to dispense with these luxuries, or to look for them to very precarious sources. The citizens of Chester, England, have received such a gift from the Marquis of Westminster; but he is the richest man in England, and few towns boast of such liberality in their citizens. The Grand Jury of San Francisco has proposed that space for a park be asked of the United States Government; but the Government is not an owner in the vicinity of every city, and, besides, is likely to hold on to her own where she is. In Chicago, land for a park has been taken up by a company; but even where such companies can find suitable tracts, it is better that public parks should belong to cities themselves. The wisdom of our officials in the Park reservation should be recognized by every citizen.

In favor of a large Park in the vicinity of San Diego, we have, at the outset, the usual arguments which are pressed elsewhere. Both health and pleasure are promoted by having near any seaport city, a broad tract, untainted by chimnies [sic] and other appurtenances of residence, and traced with roads and paths for pleasant walks and drives. But, in favor of a Park reservation near San Diego, we have arguments more special in their character. A Park becomes in time a botanical garden; and we are here so happily situated as regards climate --- occupying a middle position between the tropical and temperate belts --- that a botanical garden would embrace within its limits a variety scarcely to be found growing outdoors in any other part of the world. So, too, with animal life. The Central Park, New York, is becoming also a zoological garden. But the preservation of animals is expensive, owing to the need of artificial heat in the care of those from the tropics. Almost any animal can live the year round in the open air in San Diego. Indeed, we look forward to the time when not the least of the attractions of this place, will be its magnificent Park, with its unwonted wealth of vegetable and animal life.

San Diego Weekly Union, July 13, 1871, 3:1. The Artesian Water Experiment . . . Mr. O. P. Calloway was busily engaged yesterday in connection with the City Trustees in selecting a spot for boring an artesian well. The place selected is on the City Park Reservation, near the end of 11^th street. The altitude of the point selected was found to be 94-1/2 feet above the level of the sea. The machine, which arrived on the steamer Wm. Taber, will be moved to the ground today, and will be put into place at once. As we have stated, heretofore, the drill is of the most improved kind, being Severance and Holt’s famous Diamond Drill. The drill will be driven by a fine 20-horsepower engine. The experimental boring will be three inches in diameter, but should flowing water be obtained, the diameter can be enlarged to any extent desired. A daily record of the geological formation encountered will be preserved.

San Diego Union, August 31, 1871, 2:1. EDITORIAL: The Park

We had almost forgotten to note one point in the "People’s" Confiscating Address. We refer to their denouncement of a supposed plan to divide up the City Park Reservation. We endorse their declaration that the Park must be preserved --- whether they are in earnest or not --- but we very much suspect that all this noise about the Park is only the cry of "stop thief: to cover a flank movement in that very direction. But, we say most emphatically, that any scheme to cut down the Park, come from what quarter it may, has out unyielding and determined opposition. We believe that magnificent piece of ground should be sacredly protected for the purpose to which it has been dedicated and the man or men who would attempt to touch it should be consigned to political oblivion. Let the Park Reservation stand.

San Diego Union, August 31, 1871, 3:4. Charge made at People’s Nominating Convention, which nominated a ticket of county officers, that 1400 acres set aside for park use are to be handed over to members of the "Ring," of whom C. P. Taggart is one. . . . Excerpts from the address of the nominating convention to the voters of San Diego County.

The motives which prompted that actions of the "People’s Nominating Convention," and which should influence the votes of all those who are in favor or pure principles, pure men and good government. The coming election is in consequence of the general dissatisfaction expressed by all the best citizens of San Diego with the majority of the nominees of the so-called Democratic and Republican conventions, and the corrupt manner in which both of said conventions were packed by the lavish expenditure of large sums of money and the promise of tidelands for the purpose of foisting upon the people of this county dangerous and bad men in order than an unscrupulous Ring of public marauders could successfully carry out their schemes of public plunder to enrich themselves at the expense of the people, by securing the election of an Senator and an Assemblyman to represent this county in the next Legislature committed and pledged to their program, which are as follows:

First. The passage of a bill relinquishing the State’s ownership of the overflowed tide and marsh lands within the County of San Diego, and the ratification of all the acts of the present Board of City Trustees, thereby giving to C. P. Taggart & Co. all of the land extending from National City to the southern boundary of San Diego, nearly five miles of city front, and the remainder to other members of the Ring.

Second. The repealing of the law which reserves and sets aside 1400 acres of the Pueblo lands for a Public Park in order that it may quietly be deeded to the Ring.

Third. To oppose the extension of any line for the commencement and completion of the San Diego & Los Angeles Railroad, so that the lands owned by that popular and much needed highway may revert to the City, giving to the Ring immediate possession and ownership of said lands, they already having obtained deeds from the City Trustees to all of the aforesaid valuable property.

Fourth. To continue squandering the public funds, as they have for the past twenty years, consuming all the money paid into the public treasury, and piling up an enormous debt of over one hundred thousand dollars, taken together with that consumed by the political paupers that have foisted upon the body politic of this county for the last decade, amounts in the aggregate to the gigantic sum of over one million dollars! These are grave and astounding facts that cannot be truthfully be denied. We ask in all candor and fairness, what has become of this immense sum of public money, of which they have been the custodians? What have they done with our money, and what have the people to show for this vast profligate expenditure of the public treasure? Can they point us to one single public building? Have they constructed a solitary road? Can they direct us to a sown lot or an acre of land purchased by them for the people? Have we a graded street or a public sewer? And do we own one dollar’s worth of public property anywhere in the county? Yet these men with the audacity of successful highwaymen, after having thus recklessly and fraudulently squandered the public money, and having recently, in collusion with their itinerant converts, secured the control of both political conventions, by the corrupting influence of money, have the impudence and bold effrontery to offer for our suffrages their two tickets, one they call Democrat, and the other Republican? They care not which you support, having made both, either will suit them; therefore in the election of either ticket the Ring will have triumphed. In view of the foregoing alarming and startling facts, and the action of the last Legislature in granting to the Board of Supervisors power to aid in the construction of railroads by giving subsidies equal to the value of five percent of the value of all taxable property; also giving power to a few to set in motion various non-elective commissions which with their numerous adjuncts will require increased taxation and expense that will enable bad men in office to harass our people, confiscate their property, and destroy their homes without compensation.

And the same Legislature, through the influence of the Ring, by special enactment conferred upon one of their leaders, two additional offices, giving him the power to appoint nine officers, and this same infamous bill authorized the Board of Trustees, of which this leader was and is now a member and the controlling influence, power to contract and pay their attorney an unlimited amount of money for services that had been performed by another. . . . .

Proposals: Tidelands belong to the State and cannot be sold or given away by city officials.

Marsh, submerged and overflowed lands should be protected from land grabbers.

The Romance of Balboa Park, by Florence Christman, San Diego Historical Society, 1985, pp. 14-15.

In 1871 there had been a conspiracy to repeal the legislation which upheld the park dedication of May 26, 1868. Some city officials and others were involved. They proposed to rush through the legislature a bill to rescind the Act of February, 1870, in order to "grab" this valuable land. But it happened that a San Diego resident, in Sacramento at the time, learned what was afoot. This information and threat were rushed to San Diego. Intense publicity and indignation followed. George Marston, Thomas Nesmith, Dan Cleveland, Mat Sherman and others organized and secured 366 signatures on a plea to keep the park intact, and these, sent to Sacramento, served to kill the McCoy bill.

San Diego Union, September 1, 1871, 2:1. EDITORIAL: The Senatorial Question . . . In our advertising column the claims of Mr. Horton are discussed at length. We have only to say that as to the title question, Mr. Horton informed us personally that he had no sympathy with the confiscators or the principles in their address, and that he wanted to have the outside titles confirmed. He said that his friends would take him on his record, and be satisfied with his work for it.

One of Mr. Horton’s friends objects to our endorsement of the gentlemen as a friend of San Diego specially. Well, we shan’t attempt to please everybody. But it strikes us that San Diego needs and has a right to ask for more consideration at the hands of the Senator than San Bernardino. This is the seaport, that is an inland town. And we don’t see that it follows that Horton’s devotion to out city interests must necessarily hinder him from representing the rest of the district.

San Diego Union, September 1, 1871, 2:3. Horton and the Confiscator’s Platform; Horton endorses the platform; 1100 acres for Horton’s $285; Shall the poor man’s be confiscated?

Conclusion: If he has gone into co-partnership with the old Dr. DeWolf party, then he cannot be in fellowship with the Republican party of this county. If he is not in favor of confirming the titles of the poor men of this city, then the poor men will vote for McCoy, who is in favor of doing it. If he is opposed to letting each voter purchase two blocks of this land from the city, while he has half of a mile under the same sort of title, then he don’t know enough to be Senator if he does not know enough to keep hotel. All of Horton’s money came from the sale of city lands. He must be right on City Titles or he can’t get the votes of men who own these lands.

The De Wolf party can’t elect him.

