1914 January - March

Mother Nature Steps In

Los Angeles Times 1/25/1914

Winter was always a slow season for beach communities.  The winter of 1913-14 was exceptionally severe, with terrible storms.  Land sales in Seal Beach and all of Southern California took a deep dive when heavy rains and extensive flooding put a damper on the real estate market.  An unbelievable 6.64 inches of rain fell between January 15-19, 1914---this was indeed remarkable when the average yearly rainfall for the region was 14.98 inches!  Despite the weather, one Seal Beach ad did appear in January.  Promoters had hired a special train scheduled to leave Los Angeles at 10:30 a.m. to bring visitors to the shore.  It was hoped that the rain would stop and there would indeed be a "spring like" day at Seal Beach.

"It's spring at Seal Beach!  The wind is balmy at Seal Beach.  The tides are tame at Seal Beach.  It's shirt sleeve time at the beach without an undertow.  New homes - new buildings - improvements are being made every day at Seal Beach.  Don't fail to visit Seal Beach Sunday."

To let prospective buyers know that Seal Beach would continue, despite the floods, an article about Seal Beach's "commitment" to its residents, and future, appeared the same day as the ad.

Los Angeles Times 1/25/ 1914

ACCEPT SCHOOL SITE

     By a unanimous vote, the citizens of Seal Beach on Tuesday decided to accept the $6000 tract of land offered them by the Guy M. Rush Company and the Bayside Land Company as a site for a school building.  The offer to the citizens was made with the understanding that they would add a like amount to their appropriation for building purposes, making a total of $12,000 available for the proposed structure.  Situated between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, within two blocks of the ocean and close to the car line, the acre site of the new school is practically in the center of the populated district of Seal Beach.  The structure is to be modern in every respect with every convenience needed for the comfort of the pupil.  It is to be constructed of brick and cement and will have a tile roof.

Special Pacific Electric rail cars were set aside on certain Saturday and Sundays to take visitors to Seal Beach during the winter of 1914, as the following ads indicate.

Los Angeles Times 2/1/1914

"Summer is only a wink away.  Get your house in order for beach time.  Make ready for fun time at the beach without an undertow.  Nature has given every blessing to Seal Beach.  Don't wait until wise investors have snapped up all the bargains.  It's paint time at Seal Beach.  It's brighten-up-time at Seal Beach.  It's sure-to-profit-time at Seal Beach.  It's ought-to-buy-time at Seal Beach now..."

Los Angeles Times 2/8/1914

Seal Beach is neat as a pin.  Seal Beach is always clean - Seal Beach is always safe - there is no undertow.  Seal Beach is the livest, fastest growing beach near Los Angeles.  Seal Beach can't stand still, it's going straight ahead.  Don't wait til summer to buy there.  Get a strangle-hold on certain profit.  Population is leaping forward and beach property won't stretch - it's getting scarcer..."

Long Beach Press 2/12/1914

"Landing in the right place. Free Valentine excursion to Seal Beach, Saturday, February 14th, 1914, at 11 a.m."

In order to promote sales in this sluggish winter season, realtors offered free trips to Seal Beach on Valentine's Day.  

Daily Telegram 2/11/1914
NEWS GOSSIP FROM SEAL BEACH
     The pretty weather is bringing quite a number of visitors to this beach where they enjoy the good air.
     Mr. Mills, the new manager of the pavilion is delighted with the crowds that storm the dances Saturday and Sunday and thinks there is great hope for the future.
     Mr. Charles Waters has succeeded in making a picture of a large number of seals on the sand, which will soon be on the market.
     If you want the Telegram, our home paper, call at the Seal Beach Inn and you will be served with pleasure.
     When our school started last September we were blessed with three pupils.  Now we have 47, and we will soon have a fine schoolhouse.
     The Bayside Land company is busy cutting all the streets through to the ocean, which will be a great improvement.
     Judge Ord made a good purchase on Main Street a few days ago.  The judge is about the oldest citizen in Seal Beach.

Long Beach Press 2/14/1914

The amusement zone pictured in this illustration was owned by the Bayside Land Company and was popularly known as "Seal Way."  Here one could find a bowling alley, billiard room, dance pavilion, ice cream parlor and much more.  This entertainment zone helped Seal Beach become one of the most popular beach communities in California.  However, Seal Beach depended on its closest neighbor, Long Beach, for fire protection.  On August 31, 1923, the pavilion and pier were saved from total destruction by the heroic work of Long Beach firemen.  A lighted cigarette started the blaze which gutted a portion of the east end of the pavilion.  A shooting gallery, three storerooms, and a fortuneteller's booth were destroyed.  Losses were estimated at $10,000.

Los Angeles Times 2/15/1915

The early twentieth century is often viewed as the golden age of professional baseball.  The sport was truly national, with no competition as yet from professional football or basketball.  Fans were very enthusiastic about their favorite teams and millions attended National and American League games.  Minor league teams were also popular.  Local
folks supported the Los Angeles Angels, members of the Pacific Coast League. 

Los Angeles Times 2/15/1914
TO STRENGTHEN PIER
     The first work of beautifying the strand at Seal Beach as started this week when the Mercereau Construction Company began the strengthening of the pier with new pilings and general reconstruction.  When this is completed, the Guy M. Rush Company, which is handling Seal Beach property, states that the pier will be put into first-class shape, with electric lights at short spaces and resting seats.  All this work is to be in conformity with the proposed cement promenade that is planned to extend the full length of the waterfront at this place.  The construction of the cement sidewalks and curbs, and the general improvement work on the property lying just north of the Pacific Electric is to be started next week.

The heavy rains which marked the winter of 1913-1914 were not over.  On February 20th Southern California experienced one of the fiercest storms in recorded history, newspapers described the flooding as "the worst flood in the history of the Southland." Back Easterners coming to the Southland for its mild winter climate were stranded for days in railroad cars, waiting for the flood waters to subside.  Bridges failed, trolley service, gas, power and oil lines were out for days.  Even if you wanted to get to Seal Beach, you couldn't---there just wasn't any way in, or out!  In addition, slashing high tides ripped up the shore and hundred of acres of valuable farm land were washed away, silting both Anaheim and Alamitos bays.  One good thing was to come out of the devastating floods of 1914---flood control. 

Ads were put on hold until March 8th.  22.06 inches of rain had fallen for the season, but it looked like the weather was improving---83 degrees expected in Los Angeles the day of the special excursion to Seal Beach!

Los Angeles Times 3/8/1914

"Dive to briny coolness.  Hot days are here!  Hotter days are on the way!  The hottest days are soon to come!  Don't wait until July for a place to spend August and September.  Don't wait until June to prepare for July.  Seal Beach never sizzles.  It's a cool as a cucumber all summer.

This ad stresses Seal Beach's year round temperate climate, which the seals enjoyed until 1956 when Long Beach built a marina in Alamitos Bay.  The seals, not liking the noise and commotion, moved away.

Long Beach Press 3/21/1914

The Guy M. Rush Company wasn't adverse to using some of Henri DeKruif's earlier illustrations.  This one first appeared in the Los Angeles Times in January 1914, and was again used for Long Beach Press advertising in March.  One difference with the March 21st ad, however, was the wording. With the blooming of wildflowers and trees, promoters hoped that property sales that lagged in winter would also "open up." 

Long Beach Press 3/26/1914

Seals are building at Seal Beach!!  New houses are springing up all over Seal Beach.  It's just eternal Spring at the beach with no undertow.  The seals are frolicking in the breakers at Seal Beach."

The permanent population of Seal Beach increased from 300 year-round residents in 1913 to 400 in 1914.  But during the usual beach season of May-November the population jumped to 2,000.
  By 1923, local schools had 320 students.  Two new classrooms and a kindergarten were added to the schoolhouse that year and the faculty expanded from five to eight teachers.
  That same year a Boy Scout troop with twenty-seven members organized, and a community hall seating 300 was added to the Methodist church to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Sunday school.
  In July 1957, a limited number of residential lots were placed on the market adjacent to the new $14,000,000 marina yacht basin in Alamitos Bay.  Located east of Bolsa Avenue between Bay boulevard (later Seal Beach Boulevard) and Balboa Drive, prices in the Marina Shores development ranged from $5,000 to $8,357.  On October 29, 1961, sales for apartments in a 541 acre retirement community known as Leisure World began.  It would be the first senior citizens' development in the United States to include an insured program for medical care and drugs (excluding hospitalization) to be included in monthly rent.    

Long Beach Press 3/28/1914

Both Anaheim and Alamitos bays attracted many varieties of fish.  If one did not wish to fish from the pier, rowboats were available for 25 cents an hour or one dollar for the entire day.  The arms of the bays extended eight miles inland along winding sloughs.  Oysters and clams were so plentiful that many made a living gathering the shellfish and selling them for 25 cents a bucket.

Long Beach Press 3/29/1914

This March 29th ad shows horses on the beach. Gradually, horses were being replaced by automobiles as the favorite means of transportation. In the summer of 1913 Henry Ford set up his first auto assembly line for the Model T. He introduced a revolutionary high wage for his workers of $5 per day. Between 1909 and 1924 the price of a Model T dropped from $950 to $290.

Los Angeles Times 3/29/1914
SCHOOL BONDS SOLD: Seal Beach soon to have ample educational facilities - contract let for cement sidewalk and curb.
     The Seal Beach school bonds, voted a short time ago by the citizens of that city, were this week sold by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to the Crown City National Bank of Pasadena.  The selling of these bonds means that the new school building at Seal Beach will be under way in a short time and will be entirely completed by the opening of the fall term.  Plans for the new structure are already being considered by the Supervisors.  The contract for the installing of 2,000 feet of cement sidewalk and curb was let this week.  the work is to be done on the south side of Ocean avenue, between Second and Main, and is to connect the new Seal Beach court with the center of town."

Previously students attended classes in the Labourdette building on the southeast side of Main Street.  But, as this March 1914 article indicates, residents approved a $12,000 bond measure for a new school.  A frame building, faced with brick, for two school rooms and a hall between them for an office and library was ready for the 1914-1915 school year.  There were two teachers, 1-4 and 5-8 grades.

Next: Spring Rebounds

1913 October - December

Gearing Up for the Winter Season

Daily Telegram Oct. 1, 1913

"Join the seals - Push a good thing along.  Everything is moving in the right direction at Seal Beach.  Climate, transportation, outdoor sports, and all the joys of beach life are ideal at Seal Beach.  Forty four miles from Los Angeles. Two splendid lines of transportation. 25 cents round trip by commutation book.  Two fine still-water bays.  Surf without a danger.  An ocean with the undertow left out.  Fine lots, 3 blocks from the sea, $495.  Others smothered in the spray a little more..."

Electric rolling chair
 at Seal Beach

Electric rolling chairs were the latest craze for beach resorts, a fact not missed by illustrator Henri DeKruif.  However, Seal Beach wouldn't have rolling chairs until the 1914 summer season.  The city celebrated by holding an electric chair race.

Daily Telegram 10/6/1913

"Make Mr. Seal boost your family fortune.  Every swing of the pendulum - every tick of time - Seal Beach rises in everybody's favor.  Were you away from home when opportunity called with fortune at the time Long Beach was in its infancy?  Were you too late to make money in some of the choicest parts of Long Beach?  Have you delayed buying at Seal Beach?  Take the judgement of hundreds of shrewd real estate investors --- they have bought over $400,000 in a little over two months".

The railroads offered special "universal railroad colonist rates" in September and October.  From September 25 to October 10, 1913, 5,000 people traveled cross country to visit the Long  Beach/Seal Beach area, according to figures released in the Daily Telegram.  The newcomers were prospective residents, prospective businessmen, tourists and home seekers.  It was important for the Bayside Land Company to continue their ads to encourage these "back Easterners" to establish their permanent homes in Seal Beach.  Not lost to the promoters, was the fact that Long Beach had gained the distinction of being the "fastest growing city in the United States" according to the 1910 U.S. census.  Why?  Because of its fine climate and business growth, something that buyers in nearby Seal Beach could also take advantage of.

Daily Telegram 10/10/1913

"Leap Frogging to Fortune.  Lots of lots are selling and values are rising every day at Seal Beach (Bay City).  Homes - all the year 'round homes - are being built at Seal Beach all the time.  A new lumber yard is being opened to furnish lumber and building material.  The school has already 35 pupils and more will enter soon.  A new billiard hall and barber shop has just been opened.  A first class hotel is proving popular.  The new Los Angeles boulevard through Naples to Seal Beach will be opened in a few days.  Seal Beach is 10 degrees warmer from October to March than Los Angeles and 10 degrees cooler during the summer.  Same commutation rate as Long Beach.  Two lines of cars..."

On October 10, 1913, the whole way of life on the Pacific Coast changed.  At exactly five minutes before 11 a.m. local time all over the nation factory whistles blew, auto horns tooted, flags unfurled, as America engaged in wild pandemonium---the Panama Canal had opened!  At 11 a.m. President Wilson touched the button in Washington, signaling the destruction of the Gamboa dike in Panama.  The destruction of the dike technically meant that the Panama Canal was completed, but it was not until August 15, 1914, that the first ship sailed through.  The canal cut off two-thirds of the distance from New York to Long Beach harbor.  The harbor in Long Beach had started operations two years earlier, bringing more wealth and commerce into Southern California and an opportunity for developers to start promoting Seal Beach.

Scintillators
 from the Panama-Pacific Exposition
came to Seal Beach in 1916

     To celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal and the discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Vasco Nunez de Balboa, who crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1513, two expositions were held in California in 1915.  The Panama-California Exposition in San Diego specialized in Pan-American themes centered on the Southwest.  It opened January 15, 1915, and closed in 1917, after having been extended for a year.  The largest one, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, was held in San Francisco from February 4 to December 4, 1915.  Notable were the lighting effects from searchlight-type lamps called scintillators and the architectural unity of the various pavilions.  The scintillators and pavilions were purchased by the Bayside Land Company and came to form the new Seal Beach amusement zone in 1916.

