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  • September 19th in Seal Beach History

    On this date in 1914, this oddly laid-out advertisement ran in the now defunct Los Angeles Evening Express. The same ad was published the next day in the Los Angeles Times.

    The “Seal Beach” name had been launched to replace the more generic “Bay City” in July 1913, and this ad was part of a real estate promotional push that culminated in Seal Beach citizens voting to incorporate as a city in October 1915. It provides a snapshot of how Seal Beach was being pitched to the real estate buying public after two summers and fourteen months under the new name.

    Nature has done much for Seal Beach for the western portion of the city lies on a high bluff overlooking the Pacific ocean just like the Palisades at Santa Monica, and like the Palisades at Santa Monica, it has a rich sandy loam soil which makes it especially desirable for homes of the better class, and besides, this section of the city has great natural advantages over the Palisades at Santa Monica because it overlooks, in addition to the blue waters of the Pacific, the beautiful Alamitos Bay, whose waters wind in and out among the beautiful environs of Naples.

    The eastern part of Seal Beach slopes gently down to the waters of the ocean on the south and the delightful waters of Anaheim Bay on the east, and by many this is considered the most desirable section for investment as it is close to the bath house, dancing pavilion and main business portion of the city, and also is the part where most improvements and new buildings are going up. Great changes have taken place in this portion of the city since the Guy M. Rush Company, who are the sole agents for Seal Beach became interested in the city. The sand dunes have been graded off and the sand used to fill in a section where it was not quite so high. Miles of graded streets have been put in, while excellent cement sidewalks and curbs are in evidence on both sides of these streets.

    This is also the section where most all of the improvements have been made during the past year, houses and buildings of different kinds having gone up on all sides, some of the homes being mansions equal to those found in Los Angeles and other larger and older cities. The opportunities for investment now at Seal Beach are better than ever before because it has grown by leaps and bounds during the last few months and has passed the stage where it is a question whether it is going to become a home city and resort or not. There is a magnificent large bath house and pavilion which will compare favorably with any other such structure on the Pacific coast: it contains hundreds of dressing rooms for the accommodation of bathers and also a large plunge which is the delight of both young and old. Another section of the gigantic building is given over for billiards and beautiful bowling alleys which are enjoyed by the ladies as well as the men. So says the South Coast Facts in directing attention to this advertisement.

    South Coast Facts was a 1914 promotional periodical published by Orange County booster, F. E. Scott, to promote forty miles of Orange County coastline locations, so citing it as an impartial authority on Seal Beach is a bit of a stretch.

    My favorite part of the ad is the column-wide hand pointing downward with the command to “Watch the Finger of Destiny.” The Finger of Destiny points to a photo taken on Ocean Avenue at First Street featuring the Owl’s Nest, the home of Bay City and Seal Beach founding father Philip Stanton at the far left. The Owl’s Nest is now gone, but the Lothian House shown in the background still stands at Second Street and Ocean Avenue.

    These two houses provided a visual hook for the ad’s copy:

    This street faces the Pacific ocean. Where is it?

    It is four miles east of Long Beach.
    It is 44 minutes from 6th and Main streets, Los Angeles.
    It is right in front of the place where the undertow is left out of the ocean.

    It is at Seal Beach, the Venice of the south coast.

    Certain to be the largest city in Orange county.
    There are more houses like this.
    There are miles of boulevards; miles of streets; miles of gas and water mains and electric light wires.
    There is a $100,000 twin pavilion and pier.
    There is a present and a future.
    Seal Beach is guaranteed by the growth of Los Angeles and the scarcity of Beach property.

    Take a Look Sunday. Come From Missouri.

    Get a part of the profits
    Lots $500 to $4000. 10 per cent down. Balance to suit you.

    And that was how they tried to sell real estate in Seal Beach back in 1914.

    – Michael Dobkins

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  • June 9th in Seal Beach History (3 of 8)

    On this date in 1916, this article and these ads ran on the third page of a Seal Beach promotional section in the Santa Ana Register. This was on the Friday of the first opening summer weekend under the Seal Beach name, and this was the newly incorporated city at its most ambitious and confident.

    The copy, ads, and illustrations are formatted below for easier reading and a larger view of the graphics.

