You may have heard that there was a little white deer that lived in the Mission Valley area of San Diego, many years back. The story is true and not an Urban Legend.
There are two stories of where the deer came from. One was that the deer once belonged to a rich, eccentric woman and it jumped the wall in search of food after she died, and continued to roam the hills. The other story, which is the true story is that in the mid 60's a white fallow deer escaped from the San Diego Zoo in 1965 and took up residence in the hills of Mission Valley, Presidio Park and Mission Hills. She was affectionately named "Lucy."
Many San Diegan's during that time, knew of Lucy and would keep a watchful eye in hopes of spotting her white coat. They would look for her as they picnicked on the slopes of Presidio Park in the summer, or looked for her as they drove by the lower part of Presidio Park near Taylor Steet that was near Highway 8. She was a legend, and was cherished and spoke of as a gift from the heavens.
Then in the 70's, she was spotted trying to cross I-8. There was even a report that she had gotten hit trying to cross.
Park Rangers, worried for her safety, decided to capture her, to the dismay of many San Diegan's who wanted her to be left alone. Sadly, the tranquilizer dart, caused her death and she died in December of 1975. Presidio Park would never be the same without Lucy.
The following year, a monument was placed at the top of the hill known as Inspiration Point or as some call it now, White Deer park. It is a free standing monument of three native stones by San Diego artist, Charles Faust. On a bronze plaza under a tree it says, "Bliss in solitude beneath this tree, formless, silent, spirit free."
Rest in peace, little white deer. You are not forgotten.
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