Bayside Land Company, c1913

Long Beach Press 10/13/1913
SEAL BEACH NOW TRANSFER POINT: Trolley Trips hereafter will be routed Long Beach-Seal Beach
     The Pacific Electric Company has made Seal Beach the transfer point for all its traffic between the south coast and Long Beach.  Since the completion of the Long Beach-Seal Beach line on September 9 it has been proposed to change the transfer point on the south coast lines to Seal Beach through Zaferia (East Long Beach) and this has now been done by official orders.  It is probable that a schedule of twenty minutes between Seal Beach and Long Beach will be maintained every day, including Sundays, which now has twenty-minute service.
     The trolley trips which heretofore have used the Newport line will hereafter be routed via Seal Beach and Long Beach, leaving the Newport line at Seal Beach on the return journey to Los Angeles. This action will be followed by the building of a handsome tile and concrete station at the junction of Long Beach and Newport lines at Seal Beach.
     Traffic on the south coast lines had been increasing every year and practically all of the traffic from Orange County to and from Long Beach will now be transferred at Seal Beach.    

Daily Telegram 10/13/1913

"Seal Beach is gliding right a long.  Plans are under way for the building of a new school to cost several thousand dollars.  Bankers are looking the field over for the establishment of a bank.  Buyers are beginning many buildings.  Sales are being made almost every day to buyers who are looking for all the year round homes.  A lumber yard is open for business.  A sash and door factory is investigating the field. A feed and fuel yard will be built during the coming week.  6000 people visited Seal Beach yesterday.  2140 tickets were sold yesterday from the local P.E. station for Seal Beach.  Several lots were sold in our new addition Bay View Heights.  Nice lots 3 blocks from the ocean and easy gliding from our two beautiful bays and adjoining the new school site.  $500 to $100 very easy terms..."

Though this ad says that bankers were looking the town over, it would be nine years before Seal Beach actually succeeded in getting its own bank.  On December 2, 1922, the California State Bank opened, immediately attracting 327 new accounts.  To stimulate juvenile thrift city founder John Ord offered to add a dollar to the account of the first ten youngsters opening accounts.  Hours before the doors opened, there was a long string of young people waiting in the drizzling rain.  At the close of opening day the total deposits reached $31,603.33, of which $5700 had been placed in savings accounts.

     Besides founding the town, John C. Ord was the first postmaster, judge and mayor establishing the first post office and court in his store.  He also also added to his income by building and selling houses and lots.

John Ord

     Ord was one of fifteen children.  He left his family home in Vermont to join the Union Army when the Civil War broke out.  He was taken prisoner with 11,000 Union soldiers at Harpers' Ferry in 1862. The entire regiment was released after making a gentleman's agreement not to take up arms against the South again.  Because of this agreement, the 11,000 soldiers were sent to Chicago to control an Indian uprising.  In 1863, when an official trade of prisoners was made between the North and South, the gentleman's agreement became null and void.  Ord returned to active service and served as a sharp shooter and a member of the assigned guard to General Grant.  Because of this assignment he personally witnessed the surrender of General Lee.  After the Civil War Ord traveled to Canada and got involved in an Irish uprising known as the Fenian Raid.  He donned the British red coat and became a member of the Queen's Army.  He came to California in the 1870's crossing the isthmus in Nicaragua.  After several years exploring California he settled at Grass Valley, later moving to Los Alamitos in 1894, and to Bay City/Seal Beach in 1901.  Born in 1842, he passed away in Seal Beach on January 15, 1937.

Daily Telegram 10/16/1913

SEAL BEACH BRANCH BUSY

     The Seal Beach branch of the Snow Lumber company is reported to be doing a brisk business.  Lumber for a feed and fuel yard and several residences has been sold from the yard during the past few days, as well as half a carload of cement.

Long Beach Press 10/18/1913
BAND CONCERT FOR SEAL BEACH FOLKS: Site selected for new school occupying entire block; other improvements.
     Improvements are being carried forward with a rush at Seal Beach which promises to be one of the liveliest resort cities on the south coast.  The Snow Lumber Company, of this city, has just opened a yard at that place and the feed and fuel yard, owned by former Senator Coggings, of El Centro, is nearing completion.  Three handsome new residences are now under way and more contemplated.
     The Long Beach and Seal Beach boulevard will be opened next week and development of the new Bay View addition is going forward very satisfactorily and sales continuing briskly each day.
     An attractive feature of the weekend is the Sunday band concert in the Main Street Pavilion, which has just been inaugurated.
     A site has been selected for a new school house at the corner of Eleventh, Twelfth and North streets, the site to occupy the entire block.

Daily Telegram 10/20/1913

NEW STATION AT SEAL BEACH: Pacific Electric Officials Plan Improvements

     Pacific Electric officials were at Seal Beach during the past week making tentative plans for the location of a new station for that point, now that all of the passengers from the south coast, Orange County and vicinity will transfer at Seal Beach for Long Beach.  New schedules are being figured, and it is probable that twenty-minute service will be put in at once on the Seal Beach line.

Daily Telegram 10/27/1913

"Activity lasts all the year at Seal Beach.  Enthusiasm is now rapidly increasing.  The number of lots is rapidly decreasing. Better be safe than sorry.  See Seal Beach right now..."

Many beach communities shut down during the winter.  What this ad conveyed was that Seal Beach was active year round.  But active in what?  Many in Seal Beach would earn their living by illegal gambling and liquor.  In September 1923, the Seal Beach Inn was raided.  Thirty people were arrested on charges ranging from vagrancy to violation of the Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition).  Roulette tables, dice and other gambling paraphernalia were confiscated.  At the Jewel Cafe, several guests who had illegal liquor on their tables were also taken into custody.

Many had summer homes by the sea, but Seal Beach wanted a permanent full time population.  To attract a more "gentile" element, it erected its first church.  The cornerstone of a $1500 Methodist church was laid on June 4, 1916, on Sixth street between Ocean and Boulevard avenues according to the Long Beach Press. (Other Seal Beach histories say it was at 149 Tenth Street).  The church, which looked like a bungalow, included a reading room and rest room and was open to the public every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A special invitation was issued to visitors to "drop in at any time." But along with these godly residents came unforeseen consequences.  On December 24, 1923, city trustees ordered all amusement and concessions to close on Sundays because year-round residents felt that the Sabbath was sacred.  The Women's Improvement Club led the drive for Sunday closing to stop what they viewed as the "lawless element" that was attracted to the town.  The Bayside Land Company was not happy with the new law and told the Women's Improvement Club they could no longer hold their meetings at the sun parlor on the end of the pier owned by Bayside.  But this was just the start of problems for the Bayside Company.  Unable to survive the economic crisis of the 1930's the entire ocean front south of Ocean Boulevard in Seal Beach and 900 lots owned by the company were forced to be sold.  The largest foreclosure sale ever recorded in Orange County took place on August 31, 1935, when $295,246.56 worth of property owned by Bayside was taken over by the security First National Bank of Los Angeles.

Daily Telegram 10/27/1913

SNOW COMPANY SELLS LUMBER: For Numerous New Buildings at Seal Beach

     Six new residences and two new business blocks have been started in Seal Beach within the past two weeks, as well as a new feed and fuel yard.  The lumber for these has all been furnished from the yards of the Snow Lumber Company which has recently opened up there as a branch of the main yards at Long Beach.  The contractors working on the new Bay View addition to Seal Beach, which lies just back of the Pacific Electric main line and extends almost to the waters of Anaheim Bay, are rushing the improvements of this tract.  The handsome new pavilion is practically completed.