    ADMINISTRATION BLDG IS A BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURE

    Houses Bay Side Land Company Officers and Amusement Directors

    The recently completed administration building on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Main was built and, for most part, is occupied by the Bay Side Land Company and its officers. P. A. Stanton is president of the company; I. O. Lothian, vice-president, and J. P. Transue, secretary. The main offices of the company were formerly at the Title Insurance Building at Los Angeles. The entire office paraphernalia was moved to Seal Beach almost two weeks ago.

    Amusement Department

    The amusement department of the Bay Side Land Co., which is really a new department, is in the charge of Frank Burt — who was Director of Concessions and Admissions at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition — and Bert St. John, resident manager of amusements. Both gentlemen have a wide reputation as amusement managers and resort builders.

    Mr. Burt has probably supervised the construction and opening of more amusement parks than any man in the country. It is for this reason that many of the zone concessionaires followed him to Seal Beach, thus giving the resort an exposition tinge throughout.

    Mr. Burt is giving particular attention to the architectural harmony and the arrangement of the buildings. This plan is new in the amusement line and follows as a result of the impetus given to architecture in its highest form at the great exposition. Heretofore but little attention was paid to harmonic layout at resorts, particularly in the erection of the various small concessionaires’ buildings, but at Seal Beach Mr. Burt sees to it that everything is constructed with regard for and in keeping with one set of plans.

    Mr. Edwin Symmes, the architect who laid out a large portion of the exposition grounds and palaces, is co-operating with Mr. Burt so that there may be no irregularity and no unsightly crowding of buildings at Seal Beach.

    Mr. Bert St. John, who acts as resident manager of amusements, is known as a theatrical director of wide experience. The Bay Side Land Company secured two live wires in Frank Burt and Bert St. John.

    Streets are Oiled

    At present all streets are graded and oiled. It is planned, however, to asphalt them within the next year. Cement walks, water, gas, electricity and telephones have been installed for some time.

    ——————–

    OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST GIVEN TO INVESTORS

    Seal Beach, since the completion of the good roads system, is within easy access from every point in Orange County. This fact alone makes the “Jewel City’’ resort loom as the coming amusement and recreation center.he strides made during the past year – even the last three months — are more astonishing than the growth of Long Beach, and the claims the Robert B. Armstrong Company are making for Seal Beach as an investment center seem wholly within reason.

    Building Activity

    There is more building construction going on at Seal Beach at present than at any other place in Southern California. On the ocean front the various concessionaires are spending several hundred thousand dollars in an attempt to give Orange County the most up-to-date amusement center on the coast. The attractions brought down from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition are eliciting comment everywhere. Investors know such things bring the crowds, which, in California, is usually followed by a rapid Increase in population.

    In the business section the largest and most important new structure is the Administration Building, the home of the Bay Side Land Company, which for most part is the owner of Seal Beach.

    Another building is a two-story yellow brick erected by a Mr. Rosenthal.

    A number of one-story stores have recently been completed on Coast Boulevard at the foot of Main Street.

    Resident Section

    In the resident section bungalows and cottages are being built in almost every two or three blocks. Property valuations have increased at a rapid pace and the type of buildings constructed are of a more expensive nature than is customary at beach resorts.

    The standing population at this writing is about 1200, which runs to approximately three thousand during summer. This estimate takes into consideration only such as remain for a period of two months or more. Week-end visitors run into the thousands.

    Real Estate

    Robert B. Armstrong Company, who are selling agents for Seal Beach property, have been the big boosters of Seal Beach, which was known as Bay City when they took hold a little over two years ago. There was nothing there but a few houses, three or four stores and a small bath house.

    Today Seal Beach looks like the coming Coney Island, with property valuations correspondingly bright.

    There are but few business lots to be had at Seal Beach, but residence ing amusement and recreation center ¡lots may still be purchased on terms.

    This year will be the busiest since Robert B. Armstrong Co. began their rejuvenation of old Bay City. The well-known realty firm is making preparations to take around droves of people and show them Seal Beach values this summer.

    Argument

    Following are a few reasons for buying property at Seal Beach, as given by the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce:

    “Seal Beach is a growing little city of about 1200 inhabitants, situated in the extreme southwest corner of Orange County, 26 miles from Los Angeles, and 16 miles from Santa Ana.

    “While the city is still in its infancy, it shows great promise of becoming a city of beautiful homes.

    “Graded and oiled streets, cement walks, water, gas, electricity, phones, stores, etc., that make up all the conveniences of a city are already established.

