1915 EXPO CENTENNIAL: Marston House & Park, Kate Sessions, Cabrillo Bridge, Grant Hotel, Streetcar

By Jennifer Robinson / Web Producer

Published January 26, 2015 at 8:29 AM PST

Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream now with the PBS App

—Join Elsa Sevilla as she uncovers stories from the 1915 Exposition in Balboa Park—

The 1915 EXPO CENTENNIAL series uses rare, historic black and white photos and film to tell the story of City Park and how the Exposition was planned. The series promises to give television viewers a unique glimpse into the 1915 Exposition.

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HISTORIC PLACES WITH ELSA SEVILLA: CALIFORNIA'S HISTORY: 1915 Expo Centennial, Episode 4

Find out how City Park was planned and meet the key city leaders who created the urban park for San Diego. Learn about Balboa Park's architectural and landscaping designs, world-renowned architects, rare historic black and white photos and film that show unique aspects of the fair. We'll also show you rare artifacts from the 1915 Exposition and unique behind the scenes tours of the park, museum vaults and historic buildings.

Kate Sessions. She has come to be called the "Mother of Balboa Park" and a bronze statue of her was erected there in 1998.

On Episode 4, "Marston House & Park, Kate Sessions, Cabrillo Bridge, Grant Hotel, Streetcar," find out how civic leader George Marston enlisted the talent and guidance of New York architects to help design Balboa Park. Also, see wonderful black and white photos showing how the historic Cabrillo Bridge was built ahead of the Exposition, and how nearby hotels, like the historic U.S. Grant, and also the San Diego Electric Railway, played a key role in the fair's success 100-years ago.