Ocean Beach Historical Society Program, Jan. 15, 2015 presented: “Tales from the Trails: San Diego’s Rich Outdoors History” by Author Thomas Leech. Leech’s program focused on stories linked to our natural environment and the early colorful characters who played key roles in shaping San Diego. How Father Junipero Serra, Kit Carson, Hatfield the Rainmaker, Ysidora Bandini, and the Cisco Kid fit in? Leech included many intriguing aspects of local history.
Thomas Leech is a long-time San Diegan and has attended the OBHS programs for years. For several years Leech was Editor for the Outdoors Forum for San Diego Magazine online. This led him to write OUTDOORS SAN DIEGO: HIKING, BIKING & CAMPING with co-author Jack Farman.

This holiday season the Ocean Beach Historical Society honor of the Centennial Anniversary of the San Diego Peace March of 1914. The huge downtown parade was the brain child of Madame Katherine Tingley, AKA “The Purple Mother”, leader of the Theosophical Society on Point Loma. 2,000 people, including 600 Marines led by Col. J. H. Pendleton marched down C Street on Sept. 28, 1914. The San Diego Union claimed it was “the greatest parade for universal peace held anywhere in the United States since the outbreak of the European War” (World War I).
Historic Details of marchers in the 1914 parade included: Police Chief Keno Wilson, Mayor Charles O’Neall, members of the City Council and the Board of Education, San Diego school children, students from the State Normal School in University Heights, Civil War veterans, and representatives of such diverse groups as the Holland Society of San Diego, the San Diego Scottish Social Club, the Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the Red Cross Society.

Peace Be With You This Holiday Season….1914 Reenactment Photo: Dedi Ridenour (seated), is portraying Madame Tingley, AKA “The Purple Mother,” with OBHS board members, archivist & friends of the Ocean Beach Historical Society filling in as her peace-loving followers.

Nov. 20, 2014- The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presented “THE BOAT PEOPLE” Former FREE-ANCHORAGE Live-Aboards! Featuring (who we feel should be doing Stand-Up) Gillian Lancaster & Friends: After hearing about  the Duckman, Zeke and BooBoo, and learning the names of some of the boats, such as the “Love Shack”, “Rapture”, “Gillian’s Box”, you quickly realize why many of these people ended up living or hanging out in Ocean Beach.  On Nov. 20th were introduced to many of these free-spirited individuals, like our speaker Gillian, who love the sun and water and being in a place with a relaxed lifestyle. We learned the history of the  FREE-ANCHORAGE (off Shelter Island), live-aboards and their challenges… and better yet we enjoyed a night of humorous tales with lots of giggles and laughter as these mates were reunited!

OCT. 16, 2014, the OBHS presented: READING BETWEEN THE LAMPPOSTS: THE LITERARY GIANTS OF LOMA PORTAL IS A BOOK ABOUT STREET NAMES, This program featured a unique book that is about a special neighborhood project coordinated by friends Elaine Fotinos Burrell and Karla Lapic.
The neighborhood of Loma Portal, has the curious distinction of its streets being named after (mostly) 18th century authors in alphabetical order. From (Louisa Mae) Alcott to (Emile) Zola, the lives of these 26 authors were researched by 26 neighborhood families, and compiled into this book. Each biographical essay is written in its own style, describing the early life of the historic author, a list of works, and excerpts of writings. A true collaborative effort of celebration of  this cherished Loma Portal neighborhood.

SEPT. 18, 2014 the OBHS Presented THE BATTLE OF  SAN PASQUAL  DECEMBER 1846: LOOKING THROUGH THE  HAZE OF GUNSMOKE, Featuring Richard L. Carrico, Dept. of American Indian Studies SDSU
Ever wonder what really happened at the Battle of San Pasqual on Dec.6-7, 1846? Who really won the battle between Andres Pico and the Through researcg and humor Carrico lead us through  the battle of the Californios and General Kearny and the American forces. He spoke about Kearny’s questionable objectives and how many men Kearny lead to death and injuries in the ill-fated skirmish. Carrico spoke about the role of the Kumeyaay at the village of San Pasqual and  the mysterious Indian Andre who accompanied Kit Carson to seek reinforcements. He to us how can you visit the site of the battle and learn more.
In the context of the overall events and battles of the Mexican War, the Battle of San Pasqual that occurred on Dec. 6-7, 1846 in San Diego County played a relatively minor role. In the history of California, however, and especially the history of southern California, the battle is of importance because of the military and political leaders involved (both Californio and American), the involvement of local Native American people (primarily Kumeyaay/Ipai and Luiseño), the fact that the sites of the engagements can still be visited, and the placement of the battle in the subtext of California’s cultural history and that history’s diversity.

