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SOHO President's Message
By David W. Goldberg
July/August 2021
 Photo by Sandé Lollis |
After more than a year of lockdowns, face masks, and sheltering in place, life is finally getting back to something resembling normalcy. With the successful rollout of highly effective vaccines, COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted and we can increasingly lead regular lives.
Recently, I was at the Marston House for the first time in over a year. It was like seeing an old friend after being separated for too long. The house felt so welcoming. The beauty, artistry, and craftmanship uplifted my spirits. This is truly a case of the total being greater than the sum of its parts.
In addition to the magnificence of the house, the landscaping looked better than it has in decades. It was a lovely sunny day and the rose garden was in full bloom. The gardens are a critical component of the Marston House and in understanding the legacy of the Marstons, but they take maintenance and City funding for their upkeep, frankly, is not what it should be. Yet in spite of all the fiscal and monetary constraints, City landscape gardener Claudia Glenn and co-workers are doing a wonderful job, and it shows. I commend all involved for their hard work and resourcefulness. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated.
Shortly thereafter, I was again in Balboa Park and had the opportunity to view firsthand the newly completed tile murals above the entrance of the San Diego Automotive Museum (formally known as the California State Building) and architectural detailing replicating lost originals dating to the 1935-1936 California Pacific International Exposition. This was a project of the Committee of One Hundred, six years in the making, for which they received a well-deserved 2021 SOHO People In Preservation Award (PIP). Thank you, Committee of One Hundred! And thank you to all the 2021 PIP winners for what you have accomplished!
The replicated murals are outstanding examples of Great Depression-era public art and evoke hope, optimism, and the boundless possibilities for a better future during one of the darkest periods in American history. It's fun looking at the beautiful landscapes and images of period skyscrapers, ships, vehicles, and factories with their billowing smokestacks—once a sign of progress instead of pollution!
This Palisades area of Balboa Park, sadly, has long been neglected. Many of the buildings suffer from extensive deferred maintenance and are in serious disrepair. This is a tragedy not only because of their architectural importance, but because of the story they tell, their connection to the 1935-1936 Exposition, and juxtaposition to the nearby El Prado area better known for architecture and buildings from the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition. As a city we must do better. This is another example of the total being greater than the sum of its parts.
With the end of the pandemic now in sight, I once again look forward to going outside, seeing everyone, and enjoying our beautiful and historic city together.
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