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	Historical Documents of Huntington Beach Click on the Filename to open these Adobe PDF files. To search this page, click on Edit, Find on your Browser menu bar. Some of these files are very large and take a long time to open. It may be faster to save these files to your computer and then open them. Right click on the Filename and click on Save As… to download.
	Filename	File Description
	070724-1 3.4 MB	History of First Christian Church of Huntington Beach This booklet covers the history of the First Christian Church of Huntington Beach for the 85 years from 1905 to 1990. It also includes brief descriptions of the founders and charter members of the Church. James G. Hurst, Everett Auger, Thomas W. Overton, Robert Shannon, Bruce Templeton.
	070726-3 13 MB	The Huntington Beach Civic Center and the Politics of Location This document, written by Shenandoah Grant Lynd in 1998 presents a history of the building of the Huntington Beach Civic Center, the controversy surrounding the location of the new facility, and the emergence of competing political groups. The document was included in the Welebaethan Journal of History by the Theta Pi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta of the California State University, Fullerton.
	070730-2 1.5 MB	Huntington Beach Result of Dream Newspaperman Had This is the first in a series of articles written for the Register on the early history of Huntington Beach. This 3-page article was written on March 8, 1923, and describes the dream of George McPhee, city editor of the Weekly Blade of Santa Ana, of building a town in an area that he called the “Willows Peatlands”. John Bushard, E. S. Talbert, Silas Wright, B. Courrages, Fred Mills, J. V. Robertson, Bruce Wardlow, W. D. Lamb, J. W. King, W. T. Newlands.
These scanned documents are available online by the generous volunteer efforts of Mr. S. Gitlin.	070802-1 12 MB	Huntington Beach Historical Notes This is a 24 page document of historical notes of Huntington Beach. It was compiled by Connie Bauer and edited by William Reed. It traces the history of the area from about 1901 to about the mid-70’s. Special emphasis on the Civic Center, Huntington Central Park, the Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Resource Center, and the Huntington Beach oil fields. Slater Family, Preston Family, Morse Family, Huff Family, Gothard Family. It also contains the names of City Council members, and key city staff members.
	070806-1 265 KB	Beach Stands Above the Highest Tides (looks like part of 070730-1) A copy of a page from a periodical from 1914 advertising lots and acres for sales in and around Huntington Beach
	070806-3 1.1 MB	The Northam Ranch House A history of the “Northam Ranch House”, the house that “Diamond Bob” Robert Northam built. Rancho Las Bolsas, Harry Huntington, Huntington Beach Company.
	070806-4 1.8 MB	The Newland House A pamphlet from 1981 describing the history of the Newland House built in 1898, home of Mr. and Mrs. William Taylor Newland. West Coast Land and Water Company, Robert Northam, Pacific City, Pacific Electric Railway, Indian artifacts.
	070806-5 6.4 MB	“Our Home Town” 1994 Calendar A calendar from 1994 containing historic photographs (with descriptions) of Huntington Beach dating back to the early 1900’s. Huntington Beach Pier, Union High School, oil derricks, “Helene Home”, Huntington Beach High School. Also see 070809-2.
	070806-6 4.7 MB	Local History An 11-page document on the history of Huntington Beach, from a condensation of an interview with Bud Higgins that took place on April 8, 1973. It traces the history of Huntington Beach from the late 1800’s to the late 1950’s. Mr. Higgins was a Huntington Beach lifeguard in his youth, and went on to become Fire Chief of Huntington Beach. Nieto family, Mexican Govenor Jose Figueros, Abel Sterns, Alfred Robinson Trust, D. E. Smetlzer, Earl Fruit Company, Robert Northam, W. T. Newland, Phil Stanton, Henry Huntington, West Coast Land Company.
	070806-7 3 MB	Huntington Beach by Kaye H. MacLeod and Barbara Milkovich A 4-page document on the history of Huntington Beach dating from 1784 to the late 1980’s. Manuel Nieto, Rancho Las Bolsas, Abel Sterns, Shell Beach, Isaac Hickey, Santa Ana – Newport Railroad, Philip Stanton, John Anderson, S.H. Finley, Pacific City, Henry Huntington, Pacific Electric Railway, Methodist Resort Association, William Newland, Charles Warner, Tom Talbert, Huntington Beach Company, Ed Manning, C.H. Howard.
	070806-8 17.9 MB	City of Huntington Beach – Miscellaneous Historical Data This 42-page document is a conglomeration of miscellaneous historical and research data from 1979, compiled by City Clerk, Alicia Wentworth. Included in the document are Elections from 1958; Election Statistics from 1964; Population statistics, graph and map; Mayors; Council Compensation; Organization Chart; Police Chiefs from 1909; Street Name History; How Huntington Beach Began; Industrial, Annexation and Vicinity Maps; Central Park Maps; Elementary School District Map; Circulation Plan; Bike Route and Traffic Flow Maps; Demographics; City Seal and Logo; and Fire Department History. Street names
	070809-1 3.9 MB	Huntington Beach Disasters in 1933 This 12-page document by Vicky Contreras describes two disaster events that happened in Huntington Beach in 1933. The first was the January Gale that took place on January 10, 1933 that caused significant damage to homes, buildings and oil fields throughout Huntington Beach. The second event was an earthquake that took place on March 10, 1933, again causing wide-spread damage to buildings, homes, schools, etc., and causing 119 fatalities.
