Interesting History : The Lily Pond in Balboa Park

History can be a very peculiar place. There are many things that happen in the past that some people would refer to as unbelievable, as well as rumor. But today's installment of interesting history is no rumor, though it was a bit unbelievable at first. In some of our earlier posts you learned about the Botanical Building in Balboa Park. A pretty building full of gorgeous flowers. You heard us babbling about the large Koi in the pond, but would you think they'd have used that pond for swimming?

I never would have believed it myself. Why? Well for one thing, to my personal view the pond looked rather shallow when we were there. But it is possible that there is dirt and residue at the bottom of the pond now that was not there in the past. But if you look at the picture below, it is evidence that they did use the pond for swimming for a period of time.

According to what I've read the koi lily pond in Balboa park was used by the navy during 2 seperate times as a pool. They moved the plants and fish out and used it to train. The second time they used the pool, they actually made it deeper, sealing the bottom off. Which is why now when they put the plants into the lily pond now, they have to be in a box or pot. Otherwise they won't be able to stay in place.

So that's that for this interesting and odd history tid bit.
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http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bpbuildings/botanical.htm
http://www.tanglewoodconservatories.com/heritage/balboa-botanical-building.htm
http://www.sandiegoyesterday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Navy-Swimming-Pool-in-Balboa-Park.pdf
http://www.sandiegoyesterday.com/?p=317

Awesome Fish and Chocolate Scented Flowers

I hope you enjoy this bit of footage we took when we visited the Botanical Building last week (on May 1st), the same day that we visited the MOPA. We were tickled by the large koi to be seen in the lily pond.

Now the MOPA was no camera's allowed, so sorry... No images inside..... next time we go somewhere We will let you know about it.

Just Visiting : Balboa Park Botanical Building

Today's Just Visiting installment is about the Balboa Park Botanical Building. This beautiful building has a wide variety of plants available for viewing. As well as an interactive touch and smell garden. This is a beautiful building to do photographs in, as well as a kid friendly educational area. Many children will enjoy the touch and smell garden, and the chance to view the carnivorous plants.

The Botanical building was originally built for the Panamerican Exposition which opened in 1915. It was billed as the largest Lath House, as well as being called the Lath Palace. It has a rather unique place in history in the way that the Lily pond in front of it has been used through the years. But that's a story for another day. We just wanted to let you know that this beautiful building exists.

I highly recommend it as a a place to stop if you're visiting in the balboa park area. It's beautiful, and the plants smell lovely. Not to mention the large Koi in the Lily ponds in front of the building. It's an all around lovely stop. It is also located close to a number of other museums in the park.

Botanical Building
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101

Open Daily from 10:00am - 4:00pm (Closed Thursdays and Holidays)
Admission to the Botanical Building is Free