April 1997
Volume 61 |
Number 4
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| Events That Shaped
a City of Mystique - San Diego |
The 1997 ASA Annual Meeting will be held in San Diego, California,
October 18-22. To acquaint newcomers and seasoned veterans with
San Diego, we present this historical synopsis of the city.
The nation's sixth largest city with a population of more than
2.5 million people, San Diego is known for its beautiful climate,
naval bases, industry, trade, agriculture and tourism. Throughout
the years, San Diego has attracted a steady stream of visitors
as well as residents. The history of San Diego reveals how it
has grown and flourished into the booming metropolis that it is
today. Yet, it is less difficult to explain how this city, over
the years, has maintained its mystique of a quaint seafaring village,
steeped in Spanish tradition and untamed botanical beauty. Its
interesting history dates back to the 16th century.
When It All Began
In 1542, Portuguese navigator Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo,
leading a Spanish fleet, sailed into the southern California coastal
region and claimed the land for Spain, naming it San Miguel. Leaving
the territory unoccupied to explore land further north, Cabrillo
and his troops left "the door open" for other explorers
to discover this area.
In 1602, another Spaniard, Sebastián Vazcaíno,
sailed into San Miguel and renamed the territory San Diego after
the saint, San Diego de Alcalá. The land continued to be
occupied by a small number of soldiers. In 1769, a Franciscan
Padre, Juníper Serra, began the Mission San Diego de Alcalá
for the remaining Kumeyaay Indians who lived in this territory.
The Mission was later moved in 1774 to its current location in
the San Diego River Valley. The Mission San Diego de Alcalá
was the first of 21 missions to be established in California.
By the year 1821, Mexico had gained control of the Spanish-held
land of San Diego. However, this rule would last for only 25 years
until the beginning of the Mexican-American War.
The year 1830 saw San Diego as a prominent area for trading.
One of the major resources during this time was cattle hides.
Soon another dominant industry followed, whaling, producing 55,000
gallons of oil per year.
An End and a New Beginning
The Mexican-American War in 1846 brought about the end of Mexican
reign in San Diego. When the war ceased in 1848, the Treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed and the United States paid $15 million
to Mexico to regain control of the San Diego region. California
was incorporated as the 31st state of the United States in 1850.
Shortly after California's introduction into the United States,
a wealthy financier, William Heath Davis, arrived in San Diego.
Davis and his partners began constructing streets, houses and
a wharf in what was known to San Diegans as "Davis' Folly"
because of its lack of inhabitants.
Another developer, Alonzo Horton, decided to continue the work
that Davis had started, finishing the wharf, building a hotel
and plaza and selling lots and homes. Due to this increasing development,
by 1869, approximately 3,000 residents had moved into this area,
which was renamed "New Town."
That was just the beginning. Between the years 1885 and 1890,
railroad lines, electric lights, trolley tracks and telephone
lines were installed in San Diego. These advancements further
helped to increase the population, bringing the city's residential
population to 16,000 people.
San Diego's Entrance Into the 20th Century
An aviator by the name of Glenn Curtiss opened the first military
aviation school in the United States around 1911. In 1923, the
11th Naval District and the Pacific Fleet made San Diego their
headquarters. This led to San Diego's rise as a primary military
establishment. Various other attractions developed around this
time. One can still visit some of these sites today. Balboa Park,
the San Diego Zoo, the 11th Naval District and Lindbergh Field
are just a few of the attractions that remain open to San Diegans
and tourists.
After World War II ended in 1945, San Diego again saw its population
swell. More and more people moved into the region and decided
to take up permanent residency. This was the beginning of what
would eventually bring San Diego to its status as the sixth largest
city in the United States.
Today, San Diego is visited by thousands of tourists. Aside from
coming to taste San Diego's valuable agricultural productions
such as citrus fruits and avocados, people travel to San Diego
from all over the world to stay at the many beach resorts, see
the attractions and enjoy San Diego's warm, welcoming climate.
Click here for more San Diego information.
Plans Under Way for 1997 ASA Annual
Meeting in San Diego
The 1997 ASA Annual Meeting will be held October 18-22 in San
Diego, California. ASA members and their spouses or guests are
invited to attend. Registration and hotel reservation forms will
be mailed to ASA members in June.
The San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina and the Hyatt Regency
San Diego will serve as co-headquarters hotels for the ASA Annual
Meeting. All meetings of the House of Delegates and reference
committees will be held at the Hyatt. Breakfast panels will be
held at the Marriott.
The San Diego Convention Center is the location for the 48th
Annual Refresher Course Lectures, which will be presented Saturday
and Sunday, October 18 and 19. The scientific papers, panels,
the Rovenstine Memorial Lecture, the Wright Memorial Lecture and
Clinical Forum also will be held at the San Diego Convention Center.
All scientific, technical and art exhibits will be open from Sunday
through Tuesday, October 19-21, at the San Diego Convention Center.
Spouse activities will be held at the Marriott. A hospitality
room, where coffee and soda will be served throughout the day,
will be located at the Marriott, the Hyatt and the San Diego Convention
Center. Tickets for social activities will be sold in the registration
area at the San Diego Convention Center.
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