Oceanside Downtown History Walks Begin in April

OCEANSIDE, CA — This week for Throwback Thursday we're going way back and exploring the history of Oceanside. Your guides are none other than the Oceanside Historical Society.

For over 25 years the Oceanside Historical Society has hosted Downtown History Walks on the 2nd Saturday of each month beginning in April and run through September.

The walks start at 9:00 a.m. in front of the Oceanside Public Library at 300 North Coast Highway (Look for the plaque of Andrew Jackson Myers.) Walks are moderately paced and take about two hours. While Downtown walks are free and open to everyone, donations to the OHS are welcomed.

The walks "amble" around the downtown area as well as Pacific Street and the Pier area. Your guide will point out important architectural highlights, including our Gill buildings, historic sites, churches and the general development of our downtown, including the importance of the railroad and its impact on Oceanside.

Starting in April, your guide will be John Daley, who was born and raised in Oceanside and has many interesting memories and facts to provide a personal view on his walks. Later in the summer, the walks are often guided by Kristi Hawthorne, who recently became the Director for the Oceanside Historical Society.

There are also self-guided tours that are more structured, while the guided tours sometimes veer off down another street as time permits, and we stop or point out several more points of interest.

Oceanside history buffs can now enjoy expanded hours at the OHS, which is now open 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday).

You can get more information about the Oceanside Historical Society plus browse or shop books and photos from Oceanside's past, on their website.