In the almost 25 years that I've lived in San Diego County, the city skyline has undergone incredible change. Back in the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s, the El Cortez Hotel was the crown jewel of the San Diego Skyline. It reigned over the downtown skyline like a royal queen watching her domain. It was visible from just about any viewpoint surrounding the downtown area. Not any more. Now it's a bit tarnished and it is hidden by all the new highrise buildings. Here is a view of the El Cortez that I took in October, 1997. It is once again attempting to go through a new refurbishment. Time will tell if this one succeeds. I hope so.
Back in its heyday, the Walker Scott department store at the corner of 5th and Broadway was the cornerstone of locally-owned chain. Its reputation for Christmas decorations was legendary. Back in the days before shopping malls, it was the place to shop. George Scott, who took over the store and the unexpected demise of Mr Walker, was one of the founders of the local community chest which later on became the San Diego chapter of the United Way. The Walker Scott Downtown Store fell in its glory as shopping centers began to proliferate in the county. Walker Scott acquired other locations over the years. It bought out Whitney's in the late 50s. Whitneys in La Jolla became Walker Scott La Jolla. In late 1959, Walker Scott opened its first mall location: Walker Scott College Grove. Over the years, it would have stores in Mission Valley, Escondido, Oceanside, Linda Vista, El Cajon, San Carlos, Clairemont, Orange County and Palm Springs. In the early 1980s, Walker Scott attempted to start a discount chain called Savers. Two Savers locations were opened: One in Pacific Beach and one in National City. Within a year and a half, both were converted to additional Walker Scott stores. The La Jolla store was the first to chose during the liquidation when its lease expired. The downtown store was the second Walker Scott store to close when the chain was liquidated in 1986-1989. For 10 years, the building has been vacant and desolate. This picture was taken in October, 1997--a dismal shadow of its former splendor. I'll be posting a Walker Scott history page in the future.
Back when I first came to San Diego in the summer of 1974, the foot of Broadway [from First Street to the Broadway Pier] was hard to describe. It had tattoo parlors, arcades, cheap hotels and catered heavily to the very sizeable navy population of the time. In many ways it was like taking a time warp to the 40s or earlier. All of the Downtown area was dirty and it was before the days of heavy infusion of 'urban renewal' funds. However, two buildings in the area still remain today: The Union Pacific Railroad Station [left] and the Armed Forces YMCA [right]. Back in the 70s, both buildings had begun to look a bit shabby. However, today both have been restored to their former glories. All the tatoo parlors and arcades are gone. They have been replaced with federal and county courthouses, bank buildings filled with all kinds of lawyers, and government agencies of all kinds. In fact, as I was taking these photos, I was struck by the fact that there are only 3 reasons the average person would want to go to Downtown San Diego: 1) Go to court, 2) Deal with a government bureaucracy or 3) Use the bus or trolley--which the city in its wisdom demands must ALL terminate downtown. I was also struck by the fact that one of the reasons I avoid going downtown is because of the lack of easy and inexpensive parking. Why go downtown and fight looking for a parking place and then paying a fortune for it when I can go to a mall and park for free and not have to look 30 minutes for a place.
As I get more pictures, I'll post more. In the meantime, you can look at some of my other San Diego County pages:
All contents and photographs © 1997-1998 by Mike Nelson