FDR BRIEFLY VISITED SAN DIEGO 85 YEARS AGO

On July 16, 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited San Diego and dedicated the Civic Center, now known as the County Administration Center. “I am proud of San Diego, and I am proud of this latest achievement of San Diego,” he told the crowd of more than 25,000 in attendance.

From the Evening Tribune, Saturday, July 16 , 1938:

ROOSEVELT ON WAY TO SAN DIEGO

DUE AT 3 P.M.; EXPECT CROWD OF 25,000

THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY PARTY PASSED THROUGH LAGUNA BEACH AT 12:22 P.M., ACCORDING TO WORD RECEIVED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

By Don Short

President Roosevelt is to be here today on his first visit since October, 1935, and thousands of San Diegans planned to join a rousing welcome for him at the Civic Center on his arrival at 3 p.m. The embarcadero is expected to be jammed in front of the west portals of the Civic Center, which Roosevelt will dedicate.

TO KEEP CROWD IN BOUNDS City officials estimate a crowd of about 25,000 inside the area set apart for that purpose and none can get out until after Roosevelt is aboard the cruiser Houston docked a short distance away on the north side of Broadway Pier on which he will cruise on a fishing trip to the Galapagos Islands. Marines,

sailors, soldiers and police will see that the crowd is held back from the presidential car.

Roosevelt’s auto caravan is timed to reach the Civic Center almost exactly at 3 p.m. On the way from Los Angeles e will be paced by a detachment of motorcycle police and guarded by a bevy of secret service agents. His ride from Los Angeles, by way of Long Beach, will afford him a splendid panorama of the Pacific Ocean as well as a view of the hills and mountains. It was this view that caused Roosevelt to ask for an auto ride to San Diego.

His route has been, from early today, closely guarded to prevent unforeseen events and to keep over-zealous persons from trying to shake his hand.

TO SPEAK FROM CAR

On arrival at the Civic Center, reception plans may have a few minor changes recommended by Col. W.E. Starling, of the Secret Service, who arrived ahead of time to be sure that no detail as to safety and time had been overlooked. A group of San Diegans will be gathered on a platform adjoining the ramp at the Civic Center to greet Roosevelt. Judge Ralph E. Jenney will preside. It is anticipated that when the president’s car is on the platform adjoining the ramp, Sen. William G.

Mcadoo and Mayor Percy J. Benbough will remain in his car while Roosevelt speaks, and will continue with him to the pier to witness his departure. If Starling decides only Roosevelt and Secret Service men should remain in the car, seats on the platform will be provided for Mcadoo and Benbough.

Occupying places on the platform will be George W. Marston, father of the Civic Center movement, Julius Wangenheim, Rear Adm. Sinclair Gannon, Brig. Gen R.H. Van Deman, retired; Charles T. Cotant, president of the chamber of commerce; City Manager Robert W. flack, Leroy T. Richards, president of the board of supervisors; Councilmen Bruce Stannard, Rayman Wansley, Addison E. Housh, Capt. W.C. Crandall, Herbert E. Fish and John S. Siebert; Harvey Hicks, B.S. Sweet and Walter Belon, supervisers; Thomas H. Homes, WPA director; Sen. Ed Fletcher, Assemblymen Charles W. Stream, Paul Richie, and Assemblywoman Jeanette Daley; Rep. Ed. V. Izak, Superior court Judgers Charles C. Haines, Frank Macomber, Lloyd Friffin, L.N. Turrentine, Gordon Thompson, Arthur H. Mundo, and representatives of various civic organizations and military bodies of the city, including the Spanish war veterans, diabled war veterans, American Legion, and labor organizations.