Madame Tingley and the Theosophical Society Community on Point Loma

Many people have heard of the Theosophical Society Community on Point Loma. But who were the Theosophists and what where they doing on Point Loma? Find out at the Aug. 21, 2008 OBHS meeting at P.L.U.M. by our featured presenter Bruce Coughran.

Coughran grew up adjacent to the property (which is now Point Loma Nazarene University) and went on to write a master’s thesis on the colony.
From 1897 to 1942 the Theosophists, and their charismatic leader Katherine Tingley, were influential residents on Point Loma, while working for “Universal Brotherhood” around the world. Their community numbered almost 500 people at its peak, and the huge glass-domed buildings were a must see destination for visitors to San Diego from the turn of the Century to the 1920s. They had a symphony orchestra, a colony of artists, philosophers, scholars, writers, archeologists, a school for children, a university, vast agriculture and industries, including printing and weaving. They put on plays,
concerts, lectures and published books, not to mention being the headquarters for an international society.
Coughran’s prentation about the Theosophists and why they came here was full of interesting facts about our history on the hill.

The OBHS OB Historical Walk July 19th had a nice size crowd. Ned titlow, Carol Bowers and Pat James guided the tour. As an added bonus the group was invited for a special guided after-tour of the OB Hidden Garden which was in full bloom. Thanks to the guides and all that attended.

Over 200 attendees, many surfers, came to the July 17, 2008 meeting presented by local surfer, artist and author Cher Pendarvis. A slide show of historical photographs and stories of local surfers made for a fun time reflecting back on the local surfing hitory and culture. A big Mahalo to special guests Bud Caldwell, Mouse Robb, and Marsh Malcom and friends from the original “Sunset Surfers”, who told their tales and share their wonderful historic photographs in the slide show. Cher touched on the earliest days of surfing in Ocean Beach. Her presentation covered local surfing from the 1930s to the1960s. Photos courtesy of Mouse Robb & Marsh Malcom

The Ocean Beach Town Council Awarded the Ocean Beach Historical Society $500
from the Christmas Tree Fund. Thank you Ocean Beach Tree Committee
The OBHS was Awarded a San Diego County Community Project Grant
The grant will further the work of OBHS, by helping preserve the archives, and educating the community on the local history of OB through our website, events, and printed materials. Thank You to San Diego County.

Once upon a time in a land called O.B.
(where the beach and ocean meet) there was a garden that Daniel Wallace and Judith May called Wonder-full-land.
Wallace and May dreamed, planted and played there for 12 years sharing heart energy and harmony.
What began in 1997 with one lonely pansy grew into a storybook land protected by 12 arches of once living trees built by Wallace and tiny gardens planted by May.
170 critters resided there too, created from treasures dragged home from the alleys of O.B. and the imagination  of Wallace and May.
In 2003 Wallace and May wished to share their heart energy, harmony and garden they called Wonder-full-land with the community.
Wallace placed 57 pieces of twine in a basket and attached it to the Entrancing Arch over the front gate with an invitation to tie a wish.
Would anyone respond? Would anyone tie a wish? Wallace and May excitedly waited to see. The response to their invitation was beyond anything they had wished for.
People from the community of O.B., from many states and several countries tied wishes and toured the garden Wallace and May call Wonder-full-land.
As of May, 2008, over 15,000 wishes have been entwined upon “The Wishing Arch”.
It is with deep gratitude that Wallace and May’s wish to share their heart energy and harmony has come true.
In July 2008 Wallace and May will be leaving O.B.to begin another dream. To live and travel in their RV.
The many critters, arches and plants that once filled Wonder-full-land have been
adopted by many local gardeners.
“The Wishing Arch” will continue to reside at 1862 Ebers Street in O.B., to be lovingly tended by Obecians Gloria and Kathy. Carl of O.B. Paint and Hardware will graciously donate twine.
Wallace and May may be leaving O.B physically, however in their hearts “The Wishing Arch” and Wonder-full-land and the many memories of the Ocean Beach community will live forever.
We WISH Dan & Judith Much Happiness

Dear friends of Historic Preservation,
On Friday April 18, 2008 the Historic Resources Board will conducted a workshop on the 12th floor of the City Admin. Building to take public testimony about the Mayor Sander’s proposal to end most historic preservation in San Diego, including Mills Act contracts. This workshop was important to historic preservation.
The Neighborhood Historic Preservation Coalition met to discuss the status and future of historic preservation. The Coalition comprises community and historic preservation groups throughout San Diego including SOHO, Bankers Hill/Park West Community Association, Heart of Kensington, Hillcrest History Guild, La Jolla Historical Society, Mission Hills Heritage, University Heights Historical Society; and interested parties.
They spoke in support of these key items:
1 – Keep the Mills Act program as it is now. It works well and should be left to continue working well.
2 – Increase the Historic Resources staff to cope with the backlog of historic designation nominations on hand and other demands on the staff.
3 – Supervise Mills Act contracts to encourage historic property owners keep their properties in good shape.  This may enable some sensible modifications to Mills Act contracts or enforcing contracts appropriately when properties are not being maintained properly.
Historic preservation was in the balance and the Coalition urged preservationists to help keep it operating in San Diego’s behalf.

The Mayor proposal with tweaks by City Council was voted in adding a 5-year Mills Act fee and and the firing of the last Historical Certified Resource Staffer in Development Serves.

Louie William’s “Hidden Garden” is the topic of the April 17th Meeting at 7 p.m. at PL Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd in OB.
Encinitas has “Quails Garden” and Ocean Beach has the “Hidden Garden.” Louie, a San Diego native, has created this wonderful fairytale garden at his 1930’s homes on Niagara.
He has graciously allowed the public to tour these special yards.
Louie, now retired, has an interesting background that includes being a Marine. But his former professions of being an antique dealer and working at a nursery have inspired the beautiful displays in his garden.
Louie has some clever ways of creating dry creek-beds that look like they have water in them and are perfect for our drought climate.

Feb. 21st. the OBHS Meeting featured presenter Charles Roberts who lectured on green strategies for historic home renovation and the challenges of remodeling and/or adding to a historic structure.
Charles Roberts is a local architect who focuses on sustainable architecture and efficient space planning. He was recently featured on the KPBS radio show “These Days” on green design and was interviewed for an article in the online newspaper “Voice of San Diego”. Charles was also a former chair of the Ocean Beach Planning Board. He remodeled his historically designated home on Sunset Cliffs Blvd and Long Branch St. in accordance with the Mills Act provisions and incorporates many green design elements. He and his wife also renovated another historically designated craftsman home in Ocean Beach, restoring the exterior to its original design and modernizing the interior spaces and amenities of the home with sensitivity to the period architecture.
Roberts background includes: a Bachelors of Architecture ’88 from UC Berkeley, a Masters of Architecture, Masters Community and Regional Planning ’99, University of Oregon
Roberts is featured in the historically related publications: “Observations in Micronesia an architectural review” at: and “Kapingamarangi Canoe Building Project“

1/20/008, OB lost its favorite Candy Man. On Jan. 22, a farewell and remembrance full of photos and colorful stories of Bufford was given at Newbreak Coffee (beach shop) on Abbott St. in O.B.
The Newbreak location is that of former “Buffords Candy Store” from over 25 years ago. We will always remember celebrating Bufford’s birthday at the OB Exposed in 2007. His clowning around, “Buffordisms”, colorful outfits and handfuls of candy will always bring back a memorable smile to generations of Obecians.