With the Santa Ana and Irvine-centric bias (not to mention the Disneyland fanboy-ism) of the mainstream Orange County Historical Establishment, accomplishments in our little corner of the word often gets overlooked, especially when it comes to being included in lists of Orange County “firsts.” So we felt compelled to attempt to set the record straight. … Read more
NOTE: Okay, this will be a work in progress, but we’ve got to start somewhere. If you have information to add, please do. Since we are right on the edge of but still within Hollywood’s Thirty-Mile Zone (the TMZ, hence the name of the TV news show) , the Seal Beach-Los Alamitos-Rossmoor area sees a … Read more
For all of you who nostalgically remember the larger groves of Eucalyptus trees that once stood in this area — in particular near Gum Grove Park and by the Old Ranch Country Club — there is an interesting discussion going on at the Orange County History Facebook site. Also, Nathan Masters, the bard of Los … Read more
Trying to resurrect the crowds and action that was not be found during the short history of The Pike, Griffins Grill opened on Monday, November 16 and seems to be successfully winning back the crowds that once swarmed to Mr. B’s Casa Catillo before that. This is actually the 5th restaurant to occupy this spot. … Read more
Here are two books that cover the local history of two communities. SEAL BEACH: A BRIEF HISTORY by Larry Strawther — History Press $17.99 The wooden pier, tree-lined Main Street and ocean views, coupled with a prosperous and happy community, led Forbes magazine to name Seal Beach one of the five friendliest towns in America. … Read more
Because we’ve been doing some research for its 150th anniversary, we’ve been on a bit of an Anaheim Landing kick lately. Orange County’s first port was officially founded in 1864 although fishermen and even the US Army had used the area before that, but not apparently on a permanent, lasting basis. As one might guess … Read more
As we have pointed out in other barely read missives, Anaheim Landing is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year — making it (and thus Seal Beach) Orange County’s second oldest community — behind only the Mother Colony herself, Anaheim. There are actually plenty of descriptions about the Landing’s early days — most are newspaper articles, … Read more
Anaheim Landing, the first settlement of Seal Beach, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Funded by Anaheim wine-growers seeking an easier way to ship than by going through Wilmington, the Anaheim Lighter Company established its first wharvf in 1864 on Alamitos Bay (near Island Village). After floods in 1866 and 1867 blocked ocean access, … Read more
At 5pm today the Pike officially opened for business in Los Alamitos in the location where Mr. B’s and Casa Castillo have been feeding Los Alamitos and Rossmoor residents for years. The Pike is owned by Chris Reece, a former drummer of Social Distortion and founder of the original Pike – a retro bar at … Read more
A big event which actually had quite an effect on Seal Beach was a September 18, 1941 gambling raid which resulted in the arrest of at least ten men and the detainment of over eighty customers. Orange County sheriff’s deputies used a sledge hammer to break into a gambling den (behind a facade made to … Read more