What was San Diego County like when KNSD-TV (then KAAR-TV) first began broadcasting in 1965? Here's a look at just some of the fun facts we found:
- The Coronado Bay Bridge is still an idea. Construction won't begin for two more years.
- The Mayor of San Diego is the then-honorable Frank E. Curran. He would later be forced out of politics by scandal. As the LA Times reports, Curran was accused and acquitted of taking bribes from a cab company in exchange for hiking rates.
- In April 1965, the San Diego City Council endorses construction of a multipurpose stadium in Mission Valley and drops idea of a floating stadium in Mission Bay. Voters approve the proposal in November with groundbreaking ceremonies happening right before Christmas.
- SeaWorld celebrates its first year in business in San Diego. The park opened its doors in 1964.
- In Carlsbad, the La Costa Resort and Spa opens in 1965 with a rate of $22/night (greens, tennis, stable and pool fees included).
- Ocean Beach celebrates its pier opening
- The Beatles perform at Balboa Stadium on August 28, 1965.
- The Salk Institute, known among architects as "one of the world's boldest structures", opened in 1965.
- UC San Diego students hold the first annual watermelon drop on June 4, 1965.
- In Balboa Park, the Timken Museum of Art opens in a building designed by Frank Hope
- Archeological digs begin at Presidio Park above Old Town, eventually revealing foundations and artifacts from the earliest Spanish inhabitation of the 1700s. Source: The San Diego History Center
- Students now could attend classes in Santana High School with Mr. Robert Spencer as principal.
- At the time of the 1960 Census, 573,224 people are living in the city of San Diego with 1,033,011 people in the county. When the 2000 Census records our population, San Diego has 1,223,400 residents and the county has almost tripled in size with 2,813,833 residents.
