08/14/2026
Hello Escondido! Driving south bound on the 163 you just might have passed under its large sloping arches, or entered Balboa Park across it walkway.
The Cabrillo Bridge spans the Cabrillo Canyon and was built in 1915 as a pedestrian entranceway to the Panama-California Exposition. It was dedicated on April 12, 1914 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy at the time. He made the inaugural automobile crossing along with the mayor of the city, Charles F. O'Neill. The bridge is also known as the Laurel Street Bridge. It was designed by Frank B. Allen, Jr., and Thomas B. Hunter.
The bridge is 120 feet high to match the surrounding canyon's height. It was built from a redwood frame with poured concrete. In 2004, a fire broke out, possibly due to arson, in the redwood timbers, and firefighters had to punch holes in the concrete to put it out. To save the bridge and prevent further emergencies, the bridge was subsequently subject to a $1 million update project to bring it up to code, earthquake-safe, and fire-resistant standards. The bridge has been a national historic monument since 1976.
Sources: "Laurel Street Bridge Construction." Digital Archives, City of San Diego, n.d.
"Cabrillo Bridge (also known as Laurel Street Bridge)." Digital Archives, City of San Diego, n.d.
(Photo Source: https://cdm17446.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/eloiseperkins/id/168)
The Pioneer Room is open on Thursdays 3-7pm and Fridays and Saturdays 10am-2pm. We're located at 247 South Kalmia Street, Escondido, California, 92025.
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