     'Seal Beach' will hereafter be the official designation of the Pacific Electric station heretofore known as Bay City.  At the request of the Bayside Land Company, based upon the petition of a number of the residents of the south coast place, the Pacific Electric Company will officially change the name of the station from Bay City to Seal Beach as soon as the railway maps and tickets can be altered.  In addition to changing the name of Bay City to Seal Beach, petitions are being circulated for the change of the name of the post office from Bay City to Seal Beach, because of the confusion with a similar post office known as Bay City in one of the northern counties, as well as the natural confusion that comes because of the reference to San Francisco as the Bay City.

Long Beach Press 11/3/1913
BOULEVARD BUILT TO SEAL BEACH: Last link in Good Roads System of Los Angeles County Completed.
     The last link in the good roads system of Los Angeles County, connecting Seal Beach with the boulevards to Long Beach, Redondo and the harbor, was finished last week, and with the exception of two concrete bridges which are just being finished, the work is complete.
     Work on this section, which is the last of the good roads systems of Los Angeles County, has been in progress for several months, and it leads up to the Orange County line, where Orange County will begin improvements aggregating nearly $2,000,000 for good roads throughout the county.  Orange County will carry this boulevard through the center of Seal Beach, one boulevard branching to the east, paralleling the coast to Balboa, and ultimately to San Diego, and the other branch to the northward to Santa Ana and the interior of Orange County.

Daily Telegram 11/3/1913

"The Boulevard is Completed to Seal Beach.  Get your motor car and spin over to Seal Beach.  Our representative is always on the ground, and will be pleased to show you around.  Remember - Seal Beach is the fastest selling subdivision in Southern California today.  $500,000 worth of property sold in ninety days...There are so many good things to tell about Seal Beach that space will not permit. So come with us and see it for yourself and let us tell you all about it."

A three-mile highway down Ocean Avenue led from Long Beach to Seal Beach.  One could reach Seal Beach by automobile from Los Angeles in little over an hour.  It's interesting to note that around this same time Henry Ford was setting up his first auto assembly line for the Model T.  Between 1909 and 1924 the price of a Model T. would drop from $950 to $290.  This lower cost for automobiles made them more affordable to the American public.  With more autos on the scene better roads were called for.  On March 25, 1925, a new "Pacific Coast" Highway opened through Seal Beach all the way to Newport.

Long Beach Press 11/10/1913
HEAVY TRAFFIC ON SEAL BEACH ROAD
     More than 200 automobiles were lined up on either side of a luckless autoist who was having trouble with his machine on the Long Beach-Seal Beach boulevard yesterday just this side of the bridge over Alamitos Bay.
     Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Bisby, returning in their auto from Santa Ana, were in the number of those stranded on the narrow boulevard until the trouble could be remedied.  Bisby, with characteristic impatience at delay, got out and commenced to give directions to the constantly increasing army of autoists, lest there be some further accident in the crush, when Mrs. Bisby quietly reminded him that his authority, as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, might perhaps not extend to auto mix-ups on the road, and warned him therefore to be careful lest he take in too much territory.
     The secretary appreciating her joke, laughingly started to jolly-up the gang and the fun-making spread like measles, so that everybody was in good humor by the time the recalcitrant motor was coaxed into activity once more.
     The incident proved an eye-opener to all concerned, who little dreamed until they saw the autos bunched together on the road what a heavy traffic passes between here and Seal Beach on a busy Sunday afternoon.

"Cutting the Seal Beach Melon.  Every day is dividend day for every Seal Beach buyer - and there are many hundreds of them.  Why have they bought nearly $500,000 worth of Seal Beach lots in a few weeks?  Because Seal Beach has: the

Daily Telegram 11/5/1913

safest beach - absolutely no undertow.  The finest climate-warmer in winter-cooler in summer.  Two great still-water bays, affording fine boating, bathing and fishing.  The best transportation-two lines to Los Angeles-frequent cars. Low fare to and from city and Long Beach---good soil.  First class improvements all included in the price of lots.  Great activity in building."

This November 5, 1913 ad, with the seal carving a pumpkin, brings to mind Mrs. Jan DeArmand and her love for  Halloween.   In the 1930's, Mrs. DeArmand began giving Halloween parties at her home at 128 Eighth Street in Seal Beach for her young daughter, Jacqueline, and Jacqueline's friends.  By 1950 Mrs. DeArmand's Halloween celebration had become a community-wide event attracting over 600 youngsters.  Each year the DeArmand's constructed an elaborate entrance way leading into their yard.  Inside there was a jungle booth, set up so sharpshooters could shoot cork popguns at wild beasts; a bean bag throw; fortune telling booth; lemonade, hot dog, popcorn and peanut stands; cotton candy machines and amusement rides.  Everyone was encouraged to wear costumes and prizes were awarded for the best ones.  But the event grew too large for the DeArmand's to handle all by themselves.  Civic organizations such as the Junior Woman's Club, Parent-Teachers Association, Lions Club, American Legion, the Chamber of Commerce, and local newspapers chipped in to handle the Halloween celebration.

Daily Telegram 11/10/1913

Anaheim Landing looking towards
Sunset Beach - 1930s

"Combine Business with Pleasure at Seal Beach.  The real year round home for real home lovers.  Seal Beach is always moving forward, never lags behind.  Seal Beach always gives every outdoor pleasure to you and your family.  Seal Beach is always safe, no undertow.  Seal Beach is balmy and invigorating all the year.  Seal Beach is growing, building, spreading every day..."

There were a number of powerboats kept in Anaheim Bay.  Seal Beach was a perfect place for boaters to come to after a busy week at work.  They could fish, go duck hunting in the inlet bays, or take off for a day at Catalina Island.  However, larger boats were to come.  In January 1944, the bayside area of Seal Beach known as Anaheim Landing was dismantled and the Seal Beach Naval Ammunition and Net Depot constructed in its place.  Commissioned on November 2, 1944, under the command of Captain A.B. McCrary, the base supplied the ammunition used by all Navy ships on the West Coast.  To this day, ships of various sizes are frequently seen at Anaheim Bay loading and unloading ammunition.
     In 1946 a campaign to create a West Coast Naval Academy at Seal Beach got underway.  Though nothing became of it, high ranking Naval officials felt the Naval Net Depot and Fort Bolsa at Bolsa Chica near Huntington Beach could provide land enough to house the proposed Annapolis of the west.

"Don't Stand in Your Own Light.  If the operator were to stand in front of the moving picture machine you would to see the picture on the screen as above.  If you allow doubt and skepticism to

Daily Telegram 11/19/1913

stand between you and the purchase of Seal Beach lots you will never receive your share of the splendid profits to be realized by our investors.  Pause, look, listen, act and act quickly for things are moving lively at Seal Beach..."

