Below are the names of writers who are currently active. For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Whether it’s the Commuter Terminal mural of Charles A. Lindbergh by John J. Whalen, the sculpture by Paul T. Granlund at Terminal Two representing him as a boy and as a man, the bust by Paul Fjelde or the scale model of “The Spirit of St. Louis,” […]
San Diego’s Historic Places: Lindbergh Field Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Although it was a gift in November 1970 from Mexico’s President Gustavo Diaz-Ordaz, it is not difficult to imagine the sculpture of a Mexican on horseback at the upper edge of Presidio Park as a scout for the Californios trying to determine whether the American troops at nearby Fort
San Diego’s historic places: upper Presidio Park Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—As in a game of ‘Treasure Hunt,’ clues about San Diego’s history under three flags can be found in a variety of places outside the graceful Serra Museum – including on one of the three flagpoles! “In recognition of the financial contributions made by the inhabitants of the San
San Diego’s Historic Places: Presidio Park grounds Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Chief docent Janet Bartel removed a barrier and stepped into the archaeological dig area at Mission San Diego, beckoning others to follow. Two sets of shallow pits, with a dirt walkway in between, were on the southwestern side of the mission quadrangle. Approximately at the middle of the inner
San Diego’s historic places: archaeology at Mission San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—It is not uncommon on Saturdays at Mission San Diego to find a bride posing at the landmark bell tower – two romantic images in white. “Whenever they established a mission, they would put a cross in the ground, and some kind of bell, and dedicate the mission
San Diego’s historic places: the bells of Mission San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Rebuilt in 1931 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the church at Mission San Diego features a broken crucifix that intentionally has not been repaired. There are no arms on the figure of Jesus on the cross, but in 1970 when Monsignor Brent Eagen saw it in
San Diego historic places: the church at Mission San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—At “Generations Day” on Tuesday, April 20, when parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents trooped to Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School to learn with their school children, this year’s lesson figured to be a snap. As the day corresponded with Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day, the teachers decided the all-school
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Three Franciscan Padres whose lives are celebrated at Mission San Diego are Father Junipero Serra, who founded this mission and eight others, Fermin Lasuen, who succeeded Serra as president of the missions and founded nine more, and Luis Jayme (also spelled Jaime), who is remembered as the first Christian martyr
San Diego historic places: Three padres of Mission San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Old Mission Dam, a.k.a. Padre Dam, is celebrated as both a California Historic Landmark and as a National Historic Landmark for being one of the first irrigation projects on the West Coast of the United States, having been built between 1813 and 1816 by Franciscan padres and Kumeyaay
San Diego’s historic places: Old Mission Dam Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—In the 1820s, the hacienda built within the Presidio walls for California’s first Mexican governor, Jose Maria de Echeandia, commanded a view of other habitations and San Diego Bay. It was located on the hill below where the Serra Museum stands today, in the area where the brick and tile
San Diego’s historic places: Serra Museum Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Screened from the major part of San Diego Bay by the 1.5 mile-long Harbor Island—which was created in 1961 from materials dredged to make San Diego Bay deeper for large naval vessels – Spanish Landing requires a leap of the imagination to appreciate its historic significance. Approximately
San Diego’s historic places: Spanish Landing Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—No one knows for sure how he spelled his name—was it Joao Rodrigues Cabrilho or Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo? No one knows for certain his nationality. Was he Portuguese or a Spaniard? Where he was born is a mystery. So is where he died. And the name he gave
San Diego’s historic places: Cabrillo National Monument Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California — If it appears during fall that it has been snowing in the California Native Plants Garden at Grossmont College, don’t bother checking the thermometer or calling the Guiness Book of Records. The white precipitate isn’t snow at all, but in fact is a
San Diego historic places: A native plant garden at Grossmont College Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—The Visitors and Interpretive Center of Mission Trails Regional Park is low-tech compared to razzmatazz commercial attractions like Disneyland or Sea World, but it effectively teaches about Native American life and about nature. Its exhibits appeal to a full range of age groups with a variety of learning styles. Whether