San Diego Union, September 5, 1871, 2:2. EDITORIAL: The Title Question . . . Let the people of San Diego not be drawn aside by outside issues. The Confiscators cry: "Tidelands" - "Public Park" - "Peninsular" - to cover up their own outrageous schemes of spoliation. They hope to blind the eyes of the voters in this way to the real issues.

The people want the next Legislature to pass an act confirming all deeds of Pueblo lands made by the Board of City Trustees up to the first Monday in December, AD 1871. In other words, the Legislature should make good the title to all Pueblo lands lying outside of Horton’s addition and known as "outside lands."

The people of San Diego regard this matter of confirmation of titles as of vital importance and they have a right to demand that every candidate for the Legislature shall pledge himself to use his best efforts to secure a perfect title if elected. A cloud over the title to the property in one portion of the Pueblo operates to the detriment of every other portion. And the value of lots in Horton’s addition, where the title is perfect, is, nevertheless, affected by the doubt concerning the title to adjacent property. It concerns every persons whose lot is cast here, and who depends on the future of San Diego, to take an active personal interest in this matter, and make it the leading question of the campaign.

Let not our citizens, whose interests in the dry lands are at stake, suffer themselves to be bamboozled by an outside issue lugged in to detract them from the real issue by a set of unscrupulous manipulators who hope to enrich themselves by breaking up titles here.

San Diego Union, October 12, 1871, 4:3. The Artesian Well . . . The statement made some time since that water sufficient to run the engine at the artesian well had been obtained is not borne out by the facts. It appears that at a depth of 105 feet a bed of clay was reached through which the water soaked, but not in large enough quantity to answer the requirements of the engine. Since that time men have been engaged in sinking by hand, and the well has now reached a depth of 148 feet. Alternate strata of blue clay and rock, the latter composed of shell and lime, have been struck, and it is thought by Mr. Calloway that when these formations are passed the water will rise to the depth of eight or ten feet. The sinking is going on at the rate of 8 to 20 feet a day, and will probably be more rapid when the rock is passed.

San Diego Union, December 28, 1871, 2:1. EDITORIAL: The Title to the Land . . . We have been told (but can hardly credit the statement) that a petition has received some signatures urging the Legislature not to pass Senator McCoy’s bill for confirmation of title to Outside Lands. Whosoever has devised such a petition has some sinister motive, which will probably be revealed in due season. We more than suspect that it has something to do with the Hartman-Luc’s combination, who are striving to cut down our Pueblo to four leagues --- a scheme which, if successful, would deprive about 1,800 or 2,000 citizens of San Diego of their homes. By the way, we would ask the Honorable Secretary of the Interior why we have as yet no action on Commissioner Wilson’s decision confirming our Pueblo titles: We do not like this delay; and we must confess that the appearance of a no-title petition just at this juncture has a very ugly aspect.

San Diego Union, January 4, 1872 (also December 31, 1871, 2:1). EDITORIAL: City Park . . . Petitions are just now the order of the day. One is in circulation praying the legislature not to allow our City Park reservation to be cut down. We don’t believe anybody has any designs on the Park, and incline to the opinion that a little scare has been started by some of the disinterested "Peoples" party patriots. But still let the petition be signed; it can do no harm, if it does no good. Public opinion here is unanimous in favor of preserving the integrity of the park reservation, and any attempt to cut it down would be justly regarded by the people as an outrage.

But good people, be sure that watchfulness with reference to the title question will not be out of place. Keep an eye on the matter. We want our outside land title confirmed now.

(San Diego) The Weekly World, November 30, 1872, 3:3. CITY TRUSTEES Regular Meeting - Trespassers on City Park Cited to Appear; Members present: Boyd, Briant, Estudillo, Haight, and McCormick, president.

Mr. McCormick presented a resolution requesting the City Clerk to notify Messrs. Moses Ferrin and Charles Gassen to appear before the Board on Monday, the 9^th of December, to explain by what authority they have appropriated to their private use a portion of the City Park.

San Diego Union, January 19, 1873, EDITORIAL: Provide for Our Public Schools.

The matter of adequate common school facilities is one of the most important that can engage the attention of our citizens. Almost the first question asked by those who come to San Diego with a view to permanent residence is, "What are your school facilities?" The people who are flocking hither from all parts of the United States are accustomed to the most perfect systems of public education; and the turning point in the minds of many heads of families, in deciding whether to locate here will be the probability of securing good school advantages for their children.

Considering the fact that our city is scarcely four years old, and taking into account the present population, we may fairly congratulate ourselves upon the possession of better school facilities than can elsewhere be found under like conditions. We have an excellent public school, with grammar, intermediate and primary departments; and we have in addition, three private schools --- one of them, more properly speaking, an academy, in which the higher branches are taught. But, even now, these means are beginning to be found inadequate. Every department of the public school is filled with pupils, and many children who would attend are barred for lack of accommodations, so that, already our Board of Education are considering the question of ways and means with a view to extending the present facilities. The buildings now occupied cannot much longer meet the wants of this growing community.

In reflecting upon this subject, a suggestion has occurred to use which we submit for public consideration, and which, we think, will commend itself to the favor of our readers. The city owns a magnificent tract of land --- fourteen hundred acres --- set aside by Legislative enactment for a public park. The southeastern corner of this reservation contains the finest location for public school buildings that can be found in the city. Here there is a gently sloping eminence which commands a view of the whole city, the bay and the ocean beyond. It is within half a mile of the present center of population, and may be reached by an easy walk from any part of the city. Why should not, say, ten acres be taken in this portion of the park for the public school buildings and grounds? A most desirable site can here be obtained without cost --- a site which possesses the advantages of healthfulness, a magnificent view, nearness to the center of population yet sufficiently removed from the noise and bustle of the city and from the danger of fire. A fine two-story frame building (after the model of the school houses now being erected in San Francisco) surrounded by spacious grounds ornamented with trees and shrubbery, would constitute on of the most attractive features of our city. It would be a practical first step toward the improvement of the park. It may perhaps be questionable whether under the strict construction of the Park Reservation Act the City Trustees have legal power to dedicate any portion of the tract even to public school uses, but we opine that the Legislature would grant the requisite authority upon the petition of our citizens. Let the matter be considered.

(San Diego) The Daily World, March 19, 1873, 3:4. Special Meeting of the Board of City Trustees: the San Diego Water Company; their proposition agreed to . . . The Board of City Trustees held a special meeting at their rooms last night for the purpose of considering the proposition of the City Water Company submitted at the previous meeting.

Members present: Messrs. Boyd, Briant, Haight and McCormick, President.

The article of agreement submitted by the Water Company, the substance of which was published in The World only, was read.

Messrs. Boyd and Haight, of the committee, appointed to examine the agreement, suggested that it be amended so as to read, "That no part of the Park Reservation upon, which improvements had been commenced should be set aside for the purpose asked," and "that nothing in this agreement should be so construed as to prevent the Board of Trustees from granting like privileges to other water companies."

These amendments being satisfactory to the company, the Board of Trustees passed the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, That the agreement now before the Board, presented by the San Diego Water Company, be adopted and that the President and Clerk of the Board of Trustees, of the City of San Diego, be instructed to execute the same in duplicate and affix the corporate seal.

Adjourned.

San Diego Union, March 19, 1873, 3:3. City Trustees granted permission to San Diego Water Company to dig wells in park provided that the company not use any part of the park which can be improved or fenced.

(San Diego) The Daily World, April 25, 1873, 3:1-2. Beginning to move; a stroll to the well of the city water company; three holes to be drilled to a depth of 290 ft.; oyster and clam shells found in great numbers at a depth of 80 ft.; surface of ground on which wells are being drilled is 90 ft. above the level of the bay; the water rises to within 80 ft. of the surface and it is asserted that it cannot be exhausted by any present need of the city; from the well it will be pumped to a reservoir on the mesa and distributed over the city in mains.

We yesterday took a stroll out to the spot on the City Park Reservation, where the City Water Company are sinking their artesian wells. We left a region of building activity and were surprised to find the note of building preparation sounded all over the city. San Diegans have that capital element in building a city --- faith. Any number of cozy and elegant residences are going up on every hand. There are few places on earth, where a little care and industry are better repaid than in San Diego. Those who take the trouble to provide themselves with water can have a market garden attached to their residences from which they may cull green peas and strawberries almost every month of the year. We could not forego, in passing, noting the beautiful gardens of Messrs. Gale and McDonald. The floral show of Mr. McDonald’s garden is a sight well worth the walk. His house is beautifully embowered in shrubs and flowers. The Australian pea and creeper are trained over the house and on trellis work. A perfect wealth of foliage gladdens this cozy home on all sides. Any number of varieties of verbena, geranium and other bright flowers trail over the ground and even over the fences.

