Field Guide to Coronado History: Ocean Boulevard Sandbags to Seawalls

Another in a regular series of fascinating, intriguing, or thoughtful tales about people and places in Nado history -- presented by your Coronado Historical Association

In March of 1905, when a vicious storm crashed down on this small island community, the beach along Ocean Boulevard was small and sometimes more mud than sand.  Ocean waves quickly advanced across the low-lying shore, punctured a pathway into Spanish Bight between Coronado and North Island, and battered the unprotected edge of Coronado’s ocean boundaries. 

With high tide, the sea finally breached Ocean Boulevard destroying dozens of seaside homes and sending an estimated 100 feet of roadway back into the ocean. The pier that once stood in front of the Hotel del Coronado was destroyed. 

It became clear to all that the beach, so popular during fair times, could never act as a bulwark against a raging sea. Thirty thousand sandbags, each weighing about 200 pounds, had promised some protection for homeowners but in this extraordinary onslaught had proved worthless. 

In 1906, many residents of Coronado living near the ocean shore bought nearly seventy tons of rock at an estimated $145,000 to construct a seawall to protect their homes.

The huge boulders were hauled on the flat cars of the Belt Line Railroad train from the Sweetwater Valley, up the Silver Strand, and on to Coronado Beach, where they were rolled into place to form the seawall. That same seawall can still be seen today, although not as necessary as it once used to be. 

These two photos depict a far different Ocean Boulevard than today.  Waves generated by a severe storm and high tide could threaten every one of Coronado’s seaside homes.  Note the construction preparations along Ocean following the storm of 1905 and before the first delivery of huge breakwater rocks. Although there does not seem to be much need for the seawall anymore, it still stands guard prepared to protect the homes of Coronado should another massive squall come to the island.  (MW)

Coronado Historical Association (www.coronadohistory.org)