On the cover: sailboat on the shore painting by Jim Nix
While coronado has a good
Coronado Has A Love Affair With The Arts.
From the Printed Page to the Silver Screen (and beyond) art has long taken center stage in Coronado. As a quiet retreat, a film-site, or place of inspiration, this little piece of paradise has had it’s impact on many of the works that have served to make our lives richer and more colorful. L. Frank Baum walked the streets of Coronado, Ray Bradbury was seen at the Coronado Public Library, and no one can forget Marilyn Monroe at the Hotel del Coronado.
This issue of the Coronado Magazine gets in on the act as well. We bring you a little bit of “Art Outside the Box” (there’s history on every street corner) … local Artist Jim Nix captures light and life with his plain air painting … and characters in costume were once-again gathered to celebrate Comic-Con … a little bit of culture to suit everyone’s taste.
This month Hattie takes us on a trip “OTB” (but it’s even nicer to come home), Christine makes us a mocktail sure to delight, Joe reminisces on jackrabbits “as big as dogs,” and we’re reminded that our pets are often the very best source of support for our mental health. Finally, for the historical-minded, Kris takes us on a journey through the legacy and landscape of Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Summer is coming to an end here in Coronado and fall will soon be here. Children will head back-toschool and the holidays will follow soon after.
So, get on out and enjoy the sun while you can … there’s an art to it!
Dean K. Eckenroth Jr Editor & Associate Publisher
The
PUBLISHER
Dean Eckenroth
publisher.eaglenews@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Dean K. Eckenroth Jr. editor.eaglenews@gmail.com
Alessandra Selgi-Harrigan
alessandra.eaglenews@gmail.com
Lauren.eaglenews@gmail.com
kel.eaglenews@gmail.com
Christine Johnson
christine.eaglenews@gmail.com
eaglenewsbrooke@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Hattie Foote
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Patricia Ross
patricia.eaglenews@gmail.com
Renee Schoen
renee.eaglenews@gmail.com
PRODUCTION
Andrew Koorey
PRINTING
Reed
DISTRIBUTION
Roberto Gamez
Copyright
Over The Bridge
We Go...
By HATTIE FOOTE
Ilove shopping locally; I know the importance of it, as my husband owns a small business himself. While Coronado has a good variety of stores that provide our basic needs, it is inevitable that we must travel OTB (over the bridge) to run some errands. And we locals will be very dramatic about it, as if we’re making a 50-mile trek in a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail. Any time we leave the house, my kids demand to know if it’s OTB or not, which determines the amount of whining I’ll be receiving.
The fact of the matter is, I spend a lot of time in the Sports Arena area. I go to the car wash there; my HomeGoods, Target, and Old Navy trifecta are all there. Our family favorite, Pho Point Loma & Grill, is also there. Everything you need that you may not be able to get on island is a short 14-minute drive away! Sports Arena can be a, how do I put this, colorful experience. One evening, we were driving home from dinner, and my precious, innocent seven-year-old son announced in awe, “We just passed a nude dance studio!” My husband almost swerved off the road, my daughter was shouting at him to look away… it was a scene. On the bright side, we were very pleased he was learning to read so well— love our Coronado schools! Years ago, there was a man who would bring his pet wolf, yes, WOLF, named Silver, to Target and have a service animal vest on it. I even have a picture of me and Silver somewhere; it’s one of my favorite Sports Arena
stories. My kids are also fascinated with Koby’s “Swamp Meat.” I haven’t had the heart to inform them that it’s called Koby’s Swap Meet!
A trip to Sports Arena is not complete without a stop at Animal Kingdom. We made the grave mistake of getting our daughter a leopard gecko for Christmas; she named it Baby Gorgeous. I, in turn, became the not-so-proud owner of a leopard gecko and was constantly
at Animal Kingdom buying the fresh worms it required. I must confess, when we went out of town last summer, Baby Gorgeous went to the pet sitter, and we agreed upon an adoption when we returned. Turns out reptile life was not for us. But pet or not, Animal Kingdom is a great alternative if you aren’t in the mood for the San Diego Zoo! Plus, there is an In-N-Out across the street, so make an afternoon out of it!
Liberty Station is where I spend a lot of time, and I’m happy to do so. Recently, I was on my biweekly Trader Joe’s run, because I swear these kids are going to eat me out of house and home this summer, and the cashier asked me where I lived. When I said Coronado, you would
have thought I said Temecula. He exclaimed that he couldn’t believe I drove that far for groceries. I was surprised because I see my friends and neighbors there constantly! Fourteen minutes is not too far for the gourmet wares of Mr. Joe! Liberty Station is so family friendly, we are big fans of Tappers Mini Golf at the Loma Club. The Lot theater is a fun date night spot, and just down the road is Cabrillo National Monument. It has the most stunning trails with epic views of Coronado, a perfect way to start a weekend morning. Hot tip: there’s a drive-thru Dunkin’ Donuts on the way, so we let the kids get a sugar fix to keep the momentum going on hikes! And on the way back, stop at Point Loma Seafood for a beer and fried clams. It’s a classic spot to get seafood in San Diego, so casual and fresh! One of the many great things about Coronado is its proximity to all the wonderful places San Diego has to offer. It can be nice to get off the Rock, but even nicer to come home. I hope your long days of summer are magical. Enjoy them, because fall is around the corner! And when I say fall, I mean locals’ summer!
Art Outside the Box Celebrating Coronado History on Every Street Corner
Art Outside the Box
Celebrating Coronado History on Every Street Corner
Serving as a testament to the community’s vibrant past, utility boxes along Orange Avenue have recently been wrapped in engaging historic photographs with added pops of color. The photos replaced previous wraps of colorful art pieces that were designed by middle and grade school students to adorn the otherwise colorless utility boxes. The new historic photo wraps have been in development for several years as part of the Art Outside the Box initiative to replace the art wraps, which reached the end of their lifespan.
Art Outside the Box was a joint project between the Coronado Arts Commission (CAC), Coronado Historical Association (CHA), and Coronado Unified School District’s internship program. The project brought together a dedicated group of high school students who researched and designed the box wraps to showcase the rich history of Coronado through the creative public display.
Under the guidance of a team of experienced volunteer instructors, two groups of students worked on the project, one focused on historical research and the other on graphic design. Throughout the Fall 2023 semester, the interns focused on historical research and engaged in a variety of activities, including learning research techniques, exploring primary and secondary sources, and conducting local research at CHA’s Research Center. The graphic design interns worked on artfully conforming the images to box specifications, color saturation effects, and engaging in constructive feedback. The project culminated in the creation of proposals for visually appealing wraps, with accompanying historic write-ups, that now adorn Coronado’s utility boxes.
The proposals were submitted to be reviewed by both the City of Coronado and CalTrans, who oversees utility policies along Orange Avenue. After approval, the boxes were wrapped, and the project was completed in spring 2025. In celebration of the project’s completion, models of the boxes, along with historic photographs, are on display at the Coronado Public Library starting August 7, 2025.
The project not only provided valuable insight into Coronado’s history but also offered a platform for the interns to share their findings with the wider community.
Corner of Fourth & Orange
Written By Griffin Wong
Designed
by
Juniper Clark
A Coronado institution for decades, Miss Bunny’s preschool at 411 Orange was attended by multitudes of Coronado children. Miss Bunny (MacKenzie) also founded the Coronado Historical Association. Her civic work educating young children and preserving history has made her a truly noteworthy Coronadan.
Corner of Third & Orange
Written By Griffin Wong
Designed by Juniper Clark
Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) was established in 1917, the same year the U.S. joined World War I. Today, it ranks as the second-largest naval base in the U.S., after Norfolk, VA. The first U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Langley, was commissioned in 1920, beginning the long history of carrier-based aviation that distinguishes North Island. Today, NASNI is known for flying helicopters. The base expanded considerably during WWII, when the navy filled in the Spanish Bight separating it from South Island. Until 1969, when the San Diego-Coronado Bridge opened, access to North Island from the mainland was predominantly by boat across the bay. Today, the intersections of Third and Fourth at Orange are the pathways between the bridge and the naval base.
Corner of Eighth & Orange
Written by CHA Internship Team
Designed by Jocain Howard
The Village Theater is a classic movie theater that opened in 1947 and still caters to a variety of island audiences. It has hosted the Coronado Island Film Festival since its inception in 2016. This intersection was also once home to the magnificent house of renowned opera singer Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1861–1936) at 800 Orange Avenue, now occupied by the Union Bank. The house had been built for the lawyer H.L. Titus, a business associate of J.D. Spreckels. Across Orange Avenue from this house and the Village Theater was the Texaco gas station, another bygone facet of daily life in Coronado’s history.
A Curtiss HS-2 single-engine flying boat provides seating for a number of Navy personnel.
N.d. Coronado Historical Association Collection.
Miss Bunny’s class taking a ride on the ferry during its last day in service. August 1, 1969. Coronado Historic Association Collection.
Israeli actress Ziva Rodann and Don Larson, the festival’s manager, draw attention to the second annual film festival. 1962. Coronado Historical Association.
Corner of Sixth & Orange
Written by Mason Deane
Designed by Jocain Howard
Sixth and Orange is a hub in Coronado, boasting Spreckels Park and the library, as well as the nearby fire station and high school. The original library was opened in 1890 and was located close to the Hotel Del Coronado. The library we know today was opened in 1909 and is located in what was then called West Plaza. Behind the library sits Coronado High School. Coronado earliest schoolhouse dates back to 1887, but the high school was permanently established in facilities with the grammar school, collectively called the Coronado School, in 1913. The grammar school was later renamed Central Elementary School. The upper grades remained at the Coronado School until a separate school building was constructed in 1923 as an independent high school. That building was renovated in 1961, and again in 2006. Spreckels Park was originally called East Plaza. Elisha Babcock commissioned an adobe house there in 188788 to be used as a community building. The building, known as the Old Adobe, included roof tiles that were sourced from the old Mission Viejo and the mission at San Juan Capistrano. The building was used for a variety of City uses, but one special event included when the Old Adobe housed Charles R. Orcutt’s collection of cacti. The collection, claimed to be the second largest cactus collection in the United States, with over 500 specimens, was gathered by the naturalist from across Southern California and Baja California. Orcutt was later a founding member of San Diego’s Natural History Museum. The Old Adobe was sadly demolished in 1915.
Corner of Tenth & Orange
Written
by Mason Deane
Designed by Juniper Clark
After Tenth Street, Orange takes a slight left turn to head south toward the Hotel del Coronado. This intersection holds noteworthy buildings and businesses, as well as Rotary Plaza. Rotary Plaza is home to Coronado’s iconic star pine tree, which was planted in 1936 by the Rotary Club of Coronado. The City started lighting the tree during the holidays in about 1938.
One of the most notable historic businesses in the area was The Free Brothers Market, which was started by Charles Free. Mr. Free, after returning from WWII service in Europe and internment as a Prisoner of War in Poland, started the company in the late 1940s. He and his brothers ran the market for 22 years on the site where the Chase Bank now stands.
Across the street, Clayton’s started in 1942 as Gerry’s Coffee Shop. In 1947, Gerry started keeping it open around the clock, which proved so popular that the name was changed to 24 Hr. Coffee Shop. New owner Clayton Rice changed it to Clayton’s in 1978, as it remains today.
Junior Traffic Patrol boys’ party hosted in Spreckels Park. 1939. Coronado Historical Association Collection.
Free Bros. Market at the corner of Tenth and Isabella. c.1960. Coronado Historical Association Collection.
Corner of B & Orange
Written by Jasmine Lo
Designed by Jocain Howard
La Avenida Cafe was established in 1938 at 1301 Orange Avenue, displaying an emphasis on SpanishRevival architecture and enriched with murals created by Ramos Martinez, a trailblazer of Mexican Modernism. The murals were threatened in the 1990s by the potential redevelopment of the building. In response, the Coronado Historical Association successfully advocated to protect Martinez’s murals, and they were moved in 1995 to the wall at the checkout desk of the Coronado Public Library. La Avenida Cafe was also renowned for its “Jack’s Salad,” the chef’s take on the Caesar salad created by Caesar Cardini in Tijuana.
Across B Avenue, the pioneering photographer Lou Goodale Bigelow (1884-1968) set up shop in the Carlton Hotel in 1915. Ms. Bigelow was known for producing distinctive portraits and artistic studies for over 30 years, living behind her
studio at the site. The Carlton Hotel was designed by renowned architect Irving Gill. The building was demolished in the 1980s, and today the Bank of America occupies the site.
Across Orange Avenue, the graceful landmark Spreckels Building gently curves along the entire block. This impressive building was commissioned by Coronado businessman and philanthropist John
Corner of Avenida del Sol & Orange Avenue
Written by Sophia Hodges
Designed by Rebekka Siqueiros
Where Orange Avenue becomes the Silver Strand, the Hotel del Coronado sits with its restored original entry across from the 1970s Coronado Shores condominiums. Also at this juncture is the island’s first hotel, the Oxford, built in 1888 as the Circle Bar Hotel. The Circle Bar Hotel was originally located at Orange Avenue and First Street. Renamed the Oxford Hotel in 1911, the building was moved to Ynez Place, where it subsequently operated for 50 years as a dormitory for Hotel Del employees. In 1983, it was moved again, to its present location at the Hotel Del for restoration.
The Grande Dame Hotel del Coronado has drawn visitors to the special island of Coronado for over 130 years to enjoy both the hotel’s amenities and the exceptional island community.
D. Spreckels and built by Harrison Albright in 1917. The building has had many commercial and residential tenants over the years, including a tearoom, vaudeville theatre, movie theater, barber shop, produce stand, department stores, office suites, and apartments. The original bank to occupy the corner space was the Bank of Coronado, which was founded by Spreckels himself.
The long, curving Spreckels Building as the backdrop for the 4th of July parade. 1991. Coronado Historical Association Collection.
Moving the Oxford Hotel to the grounds of the Hotel Del Coronado. 1983. Coronado Historical Association Collection.
Corner of Pomona & Orange
Written by Jasmine Lo
Designed by Rebekka Siqueiros
Outdoor activities and entertainment have dominated this area of Coronado since the creation of the Hotel del Coronado. The Boat House was a prototype for the construction of the hotel itself and served the hotel with sailboats for guests to use. In 1903, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography was established in the Boat House, where it operated for two years before moving north to La Jolla. The building has hosted several Coronado restaurants over the decades, notably the Chart House (1968–2001) and, now, the Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill.
The Japanese Tea Garden in Coronado was another attraction created by Spreckels to enhance the experiences of his hotel guests on the island. Close to the hotel, it was popular with guests and locals alike, until its demise in the late 1930s and ultimate redevelopment for houses and businesses.
As with other activities on the island, golf was connected early on with the Hotel Del as part of its promotion as a resort. The first course was laid out in 1897, close to its current incarnation. However, by 1900, a new, 18-hole course was created on
Corner of Avenida de Las Arenas & Silver Strand
Written by Sophia Hodges
Designed by Rebekka Siqueiros
The Hotel del Coronado’s Tent City opened in 1900 as a less expensive alternative to the Del and quickly became a vibrant community of its own as an early “glamping” locale. Tent City had shops and restaurants and multiple activities, including a children’s pool, a dance pavilion, a cold water plunge, an arcade, and a boardwalk. It offered varied concerts and performances, its own newspaper, and even a police department. Tent City closed in 1938.
the grounds of the country club and its racetrack, where it remained until that area was taken over for postwar housing. By 1957, the golf course returned as a municipal course to the other side of the island, enlarged by filling in part of the bay.
Tent City Dance Pavilion. 1919. Coronado Historical Association Collection.
The Hotel del Coronado Boat House perched on the edge of Glorietta Bay. n.d. Coronado Historical Association Collection.
Eggplant, also known as aubergine, is a nutrientrich vegetable that offers numerous health benefits, making it a fantastic addition to any diet. Packed with antioxidants, particularly nasunin, which helps protect brain cells from damage, eggplant also contains fiber, vitamins C and K, and essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium. These nutrients contribute to heart health by helping to lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure. Additionally, the high fiber content aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness, making it a great choice for weight management. When it comes to incorporating eggplant into your meals, there are countless delicious recipes to explore. You can slice it and grill it for a tasty addition to salads, roast it to enhance its natural sweetness, or use it as a meat substitute in dishes like eggplant parmesan or moussaka. For a quick and healthy option, try making baba ganoush, a creamy dip made by blending roasted eggplant with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Whether you enjoy it baked, sautéed, or stuffed, eggplant is a versatile ingredient that can elevate your culinary creations while providing a wealth of health benefits.
IN THE
FINAL LAZY DAYS
OF
SUMMER ... THIS MOCKTAIL IS FOR YOU!
Welcoming in the month of August may be the hardest time of the year. Time to pack up the beach chairs and sunscreen and prepare for the journey home to the reality of jobs and school.
Not all is lost putting August in the rear-view mirror though. It’s when we start preparing for the rest of the year’s events. The major holidays are just a calendar flip away, and the heat and humidity begin to give way to the crisp fall mornings and beautiful colors. Kids choose their new school backpacks and
INGREDIENTS
4 ounces coconut water
3 ounces pineapple juice
1 ounce grapefruit juice
2 ounces sparkling water
Grapefruit wedges (for garnish)
Ice cubes
clothes, teachers prepare their lesson plans, and parents dream of the first day of school where they drop off the kids and have a quiet day to themselves.
Let’s celebrate with something a little different that is not exactly new but is a definite trend. I was introduced to the “mocktail” by my daughter. She is a college graduate who doesn’t drink (is she really my child) and has been asking for this type of drink for years. In the beginning, she had to just request a cocktail with no alcohol. Now restaurants and bars have an actual mocktail menu. Has the older generation ruined
drinking for the younger generation? While this may be a good thing, it still seems a bit foreign.
In the final lazy days of summer, break out your tiki umbrellas one last time and enjoy a drink with sunshine and sweetness with zero chances of a hangover. Despite what we have learned, and what the beach commercials tell us, you don’t need alcohol to be transported to vacation mode. This is dedicated to my funny and intelligent daughter who introduces me to the latest and greatest and keeps me young and on my toes. Happy Birthday Sammy. This mocktail Is for you!
MIXOLOGY
Fill a wine glass or rocks glass with ice cubes
Add coconut water
Add pineapple juice
Add grapefruit juice
Stir ingredients
Top with sparkling water
Place grapefruit wedges on top
NOTE: If you miss the summer flavor of rum, try adding an ounce of your favorite to make this a “cocktail”.
A place to enjoy good wine, whiskey and tequila, craft beer and charcuterie plates in a bright, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. our Schedule for Live Music!
Park Place Liquor & Deli 1000 Park Place (619) 435-0116
Peohe’s Ferry Landing (619) 437-4474
Roppongi
800 Seacoast Dr, IB (619) 631-4949
Rosemary Trattoria 120 Orange Ave. (619) 537-0054
Saiko Sushi 116 Orange Ave. (619) 435-0868
Sammy's Restaurant & Bar 800 Seacoast Dr., IB (619) 631-4949
Serea at the Del (619) 522-8100
Silver Strand Exchange At Loews Resort (619) 424-4000
Spiro’s Greek Café Ferry Landing (619) 435-1225
Stake Chophouse + Bar 1309 Orange Ave. (619) 522-0077
Subway 1330 Orange Ave. (619) 435-8272
Swaddee Thai 1001 C Ave. (619) 435-8110
Tartine 1106 1st St. (619) 435-4323
Tavern 1310 Orange Ave. (619) 437-0611
The Henry 1031 Orange Ave. (619) 762-1022
The Little Club 132 Orange Ave. (619) 435-5885
Trident Coffee 942 Orange Ave (619) 522-4905
Villa Nueva Bakery Cafe 956 Orange Ave. (619) 435-1256
Village Pizzeria Bayside Ferry Landing (619) 437-0650
Village Pizzeria 1206 Orange Ave. (619) 522-0449
Vom Fass Ferry Landing (619) 534-5034
Which Wich 926 Orange Ave. (619) 522-9424
Yummy Sushi 1330 Orange Ave. (619) 435-2771
Local Dining
“Jackrabbits As Big As Dogs”
Coronado’s Early Jackrabbit History
By JOE DITLER
In the beginning there were rabbits for as far as the eye could see – husks of jackrabbits from shore to shore. History has overlooked this massive influence on early Coronado’s development, until now.
Two centuries ago, bands of Kumeyaay Indians roamed what we now know as Coronado. Several lived on the island, which is what Coronado was in those days. We were separated to the north by a river known to modern man as the Spanish Bight. To the south, the strand of land connecting us to the mainland was frequently washed out – a veritable slough.
Kumeyaay lived and hunted on Coronado, using handmade reed boats to transit back and forth from the mainland via water, and they ventured offshore in the ocean seeking food. Coronado had good hunting and fishing in those days, and plenty of fresh water from an underground river.
Part of a young Kumeyaay warrior’s rite of passage was to outrun and catch a wild rabbit, on foot.
Western man arrived on Coronado in the late 1800s and created his own version of rabbit hunts – with a shotgun and a pack of dogs.
Since as early as 1900, history records large groups gathering on North Island with horses, wagons, a chuck wagon to serve food, and dozens of finely dressed men and women out to hunt the easy prey. When North Island developed as a home to airplanes (1910), the enormous and unchecked populations of rabbits became a hazard to aviation. Small bi-winged airplanes held together with canvas and wire, and sporting tiny wheels for landing gear, proved no match for the madly scrambling jackrabbits inhabiting the eventual runways.
Before long jackrabbit roundups were an annual routine on North Island, designed to flush out the long-eared critters from Manzanita brush found on the island, and to thin their ranks.
Town fathers found out the hard way that rabbits liked the vegetation (Orange trees) planted along Orange Avenue
The wily wabbit of Coronado.
and throughout the fledgling town; and later, the flowers surrounding the officers’ quarters on North Island.
During roundups everyone turned out. It was an all-hands exercise that found Army, Navy and civilian personnel lined up near the Spanish Bight equipped only with sticks and clubs.
On command, the legion of men (pilots, mechanics, cooks, officers, enlisted men and anyone who could stand) walked forward in a line while beating their sticks. Rabbits began to pop out everywhere and flee from the hunters’ unrelenting progression.
Before long rabbits were so thick on the ground that people would step out of the line to take a swipe at a rabbit’s head, knocking him unconscious. By the time the line got to the water (the northwest side of North Island), hundreds of rabbits had been clubbed to death, while hundreds more were forced into the water to drown.
Their carcasses, according to Elretta Sudsbury, author of “Jackrabbits to Jets” (the complete history of North Island), were hauled to the San Diego Zoo (after
1915) for use in feeding the animals. Sudsbury also describes another method for thinning the ranks of rabbits. These were called the Ford Rabbit Derbies. “The first derby was held on Saturday, May 26, 1928,” said the author.
Miss Bessie Love, star of the silent screen, and celebrity presenter at the Ford Rabbit Derbies.
“Seventeen men in Model T ‘Tin Lizzies,’ competed. Rules allowed two runners per ‘Lizzie.’ No weapons other than clubs were allowed. Each contestant followed a course across Rabbit Plateau thru the morning mist, across the landing field, and back to the finish line, which was abreast of the VT-2 landplane hanger on West Beach.”
She went on to describe how referees checked to make sure no one had any dead “or crippled” rabbits in their Model T prior to the start. The first Model T to return with a rabbit was declared the winner.
In the 1928 race, Lieutenant Greber in the “Red Peril” won first prize, which was a five-gallon loving cup, a medal, and a bouquet of carrots and beets … plus $5. Prizes, according to Sudsbury, were presented by Miss Bessie Love, a silent film star of the time.
This next anecdote is so unbelievable; I’ll let Elretta Sudsbury tell it in her own words:
“During one Ford Derby, the winner lucked out. He chased a rabbit over sand
In this early North Island photo, participants gather in preparation for the start of a Rabbit Derby.
This illustration appears in the book, “Jackrabbits to Jets,” and epitomizes the notorious hazard to early aircraft frightened jackrabbits presented. dunes and through the brush for a long time, not gaining much, but wearing the rabbit down. In the meantime, other contestants were doing likewise.
“The rabbit chaser’s car broke down so he crawled under it, peering at its innards, trying to find the trouble. A winded jackrabbit took shelter under the car in an attempt to escape another pursuer, and the would-be mechanic grabbed him. The car was started and the derby won.”
If you’ve never seen a jackrabbit in flight, it’s difficult to describe just what they go through to avoid capture. The late Bruce Muirhead once told me a story about his father, Clarence, as was described during one rabbit hunt in
1931. The author of the article, which appeared in Sports Afield and Trails of the Northwoods, used aeronautic terms of the time to describe how Muirhead’s Greyhounds - Charles, Girlie, Rex, Fawn and Stupid – put rabbits through their paces:
“These particular jackrabbits seem to be well schooled in aerial acrobatics,” said the writer. “Looping the loop, side slipping, Immelman turns, and tail spins are mere items of their stock in trade. These acrobatics confuse the dogs to such a degree that Jack frequently gives the entire pack the slip.”
Occasionally I’m asked to give a tour of Coronado, to discuss history of the island with either first-time visitors or a
deadline-desperate TV news reporter. I always tell how animal life on land here consisted of rabbits as big as dogs, antelopes, squirrels and frogs, gophers, snakes, skunks, coyotes and enormous Argentine Ants.
In the water there lived lobsters so old and large that, when a Kumeyaay Indian grabbed one, the lobster thought he had the Indian, until a second set of hands helped pull the spiny creature into the reed boat, or ashore.
Abalone existed just offshore and in tide pools. Sea bass that must have been a century old (none of these critters had natural predators until the Western world collided with the Native American tribes at the end of the 19th century) weighed in at 400 pounds. It was indeed a hunters’ paradise.
Organized rabbit hunts are mentioned throughout the history of the Kumeyaay Nation. Chasing the illusive rabbit appeared more as organized slaughter throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The last recorded “hunt,” or Roundup, took place in 1940.
To this day, I’m happy to report that, while night driving into the key at Sunset Park, or through the Country Club area of town; when you turn off your lights, wait a moment, and then turn them back on; you’ll see the rabbits here and there along the fence or in the grass, detectable by the reflection in their big eyes.
If Bugs Bunny taught us nothing else, it’s that, in the end, the wily wabbit always wins.
NOTE: Joe Ditler is a long-time writer, author and historian known as the “Coronado Storyteller.” He is a former editor of CORONADO Magazine, past executive director of the Coronado Historical Association/ Museum and prior director of the San Diego Maritime Museum. His capturing of history, memories and anecdotes will be appearing semi-regularly in future editions of CORONADO Magazine.
Capturing Light & Life
The Plein Air Artistry of Coronado’s Jim Nix
California has long held a special place in the history of American plein air painting—a style that emerged from 19th-century French Impressionists who stepped out of their studios to paint directly from nature. The state’s brilliant coastal light, rugged mountains, and mild climate drew artists eager to capture the immediacy of the outdoors. In Coronado, this tradition took root in the early
20th century, when visiting and local artists set up their easels along the shoreline, in lush gardens, and beneath the canopy of historic trees. These painters documented the island’s unique charm, establishing a legacy that continues today through artists like Jim Nix.
In the heart of Coronado, where golden light dances across the bay and historic homes frame quiet streets, Nix is often found with brush in hand, chasing fleeting moments of beauty. A retired fire
ARTIST JIM NIX
captain and accomplished plein air painter, he has embraced retirement as a time to immerse himself fully in art.
“I’ve been sketching and drawing as long as I can remember,” he says. “But after retiring, I finally had the time to really focus on painting.”
Although art has always been part of his life, it wasn’t until retirement that Nix devoted himself to it completely. Mostly self-taught, with only a handful of college art classes, his journey has been defined by persistence, practice, and passion.
Over the past three decades, Nix has steadily built a reputation for his small format plein air paintings, which capture the vivid
interplay of light and shadow along the California coast.
“Painting landscapes is both challenging and rewarding,” Nix reflects. “There’s always something new to learn.”
His process is quick and intuitive, often working outdoors directly from nature to capture the essence of a fleeting moment.
Nix’s work has been widely recognized throughout the region. He has exhibited as a juried artist at Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park, the Little Italy Art Walk, Catalina Island Art Festival, Borrego Springs Circle of Art, Coronado Art Association events, and the Coronado Art Walk—where he was a featured artist and won Best in Show. For a time, he even operated
his own gallery in Park City, Utah. Several Coronado residents proudly collect Nix’s work. “Collecting Jim Nix’s plein air paintings is like bottling a breath of California—each brush stroke captures the light, the land, and the quiet beauty of a moment lived outdoors,” says resident Kelly Purvis, who has three of his paintings in her collection.
Her first was purchased through the Coronado Schools Foundation’s annual auction. Nix is known for his generosity in donating his work to benefit local nonprofits, and Purvis felt fortunate to acquire a Nix original while supporting local schools.
Maureen Eckenroth acquired her first Nix painting at the inaugural Art and Wine Festival, spon-
JIM NIX DISPLAY AT ART-IN-THE-PARK
sored by the Coronado Chamber and benefitting the Coronado Schools Foundation.
“I was first introduced to Jim’s art at the Art & Wine Festival. Plein Air is my favorite style of art, so I was immediately captivated by his work. I love how his pieces allow you to directly observe the natural environment in real time. The landscapes, the rich colors, the energy ... Jim’s paintings make me feel like I’m one with nature, that I’m just looking out my window. Let’s just say that I’ve added a few more of his pieces to my collection since then, and I love the joy the bring me everyday.”
Since that first festival, the Eckenroths have acquired four more Nix paintings. She and her husband, Dean, enjoy attending Art in the Park to reconnect with the artist and view his latest works.
Long-time residents Graham and Robbins Kelly purchased a painting at the Coronado Art Walk several years ago as an anniversary gift to themselves.
“Having always loved the work of the California Plein Air School, we felt Mr. Nix’s work embodied the best qualities of the style,” Robbins notes. “We’ve thor-
NIX “CORONADO BOATHOUSE” - COURTESY OF KELLY PURVIS
oughly enjoyed having such a lovely piece in our home.”
Now living full-time in Coronado, Nix’s paintings can be viewed at the Coronado Public Library through October. His subjects often include the everyday magic of the natural world—coastal birds, quiet coves, and iconic San Diego vistas. One of his more humorous works features a blue heron, which he jokes “was a very cooperative model. But I had a heck of a time getting the pelican to hold still long enough for his portrait.”
A member of the Coronado Art Association, Nix regularly participates in Art in the Park, held the first and third Sunday of each month at Spreckels Park. This popular event gives locals and visitors
the chance to meet working artists, purchase original art, and celebrate Coronado’s creative community.
Nix’s plein air paintings will be featured at the Coronado Public Library’s Spreckels Reading Room Gallery as part of a new exhibition curated by the Coronado Art Colony.
The exhibition, highlighting ten plein air artists, runs from August 5 through November 1.
A free public opening reception will be held Sunday, August 10, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with many of the participating artists in attendance. The event will include a performance by cellist Peter Ko from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., and light refreshments will be served.
The Coronado Art Colony
recently announced that Nix has been awarded the 2025 Coronado Plein Air Art Prize for his painting of the pelican featured in this year’s show. The award includes a $300 unrestricted prize in recognition of his artistic excellence.
Despite his success, Nix remains humble. “I’m always looking for new inspiration,” he says. “Most of it comes from the people who enjoy my work—that connection means everything.”
As a quiet observer with a wry sense of humor and a deep appreciation for the world around him, Jim Nix is a reminder that it’s never too late to follow your passion—and that beauty often waits just outside your front door, ready to be painted in the light of day.
NIX LANDSCAPE FROM CORONADO SCHOOLS FOUNDATION AUCTION
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Packs a (Fun-Filled) Punch San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Packs a (Fun-Filled) Punch
Characters from a Galaxy Far, Far Away gathered for a group photo of epic proportions at SDCC on Saturday. (Photo by Brandon Jackson, who you can find on social media as Chief Geek Photography)
Below: Heroes. Villains. Deadpools. Talking llamas. You never know who might run into around the convention center during Comic-Con.
By BROOKE CLIFFORD
July 23-27 saw the San Diego Convention Center and Gaslamp transform once again into the popcultural mecca that is San Diego Comic-Con. Despite the pre-Con buzz about DC and Marvel not attending the show with their usual fanfare and lineup this year, as their most recent films released days before the Con, Hall H and the entire convention were as packed and exciting as ever.
Programming at the Con celebrated some exciting milestones this year, including the 75th anniversary of “Peanuts,” the 70th year of all things Godzilla, the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” the 40th anniversary of Studio Ghibli, the 20th anniversary of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and more. Artists, actors, directors, writers, composers, and so many more creators were on site to discuss beloved franchises and introduce new projects.
San Diego Comic-Con’s Icon Award was posthumously awarded to Charles M. Schultz during a panel celebrating the 75th anniversary of “Peanuts,” with representatives from the Charles M. Schultz Creative Associates and Charles M. Schultz Museum, who accepted the award on his behalf.
Mark Hamill returned to Hall H as part of the cast of the new adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Long Walk.” Ryan Gosling joined director/producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (“Into the SpiderVerse,” “21 Jump Street,” “The Lego Movie”) and author Andy Weir for the upcoming “Project Hail Mary” film adaptation. John Cena, Danielle Brooks, and other “Peacemaker” cast members entertained the crowd with director and DC Studios leader James Gunn.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of the satirical “South Park” returned to the convention after a ten year hiatus, while Jeff Bridges also returned to the stage alongside a laser show and other theatrical “grid” effects as he reprises his role from “Tron: Legacies” (which graced Hall H back in 2010) for its upcoming sequel.
“Coyote vs. Acme,” a live actionanimated hybrid comedy film based
Marvel booth inside the
LEGO astounded attendees with a massive replica of the San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con, complete with a Hall H (with Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom, no less). The replica features over 200,000 bricks, more than 8,000 LEGO figures, and took over 1,500 hours to build.
The level of detail truly mode this a loving ode to the convention.
on a 1990 satirical article in The New Yorker of the same name, brought levity to Hall H with a panel featuring Will Forte (who plays Wile E. Coyote’s lawyer in the film), director David Green, voice actor Eric Bauza, Martha Kelly, and moderator Paul Scheer. A surprise appearance by another of the film’s stars, P.J. Byrne, saw him
“interrupt” the panelists as one of Acme Corporation’s Lawyers to serve them cease and desist papers in an attempt to shut the panel down.
The biggest Hall H headline of 2025, however, was undoubtedly George Lucas’s first-ever San Diego Comic-Con appearance. Lucas was joined by director Guillermo del Toro,
The
convention center took fans back in time to celebrate their latest film, “The Fantastic Four.”
longtime collaborator, artist, and production designer Doug Chiang, and Queen Latifah, who moderated the panel to discuss the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, which will open in 2026.
Lucas, del Toro, and Chiang discussed the importance of art as a form of cultural narrative that shapes our sense of shared values, gives us an emotional connection, and does so in a universal language. Lucas and del Toro, in particular, have collected many pieces of seminal art over the decades – pieces that range from Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom from Want,” to the original illustrations of characters like Flash Gordon, Iron Man, Black Panther, the Peanuts gang, and more – and noted that the museum was born from Lucas’ sense that art belongs to everyone. The museum will feature art from the beginning of human history, putting a spotlight on comic art, film design, props, and other media that have not traditionally been regarded or celebrated as having artistic value in the past.
And while the headline-worthy showcases and bigger panels are
always fun and exciting, the draw of SDCC goes so much beyond that, as well. Comic-Con is four and a half days of joy and an incredible sense of community that’s hard to duplicate. Everyone I ended up meeting and chatting with this year – be it my line/seat buddies, fellow cosplayers, people who so kindly wanted to get a photo and talk about crafting costumes, our favorite characters, and the Con in general – was a huge part of what made SDCC 2025 so memorable.
As an attendee, there’s truly not a single minute during the show where something is happening that you want to be at – a panel, a signing, a cosplay or fan meetup, an exhibitor activation. The worst part is having to choose what you’re going to have to miss!
I didn’t always make it into some of the panels or other things I was hoping to do, but sometimes the best moments are the ones that come out of your Plan A not working out, or are purely spur-of-the-moment decisions. Sure, I might have gotten into Hall H on Saturday for some panels had I not gone to the Star
Wars cosplay meetup that morning, but taking the time to chat with and take fun photos with those other fans ended up being a major highlight. Two of my favorite panels I wound up being at were the “Tapawingo” (think “Napoleon Dynamite”) panel for the indie comedy film starring Jon Heder where they had a surprise screening of the movie at the end of the panel, and a panel looking back at the art and animation of Disney’s iconic villains with legendary animators Andreas Dejas, Chris Sanders, John Ramirez, and voice actor Jim Cummings.
Surprise moments like catching the Crunchyroll fireworks shows on the ferry back to Coronado during their takeover of the Rady Shell on Friday and Saturday, or running into some of the creators who played a role in designing and bringing some of my favorite characters to life, also brought unexpected moments of joy.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it every time – there really is something for everyone at San Diego ComicCon (even if you don’t end up with a badge to attend), and San Diego Comic-Con is for everyone.
George Lucas (in his very first SDCC appearance) was joined by legendary director Guillermo del Toro to discuss the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to 6,500 fans (myself among them) in Hall H.
Fans were invited to enter Castle Grayskull…if they dared.
Expert Stroke Care, Close to Home
Saturday, September 13th, 2025
Should You Pay Off Debts Or Invest?
Some financial decisions can be challenging — like whether to use your money to reduce your debt or to invest. If you already have a significant amount of debt and not a lot in savings or investments, it can be hard to figure out which issue should be a priority.
There’s no simple answer, and everyone’s situation is different, but here are a few suggestions for helping you make a good choice:
• Evaluate your cash flow
If you already have enough after-tax income to meet your monthly living expenses, you might lean toward investing any leftover cash, but if you are just getting by, possibly due to heavy debt payments, then you might be better off using your funds to reduce your debt load.
• Build an emergency fund
Paying off your debt as fast as possible may seem like the responsible thing to do, but not having an adequate emergency fund or saving for your future could leave your finances at a permanent disadvantage. It’s a good move to have an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. Once you have such a fund, you could use it, instead of going into debt — or adding to your debt — to pay for unexpected costs, such as a new furnace or a major car repair.
• Evaluate your debts
Some of your debts are actually more “expensive” to you than others. This expense level doesn’t necessarily refer to the size of the debt, however. You might have a large mortgage, for instance, but because your interest payments are typically tax-deductible, your “after-tax” interest rate may be relatively modest. Therefore, you might consider investing rather than paying down your mortgage. But if you have consumer loans or credit cards that carry a high interest rate and whose interest payments are not deductible, you might be better off paying down or refinancing this debt.
• Take advantage of any employer match
If your employer sponsors a retirement plan and offers a match, you will want to prioritize contributing at least what is required to receive the match. It’s essentially free money. So, if your employer matches up to 3% of your contributions, for example, you should contribute at least 3% of your income to this retirement account. Additionally, some employers will match a portion of your contributions to a Health Savings Account. Eventually, you’ll likely want to get to a point of saving more than just the match, but you’ll have to weigh the benefit of additional contributions against the cost of any debt you’re carrying.
• Make it easier on yourself
To make achieving these goals easier, automate as much as you can. For example, you can divert part of your paycheck into an emergency savings account or a retirement account through automatic payments for any debt reduction or savings needs. While it may seem like a huge endeavor to pay off your debt while still saving for the future, it doesn’t have to be. Taking small, incremental steps is key to helping you get to where you want to go.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC.
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Whiskers & Wellness ...
Akitten purring in your lap, your dog excitedly welcoming you when you get home from work, the soft fur of a gentle bunny, or watching silly animal videos online. Each of these experiences brings a little bit of comfort and joy to the humans experiencing them. Animals have the unique ability to warm our hearts, lift our spirits, give us comfort, and provide a distraction. It is hard to find a person for which animals haven’t touched their lives in some way. This makes animals, and especially pets like cats and dogs, an amazing and integral part of the human experience - and increasingly, a key component to our health and well-being.
Dogs are nicknamed “Man’s Best Friend” for
good reason. They are loyal companions, protective, caring, comforting, cozy and non-judgmental. Throughout history there have been stories of heroic dogs saving humans; be it Timmy from the well, traders in the Yukon, or saving kids from burning buildings, dogs are often the hero of our stories. Yet, it is in the simple moments that the bond really shines. The dog curled up with the newborn or the dog comforting the owner through a death in the family. Dogs and humans have a unique bond. Today, humans are recognizing just how important these animal connections are to our well-being. Service and therapy dogs are fast becoming a valuable tool to help humans cope with stress, anxiety, depression and life’s toughest challenges.
... Your Pets Support Mental Health
Therapy dogs bring comfort, companionship, strength and support to those they help. Sometimes therapy dogs help one owner, while other times they help large groups of people. These dogs are trained in a variety of ways and for a variety of settings. Many therapy practices offer therapy dogs in office to provide a calming presence and a way to build and practice skills that can also then be applied to the real world. Even the US Navy has invested in therapy dogs. Several therapy dogs are ‘stationed’ on various ships, including Rudder, a therapy dog currently helping sailors on the Coronado based USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) through an arduous deployment. In all these cases, dogs help reduce stress, build connections, learn, grow, and sometimes just give a little hit of dopamine that comes from giving them a pet.
Though dogs are arguably the most well-known therapy animals, cats are not to be forgotten. As I write, my own cat is curled up in my lap purring away, giving me a sense of comfort and calm. There is evidence that the purr of a cat helps humans relax, promotes healing, lowers blood pressure, reduces swelling and inflammation and can even promote bone density. Though cats are often labeled as aloof and independent, felines are also loving companions, faithful friends, and provide a valuable connection to humans. Coronado High School has a resident cat, Draco, who wanders campus bringing joy and love to all he meets. Many offices and businesses have office cats that are beloved members of their community. And nursing homes and assisted living homes frequently have cats to provide companionship and comfort for those needing it.
Cats and dogs hold a special place in the human world, however, therapy animals come in all shapes and sizes. Any living being that provides comfort, relaxation, connection and support when needed is a valuable and important asset to their human companions. Some find therapy through horseback riding and the valuable connections with their horses. Our friends have bunnies that are frequently cuddled and a calming presence for kids in the neighborhood. Guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, birds and other animals are preferred pets that teach responsibility, help combat loneliness and give a sense of purpose. However, some people find connection to other living creatures. My own daughter has a vinegaroon, which calms her
“animals are an amazing and integral part of the human experience”
when climbing on her hand and gives her a sense of purpose in caring for her. Whatever the creature may be, the most important aspect is that these creatures provide purpose, companionship, responsibility, and are a source of comfort to those that are in need.
In a more and more isolated society, animals are an increasingly valuable thread in the fabric of society that provide critical social and emotional benefits that may be lacking from other humans. Studies have shown that interaction with animals can lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and increase oxytocin (a hormone associated with bonding and well-being). These animals help provide leadership and educational opportunities to learn and grow. They give a sense of purpose and responsibility. And they provide endless love, companionship and support. Be it soft and cuddly, or creepy and crawly, an in person visit, ownership of a pet, or just watching funny animal videos,
connections between animals and people help humans be better humans.
If pet ownership isn’t for you, consider fostering an animal. Here on Coronado, we are lucky to have PAWS! And they have wonderful perks of fostering: you can foster as long as you like, PAWS provides everything AND you can day foster, take a dog on a picnic, to a park or a hike. Both of you will feel better for it!
So pet a dog, love on a cat, or interact with another animal and reap the benefits for yourself!
Safe Harbor Coronado provides comprehensive mental health services to youth and families in Coronado. For more information about Safe Harbor Coronado, their programs and services, visit www.safeharborcoronado.org. (619) 522-6884
PAWS of Coronado has a vision for every animal to have a safe and loving forever home. For more information, visit www.pawsofcoronado.org (619) 435-8247
Dwight D. Eisenhower A Journey Through Legacy and Landscape
From Abilene to Gettysburg and the interstates in between, tracing the enduring mark of the man who led and connected America.
Story and photos by KRIS GRANT
I was just a kid when Dwight D. Eisenhower served as the 34th president of the United States. At that time, I regarded him as an “old man” (he was 62) with thin whitish hair who occasionally appeared on our 18-inch black-and-white TV screen. He was often filmed on the golf course. My dad said that golf was one way the president got some regular exercise after his heart attack in January 1955. Despite this major cardiac event which required weeks of rest, Eisenhower ran for reelection in 1956 and won by an even greater margin than his landslide victory in 1952.
In his memoir, At Ease, Eisenhower noted that due to conversations with his doctor and his own growing health concerns, he quit smoking abruptly in 1949. Before then, he confessed that he regularly smoked four packs a day. To help him break the habit, for several years he famously kept an unlit cigarette in his hand during meetings. (The Surgeon General’s report on smoking didn’t come out until 1964.)
I was too young to realize that he had led our country to victory in World War II as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force. He commanded all Allied operations in Western Europe,
including the planning and execution of Operation Overlord – the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. But after the war Eisenhower wasn’t ready to retire– he served as president of Columbia University. Then in 1951 President Truman requested that he return to Europe to serve as the first Supreme Allied Commander Europe of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an alliance of 12 countries formed to provide collective defense against a growing, nuclear-armed menace, the Soviet Union.
No wonder both the Democrats and Republicans courted Eisenhower to
One of several murals at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, this montage focuses on Eisenhower’s role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force. Photo courtesy of Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas
The Eisenhower Tunnel, approximately 60 miles west of Denver, carries traffic under the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. Two bores were drilled, beginning in 1968, with construction completed in December 1979. At an elevation of 11,158, the 1.7-mile-long tunnel ranks as the highest point on the U.S. Interstate Highway System.
Young Dwight Eisenhower, about 12 years old, stands front and center in Abilene, Kansas, already showing the quiet confidence that would one day carry him into the presidency.
be their presidential candidate in 1952. He ran on the Republican ticket and soundly defeated Adlai Stevenson. It would take me a lifetime of education and living through subsequent presidential administrations
from John F. Kennedy to Donald J. Trump to recognize what a great visionary and leader our country had in Eisenhower, or “Ike” as he was affectionately known.
To learn more about the man, I traveled twice to Abilene, Kansas, now home to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, and to his retirement home, a farm in Gettysburg, now a site run by the National Park Service. In making these cross-country trips, I often traveled on highways that are part of the officially named Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, or what we typically refer to as “the Interstates.”
Getting that massive highway project approved by Congress was a feat in itself. It remains the largest public works project in our nation’s history.
One more note: during his presidency and after, Ike and First Lady Mamie wintered at a private residence in Rancho Mirage, loaned to them by Paul Helms, a wealthy baking magnate and founder of Helms Bakery. (Oh, I do fondly remember those Helms Bakery trucks that tooted their horns as they rolled throughout Southern
California with their wooden drawers in the back filled with fresh baked goods.) The Helms residence was at the Thunderbird Country Club where the desert climate was ideal for Eisenhower’s heart condition and where he could enjoy playing golf on one of the first courses built in the Coachella Valley. The Eisenhower name lives on in the region through the respected Eisenhower Health Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, opened in 1971, two years after Ike’s death.
In Eisenhower’s Farewell Address to the Nation, delivered Jan. 17, 1961, these words proved to be prophetic and perhaps a lesson we are still learning:
As we peer into society’s future, we… must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow.
So, let’s look at the various roads traveled by this remarkable man who led our country in what was, comparatively speaking, a time of national unity.
Abilene, Kansas, “The Heart of America”
Dwight D. Eisenhower came from a family of seven boys (the second oldest child, Paul, died in infancy). His father David first ran a general store in Hope, Kansas. He later worked for the railroad in Denison, Texas, where Dwight was born, before settling the family in Abilene when Dwight was just a toddler. The Eisenhowers raised their six sons first in a small house that David’s father gave them, then in a larger home that they purchased from David’s brother. While larger, it was still small and “on the wrong side of the tracks.” The Kansas Pacific Railway ran through downtown Abilene and served as the class dividing line of the city. The Eisenhower home, at the corner of Chestnut and East South 4th Street, was in the less affluent part of town both ethnically and racially.
The well-to-do and growing middle class lived north of the tracks. And Abilene did have wealth – in the 1860s, it was a cowtown at the end of the Chisholm trail. Wild Bill Hickock was once the town marshal. Entrepreneur and philanthropist C. L. Brown founded the Abilene Electric Light Works in 1898 and the Brown Telephone Company in 1899 – a business that played a key role in forming what eventually became Sprint Corporation.
While the Eisenhowers’ lifestyle was modest, theirs was a loving home, characterized by discipline, education, ambition, simple pleasures and religious faith. The family said prayers before meals and held family Bible study nearly every evening.
Ike attributes his mother Ida as being the “greatest personal influence on my life.” While Ida worshiped with the “Bible Students,” a forerunner of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the boys were encouraged to find their own paths of faith.
When it came time to attend college, Ike realized his working-class family with limited means couldn’t afford to send all their sons to college, but military academies offered a free, high-quality education along with room, board and a guaranteed job upon graduation.
Being fascinated with the sea and ships, Ike originally planned to join the Navy and sought an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, but he learned that he exceeded the maximum age limit by a matter of months. This was a result of a fall and severe knee injury when he was five years old that put him back a year in school. In the early 1890s, antibiotics had not yet been invented and when an infection from
On June 22, 1945, shortly after the end of World War II in Europe, Eisenhower returned to Abilene to visit his mother who still lived in his boyhood home. During his three days in Abilene, the town threw a victory parade for the fivestar general and a crowd of nearly 25,000 turned out; quite remarkable for a town of only about 6,000 residents.
his injury worsened and spread, a doctor suggested amputating his leg. But Ida wouldn’t allow it; she nursed Dwight back to health with home remedies and careful attention.
The injury helped shape his character, allowing him to endure pain and hardship without complaint. In At Ease, he wrote, “I clearly recall the night when I lay in bed sobbing because I could not go out trick-or-treating. My mother came and sat beside me for a long time. Finally, she said, “Dwight, if you can’t control your temper, how do you expect to control anything in life?”
He called that a turning point in his emotional development, and wrote in his memoir, “That night, I think I began to learn the value of self-discipline.”
During their boyhood and early teens, the Eisenhower boys handled all manner of indoor and outdoor chores around the house. Additionally, their father gave each of them small plots of land to cultivate however they chose, with the understanding that they could sell what they raised in town and use the money
The Eisenhower family
as they liked. This instilled in them a sense of independence, responsibility and entrepreneurship from an early age. For Ike, it helped shaped his strong work ethic and self-reliance. In the summer, he grew sweet corn, watermelon and vegetables, which he sold to neighbors and brought into town by wheelbarrow. When the growing season was over, Ike hit on a novel idea: He asked his mother for her tamale recipe, then whipped them up himself, wrapping seasoned meat and spices in cornmeal dough and steaming them in husks in the family kitchen and then making the rounds in town to sell his savory treats.
Ike later worked summers at the Belle Springs Creamery, where his father worked as an engineer and mechanic. Ike cleaned out boilers, shoveled coal into the furnaces and handled heavy loads of milk cans and ice. The grueling work paid about $10 a week, which he mostly turned over to his family.
Thus, when it came time to attend college, Ike turned from his first choice, the Naval Academy, to West Point, where the age limit was higher, and he was eventually accepted in 1911 at age 20. Despite the change in plans, over time Dwight D. Eisenhower grew to embrace military service, finding both purpose and a career in the Army.
The Eisenhower Museum in Abilene is one of the finest presidential museums I’ve visited. It traces every step of Eisenhower’s life – his childhood years, schooling, military career throughout two World Wars, presidency and more. Here, you’ll find his boyhood home and his and Mamie’s final resting place.
On my first visit to Abilene in Spring 2022, Eisenhower’s boyhood home was under renovation; it was completed by summer 2023 on my second visit. National Park Rangers lead tours of the home, which had been enlarged from its initial three rooms to seven when Ike’s paternal grandfather, Jacob, moved in with the family around 1900. It had no indoor plumbing or electricity for several years.
Dwight and Mamie and their first son Doud “Icky” Eisenhower are buried in the Place of Meditation, a small chapel on the 22-acre grounds of the Eisenhower Library.
The family parlor. “My mother was a musician,” Ike said. “She had an old piano, and she used to sit down in the evening and play and sing hymns… Her influence in our home was deep and lasting.”
From West Point to Supreme Commander to President
Eisenhower graduated from West Point in June 1915, as part of a class that would later be celebrated as “the class the stars fell on,” due to the high number of generals it produced.
His first assignment was at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, with the 19th infantry. There he met the vivacious Mamie Doud who hailed from a wealthy Denver family who always vacationed in Texas to escape the cold Colorado winters. They married the following year.
The Eisenhowers welcomed their first son, Doud Dwight Eisenhower in 1917 but he tragically passed away in 1921 of scarlet fever. After this heartbreaking loss, Dwight and Mamie welcomed a second son, John, in 1922. John eventually had four children and the Eisenhowers doted on them.
Though not initially assigned to a combat role during World War I – a deep disappointment to him – Eisenhower was stationed at training camps, including Fort Oglethorpe and later Camp Colt in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he commanded a tank training center, despite never having seen a tank before.
In 1919, as a junior officer, he was assigned as a logistics officer from the Tank Corps to assess military mobility across U.S. roads on a transcontinental convoy. The convoy drove across the country in trucks and other military vehicles mostly along the Lincoln Highway, to test mobility and demonstrate the need for better roads.
Both at Camp Colt and on the convoy, Eisenhower’s skill in logistics and training quickly set him apart.
After World War I ended, Eisenhower focused on broadening his military education. He attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, graduating first in his class in 1926. This achievement marked him as a rising talent within the U.S. Army. Over the next decade, Eisenhower held a series of staff
General Eisenhower spoke with members of the 101st Airborne Division on June 5, 1944, the eve of D-Day. With tension in the air, he offered encouragement and asked about their hometowns – an unforgettable moment before the launch of Operation Overlord. Photo courtesy of Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas
assignments that allowed him to observe, learn from, and work with top Army leaders, most notably General John J. Pershing, General Fox Conner whom he called “the ablest man I ever knew” and later General Douglas
MacArthur. Conner, who mentored Eisenhower while they were stationed in Panama, deeply influenced his views on leadership, coalition warfare and the importance of history in military strategy.
Dwight D. Eisenhower at age 24 in the West Point graduation portrait, 1915.
Newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Dwight D. Eisenhower in dress with his fiancée Mamie Doud, c 1916.
Serving as MacArthur’s chief of staff, Eisenhower helped develop the Philippine military forces and observed firsthand the geopolitical tensions brewing in the Pacific.
Yet, when World War II erupted, Eisenhower was still a relatively unknown colonel. But after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he was brought to Washington and assigned to the War Plans Division under Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall. Eisenhower impressed Marshall with his analytic skills, calm under pressure and deep understanding of logistics and coalition strategy. Within months, he was promoted to brigadier general and then major general, as he took on greater responsibilities for planning global operations.
In 1942, Eisenhower was sent to London as Commander of U.S. Forces in the European Theatre. Shortly afterward, he was appointed to lead Operation Torch, the Allied Invasion of North Africa. Despite complex political challenges and the difficulties of coordinating British, American and Free French forces, Eisenhower managed the campaign effectively. His diplomacy and steady leadership helped build trust among the Allies.
Following success in North Africa, Eisenhower led the invasions of Sicily and mainland Italy. Each operation strengthened his reputation as a strategic thinker and a leader capable of managing multi-national forces. In December 1943, Eisenhower was selected as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force.
The appointment marked the pinnacle of his military ascent. As Supreme Commander, Eisenhower bore the ultimate responsibility for the largest amphibious invasion in history, Operation Overlord. He coordinated not only military strategy but also the egos and politics of British commanders
House grounds, c. mid-1950s.
like Bernard Montgomery, American generals like George Patton and Omar Bradley and national leaders like Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle.
It was Eisenhower who made the bold final decision to proceed with the D-Day invasion despite weather doubts on June 5, 1944. The invasion was successful in maintaining surprise and establishing a Western front. Within weeks, hundreds of thousands of troops and tons of supplies were landed. It marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, forcing Hitler
to fight a two-front war – against the Soviets in the East and the Allies in the West.
After intense fighting in places like the Normandy hedgerows and the Battle of the Bulge in the heavily wooded Ardennes region of northern France and Belgium, Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945 – about 11 months after the D-Day invasion. By war’s end, Eisenhower was one of the most respected military leaders in the world – a soldier’s general, and a future president in the making.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower stand on the White
“Peace through Prosperity” and the building of the
Eisenhower accomplished much during his presidency. Under his leadership, the Korean War ended just months after he took office. School desegregation began in 1957, when Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. He also welcomed Alaska and Hawaii as our 49th and 50th states. Alaska was admitted on Jan. 3, 1959, and Hawaii on Aug. 21, 1959.
In addition to these accomplishments, Eisenhower’s most monumental infrastructure achievement was the creation of the Interstate Highway System.
Inspired in part by Germany’s autobahns and his own grueling 1919 cross-country Army convoy, Eisenhower envisioned a network that would enhance national defense, boost commerce and connect Americans like
Interstate Highway System
1955, but it failed due to disagreements over how to fund the massive program. But Eisenhower kept pushing. The successful Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was passed with bipartisan support on June 29, 1956, a time when both houses of Congress were controlled by Democrats. Part of its success was due to a “user pays” funding mechanism –the Highway Trust Fund – which used a dedicated 3 percent tax on fuel, tire and vehicles to pay for construction.
never before. Americans were taking to the highways in record numbers. In 1950, there were 40.3 million passenger cars on the road; by 1960, there were 61.7 million.
The first bill aimed at creating an interstate system was introduced in
While promoted to improve safety and commerce, the act’s success was also tied to Cold War anxieties. Highways would allow for mass evacuations from cities in the event of a nuclear attack and ensure rapid military mobilization.
I can readily understand how a jittery public would support this legislation –as a child in elementary school in the mid-1950s, I participated in “Drop” drills, wherein a series of bells would ring,
Nation on the move – The Interstate Highway map
As a young officer, Eisenhower’s experience in the 1919 Motor Transport Convoy profoundly shaped his vision and commitment to building the Interstate Highway System.
our teacher would yell “Drop!” and we would leap under our desks and cover our heads with our arms. I doubt these actions would have helped much in the face of an atomic bomb, but they certainly did promote high anxiety and nightmares.
Eisenhower’s landmark legislation authorized the construction of 41,000 miles of interstate highways over a 20-year period. The total projected cost was $25 billion. Yet building a national system was anything but smooth. The final cost exceeded $130 billion ($600 billion in today’s dollars) stretched 48,000 miles and required 36 years of construction (1956 – 1992). It involved millions of workers and thousands of construction firms working in every state and remains the largest public infrastructure project in our nation’s history. Nothing else in American history – not the transcontinental
railroad, the Hoover Dam, the New Deal programs, or the Apollo missions – matches it in scale, duration, or cost.
Once the bill passed, construction began quickly. The first project broke ground near St. Charles, Missouri in August 1956 on what would become Interstate 70. Some parts of the system, including sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the New Jersey Turnpike, were already in place and incorporated into the system.
The highway system was designed to have standardized features across states – minimum lane widths, shoulder specifications, limited access points and cloverleaf interchanges. These uniform standards were crucial in ensuring consistency, safety and efficient travel from coast to coast.
East-West routes were given even numbers, with the lowest numbers in the South, such as I-10, which
runs from Santa Monica, California to Jacksonville, Florida, while I-90 runs nears the Canadian border. North-South routes have odd numbers, such as I-5 running along the West Coast and I-95 runs from Maine to Florida along the East Coast. Auxiliary or Spur roads are three-digit numbers, with the last two digits matching the main interstate they’re connected to, such as I-405 that loops around Los Angeles and is connected to I-5. Note: there is no I-50 or I-60. These numbers were skipped because there were already well-known U.S. Highways 50 and 60, which ran across the country, and planners wanted to avoid confusion,
The Eisenhower Tunnel, officially called the Eisenhower – Edwin C. Johnson Memorial Tunnel, carries Interstate 70 under the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. Construction began in 1968, and the first bore was completed in 1973, making it the highest vehicular tunnel in the U.S. at an elevation of 11,158 feet. A second bore, named for U.S. Senator Edwin C. Johnson, opened in 1979. The project faced immense challenges due to high altitude, unstable rock, and extreme weather. It cost far more and took much longer than expected, but it finally created a vital year-round link between Denver and western Colorado.
The last leg and final major segment of the Interstate Highway System through Glenwood Canyon in the Rocky Mountains opened in 1992. It was one of the most difficult and expensive highway systems ever built, taking 12 years and $500 million to complete. Engineers had to balance infrastructure needs with environmental preservation – the canyon is narrow, geologically unstable and home to the Colorado River. The final design features elevated roadways, tunnels and bridges that minimize environmental impacts and preserve scenic views as the highway threads its way through the canyon. It is one of the most beautiful scenic highways I’ve ever traveled, and I highly recommend it.
In Summer 2023, I again traveled through the Eisenhower tunnel on Interstate 70, a marvel of engineering and just one facet of the 48,000-miles of the Interstate Highway System.
Ike and Mamie enjoyed welcoming guests to their Gettysburg home, both during Ike’s presidency and during their retirement.
Eisenhower’s Gettysburg: A Home of Memory, Meaning and Quiet Power
When Eisenhower retired from the presidency in 1961, he and Mamie went home to a home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Unlike the lavish postpresidency retreats chosen by some modern leaders, the Eisenhowers settled into a 189-acre property bordering the historic Civil War battlefield – a place that embodied both personal history and national symbolism.
Eisenhower’s connection to Gettysburg began when his West Point class visited the town and its historic battlefields during his junior year at the military academy. That 1914 visit to such historic sites as Little Round Top and Pickett’s Charge left a deep impression on the third-year cadet.
A young Lt. Dwight Eisenhower was sent to Gettysburg in March 1918 to command Camp Colt, the U.S. Army’s first tank training school. At just 25 years old, Eisenhower was handed enormous responsibility. The army gave him no tanks – only recruits, a dusty field and orders to train the nation’s first tank corps soldiers for battle in Europe. This formative assignment left a lasting impression on Eisenhower on the challenges and urgency of war, albeit
The main house of the Eisenhower’s farm was originally built in the late 18th century. It underwent significant rebuilding and restoration during the Eisenhowers’ ownership to accommodate modern living while preserving its original character.
The living room features a white marble fireplace that was part of the East Room of the White House over a 20-year period that included the years of Lincoln’s administration and the Civil War.
surrounded by the quiet beauty and hallowed ground of the countryside.
In 1948, while Eisenhower was serving as president of Columbia University in New York and contemplating eventual retirement from public life, he and Mamie returned to Gettysburg to search for a permanent home. They bought the run-down Redding farm on the edge of the Gettysburg battlefield. It was their first and only home purchase in their 53-year marriage.
Eisenhower was always a student of history. Today, the National Park Service maintains his 1,100 volumes,
many dealing with the American Revolution and Civil War at the home. It was not surprising that he was drawn to Gettysburg for personal and patriotic reasons. The town’s most famous chapter – the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 – marked the turning point of the Civil War and the preservation of the Union. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, delivered just months later, shaped the soul of American democracy.
Eisenhower admired Lincoln immensely, and his portrait hangs in his small private office at the Gettysburg
home. Settling in Gettysburg was for Eisenhower both a statement of humility and a salute to enduring American values.
But the farm was also a working place, with Eisenhower taking great pride in raising Angus cattle, mending fences and overseeing the land. Farming, he said, helped keep him grounded after decades of war and politics.
As president, Eisenhower often visited his home, using the farm as a functioning retreat and a way to conduct diplomacy in an informal, personal setting. Here he hosted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. There were no grand ballrooms, just sun porches, long walks and conversations over coffee.
Eisenhower wrote his memoirs –Crusade in Europe and At Ease – and also took up painting at the farm where he lived much of the year until his death in 1969; Mamie remained there until her passing in 1979, at which time the estate was turned over to the National Park Service, and tours began the following year.
The house remains largely as it was during the Eisenhowers’ years – modest, practical and deeply personal.
Today, tours of the Eisenhower home include the Eisenhower bank barn, built in 1887. Visitors can step inside an old cinderblock milk house that Secret Service agents used as an office space during Eisenhower’s presidential and retirement years. (When Eisenhower first retired, he had no Secret Service protection. That changed after the Kennedy assassination.) On days when staffing allows, the doors to the Eisenhower garage are opened to give visitors a close look at the vehicles Ike and Mamie used in Gettysburg. Included in the collection is a 1955 Crown Imperial limousine used by the President and First Lady. Visitors can also walk to the neighboring property of W. Alton Jones, which Eisenhower used for his prized Black Angus show herd.
Eisenhower’s office in his Gettysburg home was surprisingly small, especially considering that it served as his workspace for more than 300 days during his presidency. Behind and in front of his desk bookcases are filled with some of the hundreds of volumes from his personal library. Above hangs a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, whom Eisenhower deeply admired – a leader who famously delivered a historic address in this town nearly 100 years before the Eisenhowers took up residency.
The sunporch was Eisenhower’s favorite room at the Gettysburg farmhouse – a bright space where he often painted. During Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev’s 1959 visit, Ike turned it into a stage for a charm offensive, letting his four grandchildren romp freely about the room in a bid to soften Khruschev’s famously hard edge with a touch of American warmth.
When You Go…
Abilene, Kansas
“The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.” -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
General Information
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.abilenekansas.com
Abilene Visitors Center
201 NW Second Street
Open Monday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Getting There
If you drive, take 1-15 north to I-70. It’s a 1,535-mile road trip; plan to stop along the way – perhaps Las Vegas, then Grand Junction, Colorado, then Denver.
If you fly: I recommend flying into Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, then driving 95 miles to Abilene. Several major carriers service this airport.
Recommended Restaurants
Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro
302 N. Broadway (785) 200-6622
Brookville Legacy
A destination dining experience, serving dinners on Thursday, lunch and dinners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Choose from Brookville’s Chicken Skillet or Munson Steaks (four types) dinners, both served with hand-peeled mashed potatoes and cream gravy, cream-style corn, cole slaw, baking powder biscuits and homemade ice cream. www.legacykansasabilene.com
Museums and Attractions
The Seelye Mansion
Three-story Georgian-Revival home with furnishings that mostly originate from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Original Edison lights, Tiffany accents. 90-minute public tours.
1105 Buckeye Avenue (785) 263-1084
Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Museum and Boyhood Home
One of 16 Presidential Libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration.
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Excellent gift shop. Campus grounds open sunrise to sunset daily. 200 SE 4th Street www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov
Beyond the dignified limestone façade of the Eisenhower Library, the tall silos of Abilene’s grain elevators rise in the distance – a reminder of the small Kansas town’s agricultural roots that shaped the young Dwight Eisenhower’s early years.
Recommended Hotels
Abilene’s Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast
Built by the father of Ike’s childhood friend, Edward Hazlett. Seven rooms in the heart of the historic district.
www.abilenesvictorianinn.com
Diamond Motel Abilene
Originally listed in the “Green Book,” it’s where I stayed. Understated, clean and comfortable.
1407 NW 3RD Street (785) 263-2360
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Just off I-70 at Abilene, this relatively new property features an indoor pool. (785) 576-9933 www.ihg.com
Dickinson County Heritage Center
Learn about the county’s famous former residents from C.L. Brown, whose telephone company eventually became known as Sprint, to Abilene’s former town Marshal Wild Bill Hickok. Take a whirl on the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel, believed to be the oldest operating Parker carousel in existence. The carousel is hand-carved featuring 24 horses and four chariots. The Heritage Center is just a block away from the Eisenhower Library. www.heritagecenterdk.com
Great Plains Theatre
A professional year-round equity theatre company, serving as the only paid actors theatre between Denver and Kansas City along I-70. Showcasing family friendly and main-stage productions. www.greatplainstheatre.com
Greyhound Hall of Fame www.greyhoundhalloffame.com
Antique Shopping
Abilene is home to more than 150 antique vendors. Find their specialties and locations at the Abilene CVB’s website (above).
Engle House Bed and Breakfast
On the National Register of Historic Places, this small B&B was the former home of Jacob Engle. When Ike’s father, David Eisenhower came to Abilene after refrigeration school in Texas, he started working for Jacob Engle at the Belle Springs Creamery where Jacob was Vice-President. Ike also worked for Jacob Engle during the summers until his appointment to West Point in June 1911. As President of the School Board, Jacob Engle signed Ike’s high school diploma. www.englehouse.com
A placard at the Eisenhower farm outlines the layout and key features of the 189-acre property. It includes the main house where the Eisenhowers entertained world leaders, the cattle barns and show barn for Ike’s prized Angus herd, a putting green gifted to the former president by the PGA, and the pastures and walking trails where Ike found solace after the pressures of the presidency.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Please note: This article focuses on Eisenhower; a separate article on Gettysburg is planned for 2026. Stay tuned!
General Information
Destination Gettysburg Adams County, PA www.destinationgettysburg.com
Getting There
Fly into Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), with numerous daily flights. Gettysburg is 40 miles away. Or fly into Baltimore/ Washington International (BWI); 55 miles away with good flight frequency and price options.
Recommended Hotels
Brickhouse Inn
This blended 1830 residence and 1898 Victorian home bears battle scars from the war www.brickhouseinn.com
Federal Pointe Inn
This former 1896 school that is a blend of Federal and Gothic architecture is in the historic downtown district www.federalpointeinn.com
Hotel Gettysburg
Located on Lincoln Square in the heart of downtown Gettysburg, the hotel features 119 rooms, some with fireplaces; fitness center. www.hotelgettysburg.com
Lightner Farmhouse B & B
An 1862 Federal-style house on 18 acres just two miles from the Gettysburg National Military Park www.lightnerfarmhouse.com
The Swope Manor
A beautifully preserved 1836 mansion www.swopemanor.com
Eisenhower National Historic Site
The former home and farm of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower is located about 2.5 miles from Lincoln Square in the town center of Gettysburg.
While I was able to drive to the site, during the busy summer season, access is restricted and visitors must take a shuttle from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, where parking is also free.
Park staff lead Eisenhower home tours on Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the Summer 2025 season May 29 - August 31. Home tours are offered at 10 a.m., 11
Recommended Restaurants
Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms www.Dobbinhouse.com
Meade and Lee Fine Dining and Sweeney’s Tavern
A Civil War-period dining experience featured period fare served by period-dressed servers. www.farnsworthhouseinn.com
Pointe Pub www.federalpointeinn.com
a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tours also operate during the spring and fall with more limited time slots and special holiday tours occur in December. Check the National Park Service website for updated information. House tours are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are limited to 40 visitors. The grounds of Eisenhower National Historic Site are open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset.
243 Eisenhower Farm Road www.npw.gov (then enter “eise”)
Hickory Bridge Farm Restaurant 15 miles west of Gettysburg, genuine farmto-table food served at tables outfitted with linen and China in a historic barn. www.hickorybridgefarm.com
The Sign of the Buck Modern brasserie serving New American cuisine with local flair. www.signofthebuck.com
Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Exhibits on the Civil War, the 1884 Gettysburg Cyclorama, theater, bookstore, restaurants.
The museum serves as a starting point for licensed battlefield guide-led bus tours and shuttles to the Eisenhower National Historic Site.
1195 Baltimore Pike
Open daily: March – November, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. December – February, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. www.nps.gov (then enter “gett”)
The day Anna McDonald’s quiet, respectable life explodes starts off like all the days before: Packing up the kids for school, making breakfast, listening to yet another true crime podcast. Then her husband comes downstairs with an announcement, and Anna is suddenly, shockingly alone.
Reeling, desperate for distraction, Anna returns to the podcast. Other people’s problems are much better than one’s own - a sunken yacht, a murdered family, a hint of international conspiracy. But this case actually is Anna’s problem. She knows one of the victims from an earlier life, a life she’s taken great pains to leave behind. And she is convinced that she knows what really happened.
Then an unexpected visitor arrives on her front stoop, a meddling neighbor intervenes, and life as Anna knows it is well and truly over. The devils of her past are awakened - and in hot pursuit. Convinced she has no other options, she goes on the run, and in pursuit of the truth, with a washed-up musician at her side and the podcast as her guide.
After That Night
By Karin Slaughter
After that night, everything changed
Fifteen years ago, Sara Linton’s life changed forever when a celebratory night out ended in a violent attack that tore her world apart. Since then, Sara has remade her life. A successful doctor, engaged to a man she loves, she has finally managed to leave the past behind her.
Until one evening, on call in the ER, everything changes. Sara battles to save a broken young woman who’s been brutally attacked. But as the investigation progresses, led by GBI Special Agent Will Trent, it becomes clear that Dani Cooper’s assault is uncannily linked to Sara’s.
The 6:20 Man
By David Baldacci
Every day without fail, Travis Devine puts on a cheap suit, grabs his faux-leather briefcase, and boards the 6:20 commuter train to Manhattan, where he works as an entry-level analyst at the city’s most prestigious investment firm. In the mornings, he gazes out the train window at the lavish homes of the uberwealthy, dreaming about joining their ranks. In the evenings, he listens to the fiscal news on his phone, already preparing for the next grueling day in the cutthroat realm of finance. Then one morning Devine’s tedious routine is shattered by an anonymous email: She is dead.
Sara Ewes, Devine’s coworker and former girlfriend, has been found hanging in a storage room of his office building—presumably a suicide, at least for now—prompting the NYPD to come calling on him. If that wasn’t enough, before the day is out, Devine receives another ominous visit, a confrontation that threatens to dredge up grim secrets from his past in the army unless he participates in a clandestine investigation into his firm. This treacherous role will take him from the impossibly glittering lives he once saw only through a train window, to the darkest corners of the country’s economic halls of power . . . where something rotten lurks. And apart from this highstakes conspiracy, there’s a killer out there with their own agenda, and Devine is the bull’s-eye.
The Wilding Sisters
By Eve Chase
When fifteen-year-old Margot and her three sisters arrive at Applecote Manor in June 1959, they expect a quiet English country summer. Instead, they find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their daughter, Audrey, five years before. As the sisters become divided by new tensions when two handsome neighbors drop by, Margot finds herself drawn into the life Audrey left behind. When the summer takes a deadly turn, the girls must unite behind an unthinkable choice or find themselves torn apart forever.
Fifty years later, Jesse is desperate to move her family out of their London home, where signs of her widower husband’s previous wife are around every corner. Gorgeous Applecote Manor, nestled in the English countryside, seems the perfect solution. But Jesse finds herself increasingly isolated in their new sprawling home, at odds with her fifteen-year-old stepdaughter, and haunted by the strange rumors that surround the manor.
