What Are the Top 10 Events in Imperial Beach History? Write Them in Stone

Strolling through the winding walkways of Veteran's Park, people may soon be able to read engraved tidbits of city history under their feet.

Originally approved in 2006 for four freestanding information signs, council modified the concept to include eight to 10 concrete bands to the Veteran Park History Walk Design in Veterans Park in March.

Staff returned to council Aug. 3 to present information the History Walk may include.

City Manager Hank Levien originally presented this concept to council . The History Walk could be less expensive and last longer than freestanding signs, Levien said.

With a $20,000 budget, council voted to give staff the go-ahead to look for bids for construction of the concrete bands.

Levien said he wanted input from council if these examples "capture the history you would like to see or if there are other historical events in our region that are more appropriate."

Imperial Beach History Walk

1300-1769-Imperial Beach Part-Time Home of Kumeyaay Indians

1769-Riveria/Crespi Expedition-1st Europeans in Imperial Beach

1848-U.S./Mexican War-Imperial Beach become U.S. Territory

1887-Imperial Beach becomes summer retreat for Imperial Valley residents

1909/1960/1988-Imperial Beach Piers Constructed/Reconstructed

1909-1910-First Sidewalks Built

1917-Aviation Field (Ream Field), Established

1956-July 18th-City Incorporated

1982-Tijuana Estuary Preserve Established

1999-Opening of Mel Portwood Pier Plaza

Councilwoman Bragg said Levien did a great job with no additional input from Councilmembers, but said she would like to see more recent events in stone as well.

"I would like to include something from this century," Bragg said. "And that would be when we buried the time capsule. I know our city clerk has the exact coordinates of where this one is buried."

Bragg said in her opinion, deleting when Imperial Beach became a territory and replacing it with the time capsule was her choice. She said staff should look within city limits to find a company who can create the slabs.

Councilman Jim King said it is very difficult to get good stamped images with concrete and proposed having the slabs manufactured by a company that make tombstones due to their longevity and clarity of text and images.

"You could get some nice stone, very durable and the engraving will last forever," King said. "It could be an alternative to look at in looking at costs."

This is agenda item 6.5 in the attached Aug. 3 City Council agenda packet.