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.

Bike Trail Markers - Oceanside, CA, USA

This 2004 sculpture by artist Alber De Matteis marks the Coastal Rail Trail in Oceanside.  The glass mosaic and ferro cement sculpture is 6-1/2 feet tall, 9 feet wide and 1-1/2 feet deep.

Located on the west side of Broadway Street at the intersection of Vista Way.

Santa Fe Depot - Hemet, CA, USA

This depot, built by the Santa Fe Railroad, once served a Santa Fe spur line that ran from San Bernardino through Perris, then on through Hemet, ending in San Jacinto.  It handled both passengers and freight.  The two-story section was the passenger depot and its construction was completed in 1914, replacing two earlier depots.  The long adjoining section was the freight depot. It was part of the second depot, built in 1898, and was moved to this location.  It is one of the oldest structures in Hemet's downtown area.   Restored by a local group, Save Our Station, the freight depot is now the home of the Hemet Museum.  A coffee and bagel shop occupies the end of the building nearest Florida Avenue.

Located at the intersection of Florida Avenue and State Street.  Entrance and parking lot along State Street.

Santa Fe Depot - Vista, CA, USA

Built by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1913 this building originally was located near the intersection of North Santa Fe Avenue and Washington Street along the freight line between Oceanside and Escondido.  It was used for passenger service until sometime in the early 1940s.  It remained in continuous use for more than 80 years until it was closed in December 1969 due to the reduction of local freight along that line.  It sat empty until 1981 when it was moved to its present location on a hilltop several blocks east, restored, and dedicated for use housing the Vista Chamber of Commerce.



Located on the southeast corner of  Washington Street and Indiana Avenue.

Santa Fe Depot - Carlsbad, CA, USA

Built in 1887 in the Queen Anne style and in service from 1888 until 1959.  The building was acquired by the City of Carlsbad in 1960 and has housed the Chamber of Commerce and most recently the Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the first commercial building in Carlsbad and remains in its original location.

 

Located on the east side of the railroad tracks between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue.