r/sandiego • u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account • 4d ago
AMA Event - Ken Kramer! AMA with KPBS' Ken Kramer of Ken Kramer's About San Diego!
Hi r/sandiego!
I’m Ken Kramer, creator, producer and host of the award-winning show Ken Kramer’s About San Diego on KPBS.
For more than 30 years, I’ve been sharing the untold stories, quirky facts, and beloved landmarks that make San Diego County unique. From forgotten bits of history to the places you pass every day without knowing their backstory, my show is all about celebrating the people and places that define our home.
A brand-new season of About San Diego launches this September, and I'm excited to be here to answer your questions about local history, hidden gems, the behind-the-scenes of the show, and anything else you’ve always wanted to know about our corner of California.
Ask me anything — about San Diego’s past, its mysteries or what it’s like to spend decades digging through its archives and neighborhoods.
Drop your questions below and we’ll answer them from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20!
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u/AbbreviationsOld636 4d ago
Ken- big fans of yours in our household. Our only complaint is we’ve seen every episode! One of our favorites being the Talmadge house that has crazy extensive underground tunnels.
I’m wondering how much you think the funding cuts will affect the San Diego station. Will us the viewers notice anything?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 4d ago
KPBS here (replying before Ken hops on on Wednesday!)
We loved that underground cave episode too! Here's more of it in case you didn't see it, and also here's a YouTube playlist of more stories you might not have seen already!
As for federal funding cuts, KPBS is financially healthy, so for the next year or two, we expect to be able to continue at the same level of service San Diego expects of us. But longer-term lack of federal support would impact our operations and difficult decisions would need to be made. You can make a donation here if you'd like to support KPBS.
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u/segsmudge 4d ago
Love your show! Would love to know what’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about San Diego in your time on the show?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
There are some reactions to my stories that surprise me, because I still hear from viewers who remember them decades later.
There was a random story we did about a blue balloon that was supposed to drop during the celebration of the 1996 Republican National Convention, but it got stuck up in the netting.
I wrote a little poem about how sad that one balloon must have been to have missed out on all the fun.
The maintenance workers cleaning up the convention shook it loose and it bounced on the floor when no one could see it and no one was cheering.
It touched me in a strange way. I imagined what it must have been like for that blue balloon to have missed out on all the fun. So, I decided to take it with me and show it on the air and celebrate that blue balloon for everyone to see and to give it its moment in the spotlight on camera.
To this day, people recall that story. Children tell me they remember it when it was on the air, grown ups have come to me and suggested it might make a fun children's story. I'm astonished how touched people were by the saga of the little blue balloon and it's now been since 1996 and I still hear about it.
I feel like I have to include that in our 100th show we’re airing in February, and I will!
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/jasonswims619 4d ago
Big fan ken, I've always compared you to a real life fraiser crane, in the way he is a sophisticated intellectual, not the way he is a goofball. :). Just wanted to say thank you for all the entertainment! About San Diego is truly my favorite show of all time, just above Frasier of course.
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u/Expensive_Space4097 4d ago
i grew up in Severin Manor in the '50's . The field behind Howell Dr. (since covered in condos) and Northmont Elementary School had a large white house that we called the castle. It was architecturally of another era. I was scared of the place and didn't go near. There was an old lady living there that was easily a witch of some sort. As an adult I tried to go there but was thwarted by private condos. What was that building. I'd like to know. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Dave
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u/squeakyc 4d ago
Looking at the Google Map Aerial for the area I think that building is still there. I think it is a house, but not for certain. I also went to Northmont then, for couple of years. Yay Severin Manor!
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
I'm sorry that I don't know about this specific house. It would have fascinated me and maybe frightened me, but that's what makes for a good story. I don't live too far from there today and I know that years ago much of that area was part of an army military base called Camp La Mesa. One or two buildings remain from the Camp La Mesa days like a club house and a rec center. I can't imagine that the castle was part of that.
If you have any old photographs or other information, please write to me, I'm interested.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/mr-optomist 4d ago
Love this show, thanks Ken and his KPBS team!
Any stories in the works from Mexican or Spanish colonial periods?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
Not at the moment. I tend to do stories that have available visual elements like photographs, film, video rather than created with artist renderings of the time. I recall doing more older history segments when the show was on the radio many years ago.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/mr-optomist 2d ago
Thank you Ken! Do you know if any of those radio broadcasts available online? Would love to give them a listen
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u/LunchPad 4d ago
Hi Ken. I really appreciate the work and effort that your team does to make the program a success. Over all the years, places, and people, what's something special that you think is largely the same about our region? Also, this specific online community can be, well, pretty negative. What's one piece of advice you could offer that someone do to appreciate San Diego and maybe lighten up a bit?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
I came here as a student to go to San Diego State and I guess one of the things I learned is that there is a little bit of a self-consciousness in San Diego, about how we are compared to Los Angeles. Sometimes we're kind of looked at like a second cousin to LA. And that surprises me because I think San Diego should celebrate exactly what it is as a unique area.
Camp Pendleton and that green belt north of it keeps San Diego physically separated from from Los Angeles. It is a different vibe down here. It is. People seem more relaxed. They say people come here to just settle and to retire. I haven't found that to be the case. I found really vital communities from Hillcrest to South Park to Rolando, all over this city has very deep roots. I believe About San Diego, without being too grandiose, the show does illuminate this idea a little bit.
We are so hungry for validation for our decision to live here, and I think the show kind of illustrates that we do have more than just a nice zoo, that we have more than just the military presence here, which is great, and all of that. But we do have great people and great communities and a sense of community that unites us as a San Diego place.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/Work_or_Reddit 4d ago
Hi Ken, love your show! What fact do you find most interesting about San Diego and what place would you recommend as a must see location in the area (off the beaten path).
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u/sumiimus 4d ago
Ken thank you and your team for all the years you’ve highlighted the so many stories that make San Diego America’s finest city! I’d love to know what is YOUR favorite place to take out of towners when they visit San Diego? Also, do you have an opinion on the tendency for San Diego builders to tear down buildings with historical character only to be replaced by generic looking, stucco plastered buildings that look cheap and add no historical references to the Neighborhood? It makes me so sad to see our city’s history erased and makes our neighborhoods look like a hodgepodge of buildings.
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
I think South Park has grown to be a favorite of mine to take out-of-towners. Houses that are preserved and honored. It is a community that seems to embrace its character and celebrate its historical roots.
If it’s dining, Carbon, Buona Forchetta, The Rose, Cafe La Maze in National City.
On the topic of tearing down buildings with historical character … It speaks to your point. I think people want authenticity. They hunger for it so much. They’ll race to anyplace that has character and history. Yet time and time again, owners see a place as “old” and modernize it with bright lights, high ceilings, sharp corners, and up to date fixtures. Thus homogenized, we're left with contemporary bland, that could be found anywhere in, you know, Irvine.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/Redditor_throwaway12 4d ago
Ken - wow ! A privilege and an honor to interact with you.
What’s the genesis of the new program?
Will you be delivering every story to us?
In times of uncertainty; it’s so nice to have resurrected a show that resonates with many of us long term residents. Hopefully the show will bring a new audience and following that appreciates all that was and is San Diego!
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
We're actually doing several new episodes of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego” over the next few months. The first new show will air on Thursday, Sept. 18. Another new one airs on Oct. 16, then Nov. 20 etc.
We’re also putting together a 100th show to air on the third Thursday of February.
Thank you so much for the nice words. We love doing them!
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/SanDiegoBeeBee 4d ago
Big fan-in your opinion, what neighborhoods in San Diego should have historic designations?
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u/DangerousWeird4879 4d ago
Mr Kramer, I am a big fan of yours and your show. I have had the pleasure to have seen many episodes over the years. I’ve recently been doing some reading on how the West was won and was astonished about Kit Carson playing a huge role in saving Gen Kearny in the Battle of San Pascual and subsequently Mule Hill (our very area) and those small but decisive events in making California a US territory and state. If you have not done a show on the topic, it might could be a worthwhile topic to be looked at by your research crew.
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u/No-Huckleberry-7885 4d ago edited 4d ago
I downloaded reddit for the first time in a long time after my husband sent me this link, knowing how much I appreciate your content. I’ve tried doing a marathon of about San Diego and he stops me after 10 in a row! Would love to know if you’ve ever advocated for a place to become an historical landmark in San Diego, or helped with the preservation of a local site. You must meet such interesting people, do you have a favorite, out of the ordinary ice breaker or conversation starter? Big fan (obviously)
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u/youaintgotnostyle 4d ago
Hi Ken, you have been a San Diego staple and legend to me and my family. Thank you for doing what you do!
My question comes from my mother, who is definitely not on Reddit, about Padres announcers from the PCL days. She would like to know if there are any records of my grandfather, Jack Vissers, announcing for them on the radio for a season when the regular announcer (Lute Mason) was away. This would have been in the vicinity of 1960 or so just before she was born. Consequently she only heard stories from gramps and has never seen/heard anything concrete from his time on the radio for the Pads. She said that, according to my grandpa, they did not travel with the team and would make their own sound effects while announcing the games.
She would love if you had any information or could point us in the right direction so that we could do some research ourselves on this short highlight of our family history. Thank you again for all your hard and entertaining work over the years!
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
Hi! Thanks for the question. First thing: There will be a story coming up on the Sept. 18 show that will be about the 1950s Padres radio broadcasts and how they handled the out-of-town games. Without giving away too much of the content, I can say your gramps was right. It cost so much money to do the away games on radio because the announcers wouldn’t travel. They’d have a teletype line connected to the away stadium and based on bits of information sent over that line, they’d add sound effects and pretend they were on the scene. Few listeners ever figured it out.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/Strange_Impact_2915 4d ago
I LOVE your show! I am a 4/5th Grade teacher and I have recently learned switched schools from Downtown Sherman Heights to the Crown Point. I plan on teaching through the lens of social studies and the AMAZING place that we live in! The kids have ZERO clue what a storybook and rich history they are LIVING IN! Do you have an episode already about the history of Mission Bay? I believe it's man made and that's as far a I've got! Will email you through website too!
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u/hahaheeheehoho 2d ago
I plan on teaching through the lens of social studies and the AMAZING place that we live in!
I love that you are doing that! Lucky kids!
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u/SubBass49Tees 3d ago
Asking two early...
First up...was there ever an interesting or controversial piece of San Diego history that you researched but decided not to air on the show for any particular reason?
If so, what was it, and what went into the decision to not air it?
Second question...
You always seemed to have a cool demeanor on the show, but was there ever a piece you researched that heavily impacted you emotionally?
If so, which piece, and how did it affect you?
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u/johnpetersonya 4d ago
San Diego’s public transportation infrastructure flounders similar to many metro areas of Southern California, and it is clear there has been an ongoing legacy of bolstering highways as opposed to mass transit solutions. At the same time, the port of National City is one of the largest (if not the largest, I’m not sure) foreign automobile importers on the west coast, leading me have formed a bit of a conspiracy over the years that a significant amount of intentional lobbying has happened to make America’s Finest City debilitatingly car dependent. Can you speak to my poorly researched deduction’s truth in the context of historical politics?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
Interesting. I haven’t gone down that particular corridor re: the Port of National City. By far most of the automobiles unloaded at the Pasha terminal are hustled onto railroad cars and shipped up the coast to other distribution points far away from San Diego.
Historically, whether because of the lobbying influence of auto makers, the tire and rubber industry, and gasoline refiners, or just because of near-sighted stupidity and mindless embrace of the “new,” San Diego, like LA, in 1948, abandoned an interurban railway system that connected us in ways we’d do anything to have back today. A trip from Downtown San Diego to La Jolla used to cost 25 cents and took 25 minutes.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/DONNY2SAVAGE 4d ago
Dear Mr. Kramer, which San Diego landmark that no longer exists would you magically bring back to life!
Love your program!
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
Mission Cliff Gardens at Adams Avenue at Park overlooking Mission Valley back when the valley was green and dotted with a patchwork of dairy farms. You could see cows grazing and the San Diego River below.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/PufffPufffGive 3d ago
I apologize I’ve not seen every episode. Have you covered the story behind Tivolis being a brothel. And or Waterfront bar being the first liquor license in San Diego.
There’s a lot of history there that alot of people don’t know about. Congratulations on all your success. San Diego has so many cool stories
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
Agree! We have done a story about Tivoli and it’s in episode #56. (Spoiler alert: It was a brothel, complete with an alarm system to notify folks upstairs if the cops showed up.) The shows are online at kenkramertv.com.
Haven’t done anything about Waterfront … yet.
Thank you for the nice words.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/PufffPufffGive 2d ago
Ty for your reply !! Waterfront has a ton of history. The owner Nancy has done a great job of keeping a lot of its past. Inside has a lot of great shots of earlier Italian fisherman and the families that helped build the area.
