Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label San Diego History

Lighthouses and Lamplighters in Commerce

The Lamp Lighter by Murad Abel Lighthouses are part of the naval and seafaring beginnings of our great nation. Sea travel is an important method of transferring goods and information. Lighthouse were part of the infrastructure that ensured ships could safely make their way around dangerous points and into harbors. Without the lighthouses more ships and goods would be lost costing the early American economy greatly. Military and civilian ships were often at danger from foreign influence, pirates and nature. Of the most damaging was Mother Nature with her ability to lead ships into rocks, disoriented plotted courses, and conjure bow crushing storms. Lighthouses provided guidance and protection for ships to help them navigate channels and hazards. Lighthouses maintained the job of reducing overall cost and expenses of shipping. When ships are lost the economy slows down. Back in the day lives could be lost and people would not receive needed supplies. The lighthouse helped to ens

McCoy House Museum in Old Town San Diego

James McCoy emigrated from Ireland in 1850 as a member of Brevet-Lieutenant Colonel John Bankhead Magruder's First United States Artillery. McCoy was a catalyst to the growth and development of Southern California ( 1 ).   He was elected county assessor and then sheriff being fully active in the life of the times and eventually was a state senator in 1871. He is responsible for a number of subdivisions around San Diego and helped with limited success to bring the railroad to San Diego ( 2 ). The museum is located in the Old Town Park of San Diego and is free for visitors. As a historical marker it provides a glimpse into yesteryear and how people lived their lives. You can walk into the museum and smell the ancient sights and pieces of life that were once part of common everyday experiences. From the hardwood banisters and ancient rugs you can almost travel back in time.  Mrs. McCoy was somewhat of a poet and wrote them within here letters to other people. You may enj

Pictures:Walking to Old Mission Dam Along Father Juniperro Serra Trail

Buy Old Mission Dam Old Mission Dam at Mission Trails is located along the San Diego River and Father Junipero Serra Trail. It provides an easy to walk and bike trail that allows for an exciting view of both the mountainside as well as the San Diego River below. Biking, walking, jogging, dog walking and hiking are common activities that occur here. After a few miles you will come to the historical Old Mission Dam that gives just a touch of San Diego’s history.  The Old Mission Dam’s history dates back to 1809 when Church leaders needed water for irrigation and survival. Local Indian labor was used to help create the dam and basin that still stands as part of the ruins ( 1 ). It was one of the most ambitious projects in the California mission chain and helped develop the area. Buy San Diego River The Old Mission Dam and flume have an interesting design. It follows from Ancient Rome and allowed a great amount of work to ensure that it continued to flow downwa