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Forgotten San Diego: A Journey Through the Past

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Join the California Preservation Foundation for an in-depth discussion with the author of Forgotten San Diego, where we’ll explore the inspiration behind the book and the journey of researching and curating its content. The conversation will dive into how the author and his co-author uncovered long-lost stories through vintage postcards, and what it was like piecing together the visual history of San Diego over a century. Hear firsthand about the process of selecting images that represent the area’s transformation across decades. 

We’ll also take a closer look at the stories behind some of the postcards, revealing the hidden corners of San Diego’s past. From unusual local tales to historical events that have since faded from the public’s memory, this conversation will provide a deeper understanding of the region’s fascinating evolution. Whether you're a San Diego local or someone interested in the past, this interview promises to bring the city’s forgotten history to life in a new and exciting way. 

About the Book
Memories are fleeting, and a region’s history can easily be forgotten. This book features over 200 unique and interesting historical postcards that vividly capture San Diego County’s forgotten past from 1890 to 1990. From bowling alleys to military bases, from giant dirigibles to sleek airplanes, from billionaires to bulldogs—San Diego has changed so fundamentally that much of its charming history has faded from our memories. Forgotten San Diego showcases the unique evolution of San Diego and its neighboring cities, making sure that the triumphs, tragedies, and oddities of this region live on.

About the Authors
The coauthors of this book are colleagues from a San Diego architectural firm that specializes in historic preservation. David Marshall, AIA, is an architect and postcard collector. Eileen Magno, MA, is a historian and writer. Both natives of San Diego, they have a lifelong love of the region and its quirky history. The images inside, most never before published, are all from Marshall’s personal collection. New arrivals and longtime San Diegans are sure to find the stories and pictures in this book, well . . . unforgettable.

 

About Our Speaker

David Marshall, AIA
Principal
Heritage Architecture & Planning

Architect David Marshall is president of the highly respected preservation firm of Heritage Architecture & Planning in San Diego. Heritage specializes in the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic structures. David has worked on many significant buildings, including the Western Metal Supply Company building at PETCO Park, Organ Pavilion, Balboa Theatre, Top Gun House, and Hotel del Coronado. David is past president of SOHO, was on the city’s Historical Resources Board, served on the board of Forever Balboa Park, and was president of the California Preservation Foundation. David has written two books, San Diego’s Balboa Park and Forgotten San Diego.

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