San Marino Unified School District maintenance staff recently meticulously polished and epoxied the Kathy Fiscus plaque located at the San Marino High softball field.
On April 8, 1949, 3-year-old Kathy Fiscus fell into an abandoned well in San Marino located on today’s San Marino High School campus.
The desperate 55-hour rescue attempt was broadcast live on KTLA, a young Los Angeles television station at that time.
Despite the heartbreaking outcome, Fiscus’ story became a pivotal moment in U.S. history, ushering in the era of live, around-the-clock news coverage.
The incident highlighted the immense power of television and forever transformed how people consume information. Fiscus remains a testament to the ever-evolving nature of media and its impact on society.
On the 50th anniversary of the tragedy in 1999, the community of San Marino dedicated the Kathy Fiscus plaque placed at the SMHS softball field.
In the following 25 years, time has weathered the plaque’s lettering. In a commendable effort, SMUSD maintenance staff helped preserve the plaque’s historical significance.
First published in the April 11 issue of the San Marino Tribune