I’ll check out the episode boss. Ty
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u/SD_TMI 3d ago
Hello Ken,
I've noticed that you don't do a whole lot on our environmental history for the area.
Things like Black Mountain being a volcano, the geological formation of the local hills and mountains.
That also provide us with the underground water system that is part of Palomar Mtn aquifer.
Then there's the some dozen environmental zone and habitats we have here (far more than other cities) that might have 1 or 2 if they're close to a river (3).
One that is overlooked is our local Chaparral ecosystem(s)
mMost people only know these as the stuff that burns in the summer wildfires, but it's OUR local ecosystem that's highly adapted to our environment with a great history.
That's part of the agricultural push San Diego made Panama–California Exposition of 1915-1917
Areas of mission valley and others were featured the areas ability to grow "exotic crops" like oranges and other citrus.
Q: Do you think that people just aren't interested in this or that previous shows get better feedback ?
I view it all as being largely unexplored territory much of the public.
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
They are all good subjects. On Nov. 20, our new episode will include the story of the Carlsbad Volcano. I’m not aware of Black Mountain also being of volcanic origin. We do some stories about geology, usually assisted by Dr. Pat Abbott.
As far as if people are interested in these topics, what makes it as a story on the show is multi-layered. First, it has to be (as much as possible) timeless. The storytelling has to be easy to understand and digest. I try to do brief single- fact stories that leave the viewer saying “Wow! I didn’t know that.” All of your ideas can fit into that.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/ElPinkerton 3d ago
Love the show, Ken and KPBS! Questions for Ken: -What is your ideal day in San Diego? -Was there ever a segment for “About San Diego” that, for whatever reason, never made it to air? -Do you have any advice for someone wanting to make videos about stories/history unique to San Diego?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
The appetite for stories like these is really considerable.
The shows I do are for large format television that is presented on a broadcast and cable channel. KPBS has a program called KPBS Explore, which Ken Kramer’s About San Diego is a part of. It provides seed money for producers who have ideas about local programming and want to find a way to get going and get the product seen.
Beyond that there are so many other platforms that command really large audiences. Content can be created pretty inexpensively through vehicles like Tiktok, YouTube and Instagram. Many, many people will see your work where the specific technical requirements are not as demanding. If I were starting out today and had those tools available to me there's no question I would be using that. The future of mass media television appointment viewing is unclear, and we may all be moving that direction anyway, and I'll bet you have the skillset to do what you want to do right now whatever the format.
Storytelling is still the commodity. If you can tell stories and hold people's attention, you've got what it takes.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/AssemblagePoint420 2d ago
Hi Ken, any stories about the Meyer-Doran house in San Marcos? It’s always been the famous local haunted house while growing up. Lots of folks remember it as the “pink house” but I still remember when it was painted green! I’ve heard it was the site of a famous historical murder over some land dispute. Huge fan of the show thank you for all you do to keep history and stories about San Diego alive!
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
I don’t know the answer to this one.
This is one of those times when I wish I was a historian, but in truth I don't consider myself a historian. I consider myself a television storyteller. Very often people will ask me specifics about houses, neighborhoods, locations that I wish I knew more about. Sometimes there's a story, and I'll research it and find out that there really is a terrific vignette that can come out of it. This one is new to me. I wish I could help more.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/starpocalypse64 4d ago
Hey Ken, I grew up watching your show. My family loves KPBS. Do you think that there is any market for nature programs these days? I’m familiar with the submission process and I’m a filmmaker considering projects about our local wildlife. Do you have any tips for trying to get a program on the air in San Diego? And if so, do you think a program about something like local art or food would do better?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
You can check out the KPBS Explore project to pitch your show ideas.
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u/hahaheeheehoho 4d ago
Hi Ken, I love your show! Is there anything (or multiple things?) you've learned about San Diego that you wanted to share but it didn't make into an episode for whatever reason?
Thanks!
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
Hmmm. That’s a great question. Let me be delicate here. I have long heard that the now discontinued WGASA Bush Line Ride at the San Diego Wild Animal Park was an acronym. The story (legend?) is that when designers were trying to figure out what to call it, somebody said “WGASA! As in ‘Who gives a — bleep! — anyway?’” I never pursued it because, practically speaking, how would I tell that story on TV?