Motion pictures were becoming a popular form of entertainment, and many film studios found the picturesque setting of Seal Beach ideal for their movies.  On October 19, 1915, Seal Beach's election for city hood was immortalized on film.  The Balboa Film Studio from Long Beach staged an election scene in front of the Seal Beach pavilion and filmed the first movie ever taken at night.  Big bonfires were built, and torches further illuminated the set.  Seal Beach was also used for Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton comedy films.  In July 1918, Fatty Arbuckle gave a farewell party for Buster (who was joining the Army) at the Jewel City Cafe in Seal Beach.  Buster had been granted an extension by the U.S. government to finish his last picture---the Cook---in Seal Beach.  Once the film was completed,

Jewel City Cafe

members of the film troupe celebrated at the Jewel City Cafe.  Buster entertained his friends by performing a snake dance, the snakes consisting of a string of hot dogs.  He also donned a tablecloth to cover his clothes and had two napkins hanging from his ears.  It must have been quite a night!

Spend Sunday at Seal Beach, Gem of the Pacific Coast.  Located in Orange County, 24 miles from Los Angeles, 4 3/4 miles from Long Beach, 3 miles from Sunset Beach, 8 miles from Huntington Beach, 16 miles from Newport, 18 miles from Balboa, 15 miles from Santa Ana.  Seal Beach is the hub of the great wheel of Southern

Daily Telegram 11/21/1913

California cities.  The closest beach to the great orange belt cities.  The last elevated ocean frontage that can be bought at first sale prices.  Seal Beach has $250,000 in public improvements in or nearing completion.  Two splendid county boulevards.  Two lines of electric railway to Long Beach and Los Angeles.  Same fare to Los Angeles as Long Beach and other beach cities. A climate 10 degrees warmer in winter and 10 degrees cooler in summer than Los Angeles.  Two magnificent still water bays.  Finest and safest surf on the coast.  Lowest tax rate in California.  No bonded indebtedness..."

Seal Beach relied on tourism, but it needed year-round residents.  During the winter months it needed to sell itself as a permanent residence within an easy commute to jobs in Los Angeles and Orange counties.  Though it never wanted to become an industrial center, several substantial industries did move to the community.  In the 1940's one could find the Dow Chemical Company, the Los Angeles Bureau of Power and Light generating plant, and the Sport Craft boat building yard furnishing employment for a number of workers.

Long Beach Press 11/24/1913
SEAL BEACH SAND DUNES LOWERED: Work Being Done to Make Way for Bulkhead of Cement on Front.
     The sand dunes that have lined the shore at Seal Beach for the last many years are being taken away and placed on the property lying just back of the Pacific Electric tracks.  An enormous electric pump, or sand dredge, has been given the job of transferring the big piles of sand through the pipes to the land which is being raised to grade.  After the dunes are removed earth will be spread over the property being filled.
     This work is being done to make way for the cement bulkhead that is to run the length of the ocean front at Seal Beach, and for the thirty-foot promenade which is to extend from Anaheim Bay to Alamitos Bay.
     Handsome electroliers, each with a cluster of five lights, will cast their glow on the promenade in the evenings.

Daily Telegram 11/28/1913

Willard Hotel, one of
the many inns built
in Seal Beach in 1913

"Houses and Fortunes are Being Built at Seal Beach...New homes are springing up all over Seal Beach.  It's just like eternal spring at the beach without an undertow.  Scores of buyers are going to be thankful Thursday and every day for many years that they have bought at Seal Beach.  Hotel open, fine fish dinner. Newspaper almost ready now.  Business openings for drug store, garage, general merchandise store and hardware store.  Bank will probably be started by January 1st.  Next summer you'll wonder why you waited. Seal Beach won't wait for you!"...

Three hundred rental cottages were built at Seal Beach in 1913.  They could be rented for a week, month, or the entire season at prices ranging from $5 a week on up.  You might, however, want to stay away from 13th Street.  There sand dunes as high as sheds graced the beach.  During windy days sand would completely cover porches of cottages on Ocean.  The only way out of one house was through a side window on the north!

Daily Telegram 12/1/1913

"Seal Beach Turkey Tastes Good All the Year Round.  There is less beach property today than there was yesterday.  There is more demand for beach property than there was yesterday.  There are more people demanding beach playground.  There will never be another crop of beach property and it won't stretch.  Somebody has to make a profit.  Why not you?  Act now!  Don't let the other fellow skim the cream..."

Seal Beach had much to be thankful for, in four months $610,000 worth of property had sold.  In 1929, the City of Seal Beach would really give thanks when a new two-story City Hall opened at the corner of Central Avenue and Sixth Street.  Since its incorporation in 1915 municipal offices had been housed in a two-room converted restaurant.  The Police Department, City Clerk, Water Department, City Judge, City Engineer and all other municipal employees worked side by side.  With the new City Hall there were separated offices for all departments.  A large auditorium was located on the second floor with a kitchen amply supplied with essentials needed to hold banquets or meetings.  One of the major features of the hall was a three-room apartment furnished for one of the police officers and his wife and a library built in the north wing of the building.

Los Angeles Times 12/7/1913

"Seal Beach is Gift Laden All the Year. It gives to you, a surf without an undertow.  Two great beautiful bays, ideal for boating, bathing, fishing hunting and canoeing; fine boulevards and streets; a twin amusement pavilion, costing $1000,000 and the finest on the coast; an ideal all-the-year climate, 10 degrees better than Los Angeles summer or winter' electricity, Water, cement curbs and sidewalks all included in the price of lots."

Artist Henri De Kruif has decorated the seals' Christmas tree with things the community was thankful for---the arrival of the new Pacific Electric rail line and numerous new buildings.

Long Beach Press 12/15/1913

UP-TO-DATE GARAGE FOR SEAL BEACH

     Anticipating a great increase in the automobile traffic to and through Seal Beach upon the completion of the Orange County good road boulevards that will extend from this resort, arrangements were made this week by local automobile men for the building of an up-to-date garage on North Main street, which is one of the main laterals.  It is expected that the work on the boulevard leading from Seal Beach to the north, by way of Main street, will be started by the first of the year, and it will no doubt be completed before the summer season opens.  All of the streets in the town are to be resurfaced and put in first-class condition before the summer months.

Daily Telegram 12/15/1913

"High in Public Favor all the Year 'round.  Seal Beach never sags.  Seal Beach never blows up.  It
glides on and on in its even way.  Seal Beach never disappoints the public.  It has fine soil, fine bathing, no undertow.  Fishing, boating and canoeing in the two great fine still-water bays.  Surrounded by the finest duck hunting grounds in Southern California.  Excellent transportation service, reached by two of the finest boulevards in California.  Buy a lot now at Seal Beach and build an all-the-year-round home...."

Since the first U.S. air races were held at nearby Dominguez in 1910, and Cal Rodgers made the first transcontinental flight from New York to Long Beach in 1911, flying had become a popular past time.  Crowds gathered whenever one of the air machines flew overhead.  They knew aviation was a dangerous sport, with death always lurking in the background.

Aerial view of Seal Beach from
Long Beach, 1932

     In 1916, Seal Beach promoters lured Long Beach aviators to their city by establishing an airstrip north of town and building a $1500 hanger to house the airplanes for free.  Fliers were anxious to leave Long Beach where local politicians listened to residents complain about airplane noise and attempted to regulate flying.  Seal Beach was happy to have the aviators with their air machines in their city---it was one more tourist draw.