Skirting Mr. McDonald’s place a few hundred yards brought us to the scene of the labors of the City Water Company. When we arrived they were hard at work screwing the drills together. The boring is done by means of a twenty horsepower engine, made at the Miners’ Works, at San Francisco. They have about five hundred feet of drills. They purpose, as we explained some time ago, to dig a well around three holes which have been drilled to a depth of two hundred and ninety feet. Two of these holes have been sunk to the requisite depth, and the third was within fifteen feet of the stopping point when we came upon the ground. The persons who had it in charge expected to finish the third hole today. From twelve to twenty-five feet are sunk daily. The drills work in an iron casing, and the borings are "hydraulicked," out of them. The work is pushed mainly through sandstone and limestone.

A curious circumstance of the work is that, at a depth of eighty feet, oyster and clam shells were found in great numbers, demonstrating pretty conclusively that the mesa was once the bed of ocean. The surface of the ground where these wells are being built is just precisely on a level with the spire of the Baptist church, or ninety feet above the level of the bay.

On the completion of the third hole the engine will be cleared away and work will begin on the well, which will be sunk to a depth of one hundred feet. It is uncertain yet whether it will be made fifteen or twenty feet wide. The water rises to within eighty feet of the surface, and it is asserted that it cannot be exhausted by an present need of the city when the well is completed. From the well it will be pumped up to the reservoir on the mesa, and distributed over the city in mains.

Work will shortly begin on a well which the gentlemen of the City Water Company intend to push until a reliable artesian flow is the result. We see no reason why they should not succeed, and are delighted to find, from actual observation, that our chances for an adequate supply of water for all purposes of utility and ornament are so gratifying. We wish the company all imaginable success. We trust the day is not far distant when the citizen will not have to fall back upon his own enterprise and industry for water.

(San Diego) The Daily World, May 29, 1873, 3:3. The Mesa: a splendid spread for a city; another glimpse of the picturesqueness of our surroundings. There is something distingue in our Mexican mountains which show up bald and symmetrical and put the sun to his trumps to get beauty out of them. And he succeeds perfectly.

San Diego Weekly Union, February 26, 1874, 3:3. EDITORIAL: The Park Boundaries.

A rather heated discussion took place in the Board of City Trustees last evening on the question of the Park reservation boundaries and feeling was manifested which was altogether uncalled for and which can produce no good result. The question at issue is one that must have arisen sooner or later, and it is better for the city and for all parties interested that it should be determined now, than years hence, when property values shall have reached enormous figures compared with the present standard, and when great improvements shall have been made. The intelligent predecessor of our present efficient City Attorney, who possesses a thorough familiarity with the Pueblo titles of San Diego, advised the Board of Trustees during his incumbency that it was of the utmost importance that the lines of the city property should be accurately determined. It is a well-known fact that all of our titles (with the exception of the tier of "alphabeted" lots location north of the Park reservation by Mr. Pascoe) are, according to the official map of the city made by Mr. Pascoe in 1856. When Mr. Pascoe found the surplus land by his survey of 1870, he located it in the position given on his map; and this second map and survey were also adopted and made official by the city authorities. It has been decided by the Supreme Court in a recent case that Mr. Pascoe’s location of this surplus land cannot stand, and the question of its proper location was, therefore, an inevitable one that could not be avoided by delay. It is impossible that the rights of any person can suffer in the most remote degree by the adjustment of this question. The city cannot possibly be wronged; nor do we believe that there is any desire on the part of any of the persons whose names have been so freely used, to establish anything more than their just and equitable rights. A suit at law to quiet title will certainly result in justice to all concerned, although we question the propriety of the commencement of the action by the city. It should have been left to the parties in interest to begin proceedings. And, moreover, the Trustees would have done well to have acted upon the counsel given by their legal adviser two weeks since --- that is: to have procured all the evidence obtainable before proceeding. So far as Mr. Horton is concerned, his interests here are too great; his entire devotion to the welfare of San Diego so well established by a thousand acts; his character for integrity and just dealing is too high to admit of the supposition for one moment that he would seek to hold one inch of land rightfully belonging to the city. Such a supposition is altogether too preposterous to be entertained by intelligent men. This is a simple question of legal rights, the decision of which can injure neither the city nor any of its people. It cannot be reached by the excited talk of persons who are utterly ignorant of the merits of the case. Bad men may endeavor from interested motives to lead the public astray, and to stir up passion and prejudice. We are satisfied that some of our City Trustees have been led by such false representations to take a view of the matter which in their better judgment and a calm examination of the facts will show them to be utterly without foundations.

San Diego Union, November 12, 1874, 3:1. The idea of organizing an Exposition Association in San Diego, recently broached by Mr. M. S. Patrick, is an eminently practical one, and should commend itself to the attention of our citizens. There cannot be the least doubt that such an institution could be made a paying investment to the stockholders, besides being of inestimable benefit to the city. What it requires is the management of men possessing the experience, energy and business sagacity of Mr. Patrick; and we believe there are enough good men to undertake this important project and carry it out. We have everything else --- the country, the stock and land for grounds.

San Diego Union, November 12, 1874, 3:2. EDITORIAL: Expositions: What have heretofore been known as industrial fairs in the United States are now called "expositions," and with the new name comes also an enlargement of the scope of these popular "shows." The exposition of the period comprehends a display of agricultural and horticultural productions, machinery, inventions, manufactures, works of art, fine stock, and last, but by no means least, races --- or "trials of speed," as they are more politely called, according to the fashion of the time. The popularity of these institutions is constantly increasing, and no town of any considerable size fails to have its annual exposition.

In some of the cities of the Western states, immense sums are expended in preparing for these fairs; in nearly all of them extensive grounds are owned by the Association under whose auspices the exhibition is given. In most cases permanent buildings are erected, to which temporary additions are made according to the requirements of each annual occasion. One of these expositions "in full blast" is an inspiring affair. The halls and galleries are richly decorated, the display of works of use is always interesting, while that of works of art is seldom commonplace, there are throngs of spectators day and night, and the town puts on its festive appearance in honor of the event. Hotel keepers and storekeepers drive a thriving business and times in that place are exceedingly "lively" for many weeks.

This year in Chicago, Cincinnati and Louisville, the expositions were remarkable affairs in every way, that at Chicago (which, by the way, was founded by our esteemed townsman, Mr. M. S. Patrick) being a wonderful success. In California, we have had the Mechanics’ Institute Fair at San Francisco; the Fair of the State Agricultural Society; Fairs at Stockton, San Jose, Marysville, Petaluma and other towns, and latest of all the fine Fair of the Southern District Agricultural Association of Los Angeles.

We believe in these expositions. They are doing a great work --- especially in California. They are aiding in the development of the country, by bringing together fine collections of specimens from our vineyards and orchards, our farms and forests and mines; specimens of improved horses and cattle and sheep; specimens of our manufactures and general industries, --- in brief, the exposition is a comprehensive annual exhibit of the progress of the section in which it is given.

And the exposition is of immense benefit to the city in which it is held. It makes trade for the place; and trade that is not merely transient. The money taken over the counters of the hotels and shops during the progress of the fair, flows into numerous channels, quickening every branch of industry and laying the foundations for permanent local enterprises.

It is time that a movement in this direction were made in San Diego. We have every natural advantage that could be desired and nothing is needed to make a start but the will. Once begun, there is enough of the live spirit of enterprise to make the exposition a permanent institution in San Diego --- an institution of steady growing prosperity and usefulness.

San Diego Union, May 30, 1926. San Diego Pioneer tells history of Balboa Park, by Daniel Cleveland.

On August 8, 1881, the City Trustees allotted a small tract of land in the southern portion of the park as a site for a building for the first high school established at San Diego. Joseph Russ, at that time the leading lumber dealer in this state, volunteered to donate all the lumber to be used in the high school building. In grateful recognition of this gift, his name was given to the building and school and was retained for more than twenty years. The building was completed and occupied in 1883.

San Diego Union, March 29, 1882, 3:3. San Diego Revisited: Letter in San Francisco Bulletin from Dr. C. C. Parry, a botanist.

San Diego has wisely set aside a public park of 1400 acres occupying the high mesa overlooking the town and bay; this ground, apparently unfit for any private uses, may yet constitute the glory of a flourishing seaport city, at present occupied only by a pest house and the skeleton of a commodious school house, may yet add to its magnificent views the attraction of artistic decoration and the display of perennial plants and flowers equaling but hardly exceeding what it now presents in its short floral season. The principal water supply of the town already crosses that high mesa, and, if the supply is sufficiently abundant, a part of it at least may be diverted to beautify its magnificent park.

San Diego Sun, March 21, 1882, 4:3. And then it rained! What it has done hereabouts; wettest effects to be seen at the mouth of Switzer’s canyon, which was dammed up by the construction of C street; dam formation broke away early this morning and some of the moisture escaped.

San Diego Sun, April 14, 1882, 4:3. Board of City Trustees: Trustee Snyder reported that owners in the vicinity of the park object to any portion of the same near the southern and western boundary thereof being used for the purpose of a milk ranch.

San Diego Union, December 23, 1884, 3:1-2. Local Brevities: The present is an excellent season to take steps toward improving and beautifying San Diego and vicinity; it is time that improvements be made on the grounds that have been laid out for a park; at present there is no attraction for visitors except the mild and healing climate; and the suggestions which have been made by several of late, that a commencement be made with a view of permanently improving the park is one that should meet the unqualified approval and support of all who have an interest in San Diego.