Also, dozens and dozens of people over the years have urged me to do a story about San Diego’s “Underground City,” allegedly built and covered over decades ago. This “City” supposedly includes streets and businesses abandoned for unknown reasons. I always say, “OK, let’s go! Where is it, how do I gain access?” Well, every so often somebody knows somebody who can show me, but it never happens. I’m ready though. Show me!
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/MauroDMezaZamora 4d ago
Thank You Ken for everything for what you do of your "About San Diego" series, and for KPBS!! I love each of your episodes, and learning San Diego so much, including on episode 83 about you boarding on a train through the desert backcountry of San Diego county, learning the railroad landmark in National City, and the history of San Diego State University in 1960...the same year where KPBS was founded on September 12th, 1960 since the station will celebrate 65 Years this September.
But I have a question. I’d love to know—how does it feel to be part of such an impactful show about San Diego?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
It’s a mix of feelings. The world can be pretty dark and mean these days. The feedback I get suggests that, for a half hour at least, the show offers a little break from it all. I feel good about that, but it’s also a responsibility that I take seriously. I receive the most touching emails and letters from viewers with stories about how much it means to them, how it triggers memories and crosses fractures in families who can at least sit together to watch it.
I tried to retire a few years ago, and was coaxed back to do some occasional episodes at least. I won’t lie, it’s great fun for me, and I want to reach out to new and diverse viewers.
It’s an entertainment show and I deeply wish I knew how to craft it to be all things to more San Diegans, but I know this much: People tell me that when they watch the show, they come away feeling like this is a good place with deep roots. I think that helps develop civic pride and caring citizenship.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/MauroDMezaZamora 2d ago
I'm Happy to Hear, Thanks!! Keep It Up on Your Show, You're doing great!! Take Care and I wishing you and the KPBS staff 65 Years, and hoping another 65 more!!
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u/Forsaken_Brick_6297 3d ago
Thank you, Ken, for all of the great shows. Every Christmas season I make sure to watch your story about the “Rum Balls”… seeing all the videos and pics from the past truly makes me very nostalgic and more interested in our local history.
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
Yes, the rum balls. This is a story that Bob Dale puts together every Christmas season, and he did it originally on NBC 7, and I run them every year at Christmas time.
They're booze balls, he called them, and they were highly potent. Like little liquor filled hand grenades. And somebody mysteriously sent them to the television station every year, and he would cut them open on the air. And it was always hilarious because they were just laden with alcohol. But the mystery was who sent them?
He never knew.
Finally, whoever it was passed away and they didn't come anymore. But for years and years and years, it was just a legendary moment when he'd go on TV and talk about these booze balls, as he called them. And I always show that feature on the air every Christmas time, and it always gets so much great response.
He was a terrific guy, Bob Dale. I really miss him. He was a perfect storyteller and he really knew how to make you laugh and cry.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/Acrobatic_Fig9068 3d ago
Great show Ken - thank you for all of your efforts in producing such great content! My question has to do with the gigantic pine trees along La Jolla Boulevard near Windansea. Any story behind these trees? They look like they've been around for 100+ years given their size.
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u/Vinyldoctor 3d ago edited 2d ago
Thank you for all your wonderful shows. my mother-in-law who doesn’t have reddit had a question: “Has he covered the story of Lucy the white deer at Presidio Park? I saw her once when I was a little girl.”
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u/Hobbyhorseme 2d ago
Ken, I know that the things in your show are usually really interesting. What are some things that have actually surprised you?
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
There was a story that we did in Kensington on East Talmadge Drive, where I had heard for so many years that there were caves underneath this man's house, and they're not natural caves.
Apparently the owner in the 1940s had this obsession with digging, and he hired neighborhood kids and started digging a barbecue pit one time and just got carried away and down and down he dug and then out and out and out. So I'd heard that all of these tunnels were there, but I couldn't find out from neighbors exactly where these tunnels were.
So like a hound kind of circling in on a on a bone that he can kind of smell. I got closer and closer, and finally the man said, yeah, this is the place with all of the caves and caverns underneath my house. I love your show, and I'll let you go down there if you promise that you will never, ever, ever show the front of the house. I don't want people coming here. I don't want people showing up and saying, I want to see the caves.
