Location, location, location. This is the mantra for real estate. But it is precisely “location” that helped define La Jolla. Historic Tales of La Jolla tells the story of the place: its name, even its initial creation by natural forces, followed by the people who found and fell in love with it. This is history from a personal perspective. What did La Jolla do for the people who came, and what did these people do for La Jolla and, in many cases, for the rest of the world?
This excellent introduction by local author Patricia Daly-Lipe explains her approach to her book. Her stories tell of the people and places that have molded the village of La Jolla into a natural and cultural wonder.
She begins with how the area was first settled in 1869. From the beginning, its landscape attracted artists, architects, writers and scientists that contributed to its reputation as a prized location. There were also infamous elements, such as pirates and smugglers.
The founding of an elementary school made its mark on La Jolla’s youth, as did architect, Irving John Gill, on its architecture. The book’s many stories include Ellen Browning Scripps, the godmother of La Jolla who founded institutions, including the famous Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and Theodor Geisel (aka, Dr. Seuss), who derived inspiration for his art from La Jolla's landscapes and people. Torrey Pines Gliderport, a historic resource for motorless flight since 1930, is shown as an exciting place through descriptions of the port’s many pilots and their feats.
The book provides warm, highly readable stories of La Jolla’s major sites and personalities. It is a must-read for local history buffs.
Dr. Patricia Daly-Lipe, is an author, artist and speaker. Patricia has written ten books. Her first La Jolla book was the Winner of the San Diego Books Awards in 2002. A Cruel Calm, the USABookNews.com Finalist Award, 2013 she won First Prize for historical fiction. Named Author of the Year 2016-2017’ by the International Association of Top Professionals and Lifetime of Achievement and Success in 2017. She was raised in La Jolla and Washington, D.C. She is a member of the San Diego Writers and Editors Guild.
Historic Tales of La Jolla is the second book of a very comprehensive history of La Jolla, California.
Technically, La Jolla is a suburb of San Diego, but in reality it is an entity in itself. La Jolla has little in common with the city of SanDiego proper, hence, it should be viewed as totally separate from the city.
Much of its charm is derived from its history of roughly the last one hundred and thirty years. Many artists, craftsmen, and musicians fell in love with the beauty of La Jolla, beginning as far back as 1894, when Anna Held (not to be confused with the actress of the same name) instituted the Green Dragon Colony, and built several cottages next to her home for visiting artists and musicians.
Such notables as Ellen Browning Scripps, who was to play a major role in La Jolla’s development, architect Irving Gill, who designed many homes and buildings in La Jolla and San Diego, and countless others who contributed to La Jolla’s success, lived in the community.
The author brings the reader from the late 1800’s into the present, tracing La Jolla’s growth from a small community of artists and musicians, ambitious young people who saw the potential of successful businesses, and folks who recognized the health benefits, to the mega town it is today.
Whether you are a local or near-by resident, or whether you have never heard of La Jolla, you will be entranced with Patricia Daly Lipe’s vivid descriptions of the beauty of La Jolla, and her detailed descriptions of people and places.
You are simply amazing! I loved the books you sent to me! I reread Historic Tales of La Jolla in one sitting and am now working my way in La Jolla, A Celebration of Its Past. These are such fantastic resources…
Thank you so much for all you do to preserve history and share the stories of the characters who impact our lives today. You are a master storyteller!
"Well, my dear Patty, Was it worth waiting for! YES! Your book is terrific. It should be in the Reception area of all the hotels in La Jolla… It is crammed with so many wonderful things about La Jolla, and unforgettable people, but most of all incredibly well written because, although it is full of the history of our beloved La Jolla, it is also such a joy to read…But again, congratulations on a wonderful book, not only so informative and interesting, but how well you write!,
Thank you for writing this wonderful History of La Jolla".
