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History & Heritage |
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A Brief History of Laguna Beach Over 2,000 years ago, local Indians thrived on the rich coastal lands and freshwater canyon lakes that made up the area they named Lagonas, for “lake.” By the late 1800s, visitors were making an annual pilgrimage on rutted trails through the canyons to camp at Laguna Beach each summer. By the time painter Norman St. Claire arrived from San Francisco in 1903, Laguna Beach already had become a popular tourist destination with a fashionable hotel, namely the Hotel Laguna, which was patronized by society’s elite. Like tourists of any era, St. Claire returned home with glowing reports and landscape paintings that led his artist friends to follow him south. It wasn’t long before Plein Air artists like William Wendt and California seascape artist Frank Cuprien moved to Laguna Beach. Within a few years, Laguna Beach had a permanent population of about 300 people—half of whom were artists. In 1918, artist Edgar Payne opened an art gallery drawing about three hundred people the first day and 2,000 in the first month. Word was out that Laguna Beach had something special to offer and this was the beginning of the city’s reputation as a true artist town. The art gallery later became the Laguna Art Museum, one of the first art museums in California. The White House Restaurant was established in 1918, a favorite meeting place for those in the Hollywood movie industry. The Laguna Playhouse got its start in the 1920s. The early Depression years weren’t kind to the art community, and in 1932 the Festival of Arts staged its first show near Hotel Laguna, hoping to draw some additional business to town after the Los Angeles Olympic Games. Artist and vaudevillian Lolita Perine added ‘living pictures’ to the festival, launching the tradition of the Pageant of the Masters. The city had already caught the eye of Hollywood filmmakers. Hollywood stars like Bette Davis, Mary Pickford, Judy Garland, Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Rooney maintained homes in town. John Steinbeck wrote “Tortilla Flats” while living in Laguna at 504 Park Ave. By the 1960s, the Main Beach boardwalk was transformed into an open public beach park. The decade brought other changes, too. A group of artists who thought the Festival of Arts was too restrictive in accepting exhibitors began the Sawdust Festival, now a much anticipated art event featuring Laguna Beach artists. The Art-A-Fair followed a year later focusing on traditional arts and new mediums. As Orange County continued to develop in the 1980s and beyond, environmentalists worked to create a Greenbelt of preserved land around Laguna Beach, purchasing some and getting other land donated from the Irvine Company. Today, Laguna Beach has become a resort town for those looking to rejuvenate, relax and reconnect in a town bursting with natural beauty, charm and artistic spirit. Laguna’s “village character” remains in part due to its relatively geographic seclusion by the surrounding mountains and ocean. The sentiment of Laguna Beach is summed up by a famous gate built in 1935 that today stands at the corner of Forest and Park avenues. It reads, “This Gate Hangs Well and Hinders None, Refresh and Rest, Then Travel On.” |
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History & Heritage Activities |
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| Heritage Walks and Tours Take a self-guided tour of the bungalows and cottages of Laguna’s past. Hop on the city bus or use your own transportation. Maps and brochures available at the Laguna Beach Visitors Center. Transit information: (949) 497-0746 or at www.lagunabeachcity.net. May is heritage month, sponsored by the City of Laguna Beach and the Heritage Committee, featuring historic downtown walking tours and seminars. |
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www.LagunaBeachCity.net | ||||
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| Laguna Beach Historical Society / Murphy-Smith Historical Bungalow Built in 1923, this is one of the few original houses remaining downtown. Historical photos are available and period artifacts are on display. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; other days by appointment. Admission is free. Donations are welcome. |
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278 Ocean Ave. (949) 497-6834 www.LagunaHistory.org |
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 Copyright © 2010 Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau. All rights reserved. |
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