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.

Happy Mothers Day Mural - Escondido, CA, USA

This mural in honor of Mothers Day 2013 is signed by artist Zane.  Photographed on May 3, 2013, it was located on the west exterior wall of Rosemary Duff Florist.

Located at 101 West 2nd Avenue, next to the parking lot.

Charles Hatfield House - Valley Center, CA, USA

This house, thought to have been built circa 1920,  is believed to have been occupied for a time by Charles Hatfield.  In 1916 the City of San Diego hired local rainmaker Charles Hatfield to produce rain.  A resident of San Diego County, Mr. Hatfield had been known to experiment in rainmaking by burning chemicals from the tops of towers.  Whether Charles Hatfield actually produced rain or if it was just a coincidence will probably never be known, but the ensuing rainstorm washed out roads, bridges and dams and resulted in multiple deaths not only in San Diego but throughout all of southern California.  The movie, The Rainmaker, starring Burt Lancaster is a fictionalized account of the incident.

No proof exists that Charles Hatfield actually lived in this house, but old stories and local legends seem to indicate that he burned chemicals from a tower on this property and, although he was not the owner, he did live briefly in the house.  According to a recorded  interview he did state that he had lived in Valley Center.

The house has been unoccupied and deteriorating for years and the property has been sold.  A commercial development called Hatfield Corners is planned at the location.  During the week of April 21, 2013 the house was demolished, and on Sunday, April 28, no trace of it remains.  The landowner had offered to let anyone who was willing to pay to have the house moved off the property to have it, but after several months there were no takers.

In the 1960s my step-grandparents lived in Valley Center and we drove out there several times a month.  This house was always a "landmark" for me on those drives.  It was situated up an embankment and that great porch overlooked the main road.  It has only been in the last few years that I heard of the Charles Hatfield connection, and I will miss seeing this house and the memories it brings.

Formerly located on the west side of Valley Center Road at the intersection of Woods Valley Road.

Happy Valentines Mural - Escondido, CA, USA

This mural in honor of Valentine's Day 2013 is signed by artist Zane.  Photographed on February 10, 2013, it was located on the west exterior wall of Rosemary Duff Florist.

Located at 101 West 2nd Avenue, next to the parking lot.

O'side Cafe - Oceanside, CA, USA

This Spanish Revival style building, originally a residence, has most recently been the location of the O'side Cafe.  In recent years it has housed a variety of businesses including a Psychic, a handmade paper shop, and several different restaurants.  As the O'side Cafe the exterior was colorfully painted to resemble a sunrise or sunset.
As of this date the mural is gone.  The exterior of the building has been painted a shade of brown and a banner advertises the Grand Opening of a coffee shop.

Located at 624 South Coast Highway.

Utility Box Art - Oceanside, CA, USA

In 2008 the Oceanside Arts Commission facilitated the painting of 20 gray utility boxes located at the Oceanside Harbor by volunteer artists.   The project took two years to complete.  The artwork on this utility box is titled Oceanside Harbor Walk.

It is signed Woodward 2009.

Located on Harbor Drive North.

Addendum, February 14, 2013:  Sometime between February 10 and February 14, 2013 this utility box was removed and replaced by a generic green one.

San Luis Rey Auto Salvage & Towing - Oceanside, CA, USA

Late on the night of Wednesday, October 5, 2011 much of the building housing San Luis Rey Auto Salvage & Towing was destroyed by fire.  Firefighters were able to save the office area where computers and files were located.  This longtime Oceanside business, family owned and operated since 1971, remains open and is operating out of an office trailer on the property.  The owners plan to rebuild.

Located at 475 North El Camino Real in the San Luis Rey Valley.

Addendum June 7, 2012:  The old building was demolished the last week of March 2012 to make way for reconstruction.

Oceanside Pier at Sunset - Oceanside, CA, USA

Commissioned by North County Printers and Bryant and Dwyer Sign Service to celebrate their 50th year in business, this 800 square foot mural depicting the Oceanside Pier at sunset was painted by artist Chris Head.  Completed in seven days, just prior to 4th of July weekend in 2010, this mural covers the formerly bare south wall of Johnson's Sporting Goods along Mission Avenue in the heart of downtown.

Located at 202 N. Coast Highway on the NE corner of N. Coast Highway and Mission Avenue.

Addendum September 16, 2015:  This mural was destroyed in September 2015 when the building was being remodeled for the relocation of Swami's Café.

Juanita's Taco Shop - Vista, CA, USA

Casual and inexpensive, offering dine-in or take-out service.  Family friendly, no alcohol.

Located at 248 Main Street.


Addendum, October 12, 2011:
In the pre-dawn hours of October 12, 2011, Juanita's Taco Shop suffered significant fire damage and is considered a total loss.
Fire Damages Vista Taco Shop - Arson, Burglary Suspected at Juanita's Taco Shop  (10news.com article)
Taco Shop Burns Down; Cash Register Found in Oceanside  (nctimes.com article)

American Legion Building - Vista, CA, USA

When American Legion Post No. 365 needed room to expand from their previous location on East Vista Way, Alvin M. Dunn offered this South Santa Fe Ave. lot.  The Alvin Myo Dunn Post No. 365 building was completed in 1948 and was named in honor of Dunn's grandson.  In 2010 Post No. 365 again needed to expand and moved into a former restaurant further south on South Santa Fe Ave. 

The American Legion Alvin Myo Dunn Post No. 365 building is located at 321 South Santa Fe Ave.

The Rorick House - Oceanside, CA, USA

Once located at 106 N. Pacific Street next to the Graves "Top Gun" House and built by Oceanside city attorney and developer, David Rorick, in 1907.  The city-owned Dutch Colonial style beachfront house also stood in the path of a planned two-block hotel-resort.  In the Fall of 2007 it was offered for sale for the sum of $1.00 on the condition it be moved by April 1, 2008.  Costs to move the structure were estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars, and there were no takers.  The Rorick House was demolished in 2008.