Ocean Beach Historical Society presented: “OCEAN BEACH” A NEWLY RELEASED BOOK By the Ocean Beach Historical Society & Arcadia Publishing on AUGUST 21, 2014, to a packed crowd the  at PLUM Church in O.B.
The long awaited “OCEAN BEACH” book premiered presenters Co-Authors Kathy Blavatt & Jonnie Wilson. The book  contains O.B.’s wonderful history, new information and shows some never before published historical photos. Steve Rowell spoke about his photos in the book and Dedi Ridenhour did a brief section on Sunset Cliffs. The OBHS board members and archivists that worked on the book were also introduced. These included  Barbara Busch, Stephanie Greenwald, Jane Gawronski and Susan James. A book signing and reception  followed having guest a chance to talk with the authors. Many books and 1887 Map Posters were sold.  We thank all those who donated to this fantastic book “OCEAN BEACH”. Books available  for $21.99 plus tax: at OBHS events and local venders, Book Star P.L. and Morena Costco.

Quote: I bought 2 great job! —Gregg C., owner of a historic home in the OB book.

July 29, 2014, is NOW  a historic date in the history of Ocean Beach—The San Diego City Council approved a long-awaited update to the Ocean Beach Community Plan, which addresses issues like zoning and neighborhood character for our unique beach town.

The update plan, 12-years in the making, was given a unanimous go-ahead 

to  preserve O.B. as one of the last small beach towns in S. CA. Residents who spoke approved of O.B.’s smaller scale and railed against the kind of vacation rental development seen along M.B. amd P.B.’s boardwalk. Retaining the historical cottages was also a key point.

The Ocean Beach Historical Society presented: “WWII Comes to O.B.”, featuring Dedi Ridenouer on July 17, 2014— We were transported back to the frightening start of WWII in O.B. by hearing an Ocean Beach native tell of hearing “War is Declared!”,
seeing armed soldiers patrolling Sunset Cliffs Blvd. (her front yard), about a hair-raising 45 mile trip in blackout, martial law, and air raids. We heard the actual unpublished words of a Navy doctor’s wife contemporaneous journal describe the anxiety, bravery and courage of our local OBceans as they faced possible invasion by  Japan in the first weeks of the war. Gust heard about O.B. Elementary School’s air raid drills, finding k-rations washed up on shore, and how growing up in a war affected these children later. Dedi shared a recently found document she discovered while digging for material for the new Ocean Beach historic book. This family treasure is a 72-year-old historical piece Dedi’s own mother wrote. She shared this interesting program to a packed crowded.

The OB Historical Society Presented 105th Anniversary of Collier’s Parklands! Featured John Noble,  Kathy Blavatt and others—June 19, 2014. The OBHS celebrated an important historical gift to our peninsula. In 1909, D.C. Collier’s dream of a park for the future children of his beloved community was on it’s way to being established. A sixty acres tract on pueblo lot 206 was dedicated parkland, upon which Collier promised to plant thousand of trees without cost to the city. He’d also connect a road to the two main boulevards. 105 years later parks on the property include: Collier Park, the Point Loma Native Reserve (Garden), The Ocean Beach Community Garden and Cleater Park (ballfields). Other parts of the property are no longer public parkland.
We learned about the parks’ turbulent past, including areas that lost protection as designated parkland. Also about the home for unwed mothers that sat on the parklands’ site for decades. At the Celebrate the Collier Parkland’s 105th Anniversary the Point Loma Garden Club, donated to the O.B. Archives, a wonderful collection  about the history of establishing the Point Loma Native Preserve. Frank Gomile of the OB Rag spoke on the riots and did a wonderful brief history on Collier. The OB Rag did a story on the OBHS program and a follow-up on the parks and history at: http://obrag.org/?p=84643>