St. Francis Dam memorial, Gazebo ribbon-cutting planned
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: February 14, 2003
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
Santa Paula will have a full weekend of dedications next month, one a celebration of the completion of the latest phase of the Railroad Plaza project - the construction of the gazebo. The other event is a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the St. Francis Dam disaster and dedication of the memorial, “The Warning” bronze statue by Eric Richards.
The City Council approved the Railroad Plaza Gazebo dedication at the Jan. 21st meeting.
According to City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz’s report, staff has been meeting with representatives of the Santa Paula Historical Society, St. Francis Dam Memorial Project and “other interested community members on the dedication of these two projects.”
The St. Francis Dam memorial will be dedicated on Sunday, March 16th, to mark the 75th anniversary of the disaster that claimed over 500 lives and decimated the river valley when the dam failed minutes before midnight on March 12, 1928.
The memorial’s cement base has been constructed at the northeast corner of Santa Barbara and 10th street and commemoration ceremonies are being planned.
“It makes sense,” to dedicate the Railroad Plaza Gazebo the day before, on Saturday, March 15th, “in order to program a weekend of events surrounding these two dedications. . .”
The city is working with the Downtown Merchants Association and Chamber of Commerce on Gazebo ribbon-cutting festivities.
Bobkiewicz noted that plans for the dedication of the St. Francis Dam memorial includes the possibility that survivors of the disaster might arrive by train at the Depot for the solemn ceremony.
Councilman Rick Cook suggested that since both events are to be held in March, in case of rain, contingency plans should be developed.
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