San Diego Union, December 24, 1884, 3:1. Money judiciously expended in making public improvements, such as the improvement of the grounds selected as a city park, and in other ways making San Diego more attractive will bring a reward a hundredfold in time to come.

San Diego Union, December 25, 1884, 3:1. Every resident and every property owners who desires the welfare of San Diego will be pleased when the work of improving the park is actually begun.

San Diego Union, December 28, 1884, 3:3. THE CITY TRUSTEES: The following petition was read:

To the Honorable Board of City Trustees of San Diego: Gentlemen --- We the undersigned ask for permission to plant and maintain a number of trees on the tract known as the City Park Reservation. The expense would be defrayed by subscription.

We propose to set out this present season, an avenue of eucalyptus trees alongside one of the roads leading over the mesa and continue such improvements whenever there are sufficient funds on hand.

Hoping that this will meet your approval, we are willing to do such work under the instructions of a committee that may be appointed by your honorable body.

Very respectfully,

A Wentscher G. W. Jorres

Geo. W. Marston C. F. Francisco

A. Klauber Douglas Gunn

A. Blochman Allison Bros.

S. Levi Chas. S. Hamilton

H. P. Koster Chas. A. Chase

The petition was ordered granted, the improvements to be made under rules and regulations of the Board, and the petitioners were requested to appoint a committee of three to prepare plans for improvements of the park and present the same to the Board on Saturday, January 3^rd.

San Diego Union, November 14, 1965, G-3:1-4. Union Park: A Convivial Spot, by Jerry MacMullen . . . San Diego may not have been enough of a metropolis to boast of anything as sophisticated as a Union Square, but at least she had a Union Park and, as beer gardens go, it was quite a place.

Of course, all trace of it has long vanished, together with traces of the rest of San Diego’s 1885 beer gardens. And it’s a great pity, because what modern civilization sorely needs is more relaxing under a tree, with no go-go girls to interfere with the enjoyment of a thick glass seidel or schooner, filled from a huge oak keg by a walrus-whiskered host, complete with sleeve garters and a celluloid collar. If you offered to buy him one, he would politely refuse; in doing so he might even, if you were lucky, favor you with a few lines from the old classic ---

I never drink behind the bar,

I always take a mild cigar.

Union Park was not, as one might think, on Union Street; it was at 13^th and K, across the street from a saloon; both were operated by H. C. Schuette, and those engaging in the more serious type of drinking used the saloon. It was a quiet neighborhood, with lots of space between the houses; to the east, in fact, there wasn’t very much until you got to the old tannery, up around 24^th and K. Union Park bothered no one, and no one bothered Union Park. The local constable never --- well, at least hardly ever --- had occasion to visit the place for anything more then quietly hoisting one if nobody was in sight.

There was a little platform where musicians performed, or someone sang or recited poetry of the beer-garden type; at times the audience would join the musicians and the air would ring with the happy notes of "Ja, es ist ein schnitzelbank!" There was enough clear space for the performance of various types of horsemanship, and on one occasion Union Park rang to the clash of sabers on steel armor as two plumed knights had at one another on horseback. The challenger was a "professor" with a German name, while the defender was a cavalry sergeant from old San Diego Barracks, hastily recruited for the event as a matter of civic pride. The affair was said to have ended in what was at least a technical draw.

Of course, there were other better gardens in the era of the Great Boom and bust of the late 1880s. Over the hills and far away (it was away out in the boondocks at 32^nd and N Streets) a man named Lippert opened a place called the Silver Gate. Fred Kaiser ran what was appropriately if unimaginatively called Kaiser’s Garden, at Front and F Streets. And the next time you stand in front of the new First National Bank Building and look diagonally across 5^th and B to the southwest corner, half close your eyes and try to imagine that you see a modest, ship-lap house, shrubbery, and lattice fence and a sign which says "City Garden --- L. Mayrhofer, Prop."

Times change, and at the end of that fantastic real-estate boom they changed swiftly and ominously. People moved out as if the place has the plague, and Union Park --- briefly known as K Street Gardens --- went to join a lot of other pleasant things, such as knowing where the next meal was coming from. The "K Street Gardens" sign was taken over and applied to the saloon, but it wasn’t the same; it changed hands and policies and clientele and now the gendarmes left it alone chiefly because there are times when discretion is the better part of valor. A crowd of Cape Horn sailors, relaxing earnestly after six months at sea, was not to be taken lightly. And they liked the K Street Gardens.

In preserving Union Park for posterity, publishers of the 1886 City Directory have let us down badly; they locate it not at 13^th and K but at Union and K which, at that time, was under several feet of salt water, at least at high tide.

October 15, 1976. "San Diego’s City Park, 1868-1902, an Early Debate on Environment and Profit," by Gregory Montes.

December 1886. U.S. Army offered to trade its downtown barracks for a City Park location.

1. W. Marston favored proposal (San Diego Union, December 29, 1886, 3:2-3).

San Diego Union, March 3, 1886, 3:3. On motion of Trustee Sherman, the City Marshall was instructed to ascertain whether any persons are using the City Park for pasturing stock, or whether any stock is running upon it, and, if so, to give proper notice that such stock be removed and kept off.

San Diego Union, December 24, 1886, 3:1. The committee of the "Society for Improving and Beautifying San Diego" have secured, it is said, some 250 names to a petition to the Board of City Trustees, memorializing them against the division, though ever so small, of the City Park; we are opposed to the sale of even one foot of it.

San Diego Union, December 25, 1886, 3:2. "Progress" writes letter to the editor questioning the need of a 1400-acre park.

San Diego Union, December 30, 1886. EDITORIAL: Discuss It On Its Merits

San Diego Union, December 30, 1886 (also December 25, 1886). PREPOSTEROUS PARKS

Citizen

San Diego Union, December 29, 1886, 3:2-4. OUR BIG PARK RESERVE: Conference of Trustees and Citizens Yesterday; Interesting Directions. . . . At the regular meeting of the Board of City Trustees Monday evening, a communication from George W. Marston suggested the feasibility of setting aside a portion of the park lands as a military post for the Government in lieu of the ground now occupied by the barracks. The Committee of the Whole was instructed to confer with citizens upon the subject. Yesterday afternoon the meeting room of the Board of Trustees was filled by representative citizens who has assembled to consider the matter. State Senator Bowers and Assemblyman Young were present by invitation as also Lieutenant Mason, U.S. Army.

Trustee C. S. Hamilton, President of the Board, was called to the chair, and City Clerk Christian acted as secretary.

The proposed amendments to the Fourth Class Charter were first discussed, when at the suggestion of Senator Bowers that on the meeting of the Legislature each city interested would probably send up amendments, and that time should be taken here to embody in proper form the wishes of the city. It was resolved that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to formulate amendments, the same to be forwarded to our delegation at Sacramento.

The matter of exchanging a suitable tract of park land for the present site of the Government barracks was then brought up. W. Parrish, Esq., addressed the meeting, taking strong ground against the alienation of a single foot of the park grounds for any purpose whatever. He believed 1400 acres was not a bit too large for a park. Parties were talking about selling a portion of the park land; but when such a movement began there would be no park land left. Some people thought 100 acres was enough. If we ever began to touch that reservation, it would all go, there would be no agreement where to draw the line. Philadelphia, St. Louis and Chicago were cited as instances where larger parks existed than our own. We wanted a park big enough to turn a buggy round in, and we needed every foot of that 1400 acres.

Levi Chase, Esq., said he had seen the principal cities of the United States and Europe, and he regarded the idea of improving so immense a tract of land as that here reserved as absurd. The cost would be enormous, beyond the power of a city as large as San Francisco. He was in favor of selling, under proper regulations, a limited portion of the park lands from time to time, the proceeds to create a fund to be applied to the improvement of a park of reasonably limited dimensions. He thought 640 acres would make a large park for a city of 250,000 people. That would be a square mile of land. And it would be as much as we could reasonably undertake to improve as a very large city. He was in favor of selling part of the land to improve the rest. The land as it stands now is a mere burlesque upon the name of a park. He was in favor also and very decidedly of setting apart a liberal tract of this reservation for a military post. He believed such action would not only be wise but financially profitable. The lands now occupied by the barracks were of great value to the city commercially, and of no value to the government, while the park lands were at present of no value to the city, but exceedingly desirable to the government. Both parties to the exchange proposed would gain by the transaction. A larger military post would be established here, and the officers would take pride in improving and adorning the lands allotted for the post. It would be a first and practical step in improving these now waste lands.

Trustee Stewart thought if the present location of the barracks was unsuitable, a better location than any in the park, and one perfectly salubrious could be found on the government’s own reserve on the Playa. If the blocks which had been given by the city for the use of the post were abandoned, the land should be held for the erection of government buildings.

