A Touch of Paint Brings a Desert Town to Life

A Touch of Paint Brings a Desert Town to Life - A traveling muralist brightens buildings — and maybe prospects — in Needles.
Los Angeles Times, August 30, 2011

Oceanside Hospital - Oceanside, CA, USA

Opened in 1938 as an expansion of the original Oceanside Hospital's 615 North Freeman Street location.  No longer a hospital, the facility is currently home to the Oceanside Family Recovery Center, a mental health facility providing drug rehabilitation to mothers with children.

Located at 1100 Sportfisher Drive (formerly Fifth Street).

Oceanside Hospital - Oceanside, CA, USA

Opened in 1933 by Golda Lester, this was the original location of Oceanside Hospital.  The arch over the driveway on the left was the ambulance entrance.  In 1938 a new building was constructed at 1100 Fifth Street.  The original building is in the middle of a residential block and is presently divided into multiple residences.  The exterior stairs on the left are a later addition.

Located at 615 North Freeman Street.

Fallbrook Hospital - Fallbrook, CA, USA

The present Fallbrook Hospital has been serving the community at this location since its opening in December 1960.

Located at 624 E. Elder Street.

Moreton Bay Fig - Oceanside, CA, USA

From the summer of 1965 until 1972 I lived just down the block from a giant tree.  Nearly every day I passed beneath it, either walking to and from school, to and from the bus stop across the street, or just riding my bike.  On a hot day it always provided a cool shady spot to pause.  I had no idea what kind of tree it actually was back then, although I thought it was some sort of rubber tree.  Many years later I watched an episode of Huell Howser's California's Gold that featured a giant Moreton Bay Fig tree and realized it was the same kind of tree.  The Moreton Bay Fig tree, Ficus macrophylla, is still there in South Oceanside, looking as healthy as ever.

Its massive roots spread out to the curb on both sides.

According to a letter written to the Oceanside Historical Society by Betty Ann (Uhler) Hillman and published in their Spring 2009 newsletter, the tree was planted in 1934 or 35 by her grandather, Archibald Orestis Cope, and brother, Richard Lee Uhler.  The Copes were the homeowners at that time.

I must acknowledge that while doing online research on this tree I came across a blog post by another blogger who seems to remember this old tree as affectionately as I do.  That post can be found at
http://spitballarmy.com/?p=2962 (Spitball Army: Old Man Tree).

Located at 1602 California Street on the NE corner of California Street and Belleaire Street (or Bellaire, the street signs are spelled differently at either end of the block).

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.

Last Wave of the Day - Oceanside, CA, USA

Last Wave of the Day is a surfing-themed sculpture by artist Steve Rieman.  Constructed of polished stainless steel, weathered steel and cast concrete it stands 11 feet tall, 13 feet long and 5 feet wide.  The cast concrete panels surrounding the base have been damaged by repeated hits by skateboards since the sculpture was installed in April 2004 at a cost of $30,000.

Located on Myers Street at Pier View Way on the western side of the Pier View Way pedestrian underpass.