Los Angeles Times 12/21/1913

"Santa Seal Stuffs the Stocking Full.  A Seal Beach lot is a gift that grows in value always.  A Seal Beach lot means peace and good will 365 days in the year.  A Seal Beach lot is a gift that will not tarnish with the years.  Nature has only allowed so many of these gifts to be made.  There will never be another crop.  Beach property won't stretch.  It grows in value as Long Angeles grows in population..."

Christmas was a special time in 1913 America.  Two-thirds of all toy sales came at Christmas and many stores carried no toys at all the rest of the year.  Just as toys were limited so was seaside property; nature only made so much.  Why not give a gift of Seal Beach real estate as a Christmas gift to yourself?

Los Angeles Times 12/28/1913

" I hereby resolve to spend the rest of my days at Seal Beach.  Towering waves do not undermine Sal Beach.  Wrecking winds are unknown.  The beach without an undertow is always safe.  In storm or peace, Seal Beach is a safe refuge for grown-ups or little children.  It is the very place you want for an ocean home.  Don't wait until summer.  Seal Beach sells all winter.  Only the thermometer stands still at Seal Beach..."

Many did resolve to spend the rest of their days in Seal Beach.  One of them, W.L. Robertson, a former Los Angeles police detective, opened a Quonset hut casino, the Airport Club, in 1950.  Angry Seal Beach citizens successfully banned gambling from their city in 1954.  Robertson, however, still came out a winner, having obtained extensive real estate holdings in Seal Beach during the heyday of his gambling hot spot on Pacific Coast Highway.  The poker king became a real estate tycoon.

IN THE NEXT BLOG:  The news was good, the Daily Telegram reported November 29th 1913.  The  railroad had just released statistics on passenger rates for the year and the Long Beach/Seal Beach area was the second greatest tourist destination in Southern California (Los Angeles was first, San Diego third).  In November alone 9000 visitors arrived to enjoy the wonderful fall weather... but things were soon to change as the wonderful weather took a drastic turn.

1913 September: The Wedding Month

 Seal Beach & Long Beach United

September 1913

September 1913 was a big month for publicity, making the most of the "wedding" of Seal Beach and Long Beach.  Actually the two had married before, a fact promoters failed to mention.  In 1904, one year after Bay City was founded, the Pacific Electric line from Long Beach passed through Bay City on its way down the coast to Huntington and Newport Beach.  Now, in September 1913, a new electric rail connection with Long Beach was completed via a trestle across the Alamitos Bay entrance channel.

Daily Telegram 9/1/1913 

NEW CAR LINE READY SEPT. 9: Long Beach-Seal Beach Connection Almost Done, is Report

      Seal Beach and Long Beach will be connected by a new electric street car line and the formal opening of this road will take place on Admission Day, September 9, according to present plans.  Cars will be operated every twenty minutes in both directions and a low rate of fare will make Seal Beach a natural suburb of the larger city.

Daily Telegram 9/6/1913

      The trestle work over Alamitos inlet has been completed and the Pacific Electric railway is now rushing the work on a fill at either end of the trestle.  Ties and rails will be laid early in the coming week and it is hoped to have the trains operating regularly by Admission Day.

      The new amusement building, which is a twin of the dancing pavilion, will probably be opened formally on the same day and Seal Beach will be decorated from stern to stern and every flagstaff will carry national bunting.

            Considerably over $200,000 worth of property has been sold in the seven weeks of selling, and the Guy M. Rush Company announced that with the completion of the first quarter million dollar sale the prices of all unsold property will be advanced ten percent.  This date will probably be not later than September 1.

      Many residents of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada are buying homes at Seal Beach and a number of investors have taken business property at Seal Beach with the intention of making improvements at once.

      The barbecue, field day and dance of the printers’ board of trade at Seal Beach yesterday was a complete success in every sense of the word and several hundred happy boosters left late in the day for their homes praising the seals, Seal Beach and the surf without limit.

Long Beach Press 9/5/1913

Childhood and beachfront land are limited, as this Sept. 5th ad points out: "Admission Day Excursion. Youth comes but once to all of us, and nothing carries more joy than a real beach that has no treachery.  The surf at Seal Beach is safe, there is absolutely no undertow.  Nature gives only one period of youth and only one crop of beach land.  Most good beach property around Los Angeles has been sold, and the owners are using it for homes, most of them all the year around.  In spite of the phenomenal selling at Seal Beach there are some good lots left.  Buy your lot now and let your children get their share of enjoyment in the children's paradise, Seal Beach.  Pertinent facts--Seal Beach: 22 miles from Los Angeles. 4 3/4 miles from Long Beach.  Excellent street car service.  All lots within 3 blocks of ocean. Prices---$550 and up.  Terms---10 percent cash, balance to suit." 

The Sept. 6th ad uses the same illustration as the one which appeared one month earlier on August 5th.  It again talks of the "wedding" of Mr. Seal Beach and Miss Long Beach.  Mr. P.E. Railway was to perform the ceremony and Guy M. Rush Company would give the bride away.

Los Angeles Times 9/7/1913

This Sept. 7th ad reveals the year round appeal: "Nurse seal keeps her youngsters at Seal Beach all the year.  Take a tip from the wisest creature in the sea and move your family to the safest beach on the Pacific Ocean.  The gently surf is absolutely free from undertow, and the water is pleasant all the year round.  January, February and March are balmy and full of joy.  Nowhere else this side of the Bay of Naples are the sunsets as fine as they are at Seal Beach.  Seal Beach is not a summer resort.  It's chock full of all-the-year-round comforts and pleasures.  The new Long Beach car line opens next Tuesday, September 9.  It will bring four cars an hour between Seal Beach and Los Angeles.  Seal Beach has the same commutation rates as Long Beach.  Tickets will be good on either line.  You know what Long Beach has done.  Watch the second edition of Long Beach do the same..."

Sales were brisk in the seaside town over Labor Day (which became a Federal holiday in 1894).  Prices were to increase 10 percent at midnight September 1.  Sales on August 31 and September 1 totaled $67,300, the best weekend of business to date.

The new trestle connecting Long Beach and Seal Beach is featured in this ad: "Mayor Seal invites the world to use his new car line today! The last spike has been driven in the Pacific Electric rails over Alamitos Bay.  Engineers are working day and night, Sundays and week days to tie Long Beach and Seal Beach together with copper and steal.  The work is finished.  Tomorrow (Admission Day) is Seal Beach Day.  Join the throng and see the finest beach on the Pacific Coast.  Try the surf---absolutely safe-free from undertoe.  Loaf on the sand!  Take a motor boat over the tranquil waters of Alamitos Bay.  Buy a lot and live in Seal Beach 365 days a year.  There are only a few left..."

Though the ad also mentions" Mayor Seal," the town would not have a real mayor until it incorporated in 1915. City founder John C. Ord was unanimously elected to that office.  He resigned in February 1916, but his successor was recalled in an election a few months later and Judge Ord was again named mayor.  By 1918 Ord began a gradual withdrawal from civic duties and sold most of his real estate concerns before his death on January 14, 1937, at the age of 94.

Daily Telegram 9/9/1913

SEAL BEACH, EASTERN SUBURB, OFFICIALLY ON THE MAP TODAY: Connection With Long Beach by Means of Street Railway Made Gala Occasion---Some Facts About This New and Progressive Resort

     Long Beach was married today.

