Historic Districts of Long Beach

and

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.

Settling Long Beach In 1880, Englishman Erwin Will-more created the first township here by subdividing parts of Los Cerritos. Even after the township failed, settlers were drawn to the area's easy access to the ocean, wide beaches and business opportunity. By 1888 the City of Long Beach had a name, 59 buildings and a school. Long Beach incorporated in 1897. Do you like historic homes? Today, Willmore City has more Craftsman, Prairie, Victorian, Mission and Spanish Colonial Style homes than any other Long Beach historic homes districts. Named for Mr. Willmore, it was part of the city's original 1881 plan.

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:

Belmont Heights Bluff Heights Bluff Park Brenner Place California Heights Carroll Park Craftsman Bungalow Historic Village Eliot Lane Linden Avenue Minerva Park Place Rose Park Rose Park South Sunrise Boulevard Willmore City/Drake Park Wilton Street Wrigley

The Fehr House (...Click here to learn more about the varied architectural styles of these Long Beach neighborhoods)

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.

The Perry House

Dedicated to Preservation Long Beach is dedicated to the preservation of its rich history. In 2003, the city received an A on the Los Angeles Conservancy's report card for overall preservation. Long Beach was one of only five cities to receive high marks out of 45 Southern California locations. And in 2004 the Willmore City historic area won the Neighborhoods USA Best Neighborhoods contest for social revitalization.

Individual Long Beach California Real Estate qualifies for historic status when it:

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:

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!

The Mills Act - Historic Restoration Tax Discounts

Come Home to Long Beach

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a high-rise Long Beach Condo. One that we don't think about often is fire safety. Does the building you are considering buying into have adequate protection in the event of a fire? Are there Sprinklers? Some interesting facts have arisen from a recent Long Beach tragedy which should certainly be considered when purchasing your Long Beach Condo:

LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA: Wednesday, March 29, 2007 at 9:30 PM, a deadly fire broke out in the east wing of the luxury Long Beach high rise, Galaxy Towers Condominiums at 2999 Ocean Blvd., in Historic Bluff Park, Long Beach CA . The fire claimed the life of one man, John Carlyle Crews who tragically jumped to his death from his 18th floor balcony. Apparently the Galaxy Tower Condominiums were not required to install a sprinkler system, due to grandfathering, which could have minimized this tragedy according to Long Beach Fire Capt. Mike Duree.

Other high rise Long Beach Condos, such as the Broadlind in the East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach, and the Historic Villa Riviera, in Alamitos Beach, had sprinklers installed, even though they too were grandfathered in and not required to do so. There are approximately 10 high-rise Long Beach Condos that are not required to install sprinklers, due to grandfathering, at this time. (Definitely something to think about if you are considering purchasing a high-rise Long Beach Condo)

There have been several recent fires in Long Beach Condo complexes. It really should make a buyer stop and think "What If". Wouldn't you want to know that if tragedy struck, the damage would at least be minimal?

The Long Beach City Council will, once again, be discussing fire impact fees at their next Tuesday meeting. The City of Long Beach wants to levy fees on Long Beach developers and Long Beach builders of residential, commercial and industrial construction of over 3,000 square feet to pay for Long Beach fire and safety improvements. Proposed distribution of these funds: Long Beach Police Department would receive 58.7 percent of the fees raised from residential Long Beach properties and 62.3 percent of the fees raised from nonresidential Long Beach properties. The Long Beach Fire Department would receive the rest.

The hefty fees, of course, will be passed along to Long Beach Condo and Long Beach Home and property Buyers.

Amidst the tragedy of the Long Beach Galaxy Tower fire Jay Beeler, the Publisher of the Beachcomber, a local Long Beach publication covering news and events on the east side of Long Beach, was arrested while attempting to cover the story. Jay is currently attempting to organize other media representatives to join him in a class action lawsuit against the Long Beach Police Department for obstructing his right to passage. He is especially pissed off at Long Beach Police Officer Gjersvold who, Jay says, thinks he is above the law.........READ THE WHOLE STORY...

RMS QUEEN MARY - 40 Years in Downtown Long Beach California

A month long celebration!

April 2007

Rainbow Harbor, Downtown Long Beach California

The Queen Mary celebrates her 40 year love affair with Long Beach CA by opening her doors for free to residents of Long Beach for the entire month. Present proper ID at the ticket booth betwwen 10 AM and 6 PM for your free pass. Howard Bell, President and CEO of RMS Foundation, Inc., said "This 40th Anniversary seems the perfect time for the community to rediscover not only the historic aspects of this city icon, but also the many exciting and diverse entertainment options the Queen Mary now has to offer”. “We look forward to showcasing the 'new' Queen Mary during the 40th Anniversary celebration," Bell said. "This is an exciting time for the Queen Mary - and the community."

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 Mary transported over 800,000 troops and traveled 660,000 miles. The Queen Mary is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about the history of Long Beach.

Hollywood has had a long love affair with Long Beach California. Elizabeth Taylor spent her first honeymoon at the Hilton Hotel on Ocean Boulevard, which is now the Breakers Hotel right here in Downtown Long Beach. She married Nicky Hilton, son of Conrad Hilton. The Breakers Hotel Penthouse in Downtown Long Beach 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 Long Beach Historic Bluff Park neighborhood along Ocean Boulevard and First Street, many of which remain in the families to this day. Yes, Hollywood Loves Long Beach.

In June the RMS Queen Mary opens a new Exhibit celebrating Hollywood's love affair with Long Beach CA:

The Sun Deck Gallery aboard the historic Queen Mary in Downtown Long Beach, California, is proud to present Rockin' Hollywood, a new exhibition featuring 80 images of classic rock and movie legends by photographer Michael Childers. The exhibit will open June 15 and run through September 6, 2007. An opening reception with Michael Childers is scheduled at the Gallery on Sunday afternoon, June 17, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., and the public is welcome to attend. Read More...

