Friends Host Local History Series

Dr. Steven Schoenherr was the guest speaker for a recent local history lecture series sponsored by the Friends of the Chula Vista Library as a part of the Chula Vista centennial celebration. The presentations included photographs and stories that documented Chula Vista's founding in the 1880s as a community of "gentlemen farmers," its 1911 incorporation as a city of 550 residents, and its spectacular growth during World War II and beyond.
The first lecture, held in January, drew a standing-room-only crowd to the Civic Center auditorium as Dr. Schoenherr talked about Chula Vista's early years as the self-proclaimed "Lemon Capital of the World." In April, guests learned about Chula Vista's role as a way station for revelers headed to Tijuana during Prohibition. During the Great Depression, the celery industry kept many residents employed until World War II and the opening of Rohr Industries changed the city forever.
Many of those attending the third and final lecture had personal memories of events in the 1950s and '60s, including Rohr's famous "Silver Dollar payday," the Fiesta de Luna parades down Third Avenue and the tenure of "Officer Bob." At each lecture, Dr. Schoenherr showed maps tracking the city's geographic growth as neighborhoods to the east and south were developed and quickly annexed.
Dr. Schoenherr, a retired professor of history at the University of San Diego, has spent the past two years researching and writing about Chula Vista's history. His book, Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress, is now available. Copies may be purchased at the Heritage Museum (see hours below), at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday or through the Centennial website. At the conclusion of the July lecture, Centennial manager Mary Marcdante, below right, presented Dr. Schoenherr with a photograph in appreciation of his efforts. (Photographs courtesy of Jim McVeigh.)
The first lecture, held in January, drew a standing-room-only crowd to the Civic Center auditorium as Dr. Schoenherr talked about Chula Vista's early years as the self-proclaimed "Lemon Capital of the World." In April, guests learned about Chula Vista's role as a way station for revelers headed to Tijuana during Prohibition. During the Great Depression, the celery industry kept many residents employed until World War II and the opening of Rohr Industries changed the city forever.
Many of those attending the third and final lecture had personal memories of events in the 1950s and '60s, including Rohr's famous "Silver Dollar payday," the Fiesta de Luna parades down Third Avenue and the tenure of "Officer Bob." At each lecture, Dr. Schoenherr showed maps tracking the city's geographic growth as neighborhoods to the east and south were developed and quickly annexed.
Dr. Schoenherr, a retired professor of history at the University of San Diego, has spent the past two years researching and writing about Chula Vista's history. His book, Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress, is now available. Copies may be purchased at the Heritage Museum (see hours below), at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday or through the Centennial website. At the conclusion of the July lecture, Centennial manager Mary Marcdante, below right, presented Dr. Schoenherr with a photograph in appreciation of his efforts. (Photographs courtesy of Jim McVeigh.)
Centennial ExhibitWant to learn more about Chula Vista history? The Chula Vista Heritage Museum, operated by the Friends, is featuring a year-long exhibit of photos showing highlights of the past 100 years. Admission is free, and hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Museum is located at 360 Third Avenue downtown.
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