2 minute read
Long Beach Then and Now
from DIG MAG Spring 2021
by DIG MAG LB
LONG BEACH THEN AND
NOW STORY AND PHOTOS BY GRACE WIDYATMADJA VINTAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY, LONG BEACH COLLECTION DIGITAL ARCHIVE
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Remembering Long Beach as it was then and embracing the city of Long Beach today.
FOUNDED in 1880, Long Beach eventually grew to become the fifth largest city in California. Over the years, things have changed and the city has adapted to the times. Although new buildings have been constructed in place of old ones and landmarks have been remodeled, it remains the same city that more than 400,000 people call home.
LONG BEACH AIRPORT
ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN OCTOBER 1973
In 1919, the Long Beach Airport was originally developed by Earl Daughtery as a flying field where up-and-coming pilots, like Amelia Earhart, caught interest in flying. Throughout the years, developments on the airport made it what it is today. Now sitting on 1,166 acres of land, the Long Beach Airport is used for commerical and cargo services. Pictured is the original art deco style Long Beach Airport terminal and control tower.
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN 2003
Founded in 1923, the All Saints Episcopal Church was developed as a result of the growing population in Long Beach. It was not until September 22, 1929, that the first service was held in the building shown below. Then, the church later became an Anglican church. Shown here in Belmont Heights, the Tudor-style All Saints Episcopal Church sits on the southeast corner of Termino Avenue and Colorado Street.
ART THEATRE
ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN FEBRUARY 2001
First started as a silent movie theatre in 1925, the Art Theatre has developed into a piece of Long Beach history. Throughout the years, the Art Theatre has gone through many changes, but in 2008 the theater was remodeled to replicate its 1933 art deco aesthetic.
DECEMBER ON THE BEACH
ORIGINAL PHOTO TAKEN DECEMBER OF 1952
This image looking approximately east and dated by library staff, “December 1952,” shows a large crowd of sunbathers on the beach. In the background, a number of buildings located along Ocean Boulevard are visible, including the Villa Riviera, the Wilton Hotel, the Pacific Coast Club, and St. Regis Apartments.
Southern California is known for its sunny winters but the winter of 2020 left Shoreline Beach lifeless. Nearly 70 years later, one can see how the Long Beach skyline has evolved.
