La Playa Site

Location

The South side of the
Naval Fuel Station's Sentry Gate.

Significance

The La Playa Marker commemorates
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo.

Status of the Marker

The marker still stands (refurbished).

La Playa Trail's
Fourth Historical Marker

The fourth La Playa Trail Marker honoring the Explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was dedicated at 3 O'Clock on Saturday afternoon March 10, 1934.

Over the year there had been numerous plans and schemes to honor Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. The first of record is the 1892 Cabrillo Festival, conceived and organized by the editor of the San Diego Sun, Walter G. Smith. It took place on September 28, 29, and 30. The festival included a mock landing of Cabrillo, portrayed by Captain Joe Williams on the former Chinese fishing junk Sung Wo On, follower with a big parade up D Street to Horton Plaza. Included in the three-day event were an Indian fiesta, a banquet at the Hotel Del, yacht and shell races on the bay, a grand ball at the Hotel Del, and a rodeo at Coronado.

In 1913, the half-acre Cabrillo National Monument was authorized by President Woodrow Wilson. The marker was located on the south side of the sentry gate of the Naval Fuel Station and underwritten by the Native Sons & Daughters of the Golden West. Admiral T.W. Tarrant commandant of the 11th Naval District, reserved the plot of land for the monument. The ceremony itself was orchestrated by the San Diego Historical Society with the help of personnel from the Naval Fuel Depot.

In late 1988 E. Clampus Vitas recast a new bronze marker from the casts of the originals in the San diego Historical Society. This was set in a group of three markers, one of which was the original one for the La Playa Trail, and dedicated on April 3, 1989.

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