THE CORONADO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION AND MUSEUM OF HISTORY & ART | NEWSLETTER VOL. 5, NO. 2; SUMMER 2011


Celebrating 100 years on Orange Avenue


CALENDAR July 4


Spreckels Society


Patriotic Breakfast 10 a.m.


July 14 & 21


Thursday Coronado History “Drop-Ins” (see page 4) 4:30 & 5:00 p.m.


July 28


Annual Meeting 6 p.m.


August 4 & 11


Thursday Coronado History “Drop-Ins” (see page 4) 4:30 & 5:00


August Spreckels Society Gala


This 4th of July, colorful floats and bands made their way along Orange Avenue, just under the windows of the offices of the Coronado Historical Association. And as they usually do every year, members of the Association’s Spreckels Society enjoyed the parade from the special vantage point that the Association offices provide. But this year the event held special significance as this elegant, Neo-Classical building on the corner of Orange Avenue and Park Place passed a major milestone on June 17th–its 100th birthday.


At top: G. Aubrey Davidson, owner of the Bank of Commerce & Trust in 1911. Above: The Palumbo family owned and operated Marco’s Restaurant from 1964-1999.


In 1911, Orange Avenue was the main business corridor for Coronado, anchored by the Hotel del Coronado at the south end of the street and the ferry wharf at the opposite end. The road was unpaved with a median strip of orange trees and the right-of-way for the streetcar line. Palm trees edged Orange Avenue and provided a little additional greenery for residents to enjoy. The city was beginning to lay out a sewer system, pave the sidewalks and put streetlights on every corner.


During the year 1910, over $200,000 had been invested in Coronado as more and more San Diego business and professional men saw the merits of


Coronado and its beautiful assets. The city was quickly growing into a prime residential, tourist and business location.


Helping to provide financial support for these various business ventures was the first bank in Coronado—the Bank of Commerce and Trust–begun in a small storefront at the corner of Tenth and Orange Avenues, while a new building to house it was constructed. The bank was owned by G. Aubrey Davidson, an important San Diego businessman who was instrumental in bringing the U.S. Navy to San Diego, and first promoted the idea of hosting a world’s fair in Balboa Park.


In 1907, a Mission-style building was proposed by the Quayle Brothers, a San Diego architectural firm. It is unclear why that design was ultimately rejected, but the landmark building we admire today was designed by two San Francisco architects,


…continued on page 6


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12