Judge Puterbaugh was decidedly against setting aside any of the park lands for a military post. He did not think the contiguity of a post was a desirable thing. He thought the park reservation should be sacredly held in its entirety. The area of 1400 acres was little enough for such a city as San Diego was certain to become. He was opposed to the sale of any part of it, or its use for any purpose whatever than a public park.

John G. Capron said that if we once began to meddle with the park, we might as well say good-bye to the whole thing. He did not think we could spare one foot of it. If anything, it was not big enough. He believed there was no legal power to touch it. He said that, as a citizen, he had a fee-simple interest in the park, and that, if any attempt was made to touch it, injunction proceedings would be commenced at once. He read the form of a petition and agreement which was in circulation protesting against the disposal for any purpose of any portion of the park lands, and pledged the signers to fight any movements of the kind in the courts.

Senator Bowers said that, as a resident of San Diego for the last 17 years, he had personal opinions on this subject. He desired to express his views as an individual and not as a representative at this meeting. Whatever his personal ideas might be on this or any other question, however, he wished it to be understood that as member of the Legislature he should be governed by the will of the people. If public opinion in this city should be contrary to his private opinion, he should deem it his duty to obey the expressed wishes of his constituents. Speaking here as a citizen he desired to say that the notion of locking up for all time against building improvements of the finest residence sites in San Diego seemed to him about as foolish and shortsighted a policy as can be imagined. The idea of holding so enormous a tract as 1400 acres as a park reservation he had long thought absurd. The revenues of no city in the United States would be adequate to the improvement of such an area as that. We must consider that in the eastern country the lands reserved for public parks were made more beautiful by nature than by the hand of man. That is a land of trees and natural vegetation. Here, on the seacoast of California, man must create at great expense the verdure and shade that nature freely bestows in the East. Look at the enormous expense of the improvement of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Now here we are 12,000 people. Suppose a time when we have 50,000 or 100,000 --- will we even then begin to take care of so large a park as one square mile? Certainly the idea of improving 1400 acres is preposterous. The speaker wished to have a public park, in fact, and within the lifetime of some people now living. Every stranger visiting his house has asked what the barren waste meant, why there were no buildings beyond 5^th Street, and when they were told it was our 1400-acre City Park, it made them laugh. Let the city sell some of the beautiful residence property on the south side of the park, and it would have a large revenue to beautify and improve the rest of the land. He did not believe in rushing it all into the market in a lump, but sell enough from time to time to meet the current requirements in the creation of a real park. As to the proposition to set apart enough of this land for military uses, he was decidedly in favor of it and thought the city could not do a better thing.

L. S. McLure offered a resolution, which was seconded, requested the San Diego delegation in the legislature to introduce an act authorizing the City Trustees to set apart a proper amount of land in the park reservation for a military post; also authorizing the Board to sell such portions of the park lands as they deem advisable. Mr. McLure addressed the meeting in support of the resolution, declaring that the reservation of so large a park tract was unreasonable and prejudicial to the growth and prosperity of the city. The true policy was to foster building improvement. The land now lying barren and worse than worthless, could be made to yield an immense revenue, and would quickly be covered with handsome buildings and grounds. Six-hundred acres was land enough in all reason and commonsense for a park, and more than could be improved in years. Instead of holding this land forever unoccupied and unimproved, let some of it be sold and diminish taxation, while adding to the taxable value of the city by the creation of valuable real property that would be improved by costly residences.

Mr. Parrish said the sale of park lands now would be bad finance; by holding them fifty years they would be worth enormously more than at present.

Mr. McLure said that if all the land in the Pueblo had been held by the city until now, there would be no town here. It was the sale of city lands to Horton and others that made the building of the city possible.

Major Chase said he thought that what was good finance in private business was good in public affairs. Owners of large tracts here are cutting them up and putting them on the market. They are selling a part to make the rest more valuable. Why not apply such a policy to the park lands? Why don’t these gentlemen do with their own tracts what they advise the city to do with the park; refuse to sell any of their land; wait fifty years for it to enhance its value?

Mr. Carlson introduced an amendment to the resolution asking legislation to authorize the sale of sufficient park lands in twenty years to pay bonds of the city for sewer construction and park improvement.

Major Chase opposed the amendment; he was against the creation of bonded indebtedness.

Douglas Gunn said, while he favored the general idea of the original resolution, he thought it should be more precise in terms. He believed that a public park should be maintained as one of the most important features of our city, both as an attraction and in a sanitary point of view. He believed such a reservation should be liberal in its dimensions and he thought the area suggested by Mr. Chase of one square mile was liberal enough to satisfy the ambition of a city as large as San Diego was expected to become by the most sanguine of its citizens. He thought that legislation should provide for the setting apart as a permanent park reserve a tract of 640 acres within the present park limits, the ground to be selected with care and competent engineering assistance by a Board of Park Commissioners, and when selected to be properly enclosed, and a system of improvements begun under a comprehensive plan --- not at haphazard nor in any desultory way. He would have the Board consist of say three members --- one to be appointed by the Governor, one by the Board of City Trustees or Common Council, and one by the Chamber of Commerce. This would insure the appointment of citizens of high character who would serve without compensation but would be empowered to employ the necessary engineering and clerical assistance, and should not only have supervision of all improvements, but of the entire existing park reservation.

The funds for improving the park proper, or permanent reserve, should be raised by the sale of exterior park lands. The Board of Trustees, or Common Council, should be authorized to sell these lands at stated periods, and in limited quantities, a public sale, after giving at least three months notice of sale; the selection of lands so offered to be made by the Park Commissioners.

. . . The natural trend of the city’s growth is toward those slopes. As 5^th Street extends northward over the mesa; so would 6^th, 7^th and 8^th, and all the numbers eastward. . . .

D. Choate said not one foot of the existing Park Land should ever be sold. He followed Mr. Capron in declaring that he had a fee-simple title in the reservation as a citizen and they would go into court and stop any attempt to dispose of the lands for a military post or anything else. The citizens would band together to prevent the stealing of the park.

George D. Copeland said then when, in behalf of the San Diego Flume Company, he presented their proposition to the Trustees to being in the water of the river, he made the assertion that San Diego was the richest municipality in the State; and that was the fact. Possessing this 1400 acres of Park reserve, this city could either be the richest or the poorest town in California. If a commonsense policy was adopted, this tract would be worth millions to the city. If it was kept locked up as it is now, it would be worth a great deal less than nothing at all. . . .

President Hamilton said that Lieutenant Mason was present; and they would like to hear from him.

Lieutenant Mason said there seemed to be some misapprehension in regarding the proposed change of location of the post. The military authorities of the Government had no proposition to make. General Howard thought that a proposition might come from the city, or citizens, to give a more suitable location than the present one, and such a proposition, he thought, might be favorably entertained. It was not likely that the present location would be much longer maintained. The accommodation was limited and unfavorable to the military policy of concentration of troops. A location was required sufficiently large for three or four companies with ample ground for drill, etc. There were several points in the Park reservation that would meet the requirement.

The meeting was then adjourned, subject to the call of the chair.

San Diego Union, December 30, 1886, 3:2. SAVE THE PARK

Watchman

San Diego Union, December 30, 1886. THE CITY PARK RESERVE

Our visitors laugh at the absurdity of keeping 1,400 acres of bare, brown land as a "reservation" ` for raising jack rabbits, or as a supposed flower garden on which to feast the eyes of said visitors.

Anti-Monopoly

San Diego Union, December 31, 1886, 4:2. CITIZENS’ IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

One of Them

Source Unknown, Date Unknown. Indigent Gentlewomen Make Way for Needy Children: In 1887, the good ladies of the San Diego Chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union found themselves with an expanded treasury. As a result, $1,000 was invested in a "home for indigent gentlewomen," located at 1365 16^th Street.

When the San Diego Children’s Industrial Home, on the present site of Naval Hospital, burned to the ground a decade later, the gentlewomen made way for the children; since that time this location has been the San Diego Children’s Home.

San Diego Union, February 12, 1887, 8:1. George W. Marston claimed 1400 acres not too large for a park; Bryant Howard replies. (Note: entry taken from card index, California Room, San Diego Public Library; newspaper of that date does not contain article in question.)

San Diego Union, June 8, 1887, 5:4. For Beauty and Improvement . . . Last night in the rooms of the Society of Natural History, the organization known as the Citizens’ Association for Improving and Beautifying San Diego held a well-attended and very interesting session; Bryant Howard, president, Kate Sessions, secretary . . . . Attention was called to the reckless manner in which earth is being removed from the City Park, in the region of Florence Heights.

San Diego Daily Bee, June 8, 1887, 1:7. A Good Work: Meeting of the Citizens’ Improvement Association met in the rooms of the Society of Natural History on 6^th street last evening; Bryant Howard, president of the Association; Kate Sessions secretary : A Pleas for the Missions; New Sidewalks, Tree Planting Along Streets; Building Improvements, etc. . . . Other points brought up before the society were the removal of dirt on 6^th street near the City Park, and the building of sidewalks all over the city in places needed. . . . A topographical map of the city park was ordered made for the use and benefit of the society in making future improvements.

