This turn of the 20th Century postcard is confusing because it claims that Long Beach, California, had the longest beach on the Pacific Coast.
However, Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State is considered the longest beach in the United States (some say the world, though this claim is disputed).
If that isn’t confusing enough, several websites claim that the longest beach in California is actually Santa Monica.
So…What gives?
An outdoor concert, circa 1907.
The Pike’s original roller coaster in Long Beach, California. Built over the Pacific, it opened in the summer of 1907. A storm damaged it in 1910, and after costly repairs were made, the coaster continued to operate until it was replaced by the Cyclone Racer in 1930.
Long Beach Pier and Pavilion, ca.1910 (CHS-5440)
A man standing in front of the Long Beach Bath House (“The Plunge”) around 1910.
A novelty photo from 1912.
Celebrating Christmas in 1920.
A man approaches the Strand Theatre at 231 – 237 W. Pike Ave in Long Beach, California, c. 1924. The theatre’s marquee in the background reads, David Warfield in Merchant of Venice.
Warfield’s theatrical production toured California that year, but it had disappointing ticket sales.
Pirate girls in a celebratory publicity junket shortly before the building of the 1928 Pacific Southwest Exposition. The girls arrived by ship and planted a cornerstone shaped as a Captain Kidd treasure chest on the Expo site.
The Exposition itself was a celebration of the Spanish explorers, padres, and settlers who established California. From all indications, it was a grand celebration.
Photo was taken in May of 1928.
Taking a spin by motorboat around the harbor in 1928, while promoting the Pacific Southwest Exposition. (LAPL)
Two women posing with a snake at the 1928 Pacific Southwest Exposition. (LAPL)
Golfing class at the Long Beach Polytechnic High School sometime in the late 1920s. A marching band practices in the background.
Dancers, c. 1930.
This 1930 photo was taken at The Pike amusement park in Long Beach. Native Americans in costume sit next to go-carts driven by monkeys while other Native Americans stand nearby. This was part of a sideshow offered at the park.
A snake on the beach. Circa 1930 or so. (LAPL)
Coping with a flood in 1937.
The Vogue Market, adjacent to the Vogue Theater in Long Beach Blvd in South Gate, circa 1938. The theater was a year old at the time.
Threatening waves crash against a sea wall around the 6000 block of East Ocean Boulevard in Belmont Shore, a neighborhood in Long Beach. Date: 1939.(LAPL)
A great nostalgic view of the Cyclone Racer in Long Beach, one of the more famous coasters ever created. The wooden structure was completed in 1930 and demolished in 1968. Since then, a few coaster aficionados have campaigned for the reconstruction of the coaster for new generations to enjoy. (Photo: Long Beach Historical Society)
Here is the coaster as a motion picture location for Strike Me Pink in 1936:
The Procter & Gamble plant, circa late 1940s, on the Seventh Street Peninsula, now Pier C. Today, it is the site of the Matson/SSA terminal.
Fighting a dragon, circa early 1950s.
The Nu-Pike Amusement Park’s Double Ferris Wheel, circa 1960.
The ill-fated Jacques Cousteau’s Living Sea: A Museum of the Mind and the Senses, located inside a gutted part of the Queen Mary attraction, circa the 1970s.
5 thoughts on “Long Beach photos”
My mother died while riding the cyclone roller coaster at Long Beaches Nu Pike in California in 1978. Freak accident according to the newpaper and cornors report. Her name was Sandra Magana, maiden(Motley) .
I wonder why there are no records of this on line. Most of the history of Nu Pike say it was closed in 1968. Someone sure made a mistakr. It was closed in 1978, they began to disamant it in 1979. I really wish someone would correct the historical record. My mom died saving the life of a young girl naned Chastity Silveroli. I think my mom deserved to be honored for that, thanks
The Cyclone Racer was torn down in 1968. You mother could not have died on that ride because it was no longer there!
The original wooden Cyclone rollercoaster was demolished in 1968. They erected a new metal Cyclone roller coaster shortly thereafter. Therein lies the confusion. I found an article regarding your Mother’s demise on the Cyclone in 1978: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19780904.2.17&dliv=none&e=——-en–20–1–txt-txIN——–1
A German “Zyklon” portable STEELroller coaster (which many call by the English “Cyclone” operated at Nu- Pike long after the wooden Cyclone RACER was demolished.
There are D-clips on the back of the print for mounting it to your wall using mounting hooks and nails included. More Wood Prints from Sad Hill – Bizarre Los Angeles Archive. Add This Artwork to Your Favorites Collection.