Rotary Christmas Tree - Coronado, CA
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 32° 41.134 W 117° 10.820
11S E 483094 N 3616444
There is a small cluster of Rotary donated items at this location...Rotary Park...a town clock, benches and a water fountain in addition to this Christmas tree.
Waymark Code: WME43W
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/31/2012
Views: 2
Located on Orange Avenue and Isabella Avenue in Coronado, the plaque accompanying this tree reads:
"CORONADO ROTARY CLUB
CHRISTMAS TREE
In May, 1936, the Rotary Club
planted this starpine for the
citizens of Coronado. This tree
given by Emily T. Thompson in
memory of her husband Charles."
The Rotary Club of Coronado website (
visit link) adds:
"The Coronado Rotary community project that is probably most dear to all ages is the city's Star Pine Christmas tree. After Coronado Rotary Park was established at the intersection of Orange and Isabella, Coronado Rotarians, with help from Emily T. Thompson, widow of Rotarian Charles Thompson, planted the tree in 1936. Today, the Star Pine stands as Coronado Rotary's commitment to community service.
Not to be outdone, the following generation of local Rotarians installed the concrete bench and the double water bubbler at the park. On February 23, 2005, in celebration of Rotary's Centennial, many members of the community joined Rotary Club of Coronado in christening the magnificent town clock at the park as the club's Centennial gift to the community.
Coincident with the city's renovation and expansion of Coronado Rotary Park in 2008-2009, the popular pedestrian gathering place was officially named "Coronado Rotary Plaza." Not only did the club provide the four new seating benches in the new plaza, but on July 8, 2009, club members and community christened the wonderful new plaza fountain "Jim Vernetti Fountain" to honor Dr. Jim's extraordinary service to humanity."
There is also a smaller plaque at the site which reads:
"HERITAGE TREE
STAR PINE
SERIAL # 0003
www.coronado.ca.usa"
This website (
visit link) informs us that:
"•Serial 003 STAR PINE located in Rotary Plaza was designated a Heritage Tree on 3 April 2008. This Araucaria Heterophylla is native to Norfolk Island in the SW Pacific and was transplanted to this location by Supt. Bandel in 1936. The project was funded by the Coronado Rotarians and has since served as the City's living Christmas tree. Star pines can grow to 100 feet in height."