The Story of Wilderness Gardens County Park

Jake Enriquez, Regional Manager of the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation

Wilderness Gardens is the oldest Parks and Recreation open space preserve in our county. In addition to being a hiking and birdwatchers paradise, it is home to the ruins of what was the first and for many years the only grist mill in the county. Jake will offer a closer look at this history and how this scenic and historic site came to be part of the county parks system.

For more information call 858-775-5788

 Watch for our list of interesting topics for 2020

Rediscovering the Historic Mira Mar Restaurant and Hotel

Annemarie Cox, Archeologist

Veteran archaeologist and anthropologist Annemarie Cox told us how archaeologists do their work in the field and in the laboratory. Her presentation included photos and 3D images of artifacts recovered during the Mira Mar Hotel project.

The Mira Mar Restaurant in Oceanside was originally built in 1887 as the Couts family home. First converted to a restaurant in the 1930s, it expanded over the decades to include a hotel, coffee shop and nautical-themed bar. It was a popular stop with locals and travelers along the coast road between San Diego and Los Angeles.

For more information call 858-775-5788

The History of Indian Gaming

Ethan Banagas, Instructor Cuyamaca College

Ethan Banegas is a history instructor at Cuyamaca College and coordinator of their  Kumeyaay Studies Program.

“San Diego County has the largest concentration of Indian casinos in the United States,” Banegas says. “Gaming has allowed Indian tribes to pursue greater self-determination, meaning that Indian tribal governments can conduct their own affairs.”

Banegas will describe the political climate that allowed the courts to favor Indian gaming. He will also describe the shared history of the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas casinos.

For more information call 858-775-5788

The La Jolla Atlas and Map Musuem

Richard Cloward, Museum Director

Mr Cloward discussed the Museum’s goal which is to create an awareness and appreciation for the geography, history, politics, and artistic beauty of antique collectible maps and atlases. You will find a new appreciation for these splendid works of intellect and creativity which inform us so richly about the history of our world and those who explored and mapped it.

For more information call 858-775-5788

10,000 Years: Prehistory of the San Diego Region
Cindy Stankowski

Cindy Stankowski is the Executive Director of the San Diego Archaeological Center, a museum and curation facility for artifacts recovered from sites throughout San Diego County.

 Many people think that the history of San Diego County began in 1769 when the missionaries arrived,” Stankowski says.

 “She stated, people have lived in the region for over 10,000 years and left behind artifacts that tell the  story of their lives. I especially appreciate archaeology for informing us about the past and  the people who lived before we were here.  Artifacts tell the story of people who are underrepresented in oral and written history.”

For more information call 858-775-5788

The Mexican War – How it Shaped Two Nations
Blaine Davies

California and the southwest United States became U.S. territory following the Mexican War. Our speaker Blaine Davies explores the causes, the battles, and the aftermath of the Mexican War. Blaine Davies holds a master’s degree in history from Boise State University.

For more information call 858-775-5788

The Kings Highway
Max Kurillo

California’s El Camino Real and Its Historic Bells traces the history, development and preservation of this historic West Coast transportation corridor. Max Kurillo is a San Diego based historian with a passion for the Spanish missions of California. He has written several books on the topic.

For more information call 858-775-5788

Rancho Bernardo Study of Healthy Aging
Linda McAvoy and Gail McLaughlin

Electronic archiving of the Rancho Bernardo Study of healthy aging, a cohort study that has followed individuals over more than 40 years, from middle-age to late old age, obtaining a rich set of health, behavioral and cognitive data, will ensure that this unique scientific resource remains available for current and Electronic archiving of the Rancho Bernardo Study of healthy aging, a cohort study that has followed individuals over more than 40 years, from middle-age to late old age, obtaining a rich set of health, behavioral and cognitive data, will ensure that this unique scientific resource remains available for current and future audiences.

For more information call 858-775-5788

Past Programs from Previous Years

Click on a Month Below to View Video on YouTube

2017

October – The Poway Midland Railroad
Chuck Cross

September – The History of Water Development in San Diego
Garry Butterfield

August – Local History Stories for Children
Marilyn McPhie

July – Palomar: Bridge to the Stars
Mark Carlson

May – SD County Agricultural History
Eric Larsen

February – Times were tough but pioneers were tougher.
Marilyn McPhie

January – Flights to Oblivion, Flights to Fame, The New York to Paris Race
Mark Carlson

2015

October – Hiking around San Diego
Tom Leech

September – Contributions Made by the Women of Vista
Jack Larimer
Director of the Vista Historical Society Museum.

July – Evaluation, valuation and care of precious works of art and artifacts.
Jennifer Garey
Museum Director

June – Background of the Escondido History Center
Wendy Barker
Executive Director, Escondido History Center

May – Significance of Native American placenames in our region.
Richard Carrico

April – Origins of the San Diego County fair, which has been in existence since 1880.
Linda Zweig

March – Story of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Faye Jonason
Museum Division Officer MCB Camp Pendleton.

January – The story of the Californios
Bonnie Martland