Sunday, August 25, 2013

Giant Eucalyptus Tree - Escondido, CA, USA

In the early 1900s groves of Eucalyptus trees were planted throughout Southern California in the belief that the wood could be used for railroad ties. Unfortunately that was not to be as the wood warped and cracked.
One of the trees from that era was located in Grape Day Park and had grown to be a giant. It was actually two trees that had grown together into one. It was abruptly decided in April of 2013 that the old "Siamese twin" tree needed to be cut down due to "safety concerns," and on April 19, 2013 that occurred.

This is the tree as it appeared on May 26, 2012.


And this is all that remained on May 25, 2013.



Located in Grape Day Park at 321 North Broadway.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

First Christian Church - Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

Built by the Methodists in 1887 after their original building was lost to a windstorm, this brick structure is the oldest church in Lake Elsinore (originally Elsinore).  It was sold to the First Christian congregation in 1923 and has been continuously occupied since then as the First Christian Church.  Prominent features are stained glass windows and the nearly 50-foot tall steeple housing an antique bell.





In February 2013 the Valley of the Mist Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century placed a commemorative plaque in recognition of the building's historical significance.


A photograph at the Lake Elsinore Museum of the Methodist's 1887 dedication ceremony includes a figure believed to be Wyatt Earp - a tall mustached man in a white shirt standing at the top of the steps in front of the door.

Wyatt Earp Believed to be in 1887 Church Photo

Located at 503 West Heald Avenue at the northeast corner of Heald Avenue and Poe Street.