Montgomery Memorial
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TheMontgomery Memorial is a monument dedicated on May 21, 1950, to the pioneering aviation achieve- ment of John J. Montgo- mery and his early glider flights in the 1880s at Otay, California.[1] It is situated adjacent to the Montgomery-Waller Recreation Center.[2] The monument features a 93-foot high stainless steel static test wing panel for the Consolidated B-32 Dominator mounted upright that is visible for miles. Because of this feature it is also sometimes referred to locally as Silver Wing.
History
In 1945, the County of San Diego purchased 7 acres of land for the purpose of developing a monument to honor John J. Montgomery. By March 1946, this was expanded through the acquisition of 18 adjacent acres for the purpose of the development of Montgomery Park.[3] The land acquisition process was led by Paul Mannen and Gordon Wiggins of the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce. Bob Wilson served as research chairman for the project, he later became a Congressman representing California's 41st District. On April 1, 1946, Regina Cleary, Montgomery's widow visited San Diego to review the location and planned monument.[4]
The monument was designed by pioneering modernist Lloyd Ruocco.[5] Around the monument base is a terrazzo walk with the names of aviators who followed Montgomery set into the stone. Set nearby is a tablet with an inscription to Montgomery's winged flight.[6]
The Montgomery Memorial was officially dedicated on Sunday May 21, 1950 with John Montgomery's brother James Montgomery and sister Jane Montgomery in attendance. Robert Wilson was the Chairman of the Montgomery Memorial Committee, with William Brotherton[7] serving as Master of Ceremonies. Jerome Rudrauff presented the Memorial as President of the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce. It was formally accepted by James A. Robbins, Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.[8][9][10][11]
The Montgomery Memorial is recognized as a California Historical Landmark (#711).[12]
It is also a Historic Landmark designated by the San Diego Historical Resources Board (#13).[13]
The Montgomery Park land originally acquired by the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce became the Montgomery-Waller Recreational Center in 1964 following the donation of another parcel of land next to the site by the family of Luckie Waller for a park named after her son. [14] In the 1970s, an early hang glider "Montgomery Meet" was held on the hill near the Monument.
In the 1970s another nearby recreation center was dedicated in the area as the Silver Wing Recreation Center.[15]
BIOGRAPHICAL OR HISTORICAL
NOTE:
The architect Lloyd Ruocco was born in Maine in 1907 and moved to the Santee area in 1922. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1933. In his early years, Ruocco worked with architect Lillian Rice and the Requa and Jackson architecture firm. Ruocco became well known for designing houses and public buildings, including the Civic Theater and the Design Center on 5th Avenue. He also helped found the Allied Artists’ Council of San Diego and the civic organization, Citizen’s Coordinate for Century-Three. In 1974, he was elected “Fellow” of the American Institute for Architecture. Ruocco was married to Ilse Hamann Ruocco, a professor of Art at San Diego State University. Lloyd Ruocco passed away in 1981.
The architect Lloyd Ruocco was born in Maine in 1907 and moved to the Santee area in 1922. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1933. In his early years, Ruocco worked with architect Lillian Rice and the Requa and Jackson architecture firm. Ruocco became well known for designing houses and public buildings, including the Civic Theater and the Design Center on 5th Avenue. He also helped found the Allied Artists’ Council of San Diego and the civic organization, Citizen’s Coordinate for Century-Three. In 1974, he was elected “Fellow” of the American Institute for Architecture. Ruocco was married to Ilse Hamann Ruocco, a professor of Art at San Diego State University. Lloyd Ruocco passed away in 1981.
NOTA BIOGRAFICA:
L'architetto Lloyd Ruocco nacque nel Maine nel 1907 e traslocò all'area di
Santee in 1922. Si laureò a Berkeley all'Università
di California nel 1933.
Nei primi anni lavorò con l’architetto
Rice di Lillian ed il Requa e Jackson ditta di architettura. Ruocco si fece
conoscere bene per la costruzione di case ed edifici pubblici, incluso il
Teatro Civico ed il Centro di Disegno
sulla quinta strada. Si prodigò per la fondazione del Consiglio degli Artisti Alleati di San Diego e per l'organizzazione
civica, la Coordinata di Cittadino per Secolo-tre.
Nel 1974, fu eletto
"Individuo" dell'Istituto americano per l’Architettura. Ruocco si
sposò con Ilse Hamann, un professore di
Art presso l'Università Statale di San Diego. Lloyd Ruocco passò a miglior vita
nel 1981.
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