ERNEST A. TAYLOR INTERVIEW
Narrator: Ernest A. Taylor
Interviewer: S. F. Hinojosa
Interview date: May 17, 1975
Transcriber: Nicole Conti
Location: Taylor residence (Vista, CA)

HINOJOSA: —on May 17, 1975. I’m at the home of Ernest A. Taylor at 2020 Darwin Drive,
Vista, California. I am interviewing Mr. Taylor for a local history class.
TAYLOR: Frances, it’s a pleasure for me to talk with you about the City of Oceanside and
my part in its development on through the years. I was born and raised in western
Colorado and came to Oceanside in 1926. I came with my parents who first
arrived in San Diego about May 5, 1926. And my father was interested in getting
into the service station business and searched the county for a possible site,
ultimately settling in Oceanside where he acquired a service station on North Hill
Street at about the 900 block. The building is still there.
I worked for my father for about a month or six weeks, and on August 9, 1926, I
went to work for the city engineer of the City of Oceanside. Oceanside had gone
through a political upheaval in the two or three years prior to my having arrived,
and the progressives had won out in a recent election after having declared that
Oceanside was 40 years behind all the other cities in Southern California, and is
below. At that time, there were very few streets paved in the city. Hill Street
being one of them, Mission Avenue, Third Street from Hill Street to Pacific,
Pacific Street from Third to Wisconsin, Fremont Street from Mission Avenue to
Third Street, and that was about all the streets that were paved in the city.
Oceanside at that time extended from what is now Camp Pendleton and what was
then the Rancho Santa Margarita boundaries, to about Loma Alta Creek and
easterly to about where the Rosicrucian Fellowship is now situated.
[BREAK IN RECORDING]

2
TAYLOR: Even though the streets were not paved, many of the streets were lined with
eucalyptus trees. And the city was blessed with that for many years. However,
when the streets were improved in the late 20s and the early 30s, most of these
large eucalyptus trees had to be removed because they were in the wrong location
according to the street design necessary. The 1920 population of Oceanside was
1,161. The 1930 population was 3,508. So, it’s reasonable to estimate that in
1926, the city was approximately thirt—2,500 population. Most of the
development extended from Horne Street westerly to the ocean and at that time
there were no buildings on the Strand, south of the pier, and only a few north of
the pier. Including Cottage City, which was situated at Sixth and the Strand,
although the Strand was not build until 1927. So, access to the beach was from
dirt roads that would cut down through the bluff from Pacific Street.
[BREAK IN RECORDING]
TAYLOR: When I first went to work for the city engineer, the city was beginning the
construction of its second sewer system, which comprised the area of Oceanside
lying south of First Street and north of what is now called Oceanside Boulevard.
Prior to that, in 1913, a system had been constructed for the portion northerly of
First Street. There were no sewers in any other part of the community at that
time. During the Roaring Twenties, there were many street improvements put in
Oceanside. And there was a land boom on—which encouraged these
improvements to be put in. Curbs and sidewalks were put on many of the streets,
but paving was not put on many of them until years later.
I worked in the engineering department until about 1931, when the engineering
office closed due to the Depression. And after that, I worked part-time for the
city in many positions. I did the engineering for the city, as well as worked for
the water department, the police department and the fire department. As a
volunteer fireman, I started to work in that department in 1932. And in 1935, I
was hired as a full-time position as Fire Engineer and Desk Sergeant, and worked
the night shift from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for $100 a month. This is of interest, I
think, because of the present salaries and wages which are prevalent. However,
this was a matter of relativity, and it certainly did help us survive the Depression,
which really wasn’t lifted in Oceanside until about 1939.

3
TAYLOR: After having worked in a—that capacity for about two and a half years, I was
appointed Street Superintendent. And I worked in this capacity for 22 years.
Street Superintendent’s job at that time was not only to take care of the streets
but have charge of the parks and the public buildings. And this carried on for a
number of years.
[BREAK IN RECORDING]
TAYLOR: In 1947, the additional duties of Planning Director were added to my
responsibilities. And in 1952, I was acting Administrative Officer for a three-
month period between the time the first city manager, [James Neil?], resigned,
and the new city manager Franklin W. Lily was appointed.
In 1955, I was appointed the City Manager pro tem, which was a position that I
held until the time of my retirement. And in 1958, I was also appointed Public
Works Coordinator. In 1960, I was made Assistant City Manager and Planning
Director and relieved of the duties of Street Superintendent. And in 1960, I was
also appointed full-time Assistant City Manager, a position I held until I retired.
I was a past president of the Oceanside Kiwanis Club and past president of San
Diego County Planning Congress, which was a grou—organization of planning
departments and planning commissioners in San Diego County. And past
president of the San Diego Imperial Counties chapter of the American Public
Works Association; past president of the Public Works Division of the League of
California Cities; past chairman of the Oceanside and Carlsbad branch of the San
Diego County chapter of the American Red Cross; past chairman of the
Oceanside United Service Organization; past president of the Santa Margarita
Historical Society. And member of the International City Management
Association, American Public Works Association, [unclear] Order of Elks,
Kiwanis Club, and the First United Methodist Church of Oceanside.
[BREAK IN RECORDING]
TAYLOR: I think it’ll be of interest to you to know that during the so-called Roaring
Twenties, the street improvements in the city of Oceanside exceeded in cost a

4
TAYLOR: million and a half dollars. And in those days, that was a considerable sum of
money. Some of the significant improvements were the building of a new pier,
which was dedicated in 1927. The construction of the Strand pavement on the
beach in 1927. The extension of South Pacific Street down as far as Saint Malo
Beach area, about 1930. And probably, more significantly, the general
improvement of the city as it was then incorporated.
Since those earlier days, many significant changes have taken place in
Oceanside. And the first great impact on the community was the result of World
War II, when Camp Pendleton was started on Rancho Santa Margarita. The city’s
population in 1940 was 4,651. And a spatial census in 1946 showed the
population as being 10,690. And most of this was a result of the world war and
Camp Pendleton’s impact on the city.
During that time, another very significant thing happened to our community. The
San Diego County Water Authority was formed to import Colorado River water
to San Diego County, and Oceanside became a member. Had it not been for the
San Diego County Water Authority being formed, and Colorado River water
having been imported, Oceanside, and as a matter of fact, San Diego County,
could never have grown to its present proportion because there just wasn’t that
much water available.
Other significant things that have happened were the construction of the harbor,
Oceanside Harbor. In 1962 it was dedicated, and has made a tremendous
contribution to the city of Oceanside, and as a matter of fact, to the North
County. It’s enjoyed by many people not only from within the city, but outside of
the city. And many people from as far away as Riverside and San Bernardino and
even in Imperial Valley, have boats in the Oceanside Harbor.
Some of the things that have been of a deteriorating nature was the erosion of the
Oceanside Beach. This became quite significant by 1946, since the Camp
Pendleton Del Mar Jetty that protected the entrance in the Del Mar basin, was
constructed. Oceanside Beach was starved from the sand that normally drift
down the coast, and, so they had a tremendous beach erosion problem. And this
was not alleviated until the construction of the Oceanside Harbor, when the spoil
from the harbor was placed on the Oceanside Beach by the federal government,
who assumed the responsibility for the erosion of Oceanside’s beach because of

5
TAYLOR: the Del Mar Jetty. This has not been completed to this date, but it is a continuing
problem that will someday have to be solved, or Oceanside will never have the
beach that it had when I came here in 1926.
At that time the beach ranged from 200 to 400 feet wide, and was composed of
the whitest, most beautiful sand one ever could expect to have on a beach. And
most of this white sand is contributed from Loma Alta Creek, which was—which
went—ran through the silica sand area of Oceanside and contributed during rainy
periods the sand to the Oceanside Beach.
[BREAK IN RECORDING]
TAYLOR: But Oceanside started to grow significantly after World War II. There were many
subdivisions that were constructed for the purpose of providing homes for the
people who were residing in substandard homes and were coming here as a result
of Camp Pendleton. So that these subdivisions not only created an industry, but
they did bring in a lot of people who helped to build a community and to
encourage further development.
At that time, most everyone was interested in growing. Having a big city. And
this was brought about by the many people who were taking pride in the
advancement and growth of their comm—of the community. It has only been
recent that people have taken the opposite position and want no growth. And yet,
it was only because of growth and these developments that made it possible for
these people to be here at this present time. One of the things that Oceanside is
criticized about at this time is our downtown area, which is now being studied for
redevelopment. The downtown area is typical of many so-called military towns
and it grew up somewhat like Topsy as a result of the impact of military on the
community.
During the war, the military was at sometimes during liberty periods, greater than
the population of the city. And this is what caused the types of businesses to be
developed in the downtown area, was to provide the entrainment and services for
the service personnel. The deterioration of that type of activity has not been due
particularly to the military itself, but to the general degeneration of the morals of
the whole nation. Where they—and the decisions of the courts that have allowed

