Crown City History
The Roaring 20s
I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H C O R O N A D O H I S T O R I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N
1922 in Coronado BY C A RO L PA S T O R C O R O N A D O H I S T O R I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N VO L U N T E E R
Southern view of the Hotel Del featuring a streetcar, c. 1922
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pril has now come and gone. It brought us spring, spruced-up yards, Coronado Floral Association Home Front Judging and of course, the annual Coronado Flower Show. This year the Flower Show had special significance as we celebrated its 100 years from the first show in 1922. With that in mind, I began to think about anniversaries and National Preservation Month sponsored here in town by the Coronado Historical Association (affectionately known locally as CHA). Every May, CHA reminds us of our history and heritage with the wonderful Historic Home Tour on Mother’s Day and lectures throughout the month. This year, as we think about Preservation Month, I thought I would share parts of our town with some significance that are celebrating an anniversary, perhaps some we have overlooked. So much changed with the completion of the Hotel del Coronado. The village began to grow. By 1922, there was a construction boom
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and the railroad train ran through town delivering both passengers and supplies. Many of the mansions had been completed in the years between 1900 and 1920, so many of the elite came to visit and entertain throughout the year, especially during the time of the polo matches. Homes had electricity and until 1922 the hotel supplied power to the entire city. After that time, the city went back to getting power from San Diego. Many summer guests stayed at Tent City near the hotel and beach. It was reported that as many as 500 guests were daily visitors there during the summer months. Rather than stay at Tent City, some people sought an alternative and thus construction of cottages began. These were designed for that part-time use although many became permanent residences. This time became known as “The Roaring Twenties” and here in Coronado, you could feel it. Back in 1890 after the completion of the hotel, we had a population of 550 which swelled to 3,300 residents by the early 1920s. 1922 saw telephone history in Coronado when new telephone numbers were given to Coronado residents and a separate section was given to Coronado. At that time Coronado also went through several newspapers, undergoing merger after merger.
