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Penning the Past
Insights into San Diego's Historic Neighborhoods and Architecture
Step into the rich history of San Diego through Penning the Past, a captivating Zoom lecture series offering perspectives on the city's historic neighborhoods and architecture. Led by passionate authors and historians, the series examines the stories and structures that have shaped San Diego's unique character and cultural identity.
Now in its second year, Penning the Past continues to be a source of inspiration and education for those eager to explore San Diego’s architectural legacy. SOHO members can attend for free, while non-members may join at $10 per lecture. Your participation directly supports SOHO’s mission of advocacy and education, helping to preserve the historic buildings, sites, and cultural landscapes that enrich our lives.
We hope this series deepens your appreciation for the rich heritage that defines San Diego’s neighborhoods and enhances your understanding of the architecture and history that surround us.
February 8 · 11am-12 noon
Empire Builder: John D. Spreckels and the Making of San Diego
Dr. Sandra Bonura
Join us as we kick off our new season of Penning the Past with historian and author Dr. Sandra Bonura, who will explore the life and legacy of John D. Spreckels, one of San Diego's most influential yet often overlooked figures. Drawing from her book Empire Builder: John D. Spreckels and the Making of San Diego, Dr. Bonura will share the story of this key industrialist and his role in shaping San Diego in the early 20th century. Through her thorough research and storytelling, Dr. Bonura will bring to life the transformative era of San Diego and the man behind its development. This is a fascinating opportunity to dive deeper into the forces that shaped our city.
Author bio Dr. Sandra E. Bonura is a respected historian and storyteller known for her meticulous research and engaging narrative style. With a passion for uncovering forgotten stories from the past, Dr. Bonura has dedicated her career to bringing history to life through her writing and presentations.
PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS
Free for SOHO members · $10 for non-members
March 8 · 11am-12 noon
The History of Oceanside
Kristi Hawthorne
Join renowned local historian Kristi Hawthorne as she guides us through Oceanside's rich and varied history, sharing insights from her extensive research and offering a fresh perspective on the city's evolution. This presentation will explore the stories behind iconic landmarks and historic buildings, while also highlighting the communities that have shaped Oceanside's character over the years. Hawthorne's engaging narrative style promises to bring these stories to life, offering a deeper appreciation of the city. Her presentation will cover Oceanside's history from its earliest days to the present, providing a comprehensive overview of the city's development.
Author bio Kristi Hawthorne is Oceanside's preeminent historian, having been a resident since 1983 and an active member of the Oceanside Historical Society for over three decades. As the society's president since 2002, Hawthorne has dedicated her career to preserving and sharing Oceanside's fascinating past through her writing, downtown history walks, and regular presentations at the Oceanside Public Library.
PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS
Free for SOHO members · $10 for non-members
April 12 · 11am-12 noon
Forgotten San Diego
David Marshall and Eileen Magno
We’re excited to host accomplished writers, architects and historians David Marshall and Eileen Magno as they present their fascinating work, Forgotten San Diego. Through a compelling blend of vintage postcard imagery and expert narrative, this presentation will uncover hidden stories and lost architectural treasures from San Diego's past. Attendees will be treated to rarely seen images and the intriguing stories behind these vanished landmarks. Marshall and Magno’s combined expertise in architecture and history offers a fresh perspective on the city’s evolution, bringing to life the people, places, and events overshadowed by time.
Author bios David Marshall, AIA and Eileen Magno are colleagues at Heritage Architecture & Planning, a San Diego firm renowned for its historic preservation work. Marshall, an accomplished architect, shares his wealth of knowledge and a unique collection of vintage postcards from his private archives. Magno, a skilled historian, complements this visual history with engaging narratives of San Diego's lost past.
PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS
Free for SOHO members · $10 for non-members
June 14 · 11am-12 noon
San Diego Trolleys
Douglas W. Mengers
Join us for an engaging exploration of San Diego’s transit history with historian and archaeologist Douglas W. Mengers. Starting with the first horse-drawn trolleys introduced in 1886, this lecture chronicles the evolution of San Diego's trolley systems—from the early electric trolley experiments and a brief cable car era to the rise and fall of the San Diego Electric Railway.
Discover how sugar baron John D. Spreckels consolidated failing lines in the 1890s to create a system that shaped San Diego’s iconic trolley suburbs, including North Park, Normal Heights, and Mission Beach. Learn how these neighborhoods flourished, how the system thrived through the turn of the century, and why it ultimately disappeared in 1949. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain fresh insights into San Diego’s historic neighborhoods and the transportation network that helped shape them!
