Innovation led San Bernardino to become Bicentennial City in 1974

1976 was quite a year. The United States celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a yearlong observance designed to unite a nation fractured by the Vietnam War.

Our country’s bicentennial fostered widespread patriotism to restore national morale and prompt a shift toward a more inclusive narrative, encouraging the inclusion of women, minorities, and working-class people.

While 1976 marked 200 years of American independence, it also served as a moment for the communities throughout the country to reflect on their own diverse history.

Two years earlier, the city of San Bernardino was honored as one of 370 cities in the U.S. to become designated as a Bicentennial City by the American Bicentennial Administration in Washington, D.C.

Many new innovative events were unfolding in this town during the 1970s, prompting the prestigious designation.

At that time there were two thriving malls. Inland Center, at the site of the old Urbita Springs Park west of E Street and south of Mill Street. The retail-shopping complex, with anchor stores Sears Roebuck, May Co. and the Broadway, opened in 1966.

Urban renewal during the ’60s caused the once center of town on Third Street to be gutted and replaced with the city’s second mega-shopping center.

In 1972, San Bernardino’s $2.7 million Central City Mall opened — a two-story air conditioned mall with 90 stores and shops.

Harris Company, which started out small in 1905 and expanded with a beautiful edifice in 1927, was one anchor. JCPenney, Montgomery Ward and Woolworth were the three other anchors.

With its new city hall and convention center, San Bernardino was heralded as one of the most modern up and coming cities in Southern California.

On May 31,1974, there was a ceremony held at City Hall.

The program opened on the E Street upper plaza with “The Spirit of ’76” fife and drum corps, the “Presentation of The Colors” by Explorer Scouts and the Pledge of Allegiance by Jeff Ehleres, the San Gorgonio High School bicentennial commissioner.

Bands from schools in San Bernardino City Unified School District and choral groups.

Mayor W.R. “Bob” Holcomb proclaimed that day as Bicentennial Designation Day.

Albert Johnson, executive director of the State Bicentennial Commission, announced the goals for the state commission.  William R. Coleman, chairman of San Bernardino’s commission, explained how his city would participate.

In 1974, San Bernardino’s Bicentennial Commission was actively planning local commemorations for the nation’s 200th anniversary, focusing on local projects. Led by Executive Director Robert Phinney and later by Thelma Press, the commission coordinated with state and national efforts to organize events and historical and cultural activities.

The Bicentennial Commission — was chaired by Coleman and featured prominent historic-minded civic leaders such as Press, Christian Harris, John Lowe, Charles Obershaw, Dave Light, George Webster, Warner Hodgdon, Art Nelson, Penny Holcomb, Hazel Olson and Fred Coops — produced a booklet, “A Tour of Historic San Bernardino.”

During the year-long celebration, a two-hour stage show called “The Pageant of the San Bernardino Valley” — a live outdoor play commemorating the period from 1849 to 1856 — was held near Shandin Hills, in the north end of town. The performances ran from June 29 through July 3.

Juanita Wilkinson of Lake Arrowhead wrote the script, Rowan Taylor composed the music and V. Dennis Wardle, the pageant association president, wrote the lyrics.

Directed by Douglas Merrill, the historical pageant blended music, dance and dialogue.

Three hillside stages were constructed at Blair Park and folding chairs were set up on the ball field below.

The music and dialogue were taped and, despite some occasional glitches during the performances, they were synchronized with the live action on stage.

Each performance started with the local the culture of the Indigenous tribes. Then came the Don Antonio Lugo family, owners of Rancho San Bernardino, which was recalled through music, song and dance.

The program highlighted Capt. Jefferson Hunt and the Mormon settlers arriving by covered wagons and horseback and commemorated the settling of San Bernardino in 1851.

After a re-creation of a harvest festival and a typical school party of the 1850s, the pageant concluded with a celebration of the Fourth of July.

Local historian Richard D. Thompson produced a booklet featuring important pioneers called “Pioneers of San Bernardino” as a companion for the pageant.

The 1976 Bicentennial signified a vibrant, pride-filled era for San Bernardino. The following year, the city was recognized with an even more prestigious award as it was recognized as an “All-America City.”

Unfortunately, in the decades following, San Bernardino has suffered economic challenges, which included the closure of major employers and a bankruptcy.

Today, the spirit of 1976 can be used as a model for San Bernardino as the city strives to capture that same sense of community pride in rebuilding its downtown and strengthen its economy.

Contact Nick Cataldo at Yankeenut15@gmail.com and read more of his local history articles at Facebook.com/BackRoadsPress.