San Diego Union, June 25, 1887. OUR CITY PARK

G.G.B. . . . (apparently G. G. Brandt, president, Chamber of Commerce)

San Diego Union, June 25, 1887, 4:2. EDITORIAL: The City Park . . . The utilization of some portion of the city park is again made the subject of discussion by a communication in another column. Among the uses to which our correspondent would devote a part of the 1,400-acre area are county fair grounds, public buildings, such as Signal Service establishment and Custom House, public parade ground, an observatory, etc. The discussion of this subject ceased when the vote on the sewer bond proposition was taken. It is a subject on which there is a wide variance of opinion. Some oppose the appropriation of any portion of the area to any other than park purposes. Some favor selling a portion of it off in residence lots. Some oppose doing anything at all with it at present, claiming that it should lie in its present condition and await developments. One of our correspondent’s suggestions at least can be commended. A county-fair ground ought to be provided. A portion of the park might well be taken for this purpose. If the ground were available, it would be an easy matter to secure the buildings. And with these provided in permanent form, it would be an easier matter to carry out the annual enterprise of an exhibit of the produces and resources of the county. If there are legal obstacles in the way, let steps be taken to have these removed.

San Diego Union, August 5, 1887, 3:3. Bryant Howard appeared before the Board of City Trustees and urged the necessity of making a boulevard; a petition for one had been filed with the City Clerk some time ago; Howard thought drives should be laid out in the park and asked that a topographical map be made of the park; ladies would build a Women’s Home on the grounds and beautify and adorn the park; details.

San Diego Daily Bee, August 13, 1887, 1:3. FAMILIAR TALKS: Opinions of Various Men on Various Subjects; Park Improvements.

San Diego Union, August 18, 1887, 3:1. City Trustees instructed Chief Engineer to draw up a topographical map of park and to draw up plans for a grand boulevard. 200 ft. wide, to be constructed on the west side of the park.

San Diego Union, August 18, 1887, 3:4. IN A WORTHY CAUSE . . . A benefit performance to be given at the Louis Opera House to raise funds to pay off a $700 debt owned by the Women’s Home Association, after which the Association will proceed to erect a Home for Women on a site in the City Park.

San Diego Union, August 21, 1887, 3:4. Sherman’s Illusions drew quite a large audience to Louis Opera House last night. The entertainment was given for the benefit of the Women’s Home Association.

San Diego Daily Bee, September 19, 1887, 3:1. EDITORIAL: The City Park . . . Early Improvements Contemplated in this Locality; Trustees Take Action; Horton Plaza, Old Town Plaza, Plaza de Pantoja.

Parks, boulevards and recreation grounds go hand in hand with civilization and progress and in almost every city which has arrived at any reasonable degree of commercial importance, these desirable improvements can be found. In this respect, however, San Diego is lamentably deficient and for a long time expressions of surprise and regret have been freely vented at the seeming negligence of the city authorities to provide a suitable place for this purpose. It is a well known fact that in 1871 the city council then in power laid aside 1400 acres of land on Florence Heights for a city park, although no attempt has been made to utilize it and at present it lies a barren waste. The reason that the matter has not been hitherto taken in hand is owing to the press of other matters connected with municipal legislation which were deemed of infinitely more importance. Four weeks ago, however, the city trustees issued orders that the park should be surveyed and laid off in boulevards and drives, and O. N. Sanford, city engineer, was instructed accordingly. The plot of land is so located as to command a full view of the bay, with National City and the head of the bay in the distance, while the Mexican mountains stand out in bold relief, making the situation one of the most charming and delightful of any in California. The boulevard will be 200 feet wide and will be laid out with every variety of trees and plants peculiar to tropical climes. It is proposed to build a military school upon the grounds, a home for the widows of soldiers and sailors, and other institutions of an equally beneficial nature. When completed it will be the largest Park in the State and will not only be an ornament and credit to the city, but will supply a long-felt want from a domestic point of view. Children can disport themselves to their hearts’ content away from the bustle and business activity of city life, and when the daily toil is over lovers can hear find a lonely retreat and pour sweet nothings into each other’s ears, wafted by the gentle zephyrs which ever play on old Pacific’s shores.

This is a consummation devoutly to be wished, and the energetic matter in which the Trustees are pushing the scheme is commendable in the extreme and gives assurance that in the near future San Diego will have a park to which it can point with pride and admiration.

At present there are three parks in the city. One is called the Old Town Plaza, but is located within the city limits. One is the Horton Plaza, between 3^rd and 4^th Streets on D, and the other is called the Plaza de Pantoja, and is situated on F Street, between State and Columbia. The last named two are well cultivated and the city has provided experienced keepers to improve and beautify them. They are very small and totally inadequate to the requirements of the population. They are frequently visited by lovers of solitude, and indeed large numbers of citizens and Eastern visitors make them a daily resort.

In view of these facts, too much importance cannot be attached to the park question, and their early construction and adaptation to the public requirements has now become a most urgent necessity in conjunction with the many developments of the city.

San Diego Union, September 25, 1887, 4:1. EDITORIAL: Improve the City Park . . . The time has come when San Diego, with its 20,000 population, that is soon to be doubled, should begin in an energetic and systematic manner to improve its park. The city possesses a noble domain of 1,400 acres devoted to park purposes, which, with proper management and a wise expenditure of money, can be made one of the handsomest and most attractive public resorts in America. Thus far little has been done to improve this future playground of the populace, for the reason that the City Trustees saw no way to secure the necessary funds, save by public subscription. This plan was not considered safe or practicable, and the result is that these broad acres are a barren, dull, uninviting waste. All that is required are the magic influence of water, and the application of labor to change this valuable possession from its present condition to one of beauty and attractiveness. We understand that there is and has been a general desire on the part of the Board of Trustees and the public to bring about this desirable transformation, and we are pleased to announce that there is nothing to prevent such action. The Trustees, owing doubtless to the fact that they are driven with work six days a week, have overlooked the fact that the last Legislature passed an act relating to public parks, that was approved by the late Governor Barnett on March 8^th last. Under this act, "The Common Council and Board of Supervisors of the several cities, counties, cities and counties in this State, are authorized to levy taxes for the maintenance of public parks having an acreage of over ten acres within their respective corporate limits." The tax to be levied shall not exceed 3 cents on every $100 assessed valuation of property real and personal in such city, or city and county. This law was passed particularly for the benefit of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, but was of necessity made general. San Diego comes within the scope of this law, and, in consequence, there is no reason whatever why the city should not begin the improvement of the park without needless waste of time. It would not be necessary for some years to come, to levy the full amount authorized by the law, for a levy of 1-1/2 or 2 cents of the $100 assessed valuation would furnish a handsome sum for beginning the work. The initial improvement might well be in the shape of a graded driveway, with a long avenue of trees planted like the famous and beautiful Alameda between San Jose and Santa Clara. In connection with this work, the growth and maintenance of greensward should be commenced and a certain area thus reclaimed each year. San Diego’s park is capable of being made to rival the far-famed Golden Gate Park of San Francisco, and the sooner the work of beautifying it is begun, the better for the city. Now that there is no obstacle in the way, we hope to see the City Trustees take the matter in hand and begin this important undertaking. The question, whether or nor the park should be improved, rests entirely with them.

San Diego Union, November 2, 1887, 5:3. Complaints about smoke from garbage fires north of Russ School house.

San Diego Daily Bee, November 3, 1887, 8:1. FACTS AND FIGURES: the double track on 5^th Street, its probable cost and workings; meeting of Woman’s Home Association held yesterday at residence of Mrs. Marston; proposal to organize an exchange and build a home at the City Park; two hundred men and eighty teams at work grading streets; cost of grading.

A meeting of the directors of the Woman’s Home Association was held at the residence of Mrs. G. W. Marston, yesterday. There were present Mesdames W. W. Stewart, president; C. C. Babcock, Dr. Murry, G. W. Marston, and Miss E. M. Chapin. The meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the establishment of a Woman’s Exchange in connection with the Woman’s Home. It was decided to appoint a vice-president from each of the churches, in order to make the work more universal and to promulgate where it would do most good. It was further decided to hold a meeting on the 15^th inst. for the purpose of appointing a board of managers.

The Woman’s Home Association was incorporated on the 17^th day of February last, at the instance of several ladies who took an interest in Christian work, with the object of forming an institution similar to the YMCA. A building was erected and a room set apart for social purposes, and many beneficial results have accrued. The object of the new branch is to form an exchange where women can leave articles which are for sale. It has been found that a large number of women are able in their leisure moments to prepare fancy and useful articles of which they have at present no means of disposing. The association has applied to the Board of City Trustees for permission to erect a home on the city park. The directors propose beautifying the grounds and providing an institution worthy of the city.

