San Diego Legends: Events, People, and Places That Made History

by Jack Scheffler Innis

This book brings together for the first time the many extraordinary accounts of famous and infamous people, places, and events in San Diego’s past. From Father Junípero Serra and Pedro Fages, to modern stars of stage and screen, you’ll meet the pioneers, plunderers and performers who once called this city home. Many people and events have "made headlines" in the San Diego papers—from the rise and fall of C. Arnholt Smith to the Heaven’s Gate suicides—and this book reveals the stories behind the news stories. There are fascinating historic tidbits, including a "nudist invasion" that wreaked havoc at the 1935 California-Pacific Exposition, the 1852 murder of the city’s first mayor, and a dramatic shootout at Campo’s Gaskill Store. Tales from all over the county are here, from the San Pasqual Battlefield to downtown’s former Harlem of the West to the would-be route of the "Impossible Railroad." The author also brings together for the first time a dozen tales from local Indian tribes—including an ancient Kumeyaay creation legend!

Genres: History, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really fun. While plenty of the stories are ones I've already heard, there are MANY that I have not. Also, there is more detail and history with the ones I have heard of previously.

I especially enjoyed reading about some of the religious cults that have been associated with San Diego. And best of all is some of the stories involving local politics. From even before San Diego was a city (or even named San Diego) local politics have been somewhat shady and self-serving.

Reading about the rain maker and also the "Impossible Railroad" leaves me wanting to do more research on those. I also wasn't aware of San Diego's own "Trail of Tears" (although not at all surprising).

Maybe one of my favorite tidbits though is finding out about the sunken submarine off the shore of Imperial Beach.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with history about San Diego. There is not much about Old Town though, which is where much San Diego history originates. It is worth reading for the quirky happenings and how San Diego has so many legends.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about San Diego. The legends are well researched, well written, and fun to read. If you have any interest in SD, SoCal, or myths in general, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Arlene Ventimiglia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read parts of this book. It was really interesting and fairly entertaining.