Historic Districts of Long Beach
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The History of Historic Long Beach
From the People of the Earth to the City of Long Beach
A Native American tribe known as the Tongva (which means "the people of the earth") were the city's first known residents. The Tongva disappeared in the 1800s as settlers began pouring into the area. Manuel Nieto built a rancho on a huge parcel of land awarded him through the Spanish Land Grant in 1784. Over time, his property was divided many times for business and personal reasons. Long Beach grew out of two settlements that came from Nieto's tract: Los Cerritos and Los Alamito.
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Settling Long Beach
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 Historic Villa Riviera Condominiums |
In 1933 Long Beach was hit by a very large earthquake which caused incredible damage to buildings for miles around the city. During the 30's and 40's the city slowly rebuilt itself and began to attract the motion picture industry. Elizabeth Taylor spent her first honeymoon at the Hilton Hotel on Ocean Boulevard, which is now the Breakers Hotel right here in Long Beach. She married Nicky Hilton, son of Conrad Hilton. The Breakers Hotel Penthouse has since been converted to the magnificent restaurant The Skyroom, my personal favorite for a very special evening.
Long Beach was known as the motion picture capital of the world until post World War I when Hollywood developed around the glitz of the era. With its perfect Southern California climate, Long Beach afforded the perfect setting for the industry. There were eight film houses, two stock companies, roller-coasters and bath houses at the historic Pike, along the shore of Downtown Long Beach. This was the home of the Balboa Amusement Production Company, the world's most prolific silent-film studio. W. C. Fields and other stars lived in beautiful mansions in the Bluff Park neighborhood along Ocean Boulevard and First Street, many of which remain in the families to this day.
In 1967 the Queen Mary (built in 1936) was withdrawn from service to the Cunard line and brought to rest in Long Beach Harbor. She was to become a floating hotel, open to the public. She was outfitted with restaurants, shops and tours open to the public. Did you know that the Queen Mary transported troops during World War II and served as Winston Churchill's headquarters at sea? She was painted gray and nicknamed "The Gray Ghost". The Queen transported over 800,000 troops and traveled 660,000 miles. The Queen Mary is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Landmarks
Long Beach is home to many interesting and well preserved historic landmarks. One such historic landmark is Fire Station #10, the oldest remaining fire station in Long Beach. Today it is no longer in service for firefighters, but instead houses the Long Beach Firefighters Museum and contains a collection of antique fire engines, historical photographs, and other firefighting memorabilia.
The Long Beach Museum of Art, in historic Bluff Park, is housed in the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House, a stunning Craftsman Mansion, built in 1929. The museum is perched on a towering bluff overlooking Long Beach Harbor. With ocean front gardens and a charming cafe, it is a wonderful place to escape to for a day of gazing out over the ocean, watching the comings and goings of the cruise ships and viewing the harbor.
If you love books, be sure to visit the historic landmark Acres of Books a family owned used books store that has been in Long Beach for over 50 years. With more than 750,000 used books in stock, you're sure to find something to enjoy. (...Read More About Long Beach Historic Landmarks)
Historic Treasures
Today the Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens and Rancho Los Cerritos Historic sites are owned by the City of Long Beach. Be sure to stop by these history-rich treasures! You'll see agricultural buildings, acres of gardens and adobe ranch homes dating from the 1800s. Long Beach is packed with historic homes and significant older structures.
Long Beach Historic Homes and Districts
Historic Long Beach California Real Estate
Long Beach is widely celebrated as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. But diversity is not just for people! You'll recognize the width and breadth of our uniqueness as you tour homes in any of the city's 17 historic neighborhoods:
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From the massive front porch timbers of the Craftsman Bungalow to the intricately detailed Victorian woodwork...there's a historic home style here to suit every preference.
A Community Working Together
Grab a sweater on a cool coastal morning and smell the sweet fog as it melts into a crisp California day. Relax on a bench on the wide open porch of your vintage Craftsman Bungalow style home. The wide eaves reveal authentically exposed roof rafters that make you feel uniquely peaceful. Across the street, a neighbor tends to her garden as children play under ancient oaks and elms. You admire the intricate wrought iron grillwork and heavy red tile roof of your neighbor's Spanish Colonial Revival style home. There is comfort in living among a community of people working together to assure the vitality of your neighborhood.
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Step Back in Time
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 The Perry House |
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Individual Long Beach California Real Estate qualifies for historic status when it:
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Preserving the Past
If you love strong, structurally sound, beautiful old homes...Come Home to Long Beach! Historic districts here maintain or re-create an atmosphere of old Long Beach. Is your Long Beach California Real Estate in a potentially historic area? If your community contains a high concentration of intact and original vintage architectural styles, and property owners want to protect the buildings as assets to the community...your neighborhood may qualify for historic status.
Historic Status for Your Neighborhood
A district may qualify for historic designation when:
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An area may be designated historic when structures together preserve the visual qualities and ambiance of the past. Sometimes individual homes are already designated historic -- sometimes it's the area itself that's notable.
