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Penning the Past Lectures Continue wth Mission Hills
May/June 2025
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Uncover the storied history of San Diego with Penning the Past SOHO's popular Zoom lecture series that explores our historic neighborhoods and architectural treasures. Now in its second year, this insightful series continues to offer fresh perspectives on the stories, structures, and citizens that have shaped San Diego's unique character and cultural landscape.
Join us from 11am-noon on the second Saturday of the month (through November) for engaging presentations by passionate authors and historians who invite you to discover the hidden histories that surround us every day.
Next up on May 10, 2025, preservation advocate and SOHO board member Janet O'Dea reveals the fascinating stories of key figures who shaped one of San Diego's most architecturally distinguished neighborhoods, Mission Hills.
Discover how a pivotal streetcar extension, syndicate-led subdivision efforts, and anticipation for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition fueled a remarkable building boom—leaving an enduring legacy of fine residences, craftsmanship, and thoughtful community design. From Sarah Miller's ambitious cliffside estate and Kate Sessions' influential nursery that transformed the landscape to George Marston's forward-thinking city planning initiatives, the contributions of these San Diegans' helped establish the neighborhood's enduring character.
Janet, co-author of Mission Hills and a founder of Mission Hills Heritage, brings decades of preservation experience and historical research to this presentation. Her extensive work includes authoring landmark nominations, curating walking tours, and serving on numerous planning boards and committees. With deep roots in the community, Janet offers both personal insight and scholarly knowledge to this fascinating exploration.
Then, on June 14, all aboard for a fascinating ride through San Diego's transit history! Historian and archaeologist Douglas W. Mengers will trace the evolution of our city's transportation network, from the first horse-drawn trolleys in 1886 to the final days of the San Diego Electric Railway in 1949.
He will reveal how transportation tycoon John D. Spreckels transformed a patchwork of failing lines into a thriving network that fueled the development of iconic neighborhoods including North Park, Mission Beach, and beyond. Discover how these historic trolley lines literally connected the dots of the city we know today.
Doug specializes in chronicling tales of Southern California's infrastructure and urban growth. His research draws from rare materials in trolley history archives and showcases a rich visual record of San Diego's evolving streetscapes and communities.
Penning the Past lectures are free for SOHO members and $10 for non-members. Register HERE.
Don't miss these SOHO talks that will deepen your appreciation for the heritage that defines San Diego's neighborhoods, and enhance your understanding of our significant architecture and history.
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