6
TAYLOR: things to be done today that in 1926 would not have been permitted. So that, just
the very fact that the general lassitude of the morals of the area has caused these
things, does not mean that redevelopment in itself would prevent the muggings
and the unsavory condition that exists in some portions of the downtown area, in
my judgement.
[BREAK IN RECORDING]
TAYLOR: Redevelopment certainly can help in creating a better atmosphere in the
downtown area, if it is properly done and if types of businesses are encouraged
there which will attract people other than those who seek entertainment and the
type of businesses that are presently in portions of the downtown area. I would
hope that the—in the redevelopment that a significant look would be taken of
certain buildings which are of a historical nature. They are buildings that were
constructed in the early days of Oceanside and should be analyzed as to their
significance and preserved.
I call your attention particularly to a brick building situated at Fourth and
Cleveland Streets, which is an old hotel, and this was constructed around the turn
of the century. From brick, it was manufactured on north Fremont Street, back of
what is now the Miramar restaurant. And there’s another building on Third
Street, north side of Third Street, across from the armed services Y, which was
constructed of brick and it was constructed around the turn of the century.
Several wooden buildings in the area were built in the 1880’s, which is about the
time that Oceanside began. And I think these things—these buildings should be
preserved, or at least recognized as historical buildings.
HINOJOSA: Mr. Taylor, where are those buildings located? The wooden ones?
TAYLOR: Well, there are some wooden ones on Fremont Street, between Fourth and Fifth.
There’s one, several, on Pacific Street, that were built in the early days. One in
particular on the corner of First and Pacific Streets that I hope will be preserved
and possibly moved into Heritage Park, which is to be constructed on Prairie
Drive out in the San Luis Rey Valley.

7
HINOJOSA: Are these buildings occupied at the present time?
TAYLOR: Yes, they’re occupied at the present time. There’s also a building on Fremont
Street that’s—was the original home of the Oceanside Blade, which was started
and published sometime in 18—late 1800’s. And I’d like to see this building
preserved and possibly moved to Heritage Park. There of course are many other
buildings that were built around the turn of the century or before 1910 that are
significant, and one the things that we fail to think about here, I think, on—in
Southern California is that really there are not very many buildings that are 100
years old. So that any building that was built since 19—since 1880, would be
considered an old and historical building in this area.
[BREAK IN RECORDING]
TAYLOR: Course, all of the things that have happened to the City of Oceanside, good or
bad, have been the result of many people trying to do what they felt were good
things for the city. Promoting good ideas and building a community. And the
purpose of a city organization is to—and a Chamber of Commerce, is to build
and promote their community. And of course, that was done by many people.
One person who comes to mind that was born and raised in Oceanside is John
Steiger. And when I first knew John, he was a little boy selling the Saturday
Evening Post. And he used to come into my office in City Hall every week with
the Saturday Evening Post, which he selled for a nickel. And John remembers
that and quite often in his comments, he refers to the time when I used to buy
Saturday Evening Posts from him. But John has been a visionary person, has
helped to build a community and fostered improvement ideas and I think he
deserves credit for that.
There were many other piece—persons who helped to build the City of
Oceanside. And the first mayor of Oceanside that I can recall that was working
toward that was E. A. Walsh. Ed Walsh, who’d later become head of the FHA in
San Diego County. He was in the real estate business and was indeed instant in
developing the City of Oceanside. The man that was mayor of Oceanside when I
was appointed Street Superintendent was Charles W. Hoegerman and he was

8
TAYLOR: mayor for ten years and made a tremendous contribution toward the development
of Oceanside.
Other mayors, including Ray Wilcox and Erwin Sklar, who devoted many hours
of their time to build the City of Oceanside certainly deserve a great deal of
credit. And I think that in any community, these leaders, or leaders like them, are
needed and of course are found if people want to find them, for leadership.
Oceanside has a great future, and as one retiring Chamber of Commerce
secretary said, “Oceanside—“
END OF INTERVIEW