That small triangle of asphalt you see there is a remnant of history. It’s part of Hourglass Field. Hourglass Field Community Park wasn’t always a park. It has a rich past. Before it was a park it was actually a Navy airfield. This area was used for carrier landing practice during World War II. The hourglass shape of the runways gave the field its name. The runways were a single piece of asphalt. They overlapped to create that distinctive hourglass form. This unique layout was completed in early 1942.
After the war the Navy allowed the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Sports Car Club of America to use the airfield for racing. For three years Hourglass Field hosted races. It was a popular spot for car and motorcycle racing. Unfortunately unauthorized drag racing led to problems. In August 1960 a drag race injured bystanders. The Navy shut down the airfield. This resulted in a major riot. The protest was dubbed the El Cajon Boulevard Riot. It’s considered one of the first major youth riots of the 1960s.
The Navy then dug trenches across the runways. Racing was no longer possible. The field became a popular spot for radio-controlled model aircraft. The Torrey Pines Gulls R/C Soaring Society flew gliders there. Then in 1969 Miramar College was built. It now occupies most of the old airfield. Hourglass Field Community Park is a small piece of the original airfield. It’s a tribute to the site’s fascinating past. The park’s grass plaza features cobblestone outlines. These outlines represent the original runways. Hourglass Field Community Park is a place where history and recreation meet. It’s a testament to the transformation of this land. From military airfield to community space. It’s a beautiful reminder of the past and a vibrant hub for the present.