San Diego's Balboa Park

Balboa Park began in 1868 when San Diegos civic leaders dedicated 1,400 prime acres to create an urban oasis. Originally the land, crisscrossed with canyons and dominated by native scrub, was called simply City Park. In later years, Balboa Park hosted two successful world expositions: the 19151916 Panama-California Exposition and the 19351936 California Pacific International Exposition. The unique evolution of the park included occupation by the U.S. Navy, a zoo, a Native American village, and even a nudist colony. Balboa Park also suffered periods of neglect and demolition before citizens groups united to save and restore the beloved Spanish Colonial Revival buildings.Marshall, David is the author of 'San Diego's Balboa Park ', published 2007 under ISBN 9780738547541 and ISBN 0738547549.