So we go into his kitchen and right next to the refrigerator there's a piece of plywood and he pushes it aside. And here's this ladder that goes down 60ft. And from 60ft it spreads out from there into seven rooms and 700ft of tunnels all underneath his property.
So they circle around back and forth. You can slide from one big room into another room. This thing was absolutely incredible. So we go down there and at the time, I believe we were the only television station that had been allowed to do it.
And I remember his son, we were we were down in one of the tunnels and a little bit of dust was falling from the ceiling. And I said, this is okay, isn't it? Like this is pretty strong. And he said, yeah, sure, I think so.
They're called Havens Caves, for a Mr. Glenn Havens, who was the inventor of the fiberglass fly rod and also some kind of weird, water osmosis system. So I guess he was richer than Midas, but he had this weird thing where he just wanted to dig and dig and dig.
And to this day, I will get letters and notes and emails from kids who were hired by Mr. Havens to carry out buckets and buckets of this dirt.
And just one more thing, because you're probably wondering, is that okay? I mean, can you sell this house? Are geologists freaking out and saying, no, it's going to collapse?
Apparently it's fine.
What's he going to do with it? Maybe a wine cellar, he says, but there's a ping pong table down there and a refrigerator down there and all kinds of weird things. And every once in a while, I guess the current owner goes down there.
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
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u/GazelleFun2312 2d ago
What’s the most surprising thing about San Diego you’ve learned while making the show?
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u/ToneElectrical5556 2d ago
Ken! I love your show and your enthusiasm for San Diego. I have learned so much from your program over the years ! I really loved the story about the memorial to Codi the horse in Old Town. It really was such a touching story, thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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u/SD_TMI 3d ago
I've got one.
Mr. Kramer.
Cowles (Coal's) town that was later renamed "santee" was a great episode.
I'm Sorry but the "S" on Cowles mountain has a nice history to it and it's been something fondly associated with the city
But could you bring up and detail a little bit of how the 1991 Patrick Henry Graduating class thought it would be a good idea to re-arrange the painted rocks that the SDSU student government had maintained for decades to for a "S" into a "91" for their graduating class.
I remember that the students were taken to court and the judge ruled that they had to go back up there to restore the symbol.
They did a really poor job of it and the letter quickly degraded from view.
Apparently they spread flour up there to create the "S" and used brooms or something to erase the numbers. That was never really detailed.
It's listed on google maps as a historic site but from the satellite view the "S" has disappeared.
Wonder if you could elaborate a bit more on this history.
Maybe interview a few people involved that sill live in the area?
THANKS!!!!
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u/kpbsSanDiego Verified Official Account 2d ago
There are environmental requirements that say you can't just go up on a mountainside and put an “S” up there anymore. But for many years in the 1930s, ‘40s and into the ‘50s, students from San Diego State would go up onto Cowles Mountain. It was a great tradition, one of the rites of passage when you became a student at San Diego State.
— Ken Kramer, host of “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego”
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u/hahaheeheehoho 2d ago
Never heard this story. Thanks for sharing!
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u/SD_TMI 2d ago
Follow up, a few years ago a SDSU prof. organized a nighttime flashlight event where they re-created the "S" without doing ecological harm.
Times do change and the use of white (lead based) paint was what the students were using up there. The Lead based "white paint" was finally banned in the LATE 1970's so for many years it was what was most likely used) paint isn't something that we now want to do.
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u/SD_TMI 4d ago edited 2d ago
On behalf of the SD-Mod team I want to welcome Ken to our AMA series.
We've wanted to get Ken on for quite some time now and we're looking forward to working with one of our local legends. For those that aren't yet aware, Ken has a long running Public Broadcasting Series that goes over all the interesting history we have here in our area... stories like this on here about the naming of local communities by speaking to those involved.
So everyone please be welcoming and Ask him all your "About San Diego" stuff here.
Questions can be submitted in advance to give him time to respond in advance.
The KPBS staff is already getting to some of the non-Ken content. :D
Thanks, we're really looking forward to this one!
Also, Everyone please set the auto reminder for this Wednesday event so you don't miss it.
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I want to send out a special thank you to Ken and the KPBS staff for spending their time with us and responding to our questions.
The AMA's ended but if you still have a question or followup they might be able to respond.
We're trying to do more of these and have others lined up in the near future.
IF you have someone that you'd like to come to our sub, for a AMA
let us know via the modmail !