Meeting the City's Criteria
To gain historic status for your neighborhood, contact the Long Beach Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC). You'll provide specific information about your community to the commission, who will conduct a cultural resources survey to determine if the structures in your area meet the city's criteria for historic designation. The CHC makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission who drafts an ordinance for City Council approval. This is the final step! Once the ordinance is approved, your area is officially designated a historic district.
A Valuable Asset
Your historic home is more than a poignant reminder of a by-gone day. It is a glittering emblem of community pride. It attracts tourists interested in viewing a piece of the past. And historic neighborhoods enjoy increases in property values that exceed similar non-designated neighborhoods. Whether you're interested in revitalizing a neighborhood, love vintage properties or are considering an investment in Long Beach California Real Estate...your historic home is a valuable asset!
| Historical Society Of Long Beach 110 Pine Avenue Suite 1200 Long Beach, CA 90802 562-495-1210 Fax: 562-495-1281 |
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www.historicalsocietylb.org hslb@historicalsocietylb.org A dynamic, nonprofit organization with a gallery and historical research center. Our facility and programs are aimed at promoting, developing, exhibiting and preserving Long Beach history. |
Come Home to Long Beach
| Laurie MannyLong Beach Realtor (562) 212-5420 |
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Main Street Realtors Belmont Heights 244 Redondo Avenue Long Beach California 90803 |
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Those homes are so beautiful. Everything here is so new, we don't have many of those old beauties here.
Nice post. Looks like you did a lot of work. Are you putting these on your own blog as well as localism?
My mother was from Orange County, but thankfully she and my Dad brought me to Alaska when I was one. We did visit my grandparents however and I enjoyed the times.
Laurie, thanks for the great info. What a surprise to scroll down and find The Robert House and The Tina House. They are my and my wife's names. Next to one another! We will be down in Huntington Beach for our daughter's ballet competition soon. Maybe in your next post you can comment on the Hungtington Beach area.
Bob Volanti - Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate
Fresno and Clovis, CA
Chris,
We have the new here too. Long Beach is an old city with pockets of these beautiful old homes scattered everywhere. Downtown Long Beach is being regenerated. There are many large old buildings that have been and are being converted into Manhattan style lofts. There are communities like Spinnaker and Marina Pacifica along the canals that are all newer style. We also have a lot of 80's style homes. It is an interesting place. Thanks for stopping by.
Marty,
Yes this one was a lot of work. I have a different version of this on my other blog, some the same. This is the expanded version. Are there historic communities in Alaska?
Bob,
That is a funny coincidence about your names, lol. I have been concentrating on working my way through Long Beach first. Actually I have been thinking about doing a piece on Huntington Beach, have been rolling it around in my head for a couple of weeks now. That one is going to be a lot of work. I am sure it will happen though and am looking forward to working on it.
Thank you for stopping by,
Laurie, this is a lot of really interesting information. I love the Skyroom ( the view from the powder room is extra spectacular because the window start near the floor) but I had no idea about the history of the building.
The LB Museum of Art is a really cool place, I have been to several of the summer concerts held there, I'm not sure if they still do that or not.
Have you already written about the mansions along Ocean Ave.? I'm going to check your other great posts, I would love to read the history behind some of the those.
Gina,
I love going to the Skyroom. My favorite is going up into the tower with a nice glass of wine and turning my face into the ocean breeze. I am pretty sure the museum still does Jazz Thursdays, but would have to look into it to confirm. Ahhh, the mansions on Ocean and First Street in Bluff Park will likely become the subject of future posts, they really are magnificent! These posts take a long time and a lot of research to put together. I will keep them coming. Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend.
Laurie,
Growing up in Garden Grove during the 50's I spent a lot of time in Long Beach.. The homes along Ocean heading to Belmont Shores are still some of the most beautiful homes in CA.. What pleases me the most is how Long Beach has upgraded it 's downtown into a wonderful place to visit and is still maintaining a vast number of historic homes..
This is a very nice post.. Thank you..
Hi Kaye,
A couple of the homes on Ocean have been undergoing major restoration work for years and are now complete, the only two empty lots that have sat there for years are now under construction. While it is common to see construction in Long Beach it is odd to see it there. You are right, these are probably the most beautiful homes in CA. I am just loving the growth in downtown, it has transformed it. Thank you very much for stopping by, have a great weekend.
Wow, another local post packed with content and some more great photos. So much of Las Vegas is frame and stucco; it's nice to see different architectural styles in homes.
Hi John,
We do have a lot of variety here, that is the thing about Long Beach, there is pretty much something here for just about everyone. Las Vegas may have a lot of frame and stucco, but I still love it there, lol.
Thanks for stopping by,
Laurie -- congratulations on such a great post! So much effort and such great information within!
Hi Colleen,
Thank you very much. I hope you had a great trip!
Laurie,
you continue to amaze me at what you are able to accomplish. You HAVE TO BE PROUD of your accomplishments - you are an inspiration to everyone who sees your work.
Now Have a Blessed Day,
John Occhi, Hemet, CA REALTOR
www.JohnOcchi.Com
Hi John,
Thank you very much, always nice to see you stop by, have a great day.
WoW! Those are some neat looking homes!
Hi Danny,
You should see the inside of some of these beauties. Just stunning. It really feels like you have stepped back into another era through a time warp.
