San Diego history as told in 1978

CBS 8 San Diego
CBS 8 San Diego
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Published 2021-03-29
In November 1978, News 8's Shirley Clum shared lots of interesting tidbits about the history of San Diego in a series of reports.

Shirley's trip back in time went all the way to the 1880s when people were flocking to America's Finest City at a rate of 6,000 per month - coming by steamer or rail. New arrivals grabbed up land, especially Downtown, driving up prices.

Before the boom, Shirley reported, almost all of Ocean Beach (then known as Muscle Beach) had been offered up for $500 total - and there were no takers. Two years later, lots in the area went for $60 each and two months after that they went for $300 each.

Next up in Shirley's history lesson, he shares the back story of the Broadway Pier and controversy around its creation comparing it to debates over a San Diego-San Ysidro rail line that was proposed in the late 1970s.

In part two of the history piece, Shirley found a home in San Diego that was still lit using gas lamps only! He goes on to illuminate (pun intended) viewers on some of the industries San Diego was once known for - including ostrich farms, brick making, butcher shops, and cigar making. Shirley also talked about the history of various careers in San Diego.

At the end of the piece, Shirley teases ahead to part three on San Diego's history promising to feature the beaches and bays of the city. Our archives editor is in looking to unearth this lost third part to add to our collection soon.
All Comments (21)
  • @johngergen4871
    My family moved to San Diego in 1950 from San Bernardino CA. We lived in National City , San Diego, Mission Valley and Ocean Beach. The biggest change over the time has to be Mission Valley. Around 1952 the freeway was built that went down the south side of the valley. We lived where the Hilton Hotel now stands on three acres. The freeway was so little used we could cross the freeway on foot. The dairy was a short walk to buy our milk, eggs and vegetables. I had to take a school bus along with the other kids that went to school at Roosevelt Jr. High. When the Mission Valley Inn opened, my mother would take my brother and I to swim in the hotel pool and have lunch. It was a beautiful valley with corn fields , small ranches and a Mission to go to church on Sunday. I'm thankful I got to see and live there before it changed.
  • @andilea19
    I was born in San Diego in Sept 1978. Loved this.
  • @goriajk
    I was 11 years old. The skyline in 1978 was and still my favorite - I have a Dr Pepper bottle with the 1978 SD skyline printed on the 16oz glass bottle
  • @johnjaco5544
    Born and raised in the 1950's,san diego was heaven,NOT NOW.It's over crowded,crime gangs,homeless,drugs,bad politics,and rogue police.Was there when mission valley was farm land,and when the beach was fun and not crowded.Used to swim at the childrens tide pool,torrey pines,and La Jolla cove.Was at OB pier the day it opened,and the sports arena had roller derby and all the good concerts.It breaks my heart the way it is today,I had to leave because today it is wrecked.
  • @tygerbyrn
    Gosh. I was only 4 y.o. when this first aired. Time flies.
  • @kurtbilinski1723
    I grew up in the area in the 1960s. Sadly, the city planners seemed intent on putting something on Every Single Square Foot, and for the most part, succeeded. Open space is what makes Great cities, and sadly I think we passed that long ago, thanks mostly to developers somehow ending up on said planning boards.
  • @btjazzfann
    I was 12 years old at the time, and SD life was awesome. I frequently saw the Chargers, Clippers, Padres and the Breakers (volleyball). Unfortunately, I can still remember local tragedies that year too.
  • @duckbrew
    I have a great great grandfather that helped settle san diego. His name was Alonzo Horton
  • @rubir6846
    I was 9 years in that time I leave in ocean beaches since 1999 but I leave before in university Highs in the 89's. San Diego is the most beautiful city in USA.
  • @stvnd1
    People sure see the past through rose-colored glasses. I remember seeing Midway and Rosecrans full of hookers, back when the Pussycat Theater chain still existed and downtown was full of porn theaters and peep-shows. Market street was also full of hookers and drugs. Balboa Park was dangerous, especially at night where stabbings were common. Gang violence peaked in '78 (only surpassed in '92 as an all time high).
  • @tomjones7089
    Always liked San Diego. Lived there for about ten years on Mississippi St. near El Cajon Blvd. Would have stayed but became too expensive by the mid-nineties I was gone. Still visit and miss it at times.
  • @davidefland1985
    I spent my last 2 years 1996-98 in the Navy at NAS North Island. I loved it there the climate was great. But to expensive.
  • @happyraccoon4791
    Well, I knew Mission Bay as just a bay. The coast along Point Loma north has eroded at least 100 feet. At Pescadero and Sunset the beach eroded even more.. many lots lost a good 100 feet. Today small rocks defend what's left. Where that huge coliseum is on 8 was a dairy and a pony ride on the side of hwy80. There were these thing called Vacant Lots. Now San Diego has all the charm of LA, Frisco, Detroit.
  • @TheRedDevil_NC
    One of the things I loved about elementary school in El Cajon was the teaching of California history. I was 9years old and we got to go on field trips to all the Missions including San Juan Capistrano. The fact they are removing statues of Father Serra is just terrible. This is not the State I grew up in and I feel lucky to have been born and raised in San Diego getting to watch the Padres and the Chargers at San Diego Stadium.
  • @farleymusclewhite411
    Fascinating video, but why is it all blurry? Was the original film shot out of focus or was there a problem converting it to digital?