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KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO: Bostonia Ballroom & Graveyard

Host Ken Kramer on the set of KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO.
Courtesy of Ken Kramer
Host Ken Kramer on the set of KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

Stream now with KPBS+ / Watch Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV + Encore Monday, June 29 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

On this episode, we uncover the history of a small graveyard by Highway 56 in Carmel Valley.

Ken Kramer uncovers the history of a small graveyard by Highway 56 in Carmel Valley, San Diego, Calif.
Courtesy of Ken Kramer
Ken Kramer uncovers the history of a small graveyard by Highway 56 in Carmel Valley, San Diego, Calif.

We remember the Bostonia Ballroom — a hot-spot for western swing music in El Cajon a half-century ago — where some of the greatest names in country music came to play. Then we visit a one-of-a-kind granite house, and meet its 103-year-old owner. Discover how the sun was responsible for the design of a century-old San Diego landmark, and see photos from the old days sent in by viewers of the show!

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Larry "Pedro" DePaul, Cactus Soldi, Johnny Weiss, Joquin Murphy, unknown, Myron Sutton, Dean Eaker, in front is Smokey Rogers at the Bostonia Ballroom, a showplace of early country and Western Swing music in the 1950s and 60s. Ken Kramer takes us back for a nostalgic look.
Courtesy of Ken Kramer
Larry "Pedro" DePaul, Cactus Soldi, Johnny Weiss, Joquin Murphy, unknown, Myron Sutton, Dean Eaker, in front is Smokey Rogers at the Bostonia Ballroom, a showplace of early country and Western Swing music in the 1950s and 60s. Ken Kramer takes us back for a nostalgic look.

Watch On Your Schedule: Episodes of KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO are available to stream with KPBS+, a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.

You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience). Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.

We uncover the history of a small graveyard by Highway 56 in Carmel Valley. We remember the Bostonia Ballroom, a hot-spot for Western Swing music in El Cajon a half-century ago; we visit a one-of-a-kind granite house, and meet its 103-year old owner; and discover how the sun was responsible for the design of a century-old city landmark.

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