Thanks for stopping by.
Laurie, great job, tons of info and pics. Made the Featured for Everything CA
Susan,
Yes there is please email me for the information.
Gena,
Thank you very much.
Laurie - I see your beautifully written post has been brought back. I love reading your local content posts - you paint such lovely pictures of your area that clearly show your love for where you live. Very nicely done!
Laurie this was a well written piece on Long Beach. I have never been to the area but if I do so in the future, I would not be lost after reading your post. I also learned something new, I had never heard of Tongva tribe. This reminded me of the Arawak Indians in Jamaica they were the original inhabitants of the island of Jamaica but where wiped out after Columbus and his crew arrived.
Wow, Laurie, VERY nicely done. This will impress any reader interested in the area. And what a wealth of information, especially for someone with a historical bent. Thanks for all the hard work and for sharing this with us all!
You've raised the bar on writing community overviews.
Jeff
WoW I never put much thought into the fact that Long Beach had such magnificent looking historical homes. They look really neat. Are there tours that take tourists to see them?
Laurie,
What a wonderfully written post. I've been to Long Beach a couple of times, but had NO IDEA about all the historical homes. No wonder you love to live there. Reading your post makes me want to move. Great job!
Wow Laurie...what a history Long Beach has and how very proud you are of your area! I have been to many parts of California but never to Long Beach....my loss! You can be assured that I will refer any of my client base that moves to your area to you. The major of Long Beach should put a STAR with your name on it down town!
Amazing post. I never knew there were so many historic homes in the Long Beach area. We have tons of them here in the New York City area.
Ann, Thank you, your local pieces are wonderful also. It does help to love the area.
Jennifer, Thank you, now I have learned something from you, I had never heard of the Arawak Indians.
Jeff, Thank you very much.
Danny, There used to be a tour, but many of the homeowners took their homes off of it. There has been talk of reviving it. I hope they do.
Kelli, Thank you very much.
George, I am proud of Long Beach. You should see what they have done in the Downtown area. We have been going through major redevelopment for several years now, it is nothing short of incredible.
Luke, I am convinced that one of the reasons I was so attracted to Long Beach is because in some ways it reminds me a bit of New York. While they are leagues apart there is that feeling in the Downtown area, a little Soho'ish. Having worked in Soho for so many years it feels a bit like home.
Thank you all for dropping by,
OK OK OK ALREADY!!!!! You've convinced me I'll come!!!!! (send me 2 one way tickets will ya?)
Laurie, this is an awesome Localism post. Can you do one for Poinciana for me? We hava a Burger King:)
Really impressive post. Thanks for sharing.
Diane, lol, i'll give you the 2 cent tour
Bryant, Booger King? hahahahaha Thank you, it is my favorite of them all, too.
Thanks everybody,
Laurie,
This post is spectacular. I'm California Dreamin! I want to be bi-coastal, I think I can be very happy at The Villa Riviera.
Laurie, since they named a house after ME wouldn't you want me to be your special all inclusive guest?
On a non-humourous note: Not only is your article impressive, one can discern from your articulation, that the buyer will receive top notch servicing from a well informed professional. You are not just a credit to the industry, but to the town as well. I'm blessed to know you through the Internet.
Thanks for showing us how to "do it" in a spirit of excellence!
Excellent post Laurie. When we travel, I have tried to do research on the Internet on the areas for information like this with varying success. Until I joined Active Rain, it would never have occurred to me to read a blog! Great job in marketing your local area. This type of information is not easy to find, although I suspect Localism will be changing that!
Mitchell, Living at the Villa Riviera would make you feel like you had stepped back in time. It truly represents another era altogether. Life at the Villa Riviera includes, beachfront property-ocean view on south side of bldg), view of Rainbow Harbor and the Toyota Grand Prix from your condo (west side of bldg). It is truly a spectacular sight.
Diane, Long Beach would be graced by a visit from you. Thank you for your rave, it is a pleasure to have come to know you as well.
Lola, Thank you, I hope that many people find this information helpful.
Great informational article on Long Beach.
Thanks for joining the Southern California Real Estate Forum and posting your informative articles. I noticed there was a Northern California group so I did not want us south of the border members left out.
I just found that group, didn't know it was there.
Laurie your post on historical homes is great. You really have an eye for unique properties.
Laurie, a very impressive post! I think that the local Chamber of Commerce will want you as an Honorary Spokesman for Long Beach!
Thank you Brian
Deborah cracking me up
Another fabulous post by Laurie! Thanks for sharing.
Laurie a great post with lots of information. Whew! Your going to run out of things to post! The Tina house looked intriguing!
Laurie,
What a very nice Localism Post. This stands as guide to how to do it right.
Laurie- You are at it again.. I'm going to have to take a drive and find some of these homes..
Love the photos!
Laurie,
Thanks for taking the time to show us more about the history of Long Beach! I haven't been there for over 30 years and I'm sure that a lot has changed.
Great job on this post!
Lucky :)
Thank you all.
Great blog and the Diane house is unique.
Thank you Lloyd and thanks for stopping by.
Laurie -- just came across this post again, and I have to say WOW!!!