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.

Seventh-Day Adventist Church - Escondido, CA, USA

Seven churches were originally granted land by the Escondido Land & Trust Company, this being one of those original seven.  Constructed in 1887 this brick church originally served the Southern Methodists.  It was sold in 1900 to the Seventh-day Adventists who occupied it for a number of years.  It has been enlarged several times and today is occupied by Iglesia Monte De Los Olivos, a Christian church.

An extension has been added to the rear of the original church.

Another extension to the side of the original structure along 4th Avenue.

Located at 331 West 4th Avenue, the original church structure is located on the corner of 4th Avenue and Orange Street.

Veterans Memorial - Escondido, CA, USA

"MEMORIES

OF THEIR DEEDS

FADE AWAY,

BUT THEIR GLORY

NEVER"

IN MEMORY

OF

AMERICA'S

DEFENDERS

Wherever they

may rest

Located in Oak Hill Memorial Park, in front of the cemetery office, at 2640 Glenridge Road.

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.

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.

Alexander Stewart House - Escondido, CA, USA

This Eastlake Victorian style home was built in 1890 by Alexander Stewart, an Escondido blacksmith who went on to become the director of the Escondido National Savings Bank and later the chairman of the City Board.  The building materials were shipped in pieces from New England and around Cape Horn.  Mr. Stewart lived in the house until his death there in 1940.

The photo below shows the home as it appeared in July 2012.

The house was reported to still be in near perfect and unaltered condition in 1992 when it was recommended it be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (the owner declined), but in April 2007 a court-ordered inspection found 24 code violations, both inside and out.  A large open hole had been cut in the attic facade for "ventilation," neighbors reported pieces falling from the house and it was in danger of being demolished.  Considerable improvements appear to have been made since that time.  This is the only home of this style in Escondido.

The photos below were taken in October 2007.

Located at 439 East 5th Avenue in the Old Escondido Historic District.

Mayors' House - Escondido, CA, USA

Located on a hilltop south of downtown Escondido, this house was built circa 1900 (some reports say as early as 1879).  Because it has been home to several of Escondido's city mayors through the years it is referred to as The Mayors' House.

Located at 828 South Broadway in the Old Escondido Historic District.

The Commercial Hotel - Escondido, CA, USA

Built in 1909 this brick building originally housed The Commercial Hotel in downtown Escondido.  The hotel rooms were located on the second floor.  Occupying most of the ground floor were the hotel lobby and dining room.  The left front portion of the ground floor was occupied by Cassous' Pioneer Meat Market.  The building is currently the site of the Bellisima Day Spa.

Located at 122 East Grand Avenue.

Peace Pole - Escondido, CA, USA

This four-sided Peace Pole is inscribed with the phrase "May Peace Prevail On Earth" in English and seven other languages.  There are two languages displayed on each side.  Additionally there is a small metal plaque in Braille.  It is located at the front of the First United Methodist Church along Fourth Avenue.

Located at 341 South Kalmia Street at the intersection of Fourth Avenue.

Woman's Club Clubhouse - Escondido, CA, USA

The Escondido Woman's Club was organized in the early 1900s.  This was their first permanent clubhouse, completed in March of 1918.

The Escondido Woman's Club is still in existance.  Their present clubhouse is located at 751 North Rose Street.

The original clubhouse is located at 240 South Broadway (formerly Lime Street).

Bill of Rights Obelisk - Escondido, CA, USA

This 10-foot-tall obelisk is made of black granite quarried southwest of Escondido.  It is engraved on all four sides with Amendments I through X to the Constitution of the United States, commonly known as the Bill of Rights.

"Presented By Escondido Rotary Club To The City Of Escondido July 4, 1976"

Located in Grape Day Park at 321 North Broadway, along Broadway.

First United Methodist Church - Escondido, CA, USA

Incorporated in November 1886 as the Methodist Episcopal Church of Escondido, this is Escondido's oldest Protestant church.  Their first permanent building was dedicated in August 1887 at Grand Avenue and Ivy Street.  By 1924 the congregation had outgrown the building and a new structure was built at the corner of Kalmia Street and Fourth Avenue (formerly Illinois Avenue).  A Greek-style cement block building, it was dedicated in December 1921.  In 1939 the First Methodist Episcopal Church became the First Methodist Church.  To accommodate the growing congregation that building was demolished in 1964 and the present structure was built on the same site in 1965.  In 1968, through more mergers, the First Methodist Church became the First United Methodist Church.

The front of the building, facing Fourth Avenue, features an enormous stained-glass facade.



Located at 341 South Kalmia Street at the intersection of Fourth Avenue.

Library Building - Escondido, CA, USA

Built in 1895, this was Escondido's first library.  It was originally located on Grand Avenue at the corner of Hickory Street.  When the realignment of Grand Avenue caused the building's removal it was relocated to Grape Day Park in 1971.  After renovation it has served as the office of the Escondido Historical Society since 1976.  It is one of several historical buildings that make up the Esondido History Center Museum.

Located in Grape Day Park at 321 North Broadway.

Wood House - Escondido, CA, USA

Built in 1913 this Prairie style private residence was designed by John Lloyd Wright, son of  architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  A nineteen-year-old draftsman, this was his first project involving a house and it was based on a 1906 design by his father.  It was built for the Stephen F. Wood family.

Located at 455 East 5th Avenue in the Old Escondido Historic District.

Peace Pole - Escondido, CA, USA

This four-sided Peace Pole is inscribed with the phrase "May Peace Prevail On Earth" in English, American Sign Language, Spanish, Hebrew, Japanese, Chinese, Kumeyaay and Somali.  There are two languages displayed on each side.  Additionally there is a small metal plaque in Braille.

"This Peace Pole is a gift from Escondido First United Methodist Church October 2010"

Located in Grape Day Park at 321 North Broadway.

Hatch House - Escondido, CA, USA

This Victorian style house was built circa 1892 for the Hatch family.  Edward J. and Matilda Hatch raised six children here.

Located at 128 East 5th Avenue (formerly Dakota Avenue) in the Old Escondido Historic District.

Hick House - Escondido, CA, USA

Built in late 1887 for Richard S. Hick and his wife, Emeline (Wright).  R. S. Hick was an attorney and served as a Senator in Kansas from 1885 to 1886.  He practiced law in Escondido and wrote many of the city's early ordinances.  The Hicks returned to Kansas in 1890.
The Victorian style house has recently been restored to a single-family home after being converted into apartments.

Located at 710 South Broadway on the southeast corner of Broadway and Juniper Street in the Old Escondido Historic District.  Although it has a Broadway address, the front of the house faces Juniper Street.

California Kingsnake Sculpture - Escondido, CA, USA

This large concrete sculpture of a California Kingsnake once held a swing from a hook in the center of the arch.

Located in Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway.