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“Coronado is a great place to grow up and it is a great place to grow old.” By Zoraida Payne Public Historian and Coronado Historical Association Volunteer At the end of the summer of 2021, an elegant Mrs. Reynolds welcomed us to her home on Pine Street and shared her wealth of memories about growing up in Coronado. While surrounded by beautiful decor from her many years abroad with her late husband of 67 years, Capt. Casey Reynolds, Betty Mott Reynolds opened a photo album, and a cascade of vivid experiences emanated. Just before Pearl Harbor, at the age of 10, Betty moved from Saint Louis, Missouri, to Coronado with her mom, grandmother, and sister. On Dec. 7, 1941, running over to their home, their neighbor told them that Pearl Harbor was bombed. She recalled that their home was designated a First Aid Station. There, her nurse mother could assist injured citizens if the expected attack occurred. Other dwellings were selected as bomb shelters, where they could run into and be safe if an air raid occurred. She also remembered seeing a warden in every block, having blackout curtains and barrage balloons flying over San Diego. While all of Coronado was preparing for the perceived imminent attack, life was continuing and kids were still playing in its streets. Betty joyfully reminisced about digging trenches with her friends in the many
P68 | Coronado Magazine