HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-06; City Council; 17164; El Camino Real Bell Historic MarkerAB# 17,164
MTG. 5/6/103
DEPT. LIB
CITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL
TITLE: EL CAMINO REAL BELL HISTORIC
MARKER
W
CITY ATTY. w
CITY MGRa
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt Resolution No. 2003-123 approving the purchase and
installation of an El Camino Real Bell Historic Marker.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
The Historic Preservation Commission has recommended that the City purchase and install
an El Camino Real Bell at an appropriate site in Carlsbad.
The original bells date back to 1906 when Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes, a wealthy socialite, initiated
a project to guide travelers along El Camino Real (original Highway 101) to the California
missions. She funded the creation of authentic-looking mission bells mounted on
shepherd’s crooks. By 191 3, over 450 of these 100-pound cast iron bells lined El Camino
Real. Unfortunately, most of these bells have been stolen over the years. The El Camino
Real Bell Restoration Project was supported by the State Legislature in I974 to encourage
the reinstallation of the State of California’s most famous historical icon.
Prior to the 1927 realignment of Lincoln into what became Carlsbad Boulevard, the original
Highway 101 extended south on State Street and then turned west on Elm (Carlsbad
Village Drive) to connect with Lincoln. There is a photograph dated circa I910 (Exhibit 2)
that shows one of the El Camino Real Bells at the northwest corner of Elm Avenue and
State Street. Given the historical significance of these bells being located on the original
Highway 101 , both the Historic Preservation Commission and the Carlsbad Historical
Society recommended that the most meaningful location for a bell would be on present day
State Street. The preferred location was the northwest corner of State and Grand, adjacent
to the fountain. This site was selected because it seems to be more of a people-oriented
space, an attractive area for foot traffic where people would be more likely to see the bell
and to stop and read an attached informational plaque.
The California Bell Company in Saratoga, California has the original casting for these bells
and makes them available at special discounts to municipalities and non-profit groups for
use as public displays. This site was analyzed and approved by Housing and
Redevelopment, the city’s Traffic Engineer, and City Street Maintenance staff and has been
cleared by SDG&E, Pacific Bell, and other utilities for access at the approved depth. Street
Maintenance will arrange to have the 3-inch diameter mounting pipe installed at the site.
The overall height of the pipe with the bell mounted on the crook is 11% feet.
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PAGE 2 OF AGENDA BILL NO. 17~164
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of the original 1906 Forbes Highway Bell (also called El Camino
Real Bell) including the shepherd’s crook, all mounting hardware, paint, tax and free
delivery is $1,395.36. Funds for this project are included in the current Historic
Preservation Commission budget.
EXHIBITS:
1. Resolution No. 2003-123 approving the purchase and
installation of an El Camino Real Bell Historic Marker.
2. Sample photographs
3. Location map
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EXHIBIT # 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-123
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN
EL CAMINO REAL BELL FOR USE AS A HISTORIC MARKER.
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad’s Historic Preservation Commission has recommended
purchase and installation of an El Camino Real Bell; and
WHEREAS, the El Camino Real Bell is a significant historic icon that has been used
along the route of the original El Camino Real, now known as Historic Highway 101; and
WHEREAS, these bells can now be manufactured with the original casting for the 1906
bell; and
WHEREAS, appropriate City staff have approved the location and installation of the bell
at the northwest corner of State Street and Grand Avenue, adjacent to the city fountain; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in the current Historic Preservation Commission budget
for this project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad,
California, as follows:
1.
2.
That the above recitations are true and correct.
That staff is hereby directed to purchase and install at the approved location one
1906 El Camino Real Bell from the original casting.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Carlsbad, California, at a regular meeting held on the 6th day of MAY
, 2003, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, rd
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
EXHIBIT #2
EL CAMINO REAL
HIGHWAY BELLS
1906 FORBES EL CAMINO REAL BELL
EXHIBIT #3
CARLSBAD VILLAGE DR
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