From the Archives: Covers of Christmas Past
In December 1951, Art Editor Enid Miller drew the First Presbyterian Church of San Diego, established 1869. The main building was completed in 1913, but they had just finished a new $185,000 wedding chapel that October. By the time we ran our story, the congregation had grown to 4,025 and it was the second-best-attended church of that denomination in the US. Miller drew several covers in San Diego Magazine’s early days, including our very first issue in October 1948, and her rendering of the building is still recognizable today. Located on Date Street between Third and Fourth avenues in Bankers Hill, the land drops off just in front of this illustration, where Interstate 5 zooms below.
Ten years later, in December 1961, we featured another illustration on the cover, depicting the upcoming 32nd annual Scripps Candlelight Ball. Artist Phil Reed Owen imagines how La Jolla Country Club’s “graceful stairway will be banked lavishly with greenery interwoven with red satin ribbon.” The fundraiser for Scripps Memorial Hospital “has always been a festive affair of quiet candlelit charm. But this year, the Woman’s Auxiliary for the hospital has planned a ball of imaginative elegance reminiscent of the galas of the turn of the century.” That meant touches such as “the grand Edwardian gesture: Footmen in formal attire will show guests to the tables […] During dinner, which will be served at ten, strolling violinists will play individual table requests. And the dancing will continue ’til two.” The Candlelight Ball is still running strong—the 90th event, planned for this December 7 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, will raise money for new facilities at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
From the Archives: Covers of Christmas Past
The photo of the ballerina on the December 1966 issue could have been on the cover today. Photographer Charles Schneider captures the San Diego Ballet performing “Tchaikowsky’s Nutcracker” (there was evidently some disagreement about spelling; in the ad 28 pages later, it’s “Tschaikovsky”). “San Diego had a San Diego Ballet before ever there was a Civic Theatre in which to showcase it,” we wrote. That year’s production was their fifth, with a company of 100 dancers and a full orchestra; tickets ranged from $1 to $4. This year, it’s December 28–29 at Copley Symphony Hall, and tickets are $34 to $149.
The cathedral pictured on the December 1967 cover was photographed by Harry Crosby of La Jolla. “The church is considered one of the most perfect ecclesiastical buildings in all Mexico, La Iglesia de San Cayetano, also called La Valenciana, three miles from Guanajuato. The late-period Churrigueresque altar pictured is one of three. The magnificently carved and gilded retablos fill the full height of the chancel and transept.” That issue contained two stories on Mexico—one about a long road trip, and another about “casa-hunting” in Guadalajara. For more on Mexico, look for our February 2020 issue, and no matter what makes it onto next December’s cover, we’ll be sure it’s merry and bright.
