Presidio Restoration (1920-Present)
On the 11th of February 1929 the Los Angeles Times, on page A8, announced “Presidio Hill Gift Promised” to San Diego by George W. Marston. The intended dedication date was the 16th of July 1929. As it was “… the 160th anniversary of the real beginning of San Diego …”. George W. Marston stated that he was going to give The Presidio and the Museum – which was going to be the headquarters of the then named San Diego Historical Society – he was building to the city. The newspaper article argud the Presidio’s importance was due to it being “… known as the birthplace of the civilization on the Pacific Coast …”. In addition, it was meant to be “… an inspiring monument to past glory and the future greatness”. [1]
On the 17th of July 1929 “The San Diego Union” published an article in the newspaper about events that took place the day before. Events that occurred in celebration of the 160th anniversary of the founding of the city of San Diego and (Alta) California. On July 16th, 1929, George W. Marston donated the land which housed the Presidio and the Junipero Serra Historical Museum. This celebration was meant to highlight the “… cradle of white man’s civilization on the upper-Pacific coast … [and be a] perpetual memorial to the zeal of San Diego’s first citizens …”. This was after all a celebration. A celebration for the dedication of the Presidio and Museum in which a reported 12,000 people gathered. [2]
There were a few special guests who attended the dedication / celebration. One being the Spanish ambassador to the United States Senor Don Alejandro Padilla y Bell, who delivered a personal message from King Alfonso of Spain. Another guest of honor was the Governor of California C.C. Young. There was in addition a performative aspect. It included a historical reenactment of the dedication of the Presidio that took place on the 16th of July 1769 as well as musical performances. [3]
What are the developments within the monument since its inception as a monument? How has its meaning changed over time? What discussions / debates exist now?
On January the 13th, 1930, the Presidio was dedicated by the City Council to be a public park and that since its dedication by George W. Marston on July 16th, 1929, there has been an added effort – with the additional landscaping - to add to and maintain the “scenic beauty and picturesque quality.” [4]
In 1960 Presidio Park was “designated as a National Historic Landmark …” and in 1966 it was placed on “the National Register of Historic Places …”.[5] In April of 1998 the discussion of developing a plan for protection and future use of the San Diego Presidio took place at the San Diego Presidio Preservation Conference.[6] In 2000 the Presidio Oversight Committee (San Diego Presidio Park Council) was formed. Its goal was to “address the need of protecting and preserving the Presidio site and associated artifact collection”. [7]
There is some debate as to how to make the Presidio more ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Through the decision to make the Presidio (and Museum) more ADA accessible and friendly, there is the possibility of destroying archaeological evidence. Evidence that includes artifacts and other evidence that can add to the history of the Presidio. No one is saying not to make the Presidio ADA accessible but rather to modify the project plan or give a full Environmental Impact Report. The goal is to find a happy medium between the two. [8]
[1] "Presidio Hill Gift Promised: George W. Marston Plans to Give Area to San Diego Birthplace of Civilization in Southland for Park New Museum Also Donated for Historical Relics," Los Angeles Times, Feb. 11, 1929.
[2] "Spain Sends Ambassador to Honor Father Serra: SPANISH ENVOY GREETED Ambassador Padilla y Bell here on Way to San Diego for Presidio Museum Dedication." Los Angeles Times, Jul 16, 1929.
[3] "12,000 Gather on Hill for Presidio Dedication," The San Diego Union Tribune, July 17, 1929.
[4] George W. Marston, "History of San Diego City Parks" in History of San Diego County, ed. Carl H. Heilbron (San Diego: San Diego Press Club, 1936), 12.
[5] Myra Hermann, "Where California Began...from Citadels to City Park: An Introduction to Presidio Park and Status on the Management of the Ruins Within " SCA Proceedings, Vol. 12 (2012): 5.
[6] Ibid., 13.
[7] Ibid., 14.
[8] Sheila Pell, "Bulldoze to Make Accessible: What about the Underground Fort?" San Diego Reader, June 1, 2022. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2022/jun/01/stringers-bulldoze-presidio-make-accessible/
