Part three of our series: San Diego’s roadside relics — dinosaurs, doll heads, and other highway oddities
Bright murals, flying saucers and cosmic artwork aren’t what most drivers expect to see along a busy El Cajon street. But for more than 50 years, one of San Diego County’s most unusual landmarks has quietly welcomed curious visitors through its doors.
Located at 145 South Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon, the Unarius Academy of Science is impossible to miss. Brilliantly painted murals inside and outside, colorful sculptures and futuristic artwork transform the building into something that looks more like the set of a vintage science-fiction movie than the headquarters of a nonprofit educational organization.
Future model city on display at the academy. (Photo courtesy Unarius Academy of Science)Founded in 1954 by Ernest and Ruth Norman, Unarius — short for Universal Articulate Interdimensional Understanding of Science — describes itself as a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to teaching what it calls an “interdimensional science of life.” Its teachings focus on spiritual evolution, reincarnation, higher consciousness and communication with advanced extraterrestrial civilizations.
Left ,the queen herself, ‘Uriel,’ Ruth Norman. (Photo courtesy and with permission of Jake Hasapopoulos/Jake Hasapopoulos, jakehasapopoulos.com, @jakehasap). Right, co-founder Ruth Norman — known to followers as ‘Uriel.’ (Photo courtesy of Unarius Academy of Science)Whether visitors embrace those ideas or simply stop out of curiosity, the academy has become one of Southern California’s most unusual roadside attractions.
After Ernest Norman’s death in 1971, co-founder Ruth Norman — known to followers as “Uriel” — became the public face of the organization, often appearing in elaborate space-inspired costumes during lectures, public events and television appearances. The organization opened its headquarters in 1975, and it has remained there ever since.
Despite the futuristic imagery, Ruth Norman frequently said the organization’s central message was one of compassion, once declaring, “There is no greater power in this or any other world than Love!”
During the 1980s and 1990s, Unarius attracted international attention for its colorful ceremonies and its belief that highly evolved beings from distant planets would someday make peaceful contact with humanity.
Star Map of the Interplanetary Confederation. (Photo courtesy of and with permission of Jake Hasapopoulos/Jake Hasapopoulos, jakehasapopoulos.com, @jakehasap)The purpose of the Normans in establishing Unarius was to provide a higher spiritual understanding of life for the betterment of humankind.
This was accomplished through the channeled teachings of the Unarius Science of Life and classes that the academy offers. Unarius pioneered the self-healing science of past-life therapy that is taught in the classes.
For many locals, however, the biggest attraction is the building itself. Its vivid colors, eye-catching murals and cosmic artwork inside and outside have turned heads for decades, making it one of those places people can’t help but point out to first-time visitors.
Mural of Ancient Atlantis outside the Academy (Photo courtesy of the Unarius Academy of Science)Unlike many roadside oddities created solely for entertainment, the Unarius Academy wasn’t built as a tourist attraction. It remains an active organization with members around the world. Yet its colorful architecture, unusual artwork and fascinating history have earned it a place among San Diego County’s quirkiest roadside landmarks.
So the next time you’re driving through El Cajon and spot a brightly painted building that looks ready to welcome visitors from another galaxy, don’t be surprised. You might not meet Uriel, as she passed away in 1993, but know you’ve just discovered one of San Diego County’s most unforgettable roadside attractions.
Left entrance to The Star Center Room. (Photo courtesy of and with permission of Jake Hasapopoulos/Jake Hasapopoulos, jakehasapopoulos.com, @jakehasap) Right The Star Center Room at the Unarius Academy of Science. (Photo courtesy of Unarius Academy of Science).Where to go
Outside marquee of the Unarius Academy of Science. (Photo courtesy of and with permission of Jake Hasapopoulos/Jake Hasapopoulos, jakehasapopoulos.com, @jakehasap)The Unarius Academy of Science, 145 S. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon.
The academy is open for drop-in visitors and guided tours on Saturdays, 12 to 4 p.m. and by appointment only Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 to 4 p.m. Call (800) 475-7062 or (619) 444-7062, or email [email protected] to make an appointment.
Readers who want to learn more about Unarius and its teachings can visit the Unarius website and its Vimeo channel where there are more than 50 videos uploaded to watch for free.
Read more history stories here. Do you have a story to tell? Send an email to [email protected]
Sources:
Unarius Academy of ScienceUnarius Visitor InformationUnarius Classes and EventsJake Hasapopoulos/Jake Hasapopoulos, jakehasapopoulos.com, @jakehasap
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