Restoring the Rhythm:Remembering Balboa Park’s 1915 Pergolas

By Kaz Maslanka

In 1915, 12 pergolas graced the grounds of Balboa Park’s Panama–California Exposition.

They offered more than just shade: These elegant structures framed views, linked architecture to gardens and added a poetic rhythm to the experience of walking through the park. Today, only three remain.

As we look to the future, restoring even a few of these pergolas could help reconnect visitors with the layered spatial poetry that once defined Balboa Park. These arcaded walkways were not just architectural ornaments—they were frames for experience.

Alcazar Garden Pergola

Alcazar Garden Pergola

The most iconic surviving structure is the Alcazar Garden pergola, originally constructed as the Montezuma pergola in 1915. It overlooks the Alcazar Garden, facing the Mingei Museum (1915 Indian Arts Building, 1935 House of Charm). As Eugen Neuhaus wrote in his 1916 The San Diego Garden Fair, “A classic pergola on the west, the only typical Greek bit of architecture in the grounds, invites one to sit down on its rustic benches to drink in the enchanted picture of floral life. Of the many secluded spots, this is the most fascinating retreat, offering alike warmth, shelter and stimulus for further work.”

Architect Richard Requa, who oversaw the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition buildings and grounds, related in his book. Inside Lights on the Buildings of San Diego’s Exposition: 1935, how he sought to reproduce many of the features in Seville’s Alcázar gardens — “the archways, fountains and seats, all are faithfully reproduced from the originals even to the design and coloring of the tile.”

Spreckels Organ Pavilion Pergolas

Spreckels Organ Pavilion Pergolas

The other two surviving pergolas are the twin wings of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, which framed views of the Esplanade and audiences who gathered for concerts and civic gatherings. Neuhaus was not impressed by architect Harrison Albright’s classical design. But he did appreciate its year-round appeal:

“Absolutely unprotected, it stands on a rising hillside without fear of inclemency of the weather. From having sat there often, on one of the many comfortable benches on the Plaza de los Estados, at different times of the year, I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing, at least in San Diego. I do not know how often during the year the public has been deprived of the delightful hour of Dr. [Humphrey John] Stewart’s recital, but it certainly cannot have been very often…

“It was daring to select the most exposed position for this musical outdoor phase of the exposition, but it has proved a great success. It will, after the exposition, for many years to come, be the source of much enjoyment and education to all the people who will be privileged to visit this blessed spot.”

Upper Grand

Upper Grand

Among the lost pergolas, two are especially missed. The Upper Grand Pergola once stretched along the northern edge of the formal park garden—now the Alcazar parking lot—offering expansive views of exposition buildings.

Lower Grand Curved

Lower Grand Curved

The Lower Grand Curved Pergola, a majestic arc spanning 116 feet in diameter, anchored the southern edge of the garden and guided the eye toward the California Tower and dome, the Cabrillo Bridge, and the now-lost state buildings that once stood where the House of Pacific Relations international cottages now reside. Of those state buildings, only Kansas and New Mexico survive; today they serve as the House of Italy and the Balboa Park Club, respectively.

Botanical Building

Botanical Building

Another iconic pergola once stood just southwest of the Botanical Building. Known as the Botanical Pergola, it served as a sculptural threshold into the gardens and pools that surround the historic lath structure. We are pleased to share that this pergola is scheduled to be reconstructed in its original location—an exciting step toward honoring the exposition’s landscape legacy.

Pepper Grove

Pepper Grove

Of the pergolas now lost, few could rival the Pepper Grove Pergola for the beauty of its view. It once overlooked Spanish Canyon—later known as Gold Gulch, and now home to the Japanese Friendship Garden. In my opinion, this is the only unbuilt pergola site in Balboa Park today that still retains a vista worthy of restoration.

Using a 1915 exposition map, it’s possible to spot locations for a dozen 1915 pergolas.

The Twelve Pergolas of 1915

Through historical analysis and photographic records, we can now identify the twelve pergolas that were built through the 1915 exposition fair grounds.

1.  Grand Curved Pergola: Located at the southern edge of what is now the Alcazar parking lot, this 116-foot-wide arc curved gently, offering vistas of the state buildings and expansive garden lawns.

2. Upper Grand Pergola: This long east–west pergola spanned the southern edge of Montezuma Garden providing a framed, interior perspective of the Idaho, Montana, Washington and New Mexico State buildings.

3. Montezuma (Alcazar) Garden Pergola: Set just above the formal garden now called Alcazar Garden, this pergola originally overlooked the Indian Arts Building and Montezuma Garden. It is one of the only three 1915 pergolas that still stand.

4. Kern/Tulare County Buildings Pergola: A unique, viaduct-like structure with rounded arches and a curving footprint. It offered views into Palm Canyon and toward the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, blending enclosure with open sightlines.

5. Science and Education Building Pergola: A second-story pergola forming one leg of an L-shape. It framed the Plaza de Panama from above and mirrored the pergola opposite it on the Home Economy Building.

6. Home Economy Building Pergola: The eastern leg of the L-shaped arcade, mirroring the Science Building’s pergola. Though often confused with a Sacramento County Building extension, it stood independently, providing upper-level views across the plaza.

7. Pergola northwest of the Botanical Building: This pergola offered views of the Model Farm Homes and the International Harvester Building—exposition highlights celebrating agricultural modernity. Today, it would overlook parts of the San Diego Zoo.

8. Botanical Building Pergola (facing east): Facing the Botanical Building and Lily Pond, this pergola marked a peaceful garden threshold. It featured a central fountain with a statue of a woman touching a tiger, and cherubs flanking the entrance steps. Views also included the north side of the Home Economy Building (site of the Timken Museum) and the west side of the Food Products Building (site of the Casa del Prado and theater). It is slated to be reconstructed.

9. Pepper Grove Pergola: Located near today’s Pepper Grove Playground, this pergola provided a shaded overlook into Spanish Canyon (Gold Gulch in 1935), now home to the Japanese Friendship Garden.

10. Southern California Counties Building Pergola (Northeast Corner): It offered a clean vista of the fire station constructed for the exposition and what was then a young Moreton Bay Fig tree—now one of the most visited natural landmarks in the park — north of today’s Natural History Museum.

11. Western Pergola of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion: One of the three pergolas still standing today, this colonnaded wing flanks the western side of the stage, offering shaded seating and architectural balance.

12. Eastern Pergola of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion: The twin to the western pergola, framed the pavilion stage symmetrically and contributed to one of the park’s most iconic venues.