1892-1933: Cabrillo National Monument's Founding
1892: The idea of Cabrillo's monument first came to mind following a festival honoring the explorer in 1892. At this time, San Diego was suffering an economic downfall and residents were hopeful that a festival honoring Cabrillo would help boost the economy. This celebration called "discovery day" was a great success. Following this, some suggested that it should become an annual celebration. Others went even further into this idea and began to rally for a monument in honor of Cabrillo. Due to financial limitations, the idea faded away until 1913. [1]
1913: In 1913, the idea of having a monument honoring Cabrillo came back to life thanks to civic group The Order of Panama who hoped it would attract tourists for the upcoming 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The official site of Cabrillo National Monument was dedicated in the area of Point Loma, San Diego. Its specific location overlooking the San Diego harbor is significant as what is believed to be the initial landing ground of Cabrillo during his expeditions in 1542. Despite their efforts, over the next two years, sufficient funding for the monument proved too difficult and again the hopes for Cabrillo's monument began to vanish. [2]
1913: "The President of the United States did, by Proclamation No. 1255, dated October 14, 1913, declare and proclaim, under authority of said Act of Congress, the following described parcel of land situated on Point Loma within the limits of the military reservation of Fort Rosecrans, California, to be the national monument to commemorate the discovery of California by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on the 28th day of September, 1542." [3]
1926: The Native Sons of the Golden West mentioned the idea of a Cabrillo monument again in 1926, with approval by President Calvin Coolidge. "I, Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States of America, do hereby authorize the said Native Sons of the Golden West to erect at Point Loma upon the site describing a suitable monument in commemoration of the Discovery of California by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on the 28th day of September." [4] Despite their efforts, the implementation of the Cabrillo statue once again slowed down due to a lack of funding. An 8-foot plaque honoring Cabrillo was erected temporarily until they finally received proper funding for his official statue in 1939.
1933: President Franklin Roosevelt transferred control of the Cabrillo National Monument to the National Park Service.
[1] Martin, John. 2014. “A Tale of the Cabrillo Statues.” The Journal of San Diego History. https://sandiegohistory.org/sites/default/files/journal/v60-4/v60-4martin.pdf.
[2]Ibid.
[3]Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States Proclamation No.1255 1913
[4] Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States Proclamation 1926