In 1944, San Diego County wrangled the transfer of four 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps barracks into County ownership. The Army had used Camp Vista as a Army battalion base camp for the 14th Infantry Regiment, which conducted patrols between Rancho Santa Fe and San Clemente. Soldiers scanned the Pacific coast for Japanese warships and submarines, operating searchlights and observation instruments that could relay targeting coordinates to an gun battery site at Fort Rosecrans.
One building was moved from what had been Camp Vista to the bluff above Fletcher Cove beach, where it was put into service as a community center. From its founding in 1953, the Society frequently used the former barracks building for member meetings and the annual Holiday Bazaar, as it was called at the time. By 2007, weathered by coastal storms and ailing from deferred maintenance, the structure was in shambles and basically unusable. “While the Pacific Avenue facility has a multi-million dollar ocean view, the pathways are pitch black . . . and the walls literally crumble to the touch,” reported the Solana Beach Sun.
That year, the City’s long-planned effort to create Fletcher Cove Park had finally come to fruition, again supported in large part by the Society and other donors whose contributions are honored in the expansive ceramic ocean-theme tile-work that wraps around the park like a wave. The beautiful new park was in stark contrast to the dilapidated community center on the adjacent, overgrown ice plant-filled slope.
So, in November, 2007, City Council set up a Fletcher Cove Ad Hoc Committee and tasked members to gather community input on a vision for the center. The Society’s Executive Board and many members immediately got involved. “It’s such a part of our organization,” past Society president and former Mayor Margaret Schlesinger said. “. . . we don’t want to lose a meeting place.” She and then-Society president Judy Hegenauer told the City that the Society didn’t feel the building had local historical significance and pledged to raise funds for a new structure.
The project quickly grew into a community-wide effort. Volunteers removed a truckload of ice plant from around the structure during the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church’s Community Serve Day in February and again in July, 2010. They would return after the renovation was completed for a community planting day to install landscaping around the center in “Overlook Park.”
Stephen Dalton Architects of Solana Beach was selected to design the renovated multi-use center, adding the south-facing window wall that offers views of the ocean and Fletcher Cove park. Wide doors that open to adjacent outdoor patios help to compensate for the center’s limited floor area, which couldn’t be expanded due to coastal building regulations.
The City budgeted $279,000 for the project, but construction bids came in higher. Additional funding was secured through the Americans with Disabilities Act, redevelopment agency money, and several generous donations — including $185,000 from the Solana Beach Community Foundation, $40,000 from the Solana Beach Civic & Historical Society, and an additional $25,000 from an individual donor as a “top-off” to the broad citizen financial participation in the effort.
The renovation got underway in February 2011 with a goal for completion in time for a summer celebration of the City’s 25th anniversary. Workers said the building was in such poor shape that it wobbled when they removed siding. The Community Center was again renovated in 2023 to allow for much needed maintenance, including repair of the roof and siding.
The former Fletcher Cove Community Center sits high on a bluff top with panoramic ocean views.
Ocean side of former Fletcher Cove Community Center.
[sources: Early Solana Beach, Recollections by George C. Wilkens & Robert “Chuckles” Hernandez as told to Jim Nelson, 2002; Solana Beach, Forty Years of Progress, 1922-1962, April, 1962; California State Military Department, the California State Military Museum, Historic California Posts: Camp Vista; SBC&HS archives]
Boo-Boo had been looking forward to the Historical Society’s Halloween party all month. He had never been to one before, and was excited to dress up in his best white sheet.
Jackie o’Lantern was feeling excited as she made her way to the community center by the sea. It was the earliest Halloween party of the season, and Jackie loved nothing more than dressing up and celebrating with her friends.
The Jinx attended the earliest Halloween party of the season, at a community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon and the days might finally start to get chilly. The Jinx was excited to attend his first Halloween party, but he was also nervous. What would he wear? He had no idea what costumes humans wore. He decided to go as himself and flew to the party in a cloud of dark smoke.
Obscuro was getting excited for the upcoming Halloween party. It would be his first one of the season, and he was looking forward to dressing up in his favorite costume. He had white latex skin that made his face look like a mask, so he always stuck out in a crowd. But that was exactly why he loved going to Halloween parties- he loved the opportunity to show off his unique look.
Lucius Morte had never been to a Halloween party before. He had always been too busy tormenting the damned in the 4th level of hell to bother with earthly celebrations. But this year, he was feeling particularly restless and decided to venture out into the world of mortals. He found a community center by the sea that was hosting a Halloween party and decided to attend.
Vespera was so excited to go to the Halloween party. It was at a community center by the sea, and it would be her first party in a long time! She had been practicing her mime and charade skills for weeks, and she was determined to show everyone how good she was.
Gourdy Bane was very excited to attend the earliest Halloween party of the season. It was being held at a community center by the sea, and he loved the sound of waves crashing against the shore. When he arrived, he saw that the party was already in full swing. There were pumpkins everywhere, and people were dressed in costumes. Gourdy Bane saw a couple of gourds wearing pirate costumes, and he couldn’t help but laugh. He loved Halloween parties, and he was having a great time dancing to the music and eating candy.
Morrigana was very excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and the days were finally starting to get chilly. Morrigana had been working on her Halloween outfit all year long, and she was looking forward to showing it off.
William Wisp had been looking forward to the community center’s Halloween party all month long. It was going to be two days before the full moon, and he loved the smell of fall in the air (cinnamon and pumpkin spice). His Halloween costume was all ready to go, and he was excited to show it off to all of his friends. This year, he was dressed as a pumpkin. His little orange boots matched his little pumpkin body perfectly.
Mr. Creepers was all dressed up and ready to go to the community center by the sea for the earliest Halloween party of the season. It had been a long time since he’d been out and about, but he was feeling young at heart and ready to have some fun. He loved the black 1940s coat that he had found at a thrift store and felt confident that he would be the most stylish person at the party.
The Frankster had always loved Halloween. He loved the costumes, the candy, and most of all, the parties. This year, he was especially excited for the party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and he could feel a tiny bit of a cool autumn breeze in the air.
Wooblydook was really excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. He had never been to one before, and he was looking forward to kale pulling and making neep lanterns. The party was two days before the full moon, and Wooblydook was hoping it would start to get chilly soon. He loved being out in the cold and feeling his bat-like ears flap in the wind.
As the sun began to set, the community center by the sea came to life. Lights flickered on, announcing that the earliest Halloween party of the season was about to start. A golden sun slowly rose in the sky, growing brighter and brighter as it got closer to the horizon. As it reached its peak, people whispered: this sun only came out at night. It was the Midnight Sun.