Coronado History

Collections Available at the Library

See a printable list of books and DVDs available for check out at the library by viewing the List of Books About Coronado (PDF).

Collections Available Online

California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC)

The Coronado Public Library has digitized its collection of local newspapers from 1887 to 2018. This digitization project was made possible through funding from the Judith Bond Bequest and with permission from Dean Eckenroth, publisher of the Coronado Eagle-Journal. Digital newspaper collections from other California cities are also available at the California Digital Newspaper Collection.

San Diego Union & Evening Tribune Historical Edition 

Digital access to San Diego Union and Tribune from 1896 to 1915. This content is provided for your research because there were no newspapers published in Coronado during these years. View the NewsBank website.

Coronado Photo Atlas

The Coronado Photo Atlas is a virtual tour of Coronado's architectural heritage. Photographs along with detailed information present the story of a single building or property through time and create a rich historical narrative. Supported by the Friends of the Coronado Public Library. 
View the Coronado Photo Atlas website.

Heritage Photo Collection

The Coronado Public Library has digitized hundreds of historical images along with background information on each image. The library digitized these items to provide broader access to the cultural and social history of Coronado. The images selected and viewable on the web include: photos of the Alfredo Ramos Martinez Murals restoration and installation project; early scenes of the U.S. Navy and naval aviation at North Island; Coronado public school buildings; the Coronado Public Library; the early Coronado ferry boats; and maps and charts of San Diego Bay, Coronado, and Southern California.

The images can be viewed at The Online Archive of California.

Coronado Public Library has contributed a collection of films documenting California history to the California Revealed Internet Archive. These 8 mm home movies were donated to the Coronado Library by Paul and Ana Dissing:

  • Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Marineland, July 1957
  • Golden Gate International Exposition, 1940
  • 1940 Labor Day Trip to Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta
  • San Francisco Sightseeing, 1940
  • Shasta Dam Project 1940-1941
  • Northern California Lakes Vacation 1959, and Funeral in Colma California

Coronado Public Library's Local History Collections Available Only in the Library

The Coronado Public Library (CPL) local history collection consists of over 20,000 items including maps, photographs, postcards and printed ephemera. Access to the collections is by appointment only. To make an appointment call 619-522-7390.

  • Rare Map collection includes both maps and charts of Southern California and the San Diego Bay dating from 1849 to 1968. Also included in this collection are rare early California State maps.
  • Photograph collection includes images of Coronado and other areas of San Diego County from the late 1800s to 2005 that are of enduring value. Images document early aviation and the United States Navy; the San Diego and Coronado Ferry Company; scenes from Tent City, Glorietta Bay and the Tea Gardens of George T. Marsh as well as many other images of historical interest.
  • Postcard collection, along with the Leslie Crawford Postcard Collection, cover a wide range of subjects. All postcards in these two collections are of Coronado or San Diego and date from 1899 to 1967.
  • Ephemera collection consists of a variety of print material including but not limited to brochures, calendars, guides, menus, pamphlets, and programs. All materials in this collection are related to Coronado and date from 1888 to current.
  • Office Reference collection (in-library use only) includes Coronado phone directories, Coronado High School yearbooks, local magazines and a comprehensive collection of books relating to Coronado. For access to the office reference materials please speak with the librarian at the Reference Desk or call 619-522-7390 for more information.


Coronado Library Special Collections Catalog

This catalog holds only a fraction of the items in our special collections. If you have any questions about what is in the special collections, please call the library at 619-522-7390. 

View the Special Collections Catalog.