50th anniversary time capsule buried in Rancho Bernardo’s Webb Park

By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

Rancho Bernardo’s 50th anniversary time capsule was set to be buried yesterday (Wednesday) in Webb Park, with an anticipated opening in 2062 when the community celebrates its centennial.

Its location, near the entrance of the Pathway of Pride, is marked by a granite stone.

The time capsule, provided by the Rancho Bernardo Business Association, includes many items commemorating the community’s celebration last September along with other items of interest donated by various individuals and organizations to show future residents what life was like in RB in the early 21st century.

Included was a fold-out version of the historical timeline for Rancho Bernardo spanning 2,000 B.C. to present as created by Rancho Bernardo Historical Society members. Also included were a map of the community, the 2011 and 2012 Rancho Bernardo Phone Book that included commemorations on RB’s 50th, a 2012 home listing, a Rancho Bernardo Business Association brochure and membership kit, information on the Rancho Bernardo Woman’s Club and Press Club, two copies of Rancho Bernardo 50th anniversary programs, five rubber duckies used in the race held during the anniversary party along with an explanation and photos, and copy of “The Fifth Coup,” a novel written by resident Marty Judge that features photos of many locals cast as the characters.

Seven copies of the Rancho Bernardo News Journal were included so those 50 years from now can read various anniversary-related articles. These were the Nov. 11, 2011 article on the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society kicking off the year-long anniversary celebration; the Aug. 2, 2012 issue with an article on the time capsule; the Aug. 9, 2012 special pull-out section on Rancho Bernardo’s history; the Aug. 16, 2012 article on the rubber ducky sales; the Sept. 20, 2012 anniversary party preview; the Sept. 27, 2012 issue with post-party coverage and article on rubber ducky race founder Bob Wells’ death; and the Oct. 4, 2012 article about how Well’s duck won the race during the party.

Residents 50 years from now will also get to learn about present-day technology since several compact discs and DVDs were placed inside the time capsule. One disc has a copy of Rancho Bernardo’s covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). There is also an RB Chorale program and music CD, the Rancho Bernardo 50th anniversary DVD, “The Cross” DVD from 1988 and a DVD on The Healing Field, created for the first anniversary of the 2007 wildfire that destroyed 365 Rancho Bernardo homes.

The items were placed in a 9-inch-by-12-inch-by-12-inch stainless steel box, which was to be buried in a concrete encasement. RBBA President Larry McIntyre said an organic alkaline will preserve the contents, especially those made of paper.

“We decided to bury the capsule in Webb Park under a 350-pound granite marker because after the 45th birthday celebration we put the time capsule in a safe deposit box at the San Diego National Bank, to be opened in 2057,” said Marty Judge, chairman of both celebrations.

According to Judge, after the bank closed the fate of the 45th anniversary capsule and its contents became unknown. “We thought Webb Park was a safer bet this time,” he said.

This is the third known time capsule assembled by Rancho Bernardans. Besides this new one and the lost one from 2007, one was reportedly buried at the Promontory in the Rancho Bernardo Industrial Park overlooking Westwood in 1989. That one is to be opened in 2089.