Lillian Boyd, Dana Point Times
The purpose of the first Orange County time capsule, which was buried in 1966 and unearthed in 2016, was to commemorate the building of Dana Point Harbor, OC Board Chairperson Lisa Bartlett said.
“Similarly, (next week’s) ceremony will commemorate the upcoming revitalization of Dana Point Harbor,” Bartlett said.
On Monday, Oct. 28, the public is invited to celebrate the next 50-year time capsule. The event is being presented by Bartlett, the OC Board of Supervisors in partnership with Dana Point Harbor Partners LLC, Dana Point Historical Society, OC Parks, the City of Dana Point, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, and Ocean Institute. It will be held near El Torito in the Clock Courtyard in Dana Point Harbor.
The Dana Point Harbor Partners signed a 66-year lease on Oct. 29, 2018 and will be investing $330 million in the harbor’s revitalization.
Bryon Ward, one of the Dana Point Harbor Partners, will revitalize the retail experience and landside activities in the harbor with Scott Burnham through Burnham Ward Properties. “Dana Point Harbor Partners are looking to the future with respect and inspiration from the past,” Ward said. “We are proud to have the important role of being the stewards of the harbor for the next 50 years and beyond.”
Barbara Johannes is the president of the Dana Point Historical Society. She says that the future generation will be able to get an up-close glimpse of the priorities and concerns of today’s reality.
“I think it provides a cross section of concerns and goals that nonprofit organizations, grassroots groups and businesses had for the future. For example, Congressman Mike Levin submitted a letter of what he would like to accomplish while in office and what he’d like to see get done by 2069.”
The time capsule will contain submissions from local organizations, including the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, the South Orange County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and Capo Cares.
Johannes noted some of the unique submissions to be the Pageant of the Masters’ 2019 Official Program, “The Time Machine.” Mission San Juan Capistrano submitted annual reports from 2017 and 2018, guides and staff photos.
The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group submitted newsletters, mission statements and a small U.S. Marine Corps Flag. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 submitted a POW/MIA flag, as well as a VFW programs and events list.
Capo Cares submitted a newsletter regarding the conditions of Capistrano Beach as it faces coastal erosion and repairs.
“All the items will certainly provide a good picture of what cities and groups are looking to preserve,” Johannes said. “Future generations definitely won’t think we didn’t care, that’s for sure.”
Over the past month and a half, the Dana Point Historical Society has received and recorded about 90 items submitted to the Time Capsule from nonprofits, government agencies and Time Capsule Sponsors, with more promised to come. The Time Capsule Committee will continue to accept documents until mid-November, when all items will be turned over to Orange County Archives.
Like the first time capsule, there won’t be a sole permanent location. The first time capsule was first placed on Puerto Place, near the maintenance yard for boats. It was then moved to Baby Beach. The Dana Point Harbor Partners will be determining the final location of the new time capsule in the near future.
Due to the space constraints of the Time Capsule size, the Time Capsule Committee asks the size of time capsule submissions be limited to approximately three 8.5 x 11” size documents (letter, photograph, brochure, newsletter, etc.) or the equivalent. An organization may also submit a non-document-style item, pending approval by the Time Capsule Planning Committee. Drop-off locations include the Dana Point Harbor Partners management office, City of Dana Point Administration, Coffee Importers, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, Bartlett’s office, Orange County Board of Supervisors or the Dana Point Historical Society Museum at City Hall, which is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1-3 p.m.
The Dana Point Harbor custom clock tower will be unveiled on Monday, Oct. 28 from 3-5 p.m. Those in attendance will receive favors, and a keepsake ticket will be distributed for the 2069 Time Capsule Opening.
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