Author bio Douglas W. Mengers is a San Diego-based historian and archaeologist with a passion for uncovering the stories behind Southern California’s growth and infrastructure. Specializing in the history of San Diego’s trolley suburbs, Mengers brings this fascinating era to life through rare images sourced from collections including the San Diego Electric Railway Association, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, and more.
PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS
Free for SOHO members · $10 for non-members
July 12 · 11am-12 noon
The Torrey Pines Glider Port & Wind and Wings: The History of Soaring in San Diego
Gary Fogel
Join us for a fascinating presentation by Gary Fogel, exploring the rich history of soaring in San Diego. Drawing from his extensive research, Fogel will take us through the evolution of glider flight in the region, from John J. Montgomery’s pioneering attempts in the 1880s to the vibrant gliding community at Torrey Pines in the 1930s. San Diego, once known as the "Air Capital of the West," became a hub for aviators testing their designs and soaring on coastal breezes. Fogel will share stories of iconic figures such as William Hawley Bowlus, Charles and Anne Lindbergh, and other pioneers whose contributions helped define soaring as a sport in America. A passionate advocate for historic aviation site preservation, he will also dive into the lasting legacy of the Torrey Pines Gliderport, the only remaining coastal gliderport from the era, now an internationally renowned site for motorless flight. With a blend of historical anecdotes and rare imagery, this lecture offers a fascinating glimpse into San Diego’s aviation heritage and the remarkable individuals who shaped it.
Author bio Gary Fogel is an American biologist, computer scientist, and computational intelligence expert. As CEO of Natural Selection, Inc., he applies machine learning and predictive analytics to fields like bioinformatics and industrial optimization. Fogel holds a B.A. in biology from UC Santa Cruz and a Ph.D. from UCLA. His research spans viral evolution, cancer studies, drug discovery, and evolutionary game theory, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and 11 patents. He was editor-in-chief of BioSystems for a decade and is an adjunct faculty member at San Diego State University in aerospace engineering and aviation history. Fogel is also an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS
Free for SOHO members · $10 for non-members
August 9 · 11am-12 noon
San Diego’s Balboa Park
David Marshall
Architect and author David Marshall returns to share his extensive knowledge of San Diego’s Balboa Park. Marshall will explore the park's remarkable transformation from its origins as "City Park" in 1868 to its role as a centerpiece for two expositions and a hub for culture, history, and recreation. With years of experience restoring and preserving many of San Diego’s iconic structures, Marshall brings a deep understanding of Balboa Park’s architectural and historical significance. In this engaging presentation, he will uncover little-known stories behind the park's development, its varied uses over the years, and the community efforts that helped save it from neglect and demolition. Discover the fascinating history of one of America’s most treasured urban parks through Marshall’s expert insights.
Author bio David Marshall, AIA, NCARB, is the President and Principal Architect at Heritage Architecture & Planning, where he leads major architectural projects and specializes in the assessment, rehabilitation, and restoration of San Diego landmarks. His extensive portfolio includes iconic sites such as the Hotel del Coronado, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and the House of Hospitality. A recognized expert in preservation architecture, David has served as Board President of the California Preservation Foundation and is currently the Chair of the AIA San Diego Preservation Committee.
PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS
Free for SOHO members · $10 for non-members
November 8 · 11am-12 noon
East of San Diego: The Lost History of the East San Diego Police Department
Gary Mitrovich
Discover the intriguing and little-known history of the City of East San Diego and its short-lived police department with historian Gary E. Mitrovich. Founded during a 1912 land boom, East San Diego grew rapidly from 4,000 to 12,000 residents before being incorporated into San Diego in 1923.
Drawing from his book East of San Diego, Gary uncovers the city’s vibrant past, sharing rare photographs and stories of bank robberies, scandals, and the challenges of rapid growth. Perfect for history buffs, San Diegans, and law enforcement enthusiasts, this lecture offers a captivating glimpse into a forgotten chapter of local history.
Author bio Gary Mitrovich, a San Diego native, joined the SDPD in 1980, serving in roles such as Patrol, Investigations, and Community Relations, earning the Medal for Valor and Purple Heart. Co-founder of the San Diego Police Historical Association, he helped preserve the historic Old Police Headquarters and authored East of San Diego in 2009.
Since retiring, Gary has focused on preserving Lakeside’s history, where he serves as newsletter editor and co-president of the Lakeside Historical Society. His expertise and passion for storytelling make him a compelling voice on San Diego’s past.
PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS
Free for SOHO members · $10 for non-members
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TOURS & EVENTS
Marston House Museum
Warner-Carrillo Ranch House Museum
Group Tours
Third Sunday Walking Tours
Self-Guided Tours
Penning the Past Zoom Lecture Series
Online Exhibits
Online Activities
People In Preservation Awards
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