Daily Telegram 9/9/1913

     At exactly 6:35 o'clock this morning the hands that 'ne-er do us part," were welded together and Long Beach took under its wing, promising to aid, care for and protect, its spouse, Seal Beach.

     The bands have been published in scores of newspapers in Southern California during the past two weeks and the news of the fashionable, far-reaching event was scattered by every known means of modern advertising.

     This publicity fact insured an attendance from the prosperous, the boosters and well wishers, who added to the meaning of the occasion by their presence.

     In other words, Seal Beach, destined to become one of the finest and best resorts and resident centers of the south coast, was this morning officially opened with the completion of the P.E. tracks from Naples to the new beach townsite.

     Just about 7 o'clock last night, just as the evening shadows were deepening and the workaday world was out seeking its amusement, the last spike in the steel rail connecting link between Long Beach and Seal Beach was driven.  Then, after a close inspection by officials of the company, the line was thrown open for traffic, the first car passing over it being that filled with railroad officials and officials of the Guy M. Rush company, owners of the beach town tract.

     From that minute on the 'weddin' crowd began to assemble in both Long Beach and Los Angeles to attend the ceremony at Seal Beach and to see with their own eyes the wonders accomplished there by man in bringing out the beauteous features that nature had already provided at that beach.

     By noon, on a conservative estimate, there were 3000 people at Seal Beach and all were having the time of their lives.  For the Rush company had provided 1,000 free lunches, including sandwiches, fruit and coffee for all comers.

     Courteous guides met each train on its arrival before the tract office and escorted parties through the new pavilion, out on the pier then later in detached groups the visitors were taken on auto rides to the bay and through the tract.

     Of course there were scores who were interested in getting in on the ground floor for the purchase of real estate, but there were a majority who came to spend the day picnicking and sightseeing.  And they all enjoyed themselves.

     The seals were the big attraction.  The monster denizens of the deep, who are making the bay at Seal Beach their home and for whom the new and coming city was named, attracted the attention of all visitors.

     When the first car arrived nearly 100 of the satiny-skinned animals were sunning themselves on the rocks and the sands.  But along towards noon as the sun came out with its warm smile of welcome, they tottered off their perches, into the water and swam majestically out to sea...

     When the excursionists arrived in Seal Beach they found the townsmen with their arms wide open in welcome.  The town was in full gala trim and buntings and flags hung from every vantage point.

     On arrival in Seal Beach visitors were astonished at the work of improvement...these include a magnificent pavilion, skirting the 500-foot pier, a fine dance pavilion and the beginning of the construction of the proposed mile-long bulwark and walk.  The pavilion houses the bath house, a dance hall, bowling and billiard alleys and space for a large and up-to-date cafe.

     The Rush Company plans an extension of the bulwarks and walk that will be, when completed, finer than the famous walks along the ocean front at Atlantic City.  This walk will reach a half mile in each direction from the pier, extending from Alamitos Bay to Anaheim landing.  The work will cost in the neighborhood of $100,000...

     Mr. Guy M. Rush reported that Seal Beach has broken all realty records of Southern California as $352,000 worth of property had been sold in the division since his company assumed the ownership of the plat early in July.  All but 105 lots had been sold when the opening day dawned and company agents predicted that a majority of these would pass into the hands of private owners before the day was over.

Brief History

Daily Telegram 9/10/1913

     Possessing only 75 houses last year, Bay City today boasts of a thriving population of nearly 300 people, and over 200 homes.  The town, which at the present time is under the jurisdiction of the county supervisors, contemplates incorporation before the passing of another year.  It was founded and laid out in 1904 by the Bayside Land company, of Los Angeles, which controlled the property at that time.  An 1800 foot pleasure pier, which is still standing and in good condition, a dancing pavilion, and thousands of dollars in street work, were the principal improvements made by the first three years of the existence of the town.  This brings the history of Bay City up to 1907, the time of the financial panic.  At this time the property was taken off the market, not to be submitted to public sale until this time last year.  Since then building activity and the promotion of general improvements has taken on an animated appearance, with no let-up in sight at the present time.

     The townsite of Bay City comprises 320 acres, blending into 14,000 acres of proven fertile farming land stretching back from the sea.  The streets are graded and well laid out.  The city has electricity, an excellent water supply, telephones and cement walks.  In addition to the pier, a source of enjoyment to anglers and promenaders, and the handsome twin pavilion, said to be similar to the famous twin pavilion of Atlantic City, and one of the finest amusement places of its kind on the Pacific seaboard, Bay City has two general stores, post office, restaurant, meat market, and a combination hotel and cafe, in addition to other smaller business places.  It is estimated that at the present time there are eighteen miles of sidewalks and curbing in Bay City within the townsite limits, and twelve miles of oil and graded streets.

Seals by trestle leading to Seal Beach

     The name "Seal Beach" has been bestowed upon Bay City by enterprising real estate dealers, owing to the advantage to be derived from the advertisement of such a name, inasmuch as a colony of over 200 seals make their home in the waters lapping the sands of Bay City.  Owing to the recent work on the Alamitos Bay - Bay City Pacific Electric trestle, the seals have been frightened away from the beach during the working hours of the day, but may be found in large numbers basking in the early morning sunlight or wallowing in the warm sand during the final shining moments of the descending sun, after the noisy workmen have laid down their tools, picked up their lunch boxes and left for the day.

Daily Telegram 9/12/1913

A three-day honeymoon was enough for Mr. and Mrs. Seal Beach.  The weather in the interior was incredibly hot, and the couple was anxious to get back to the cool ocean breezes of Seal Beach.  The Sept. 12th ad reveals that: "Mr. and Mrs. Seal Beach have returned from their honeymoon and are at home to the world in their beautiful Seal Beach castle just beyond the new Alamitos Bay trestle.  When a Telegram reporter called on Mr. and Mrs. Seal Beach their Royal Highnesses issued the following statement: 'We are glad to be back in Seal Beach after our wedding tour.  The weather in the interior is indescribably hot; but here at Seal Beach the ocean breezes are always delightfully cool.  We are delighted with our surroundings and new neighbors.  The surf here is beyond compare, the still water bathing and boating are the best ever, and talk about fishing is simply immense...'"

Company agents had hoped the 105 remaining lots would have sold on "wedding" day, but they had not.  By the time of this ad, prices of the lots had again gone down to $495.  The ten-percent increase that was to go into effect at midnight on September 1st did not happen.

Daily Telegram 9/15/1913

People were visiting Seal Beach and traveling on the new electric railway line.  In addition to the pier and twin pavilions, travelers found two general stores, a post office, restaurant, meat market and a combination hotel and cafe.  The Pacific Electric left Los Angeles for the forty-four minute trip to Seal Beach every hour, the fare was .35 cents one way, .50 cents for a round trip ticket.  This Sept. 15th ad calls for all to board the Long Beach-Seal Beach Flyer: "All aboard for Seal Beach.  Accompany conductor seal over the new scenic Long Beach-Seal Beach line.  500 people visited Seal Beach yesterday.  Were you among them?  If not, you had better go over today --- lots are getting scarce --- and remember this one fact, Seal Beach is the last elevated ocean frontage between Santa Monica and Balboa, and the prices are bed rock.  Lots $495 and up.  Terms very easy...Go where things are doing.  Over $200,000 worth of improvement already made.  Over $150,000 more improvements to be made.  Surf and still water bathing, fine boating and fishing. Be in at the birth of a city and profit by the delightful experience of city building."