Parkers Lighthouse

Shoreline Village, Downtown Long Beach CA

Located in a dramatic, free standing building in Rainbow Harbor, at the tip of Downtown Long Beach's famous Shoreline Village, Parkers Lighthouse is the key anchor for Downtown Long Beach and the Pike Entertainment Complex. A 3 story, fine seafood restaurant, Parkers Lighthouse seats up to 500 guests. An elegant, stark white, 250 seat dining room, a 120 seat third floor Galley Bar and a 144 seat outdoor patio provide choices for all occasions.

Guests are treated to fabulous and unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach Harbor, the Downtown Long Beach City Skyline, the infamous Queen Mary and out to San Pedro. There may not be a better view of one of Long Beach's fabulous sunsets or of the Independence Day fireworks display than one from this incredible Downtown Long Beach, U.S. Coast Guard-sanctioned Landmark restaurant.

The nautical motif, use of rich mahogany and cherry woods, large expansive windows and the use of fresh shades of green and blue combined with the use of mood lighting make this restaurant an incredible dining experience and a wonderful place to entertain that prospective client or seal that big business deal in this relaxed and upscale environment. I had the pleasure of interviewing my current brokerage in this lovely restaurant before deciding to make a change.

Parkers Lighthouse was formally established, in 1982, to create a lighting beacon for the many large ships and vessels entering Long Beach Harbor. The current restaurant is the result of a $3 million renovation in 1999.

Parkers Lighthouse is a full service waterfront seafood restaurant and bar, serving lunch, dinner and private functions; it is currently owned and operated by Select Restaurants, Inc. and remains unique among their extensive array of restaurants.

On Tuesday, March 27, 2007 Inman News interviewed Mary McKnight, of RSSpieces.com, out of Cape Coral, Florida in their 3 part article "Blogs rise as glue to real estate social networking".

Excerpt from the article:

McKnight says that some agents have been really successful in using ActiveRain to boost their rankings, pointing out a Long Beach, CA., Realtor whose site appears in the first 5-7 spots in Google search results for Long Beach real estate. “Laurie Manny is a good example of someone doing this. She’s able to diversify and leverage her online presence really well,” McKnight pointed out


What does that mean to you, the Long Beach Property Owner?

That means that when you list your Long Beach Property with Laurie Manny you instantly get top Internet exposure by way of her high ranking website LaurieManny.com and by way of her advanced blogging ability and tactics.

Laurie's vast knowledge of SEO (search engine optimization) will send your Long Beach Property to the top of the search engines.

Example:

Put WRIGLEY HEIGHTS into the Google search engine. There are five positions on page one referencing a new listing Laurie has in Wrigley Heights, area information that Laurie has written on Wrigley Heights, an article on the proposed new park RiverLink also by Laurie, another of her consumer articles and another instance of the area listing being promoted; there is also another article of Laurie's appearing at the top of page two.

You will also find four positions on page one of Google for the search term, Belmont Heights Real Estate, 3 or 4 for Downtown Long Beach Real Estate, and so on.

90% of today's buyers are finding their next home online, can you afford to not have this kind of exposure when selling your Long Beach Home?

How many Long Beach Realtors can provide you with this level of exposure, in addition to the traditional methods? Ask them to prove it!

The benefits to the seller described here enhance Laurie's incredible marketing plan for your home, which can't be beaten.

Are you thinking about selling your Long Beach Property?

Call Laurie today for a free consultation. You will like what you hear.

Prudential California Realty
Belmont Heights
(562) 212-5420
lmanny@socal.rr.com
LONG BEACH CA REAL ESTATE (Laurie's Website)
LONG BEACH REAL ESTATE (Laurie's Long Beach Blog)
LAURIE'S LONG BEACH CA REAL ESTATE BLOG (ActiveRain.com Blog)

Inman News is THE premiere real estate industry news resource. A subscription service that presents it's articles, via email, to the industry for 24 hours prior to going behind subscription lines. Inman news provides RSS news feeds to Realtors for consumer use on Realtor websites.

Mary McKnight is Her Royal Highness of the blogging world, blogging since 2000 Mary McKnight is one of the pioneers of the blogging world. She and her husband own RSSpieces.com out of Cape Coral, Florida. They provide the most elite blogging platforms in today's market. Mary McKnight is recognized throughout the blogging world and real estate industry as the number one expert in the field.

ActiveRain.com is the number one nationwide real estate industry networking blog site. Founded by Matt Heaton, Caleb Mardini and Jonathan Washburn out of Seattle Washington. Active Rain is growing at a most incredible rate and is taking the nation by storm. Recently recognized by Realtor Magazine as one of the most important tools a Realtor should be using to reach the consumer. Laurie Manny is currently one of 5 nationwide moderators servicing the Active Rain system.

Direct Quote from Realtor Magazine:
Boost your network by connecting with other practitioners and professionals online. It’s a great way to get referrals and advice. Here are a few Web sites that can get you networking fast:

• Active Rain (http://activerain.com): A free networking site for real estate professionals where members can share ideas, gain referrals, and access or create blogs. Members are categorized by geographic location.

Localism.com is the consumer side of ActiveRain.com where consumers can access local information, from local Realtors, about their state, county, city and communities. It is a place where a consumer can drop in and get to know their local Realtors for a while before making a decision on whom to develop a relationship with. Consumers can also access the ActiveRain.com website and read what members of the real estate industry nationwide have to say on a vast variety of issues.