WAYFINDING — The Campus Signage Project Tracks Along Side the LLU Health Campus Transformation Project
The featured image is a photo of the first known sign that was on the Loma Linda campus, known in 1905 when the campus was purchased as The college of Evangelists. Four years later in 1909 when the small campus received its charter, the name was changed to College of Medical Evangelists.
Let’s face it, for those of us who have been around the Loma Linda University campus for more years then we would like to remember, signage has not been a top priority. And when signs were erected, they were not of the highest quality as you will see in some of the following images. I remember, when I joined the university in the spring of 1970, I was handed a packet of information, which included an overhead representation (produced, no doubt, by the mechanical drawing department) of the campus. The buildings on the map were numbered with a corresponding legend. In those days the student campus was confined to the new hospital, School of Dentistry, the Basic Science Buildings, Nichol Hall on the hill and the bookstore and the cafeteria which were located at the southeast corner of Anderson and Mound Streets. In those days, there were no Faculty Medical Clinics, no VA Hospital, no East campus facilities, no Drayson Center, no Schuman Pavilion, no Centennial Complex, and no children’s hospital. I could go on but I think you get the picture.
Many years ago, while walking to an appointment on campus a car pulled close to the curb and slowed to a crawl. The driver rolled down his window and asked how to get to the hospital in Loma Linda. I assured him that he was in Loma Linda and gave him directions: Go straight a block and a half and turn right at the double drive. If I remember correctly, there was a low profile sign at the hospital entrance. Not long after that incident a much taller monument sign was installed. The sign(s) didn’t seem to make a difference. I told a colleague that upon retirement, I should be the Loma Linda Greeter giving out directions.
A campus map (used for illustrative purposes only) is similar to the one above was produced by the university and given to new employees, students, and patients as needed. This map is a close representation of how the campus looked in the spring of 1970 and the legend may not correspond exactly to the building. In those
An Introduction to the Loma Linda University Campus Signage
The Sanitarium on the hill circa 1905: The Loma Linda sign depicted as the featured image for this post can be seen in the center of this photograph. One of the grandest displays of modern-day campus signage was captured in this 1927 image of the San Timoteo Creek flood. This photo shows the receding waters. Records tell that the flood was very destructive along the San Timoteo flood plain. On the hill is the Sanitarium, at the center left where a small group of people are standing is the railroad track crossing at Anderson Street, which is known today as Parkland Street as Anderson Street was realigned when the bridge was built over the tracks and the creek. Out of the frame to the center left is the train station. To the center right behind the horse and carriage a steam engine is in the shadows.
Loma Linda University Sign — Someone’s Bad
The first monument sign that was installed at the corner of Barton Road and Anderson Street sometime in May of 1970. I remember the sign well as I watched the concrete base formed. A eagle eyed photographer spotted the sign and to the chagrin of the sign company submitted the image to the university and it was published in the next issue of the “University SCOPE,” which was published Thursday, May 21, 1970 (Vol 7, No. 14). The caption under the photograph read: “HOW’S THAT AGAIN? It seems as though somebody goofed when they spelled university on the sign located at the corner of Barton Road and Anderson Street. For those who care to know, university spelled with two ‘I’s.’ The sign has been removed.”
The First Loma Linda Hospital Entrance Sign
This grainy black and white photo was published in the “University SCOPE” on Thursday, April 9, 1970, showing the newly installed monument sign at the main entrance to the Loma Linda University Hospital. The caption under the photo read as follows: “TO HELP VISITORS IDENTIFY the front entrance of the University Hospital, a luminous sign was installed last week near the Anderson Street entrance. It was designed by Federal Sign and Signal Corporation, San Bernardino.”
The Corner of Anderson Street and Central Avenue — Three Iterations
Circa 1970: This monument sign was installed on the southwest corner of Anderson and Central Streets. In those days Central Avenue bisected the campus between Anderson and Campus streets. At the time there was parallel parking along the street. Basically, the sign gave all the information needed. Those who were familiar with the campus knew where to go, and those who were unfamiliar could get the information from the sign.The 1970s lower profile monument sign located on the opposite side of the street was replaced with the sign located on the northwest corner of Anderson Street and Central Avenue. I think this monument sign was designed for looks rather than providing directional information as the the letters were too small and sign was set back too far.The latest monument/directional sign went up on the northwest corner of Anderson Street and Central Court. This sign is better positioned and the letters are readable. Sometime around 2010, Central Avenue was closed to through traffic. This new sign is part of a major Loma Linda University Health signage program. Many of us remember the time and temperature sign located on the south side of Anderson Street at the intersection of Anderson Street (bending around the west side of the hill) and Mound Street, which curved around the east side of the hill. Hill Drive branched off of Anderson Street at the intersection taking the traveler (either by foot or by car) up the slope to the old campus on the hill. The time and temperature sign was installed by Redlands Federal Savings, which had a branch in the building. When the branch closed, the sign stayed and after some negotiations, the university purchased the sign, updated the digital time and temperature electronic board, and replaced the Redlands Federal Savings with a Loma Linda University welcome sign. The welcome sign is still there.
Loma Linda University Medical Center
In 1970, there were no signs on the hospital tower. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that the large sign and cross was installed on the tower. My good friend and colleague Richard “Dick” Schaefer took this photo and I wish him well!This is one of monument signs I will never forget. When I took this photo my office was on the second floor in the building directly opposite the entrance. I took this photo of a unknown couple looking up at the helicopter that had just landed. The weather worn monument sign had seen its better days but it hung around for many more. In the Center of the sign it first read: “Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.” When the traffic flow was changed, someone painted over the “s,” the “of,” and “Dentistry.” By 2015, a new monument sign had been installed, which was more in keeping with the color scheme of the buildings in the background.
After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨
