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History of Long Beach California
From the People of the Earth to the City of Long Beach
California
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 Alamitos.
Settling Long Beach California
In
1880, Englishman Erwin Willmore 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, Historic 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.
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.
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 California 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:
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.
Step Back in Time
Are you searching
for a well maintained, architecturally significant home in a neighborhood where
community is valued? As you drive along the tree lined streets you’ll feel as
if you’ve stepped back in time. You’ll see antique street lamps lighting
cobblestone paths and gardens bordered by authentic picket style fences. You’ll
see beautifully manicured lawns and flowering gardens. You’ll see neighbors
working together to assure that historic features of an area are maintained.
When you live in a historic district, you become part of a unified effort to
protect the area’s rich heritage.
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:
- is historically significant
- is architecturally unique
- has retained its original style
- is built from original materials
A more
recently built structure may qualify for historic status when it is a well built
representation of a past architectural style. Want to know more about Long
Beach’s rich history? Visit the Long Beach Historical
Society.
Preserving the Past
If you love strong,
structurally sound, beautiful old homes…Come Home to Long Beach CA! 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:
- two-thirds or more of the structures in the area are 50 years old — or
older
- buildings retain their original appearance
- buildings are constructed of original building
materials
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 CA Real Estate…your historic home is a valuable
asset!
Saving Money with the Mills Act
Are you
concerned about how you’ll afford to maintain your historic Long Beach
California Real Estate? The Mills
Act makes preservation easy! This 10 year “endlessly renewable”
contract with the city provides tax incentives to owners of Long Beach
historic properties.
The Mills Act
Since 1972, The Mills Act has provided deep tax discounts to owners
of historic Long Beach California Real Estate. This legally
binding 10 year “endlessly renewable” contract helps homeowners afford
maintenance and restoration of historically and architecturally significant
properties.
All
Qualified Historic Structures Benefit
In 1972, historian, writer
and statesman, Jim Mills, introduced this little known bill. It grants tax
discounts ranging from 24 to 60 percent to owners of qualified historic
structures. All designated historic buildings may apply! Whether you live in
your historic single family residence or use it as an income producing
commercial enterprise…you may qualify for tax benefits under the Mills
Act.
Good for You…Good for the
Community
Returning tax money to you benefits everyone. It
creates incentive to purchase and restore beautiful homes and neighborhoods
within the community. When you purchase restoration materials, local businesses
thrive. Property values go up! Neighborhoods are strengthened as standards of
living increase. And neighborhood enhancements stimulate community
pride.
Promising to Maintain and Preserve Your Historic
Property
When you sign a Mills Act contract, you are promising
to maintain and preserve your historic property following predetermined
standards. This is to protect the value of your investment while assuring the
community’s overall historic integrity. Modifications to your home or building
should respect the structure’s original historic and architectural
character…while changing it as little as possible!
Everyday
maintenance and General Repairs
Zoning requirements, building
codes, development and owner entitlements remain the same for all
neighborhoods. Everyday maintenance and general repairs that don’t affect your
home’s overall construction or design are not regulated.
Buying
or Selling a Mills Act Home
Are you buying or selling a home
that comes with an existing Mills Act contract? Lucky you! As a buyer, you’ll
assume the Mills Act contract along with purchase of your home — and benefit
from tax savings already in place. Selling a Mills Act home means increased
marketability of an already desirable property
Come Home to Long Beach
Are you buying or
selling historic Long Beach California Real Estate? Call
Laurie Manny, your Historic Homes Specialist, today at (562) 212-5420. Laurie is
a Top Long Beach Realtor.
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Long Beach California History-Historic Homes and Districts
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