October 15, 1976, "San Diego’s City Park, 1868-1902, An Early Debate on Environment and Profit," by Gregory E. Montes - The Howard Tract

San Diego Union, November 4, 1887, 4:2. EDITORIAL: A Great Beneficence

Messrs. Bryant Howard and E. W. Morse applied to the Board of City Trustees last night for a grant of one hundred acres of the City Park, extending from the south line of the park north between the extended lines of 14^th and 20^th streets, for the use of the following named institutions: An Orphans’ Home, the Pierce Boys’ and Girls’ Home, a Kindergarten, an Industrial School and a School of Technology. The principal objects of these institutions as stated in the application are:

To protect and provide homes for orphans and other poor children, to educate younger ones in the Kindergarten, to give them all a good common school education, to teach them in the Industrial School a useful trade, and to afford the more proficient ones among them an opportunity to study the higher branches of the useful arts in the School of Technology. The Kindergarten, the Industrial School, and the School of Technology will, however, be open to all respectable and deserving children and youth who may wish to avail themselves of such means of education. These institutions are to be purely benevolent and educational and are not to be under the control of any church or sect. The sole purpose for which they are established is to help the young, to aid not only the children of the deserving poor, but to save from vice and pauperism and crime, homeless orphans and children of the cruel and debased. It is intended to give all who come under their charge a useful education, to train them for some honest calling, to instill in their minds the principles of morality, and to prepare them for right living, with strong and healthy bodies, skilled hands, active minds, and high and noble aims.

The foregoing outlines of this charitable and educational scheme show it to be one of great beneficence, one that will be of incalculable benefit not only to the city but also to the State, and one that will be a grand and enduring monument to the charity and generosity of its founders.

The grant of land is not desired for any purpose of doubtful accomplishment. The funds to carry out the scheme are already provided. The munificent bequest of the late James M. Pierce, which will amount to $150,000 has been supplemented by equal amounts contributed by Mr. Howard and Mr. Morse and a gentleman whose name is not mentioned; making a total fund of $600,000 available for buildings and endowment. This will be ample not only to establish the institutions, but to permanently sustain them. Aside from the charitable and educational benefits that will result from this scheme, there will be the additional advantage of improving and beautifying a portion of the City Park.

Beyond question this project is one of the grandest benefactions of the time. And it will ever justly be a matter of local pride that it was conceived and executed by men closely identified from the first with the history of San Diego, men to whose faith and courage and effort we are largely indebted for the San Diego that is and the still greater San Diego that is to be.

San Diego Union, November 4, 1887, 5:3. CITY TRUSTEES: At the regular meeting of the Board of City Trustees, Bryant Howard, as one of the executors of the estate of the late J. M. Pierce, presented a petition requesting 100 acres of that portion of City Park situated on a ridge north of the south line of the park, and between 14^th and 20^th Streets where those streets extend northward, for the use of the following institutions: Orphans’ Home, Pierce Boys’ and Girls’ Home, a Kindergarten, an Industrial School, and a School of Technology; matters were referred to the Committee.

We are willing and indeed it is our desire that the land we ask be granted under the most careful and guarded restrictions.

In putting under the control of private citizens so much and such valuable property, the interests of the city should be fully protected. Bonds should be required that good buildings be erected and that the grounds be improved and kept open to the public, so that the purpose for which the Park was established shall not be defeated or in any wise interfered with. If you will grant our request, we will accept the trust with all these restrictions and give bonds to establish and maintain the institutions we have named in a creditable manner.

Should you accept our proposition, it is our intention to plough the grounds and commence improving them during the coming winter; and, as soon as an Act of the Legislature can be obtained ratifying your action so that we shall be protected from future improper interference, we shall at once commence the erection of the buildings necessary to carry out our design.

Bryant Howard

1. W. Morse

Mr. Howard also spoke regarding the Woman’s Home, asking the Board to take some decisive step toward granting land for the buildings of that institution. On motion both matters were referred to the Park Committee.

The Daily San Diegan, November 4, 1887, 5:3. OUR CITY FATHERS: The Pierce executors ask for 100 acres of the public park; a fund of $600,000.

Ordinances: An ordinance granting a railway franchise to D. Choate and others for a line to Choate and Klauber’s addition via the City Park was adopted.

San Diego Union, November 11, 1887, 5:1. Captain William Blanding, of the National Soldiers’ Home for Disabled Volunteer Veterans, in a communication to the Board of City Trustees, asked that the City Attorney look into the matter of granting or leasing 160 acres of City Park for Veterans’ Home purposes.

The Daily San Diegan, November 11, 1887, 1:5. BOARD OF CITY TRUSTEES: City Park and Soldiers’ Home . . . Captain William Blanding of the National Soldiers’ Home for Disabled Volunteer Veterans, in a communication, asked that the City Attorney look into the matter of granting or leasing 160 acres of the City Park for Home purposes. While Captain Blanding was before the Board of Trustees, it was a question of doubt whether the Board had the right to lease any portion of the Park for such purposes. Captain Blanding also asked if the Commission would be allowed the privilege of selecting any site it should choose. The City Attorney will report on the matter at the next regular meeting.

San Diego Daily Bee, November 11, 1887, 4:1. Soldiers’ Home . . . The commission which is to determine the location of the soldiers’ home is already on the way to the coast. Only a few days will elapse until they will be with us. We should well remember that we are not alone in our application for the location. San Jose, Napa city, Monterey, Salinas, Los Angeles, San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara, and we know not how many other places are begging for the location at their respective cities. . . . We must remember that, though Captain Blanding’s expressions were most favorable to our city, there was no positive assurance on his part that his voice would be in our favor, and besides, he has but one vote in the commission. . . . San Diego can not fail to win the prize.

San Diego Union, November 15, 1887, 5:3. THE WOMAN’S HOME . . . Among the many evidences of the rapid growth of this city is the establishment of institutions of a benevolent and charitable character and the prompt and cheerful readiness with which the people respond. . . . In order to begin their benevolent labor without delay a fund of a few hundred dollars was raised and a temporary building on leased ground on 7^th Street between E and F was erected. . . . The rapid increase in the population of the city demands the erection of a permanent home sooner than was anticipated and the association expects that the City Trustees will give a decisive answer to their petition at an early date. . . . In connection with the Home, the ladies desire to establish a "day nursery," where working women can leave their children by the day or week while they are earning their own support.

San Diego Union, November 17, 1887, 4:2. The laudable enterprise of the Woman’s Home Association in providing a home for indigent women is one which deserves the commendation and assistance of all.

San Diego Union, November 17, 1887, 5:1-2. Meeting of Woman’s Home Association yesterday afternoon at the residence of Mrs. George W. Marston; revised constitution and by-laws adopted; ways and means of procuring buildings, etc. for the establishment of an Exchange discussed; Bryant Howard authorized to petition the Board of Trustees for 5 acres of land in the park for the site of the Woman’s Home building.

San Diego Daily Bee, November 18, 1887, 8:3. CITY COUNCIL: important measures discussed at meeting last night; proposition to establish fine benevolent institutions on a portion of the City Park; licenses of two 5^th Street saloons rescinded through a disregard for the City Ordinance.

The bond presented by [Bryant Howard] was for the sum of $100,000, stipulating that upon the instigators neglecting to comply with their agreement, the land and property would revert to the city. He further offered a security bond that $250,000 would be expended within a specified time. Mr. Howard stated that they proposed spending $600,000 in these improvements and the buildings to be erected would probably cost over $50,000 each.

Mr. Voolman thought that the only chance to improve the park was by selling a portion of it, and he did not agree in disposing of that part of the land.

Chas. Hamilton stated that the proposition to form a horticultural and agricultural association had resulted in their appearing before the board to ask them for a certain portion of land upon which to erect a suitable building.

The matter was referred to the park committee.

The Daily San Diegan, November 19, 1887, 4:1. Slicing the Park . . . The Horticultural Association only wants 40 acres of the City Park, and will be satisfied if the City Council will donate this unnecessarily large tract from that portion of the park property that forms a continuation of 6^th, 7^th and 8^th Streets. On commonsense grounds we agree with the Sun that 10 acres would be amply sufficient for the purposes of a Horticultural Association. About a year ago, the cry was "not a foot of the park for any purpose except a park." Now a vehement cry is made for a partition of the park in big blocks without any regard to the possibility of maintaining the tracts donated in a manner worthy of the purposes designed. Nothing seems to satisfy those who are trying to prey on the patrimony of the city, but the most desirable portions of the park, and they want all or nothing. The Horticultural Associations wants "40 acres and a mule," the mule to crop the sage brush. We should think the better way would be to try 10 acres, and after that had been utilized, additions could be made as necessity required. We do not think the committee should consider for a moment the idea of donating any part of the park at present west of 12^th or 15^th Street, but for certain reasons they probably will. At present, about 250 acres are asked for by various societies from the park reservation. The flood gates are being opened. If the whole park is to be gobbled up in big mouthfuls, better begin at its eastern limits, and work this way. It is an old saying that beggars should not be choosers. The Horticultural Association simply ask the city to donate a piece of property that at the lowest calculation is worth over $1,000,000 cash, and we fear they will get it, and get it where they ought not to have it. Improve the park by all means, but keep a little of the 1,400 acres for park purposes.