    “Seal Beach offers an ideal place for a beach home with a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean on the south and west, Alamitos Bay on the west and north and Anaheim Bay on the east, and rich soil lots upon which to build, out of danger from high tides. Seal Beach has a great future before it, not only because it has all that any other beach has, but more, and is so easily accessible from all directions.

    “Seal Beach is not only easy of access by the trolley routes but has paved boulevards leading to Santa Ana and Los Angeles and all the inland towns, and is the starting point of the Coast Boulevard to San Diego.

    “Seal Beach is a safe place to come with your family; a safe beach, no treacherous undertow or tide rips, a quiet home beach with no saloons but with plenty of healthy amusements. If you live in Seal Beach it is the next best thing to a continuous vacation.

    “A half mile either way from Main Street are the two still water bays, Alamitos and Anaheim. The flow of the tides in and out of these bays, breaks the currents along the ocean front, thereby preventing any undertow and at the same time furnishing an ideal place for canoeing, sailing, rowing, motor boating and swimming. Anaheim Bay is about four miles long and, with its arms has about ten miles of navigable water. Shell fish are plentiful. Prior to the building of the railroads, old Anaheim Landing was an important shipping point; later a village of fishermen, now a popular part of Seal Beach. At the mouth of the Bay there is a choice residence section known as Seal Court.”

    ——————–

    THE APARTMENT HOUSES

    There are several apartment houses in Seal Beach. Largest and foremost among them, however, are the Wieland Apartments, Chris Wieland, proprietor. The building occupies a conspicuous location, with a commanding view of the ocean from the second floor. It is just a short block to the ocean from the apartments.

    Mr. Wieland has been rushing work on a handsome new porch, which will be completed in time for the opening.

    Check out the other seven June 9th This Date in Seal Beach history post. There are more ads, photos, and illustrations to enjoy.

    Page One

    Page Two

    Page Three

    Page Four

    Page Five

    Page Six

    Page Seven

    Page Eight

    – Michael Dobkins

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    If so, please consider making a small donation of a dollar or more to help defray the online subscriptions and other research costs that make this blog possible.

    Donations can be made securely with most major credit cards directly through PayPal. Just click on paypal.me/MichaelDobkins to go to PayPal. Thank you.

    This Date in Seal Beach History also has an online store hosted at Cafepress where you can order shirts, tote bags, stationery, and other gift items imprinted with vintage Seal Beach images. Visit the online store by clicking here.

     

  • May 27th in Seal Beach History

    On this date in 1926, the Santa Ana Register published this gushingly enthusiastic profile of Seal Beach with a photo spread.

    In my Seal Beach research over the years, I’ve come across some wild feats of hyperbole, but I think the first three paragraphs in this article have all other beat.

    In spite of its manic lack of restraint, this article provides a solid snapshot of what Seal Beach was in 1926 and what it was trying to present itself as to the world. (This does not include the whopper about the single drowning or the claims of safety. Whoof, such mendacity!)

    So I’m going to quote the entire article and include the photos with commentary after the article.

    SEAL BEACH’S NO UNDERTOW CLAIM BRINGS MANY VISITORS

    ———————–

    Safety Factor Is Stressed By Residents of Town; Commerce Body Active

    ———————–

    BIG POWER PLANT TO BE ENLARGED

    ———————–

    Vehicular Bridge Across Outer Channel of Bay Backed by Community

    ———————–

    When Mother Nature chiseled the coast line of what was destined to Southern California, she gave particular attention to one favored spot, saying: “Here I will create a beach that will provide safe bathing for mankind, especially the women and little children.”

    With this end in view, she formed two Inland bays with entrances from the Pacific ocean nearly a mile apart, and between these she made a gradually sloping sandy beach free from dangerous riptides and strong undertow.

    Neither time nor tides have changed this condition, and since the early days of civilization in Southern California, what is now known as the city of Seal Beach has been recognized as one beach where surf bathing is safe.

    Surf Bathing Safe.

    The greatest degree of safety in the surf is between two bays, Anaheim and Alamitos. Although thousands go into the surf there every season, so far as known there has been but one drowning, and that near the Alamitos bay channel, when a man who could not swim attempted to negotiate the breakers on a hastily constructed raft.

    The safe condition of safety exists in Anaheim bay inside the bridge, but bathers are warned to keep away from the outer channel with its deep water and treacherous currents.

    For these reasons, many inland people spend their summer vacations at Seal Beach and Anaheim Landing, which is a part of the city, and it is believed the greatest number of summer visitors will be accommodated this year, because there are many cottages and tents available for summer use.

    Arrange Housing Facilities

    The chamber of commerce has taken up the matter of providing housing facilities for summer visitors and complete details may be had by writing to Harry H. Newton, the secretary.

    Besides safe bathing, Seal Beach offers many other attractions, such as boating on the bay, excellent fishing and various amusements, one of these being a large dancing pavilion. There is also a roller coaster and other concessions in the amusement zone.

    Seal Beach derives its name from the large herds of seal that have made their home here since the memory of man. They can be seen at the mouth of Alamitos bay, near the big power plant, in their natural habitat, being an attraction for tourists from all over the world. Plans are forming for a seal park, this being a part of the scheme for a vehicular bridge across the outer cannel of Alamitos bay.

    History of Town

    In 1903 P. A. Stanton and I. A. Lothian purchased 200 acres of land on the ocean front between Anaheim and Alamitos bays. The land was platted and the new town given the name of Bay City. In 1915, It was incorporated as a city of the sixth class under the name of Seal Beach, in honor of the large herd of seals.

    Seal Beach has a municipal water system, sewers, electricity, gas and many miles of permanently paved streets.

    Although the incorporated limits of Seal Beach include approximately 800 acres, only 200 acres are in the platted portion, the balance being a part of the Hellman ranch. This ranch land will not be available for homesites until after the question of oil is determined. Drilling operations are being conducted on the property by the Associated Oil company, but so far without any favorable showings. Executors of the Hellman estate say if prospecting operations prove the land is barren of oil in paying quantities, they will subdivide the portion in Seal Beach and put it on the market for homesites. The Hellman hill is declared to be one of the most desirable places in Southern California for this purpose.

    Seal Beach is located on the South Coast highway. Within 15-mile radius of Seal Beach, there are 25 towns that, with intervening territory, have a combined population of more than a quarter of a million people.

    Bridge Project

    A project is under way for building a vehicular bridge across the outer channel of Alamitos bay that will connect Ocean boulevard in Long Beach with Ocean avenue in Seal Beach. Preliminary plans for the structure will soon be completed.

    Will Enlarge Plant

    On the point overlooking the entrance to Alamitos bay is located the Seal Beach electric generating station of the Los Angeles Gas and Electric corporation. The first unit of the plant was placed in operation last July. When completed the plant will consist of three units of 48,000 horsepower each and the total cost will be approximately $15,000,000. The second unit will be started next year.

    The three boilers of the first unit have a capacity of 175,000 pounds of steam each, and the giant smokestack stands 275 feet high, a landmark seen from many miles distant.

    Electric energy is generated here and distributed in Los Angeles over a high-power transmission line.

    Chamber Is Active

    Seal Beach has an active chamber of commerce, of which W. D. Miller, president of the California State bank, is president, and Harry H. Newton, secretary. The organization has accomplished much in the way of civic development and is taking a leading part in the project of a vehicular bridge across the Alamitos bay channel.

    Mrs. E. W. Reed is president of the Woman’s Improvement club and Mrs. Merle Armstrong is secretary. There is a Business Men’s club, of which A. W. Armstrong is president and Harry H. Newton, secretary.

    Seal Beach Is proud of its public school system. It has a fine group of buildings with a competent corps of teachers. The district at present has only a grammar school, being affiliated with the Huntington Beach high school district.

    Two churches, Methodist and Catholic, provide places of worship, and there is a growing Masonic lodge.

    R. E. Dolley is president of the board of trustees. Other members of the board are J. P. Transue, A. E. Walker,  J. R. John and C. O. Wheat. Mrs. Ollie B. Padrick is city clerk and Ira E. Patterson is treasurer.

    Altogether, Seal Beach offers unusual attractions for either the home seeker or the vacationist.

    Here are enlarged versions of the photos from the Santa Ana Register spread.

    – Michael Dobkins

    Have you enjoyed this and other This Date in Seal Beach History posts?

    If so, please consider making a small donation of a dollar or more to help defray the online subscriptions and other research costs that make this blog possible.

    Donations can be made securely with most major credit cards directly through PayPal. Just click on paypal.me/MichaelDobkins to go to PayPal. Thank you.

    This Date in Seal Beach History also has an online store hosted at Cafepress where you can order shirts, tote bags, stationery, and other gift items imprinted with vintage Seal Beach images. Visit the online store by clicking here.