By the 1930's more than 900 cars traveled the 1,150 miles of P.E. track which criss crossed Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  Sadly passenger service on the Pacific Electric through Seal Beach would end on July 2, 1950.  Freight service continued until the mid 1950's, but on April 8, 1961 all Pacific Electric service ended.  Trucks, cars and buses had supplanted the old mode of transportation. 

Daily Telegram 9/17/1913

"'Whew!--good-bye,' said Mr Seal to his business associates at his Los Angeles office yesterday.  'I am going back to the coolest spot on the coast.' When business interferes with your comfort quit the business.  'Henceforth I will transact all my business from my Seal Beach office.'  Seal Beach is cool in summer and warm in winter.  Bathing in the surf is perfectly safe as there is no undertow.  Fine still water boating and bathing.  another new business block started yesterday.  New houses constantly popping up..."

Daily Telegram 9/19/1913

"Splash me now! The water's cool at Seal Beach.  Seal Beach Hotel has been thoroughly renovated throughout.  Services of a celebrated chef secured, and will be thrown open to the public Saturday evening with a 6 o'clock dinner.  Dancing at the new pavilion Saturday night.  Sunday afternoon and evening.  All day yesterday and day before Seal Beach was the coolest spot on the Pacific Coast.  It is surrounded on three sides by salt water.  It 

can't get hot.  Cool breezes blow all summer long at Seal Beach.  Balmy days fill out the winter at Seal Beach.  365 days in the year the surf at Seal Beach is perfect, no undertow!  Why not insure forever against the heat---buy a lot at Seal Beach..."

Los Angeles Times 9/21/1913

"Cook Seal is waiting for you--Sunday.  Can't you just taste a chicken dinner with waffles and fixin's after a plunge in the safest, coolest surf on the Pacific Coast!  Remember the kind that mother used to make after you came back from the old swimmin' hole?  That's the kind of a dinner you will get at the newly decorated, newly furnished Seal Beach Hotel.  their specialty will be fish dinners and chicken dinners.  Reserve a table now..."

As the ad states, the Seal Beach Hotel was renovated and a celebrated chef hired.  What better way to spend an evening---you could dine at the hotel and then go dancing at the pavilion by the pier!  The Seal Beach Hotel (later re-named the Seal Beach Inn) came to offer other forms of entertainment.  In September 1923, the owner Mildred J. Blankenship and seven men, were arrested and later released on $5,000 bail. On the second floor of the hotel roulette wheels and other illegal gambling devices were found.  Seal Beach was gaining a reputation as a "wicked" place.  One Long Beach clergyman preached a sermon entitled, " a Moral Hell," with Seal Beach obviously in mind.

Original Glider Inn
 (with auto in front) 11/24/1931

Perhaps the best known Seal Beach eating establishment was the Glider Inn, now known as Mahe, still recognizable by the airplane on the roof.  Designed by Long Beach architect/draftsman Winfield Payne in 1930 it was originally located near Anaheim Landing  and and moved to its present location on Pacific Coast Highway in 1944 when the Navy Ammunition Depot took over the landing.  Before its move it was the hangout for pilots who frequented the small airport at Bay

Glider Inn after the move

Boulevard (now Seal Beach Boulevard) and Pacific Coast Highway.  The Glider Inn was known for the aeronautical memorabilia which lined the walls, model planes which hung from the ceiling and a pilot's register with signatures and notations by hundreds of pilots.

Los Angeles Times 9/21/1913

TWENTY-MINUTE SERVICE

The amount of traffic being carried on the new Long Beach-Seal Beach line of the Pacific Electric Railway is a revelation to all.  Twenty-minute service will be inaugurated tomorrow and when the filling of the approaches to the new trestle across Alamitos Bay is completed, cars will run on this schedule at all times.  This will give the residents of Seal Beach four cars an hour to Los Angeles.  Ten new residences are in the course of construction here at the present time.  During the past week W.S. Chorn began the erection of a business block on Main Street, directly opposite the hotel building, and on the adjoining 100 feet another two-story building will be started within sixty days.

     A two-story brick or concrete building will be started in December by J. W. Griffith, a capitalist of Cripple Creek, Colo., on the corner opposite the hotel.  The contract calls for several handsomely finished stores on the lower floor, and apartments above.  This work will be started in December.

Daily Telegram 9/24/1913

"Join in the chorus and boost with the band.  Seal Beach.  Seal Beach has broken all recent real estate records and is today the fastest growing and most attractive all-the year round beach property on the Pacific Coast.  a hundred new lots just opened.  prices $500 and up.  All improvements included.  three blocks from the sea, and a hop, skip and jump from Anaheim Bay---electricity and water, gas coming this fall, macadamized streets, cement sidewalks and curbs, 44 minutes from Sixth and Main, Los Angeles, choice of two lines, commutation ticket 12/1/2 cents per ride.

A new subdivision opened, placing 100 additional lots on the market.  Called Bay View Heights, it was located three blocks from the ocean adjacent to the school site.  The price for lots was raised $5, placing the starting purchasing price at $500.  The costlier lots were $1100.

Long Beach Press 9/25/1913
SEAL BEACH PEOPLE IN TEMPERANCE ZONE
     Contrary to the general supposition that Seal Beach, the thriving new resort east of Long Beach, across Alamitos Bay is to be a wide open town, R.D.  Horton, local representative of the Guy M. Rush Company, promoters of the resort, states that it is to be as "dry" as Long Beach.  Prohibitive clauses are contained in every deed and no license will be granted to sell liquor as a beverage.

Well, R.D. Horton didn't get his facts straight.  Not only did Seal Beach become one of the "hot spots" for illegal liquor, it also became a Mecca for gambling....something that wasn't remedied until Seal Beach residents voted in May 1953 to close the notorious Airport Club, a Quonset poker palace, owned by ex L.A. police officer William L. Robinson.  A wake for the poker parlor was held May 20, 1953,  for the club that had operated on a 24-hour basis since its opening June 9, 1950.  As a gesture of appreciation for the mourning poker populace, Robertson had ham sandwiches and coffee passed out freely after the last hands were played at 11 p.m. This was just the first step in getting gambling out of the city.  On October 20, 1954, by a vote of 605 to 516, Seal Beach residents approved a new city ordinance banning all forms of professional gambling, not just poker.

Newspapers advertising the new resort of Seal Beach touted it as being a place of romance.  Many a single man and unmarried woman came to the sea shore, cast aside their worries and found a congenial companion to share the rest of their lives with...or so the ads led you to believe.

Los Angeles Times 9/28/1913

"Cupid seal is matching hearts every day.  Seal Beach, no undertow.  Watch the little love god cut capers at the best and safest beach on the Pacific Coast.  Take her with you and pick out "cupid" from the rest of the silk-coated, deep-sea sponsors of Seal Beach.  Head up Lovers' Lane and Honeymoon Walk.  Buy a lot and plan that first house where the air is ever cool in  summer and the winter breeze is always balmy..."

Next: Oct.-Dec. 1913 - Gearing up for winter