The Daily San Diegan, November 28, 1887, 1:4. Soldiers’ Home: Making Arrangements for the Reception of the National Board . . . time and place of holding a banquet and reception discussed; Point Loma Land and Town Company offers $25,000 in cash or 80 acres of Point Loma land as a location for the Soldiers’ Home. . . . It was the opinion of all present that a site for the Home in the Park is the only location that would be acceptable. . . . J. A. Melten responded that as far as the Park is concerned, the Board of City Trustees cannot give a title to any portion of it, without special permission from the Legislature. A decision to this effect has recently been given by City Attorney Titus.

The Daily San Diegan, November 30, 1887, 4:1-2. Our City Park.

Messrs. Editors: The question of "What shall we do with our Park?" has been propounded so many times, and so different were the answers, that the writer now propounds the conundrum: "What can we do with the Park?" And the law on the subject seems to imply that we can do nothing with it, but make it a free park. Certainly we cannot sell any part of it, and it looks as if we could neither lease nor give any part of it away to anybody, but must forever keep it a free public park. That a part of it could be sold to good advantage, none can deny; that a part of it ought to be given to the Soldiers’ Home, a Horticultural Hall, or to aid benevolent enterprises, all will concede; but how to override a decision of the Supreme Court, and disregard the statue under which the park was created is the question. In California, reports, statutes of 1869-70, page 40, section 1, reads as follows:

"That so much of the resolution heretofore passed by the President and Trustees of the City of San Diego setting apart and dedicating certain lands, to wit: Pueblo lots 1129, 1130, 1136, 1137, 1142, 1143, 1131, 1144, containing 1140 acres of land, said numbers being according to the official survey of the City of San Diego as made by Charles H. Poole in the year 1856, to the use of the citizens of said city for a public park, is hereby approved, confirmed and ratified, and the said lands, and none others, are by this statue declared to be held in trust forever, by the municipal authorities of said city, for the use and purposes of a free and public park, and to be under the control and management of the said authorities, and for no other or different purpose, as fully and effectually as though set apart and dedicated in strict pursuance of a statue passed by the legislature for such purpose."

If we could repeal that statue, it would be an easy matter to utilize the park, but our Supreme Court decisions would seem to indicate that we cannot. In the case of San Francisco vs. Canaran, Forty-Second California Reports, pages 553-554, the court expressed the following views which are pertinent to our park:

"Until accepted, the dedication, whether may by deed or otherwise, may be revoked by the owner of the land. To constitute a valid and complete dedication, two thing must occur to-wit: an intention by the owner clearly indicated by his words or acts, to dedicate the lands to public use, and an acceptance by the public of the dedication. This acceptance is generally established by the use by the public of the land, for the purpose to which it had been dedicate. The use must be of such duration that the public interest and private rights would be materially impaired if the dedication were revoked, and the use by the public discontinued."

In our City Park, it might be contended that, as we have never spent any money on the park, that the dedication was incomplete, but in the case of Hoadley vs. San Francisco, California Reports 50, page 273, this contention is settled.

In this case the Supervisors of that City attempted to sell some of their public parks to private individuals, and, as the lands were valuable, the best of lawyers were employed by each side. As the decision of the Court is rather lengthy, I will only quote that part which would apply to our park:

"It is contended that the order of the Justice of the Peace was void on the ground that they could not be invested by the Legislature with the power to perform duties of that character; but it is unnecessary to determine that question, for, conceding it to have been void, the question to be determined is what was the effect of the act of March 1^st, 1858, in ratifying the ordinances and order, all of which were void at the time of their adoption; that is to say, void, so far as they attempt to convey titles to private persons, and select and dedicate to public use the squares involved in the case? The act of March 1^st, 1858, ratifying and confirming the ordinance, and the order there recited, operated, as we construe it, as a selection and dedication to public use of the squares in controversy, and no further acceptance by the public than was afforded by the act was needed in order to make the dedication complete."

This decision would imply that the statue of 1869-70 confirming the resolution of the City Trustees was a full and complete dedication, and as it now stands, the city only controls the park in trust for the purpose named: a free public park forever --- and the decision in California Reports 42, page 553, seemed to decide the question whether a dedication can be revoked, to wit: if the dedication is accepted, such dedication cannot be revoked, and in California Reports 50, page 273, it states that the ratifying of the dedication by the legislature acted as a complete dedication and acceptance. Returning to the question, what can we do with the park? Let us beautify a part of it, say 10 or 20 acres in the westerly part, about where Fir Street would intercept 7^th Street. This is one of the highest and sightliest parts of the mesa and commands a view of the entire bay and ocean, National City and Point Loma. Let us do something, if nothing more than a few acres put into blue grass and a few trees and flowers.

PRO BONO PUBLICO

The Daily San Diegan, November 30, 1887, 4:1-2. Editors Note: we publish today a forcibly written article on the important question of the disposal of any portion of our city park for any purpose, philanthropic or otherwise. A prominent citizen presents some legal points that will prove interesting reading to those who believe in the partition of the park, and we are among that class.

The Daily San Diegan, December 1, 1887, 4:2, 5:4. Soldiers’ Home . . . The Commissioners who have been appointed to select a site for a Soldiers’ Home in California arrived this morning and are domiciled in the Florence Hotel. We do not deem it necessary to multiply words in regard to climate and ozone, as the distinguished gentlemen who compose the Commission have probably been surfeited with such talk during their progress through California, and particularly through Los Angeles. Good wine needs no praise. San Diego, her beautiful site, ocean view and commodious harbor, are eloquent of merits, without the addition of sky-scraping adjectives. If our actual merits will not convince the Commissioners of our superior advantage no words of newspaper praise could add to the conclusion they may reach. Of course, it is all nonsense to say that a portion of the City Park cannot be appropriated for philanthropic or other proper and legitimate purposes, for it certainly can be at the request of the municipality and by an act of the legislature. We certainly believe no city in the United States --- and surely none in California --- can furnish more substantial esthetic merits than San Diego by virtue of her climate and commercial resources.

San Diego Union, December 2, 1887. City of San Diego deeded 100 acres across the south end of what is now Balboa Park to Bryant Howard, Chas. S. Hamilton and M. A. Luce as trustees for the purpose of establishing thereon an Orphans’ Home, a Boys’ and Girls’ Home, a Kindergarten, an Industrial School, and a School of Technology.

San Diego Union, December 3, 1887, 5:5. CITY TRUSTEES: Site granted for the Pierce Beneficiary Institution --- President Hamilton in chair and trustees Julian, Woodman, McRea and Valle at meeting last evening; voted unanimously to grant Bryant Howard and Ephraim W. Morse 100 acres in the City Park to erect buildings of a benevolent institutions provided in the will of the late J. M. Pierce; petition for five acres of the City Park for the Woman’s Home Association for the erection of buildings for indigent women also granted.

The Daily San Diegan, December 3, 1887, 1:4. The Board of Trustees . . . Bryant Howard appeared before the Trustees in behalf of himself and E. W. Morse asking that they be granted a deed in trust of 100 acres in the City Park, upon which to erect the buildings for the benevolent institutions provided for by the will of the late J. M. Pierce. He presented to the Board a synopsis of the plans, partially matured. The tract asked for lies nearly in the center of the park and includes the most elevated portions. The petition was granted by a unanimous vote of the Board.

A petition was presented asking that five acres of the City Park be set aside for the Woman’s Home Association, the organization to erect buildings for the benefit of indigent and poor women. The petition was granted.

A petition was presented by a number of citizens on 22^nd and 23^rd Streets, in the southeastern part of the city, asking that the Indians camped in that vicinity might be compelled to fold their tents and steal away for sanitary and moral reasons. Referred.

San Diego Union, December 5, 1887, 5:1. The Board of City Trustees last Friday granted to Bryant Howard and E. W. Morse a trust deed of 100 acres in the City Park for the purposes specified in the estate of James W. Pierce; the initial step in what promises to be the most extensive and comprehensive system of benevolent and educational institutions in this country, if not in the world.

The Daily San Diegan, December 5, 1887, 5:3. The Parks . . . The proceedings of the Board of City Trustees shows that that body has concluded to donate from the big park 100 acres of land for the Pierce charitable institution, and 5 for the woman’s home. We hope the Trustees understand exactly what they are doing; and are doing their work so that their acts will not be called in question hereafter. Of course, this action, unless it be the property is merely leased, will have to be subjected to further legislation or to a vote of the people. The Board may be entirely right, but it is not in consonance with the views we have entertained, unless it is intended by placing these gifts well back on the park, to hereafter utilize portions of the frontage so as to meet and pay off a city debt, which is unnecessarily adding to our tax bills. That may be the intention. We will see further on.

The Daily San Diegan, December 8, 1887, 5:2. Soldiers’ Home Located . . . A dispatch from Las Vegas, New Mexico, dated yesterday says the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Veterans at a meeting at the Phoenix hotel last night selected 300 acres of land adjoining the town of Sant