It's embarrassing to think how long this post has been waiting for me to shoot a matching contemporary view (not quite as embarrassing as the VERY cool vintage Disneyland post that has been sitting on my computer for a few years). The initial photo is from February 1962 and shows the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. Not a stellar photo, but it does show a set of arches that are no longer there; in their place is a large plaza with a fountain. The first time I attempted the similar view I didn't get the angle right and completely left the Natural History Museum out of the shot.
Flash forward to about six months later and round two. Success!
Here’s a better composed vintage view of the Natural History Museum from September 1963:
It was quite odd to see Balboa Park empty at sunset; normally this is a time when the place is packed. Just a sign of the times.
See more Balboa Park photos at my main website.
6 comments:
I never knew those arches had been there. I thought I'd seen so many historical pics of Balboa Park and yet never seen that before. I'm so glad that you can get these pics while things are this empty. If only they'd let you loose in the house of the mouse for a day/night. I don't think I'll ever see Balboa at that time of day like this again. ( Next "pandemic", not withstanding )
I'd love to know exactly what buildings and architectural elements were removed since the Exposition. I'd never seen those arches before, either. Walking around the park was really apocalyptic. As for Dland....I'm surprised they're not offering packages for $$$ to have the park to yourself! Or maybe they are and we just don't know it.
Ha. I wondered something similar as well. The "Covid Premium Package" or the "Premier-19 Pass". One temperature scan and a face mask and you can ride all you want for only $20,000 a day.
And I am sure there are those who would (and could) pay for that.
My then-5-year-old managed to fall into that fountain. In fact, he managed to fall into nearly every body of water we encountered in San Diego except for those in the Zoo.
Memories that make me smile...thanks for bringing those to the surface, Dave!
I enjoyed this post, Dave. I would love to step into that 2nd-to-the-last picture - that one is especially beautiful. Thank you!
Sue
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