SAN DIEGO — A fictional bathing beauty created over a century ago continues to captivate Mission Beach residents and visitors, embodying the spirit of a neighborhood that transformed from a vacant sandbar to one of San Diego’s most coveted destinations.
At the turn of the 20th century, Mission Beach was known for its beauty, but few wanted to live there.
“Well, there wasn’t anything but sand bars,” according to Mary Bradstreet, president of the Mission Beach Women’s Club. The neighborhood was initially developed as a tent city, where families could rent canvas accommodations or purchase lots for just $450…