	070809-2 7 MB	“Our Home Town” 1995 Calendar A calendar from 1995 containing historic photographs (with descriptions) of Huntington Beach dating back to the early 1900’s. Civic Center, Red Car, Meyer and Sundbey’s Department Store, Country Day School, Security Pacific National Bank, the Pavilion at the Huntington Beach Pier, the Standard Market. Also see 070806-5.
	070809-3 434 KB	City Has Oil Companies Over a Barrel A 1-page copy of an article from the Daily Pilot of 5/1/1990 describing the deteriorating relationship between the City of Huntington Beach, and the owners of the approximately 1,600 oil wells with the city. It also give a brief history of the discovery of oil within the city, and the development of the oil industry. Chevron, Shell Oil.
	070809-4 942 KB	The Growth of a City 1904 – 1922 A 2-page article from the “Seacliff Breeze” describing the growth and history of Huntington Beach from 1904 – 1922. Las Bolsas Rancho, Abel Stearns, Bob Northam, P.A. Stanton, Pacific City, Huntington Beach Company, Red Cars, Pacific Electric Railroad, Tent City, Gospel Swamp, Holly Sugar Company, Ed Manning, Main Street Pier, Standard Oil Company, Encyclopedia Britannica Company.
	070809-5 6.6 MB	Huntington Beach History Notes A 13-page conglomeration of Huntington Beach historical notes compiled by City Clerk Connie Brockway. It contains brief notes, by month of significant Huntington Beach City Council meetings, from 1909 through the 1960’s.
	070811-3 8.2 MB	Huntington Beach Bicentennial Salute – July 1, 1976 This 14-page document contains a series of articles and photographs depicting the history of Huntington Beach from 1904 through the late 1950’s. Oil, Huntington Beach Library, Huntington Beach Playhouse, Newland House, Bicentennial Events, Ed Manning, Slater Family, Preston Family, Morse Family, Henry Huntington, Huntington Beach Pier.
	070811-4 920 KB	Huntington Beach Historical Society A tri-fold pamphlet describing the history of the Huntington Beach Historical Society, its mission, special events, membership, and activities. Newland House Museum, Newland House Country Store.
	070813-1 232 KB	Map of Huntington Beach – 1977 A single page pictorial map of Huntington Beach from 1977, showing the locations of schools, parks, recreations centers, the Civic Center, police, fire, library, hospital, golf course, airports, beaches, and industrial parks.
	070813-2 853 MB	The Holly Sugar Company This 2-page document from June 17, 1975 describes how sugar beets became an increasingly important crop in Huntington Beach, and how in 1909, the Holly Sugar Company from Colorado decided to build a sugar refinery in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach Company, Anthony Tovatt, Johnson, Holly Oil Company, SoCal Refining Company, oil fields.
	070816-1 16 MB	Discoveries – Huntington Beach This 24-page document is the January/February issues of Discoveries magazine, a bimonthly magazine/newsletter published by Burmah Oil and Gas Company. It contains articles regarding the oil industry, and several photographs of the Huntington Beach area. Formerly known as Signal Oil and Gas Company, it has been producing oil and gas on and offshore Huntington Beach since approximately 1941.
	070816-2 31 MB	Civic Center 1974 This 47-page document is the City of Huntington Beach, 1974 Civic Center, magazine/pamphlet. It contains a history of Huntington Beach, numerous historic photographes, information about the development of the oil industry in Huntington Beach, the Fire House, the Public Library, the Public Facilities Corporation, the new Civic Center, site plans of various government buildings, the Huntington Beach City Council, and information on the City’s various government departments.
	070823-1 73 MB	The Ultimate Challenge – City of Huntington Beach Miscellaneous Historical Data This very large (140+ page) document is a compilation of Huntington Beach historical notes prepared by City Historian Alicia Wentworth. This edition was prepared in September 1997. Included in the document are election statistics, population statistics, budgets, majors, organization charts, City Councils, maps, demographics, various Huntington Beach histories, oil development, historic photographs, etc. Also see 071108-2.
	070830-1 192 KB	Huntington Mayor Changes Meeting Form A copy of an article of the O. C. Register of Jan. 18, 1990, describing how mayor Tom Mays will change the format of City Council meetings to address the meeting’s agenda prior to a period of time for public comments.
	070830-2 1.4 MB	Coastal Wetlands – What’s Ahead? Arcata and Huntington Beach Show the Way A 2-page article from the March 1991 issue of Sunset magazine, describing the deteriorating condition of coastal wetlands in the United States, and what places such as Huntington Beach are doing to preserve their wetlands. The article also describes the efforts being taken in Arcata, California. NOAA, Amigos de Bolsa Chica, California Coastal Commission.
	070830-3 1.2 MB	Redevelopment Moves in to Open Arms This is copy of a article in the Los Angeles Times regarding the eroding opposition to redevelopment in Huntington Beach, especially in the downtown area. The article also shows the results of a poll taken by the paper, entitled “How Huntington Beach Residents Feel About Their City”. This poll is also referenced in a Los Angeles Times article of Feb. 18, 1991, entitled “Surf Drowns Out City’s Drawbacks”. Harriett Wieder, William Hodge, Barbar Kaiser, Earle Robitaille.
	070830-4 1 MB	Surf Drowns Out City’s Drawbacks A copy of a Los Angeles Times article of Feb. 18, 1991, describing a poll of Huntington Beach residents, that showed that despite traffic and environmental concerns, 98% of the surveyed residents gave the City a favorable review. Additional information from the poll can be found in the article “Redevelopment Moves in to Open Arms”.
	070830-5 437 KB	City Resume – Huntington Beach – May 1995 A copy of an article from the Orange County Register of May 1, 1995 showing some statistics about Huntington Beach, including population, median income, housing, demographics, top 5 business employers, business license fees, taxable sales, etc. Also see 070830-8.
	070830-6 407 KB	Goodby to Huntington Beach Wells A copy of a Los Angeles Times article of Mar. 6, 1990, describing a landmark agreement between the Huntington Beach City Council, and the Chevron USA oil company to cap 25 oil wells on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway north of the pier. The agreement called for the capping of the wells and the removal of derrick equipment.
	070830-7 189 KB	Huntington Beach: It’s On Shaky Ground A copy of an article from the Orange County Register of June 3, 1990, that describes that due to earthquake faults, sinking caused by oil production, spongy soils, peat, ocean-caused erosion, and a high water table, parts of Huntington Beach may be unsuitable for building foundations.
	070830-8 438 KB	City Resume – Huntington Beach – December 1995 A copy of an article from the Orange County Register of Dec. 18, 1995 showing some statistics about Huntington Beach, including population, median income, housing, demographics, business license fees, taxable sales, etc. Also see 070830-5.
	070904-1 590 KB	Huntington Beach Rated ‘America’s Safest City’ An article from the Los Angeles Times reporting that Huntington Beach was named ‘America’s Safest City’. The report was published by Morgan Quitno Press, publisher of “City Crime Rankings”, based on 1993 statistics compiled by the FBI. The report also shows the top 5 safest and least safest cities in the U. S. Irvine, Richard Barnard, Ronald Lowenberg, Police Department.
	070904-2 519 MB	Ol’ Huntington Remembered A newspaper article the Huntington Beach Independent from April 26, 1981, describing some of the early history of Huntington Beach, and a book entitled “Huntington Beach: An Oral History”, compiled by the History department of California State University at Fullerton. The book contains 180 pages of photographs and interviews with residents of the city. Meteorologist J. Sherman Denny.
	070904-7 311 KB	Huntington Beach News A copy of a page from the Huntington Beach News of June 1914 describing several events and activities that occurred in the city. Building permits, L. A. Ice Company, J. C. Lamb, Judge Gavin Craig, John H. Eader.
	070904-8 308 KB	Everybody Boost For the New Huntington Beach Concert Band A copy of the front page of the Huntington Beach News of June 24, 1914, with the above headline. The article does not seem to be included on the page. Also see 070904-9.
	070904-9 300 KB	Sunday Band Concert Was Favorably Received A copy of a page from the Huntington Beach News of April 1914 describing the new Huntington Beach Concert Band. The page also has the following articles, “Clerk Nutt, Attorney Davis and Engineer Spencer” and “William Newland Has Been Appointed”. Also see 070904-8
	070904-10 296 KB	Coast Boulevard Soon to be a Reality A copy of a newspaper article from 1914 describing an Orange County Board of Supervisors resolution to seek bids for the new Coast Boulevard. South Coast Improvement Association.
	070906-1 317 KB	Huntington Beach News A copy of a page from the Huntington Beach News of January 16, 1914, with two articles with the following headlines; “ Water Rates Hearing” and “ Planting Lemons Here”. State Railroad Commission, Huntington Beach Company.
	070906-2 267 KB	Huntington Beach News A copy of a page from the Huntington Beach News of June 12, 1914, talking about the upcoming dedication of the new municipal pier, and providing detailed statistics regarding the pier. Also see 070904-3, 070904-4, and 070904-6.
	070906-3 215 KB	Huntington Beach News – Municipal Pier A copy of an article from the Huntington Beach News of October 1914, talking about the new Huntington Beach municipal pier. Also see 070906-2.
	070906-4 300 KB	Orange County is the Sugar Bowl of the U.S. A copy of an article from the Huntington Beach News of Nov. 27, 1914, describing how more sugar beets were grown here than in any other county. Holly Sugar Company, Carl Johnson.
	070906-5 303 KB	Huntington Beach Will Soon Have a Complete Sewer System A copy of an article from the Huntington Beach News of July 10, 1914, informing that specifications for a new sewer system have been prepared. Other articles on the page relate to the following stories, “Free Methodists May Hold World’s Conference Here”, “Another New Industry for this City (steam laundry)”, and “Fourth of July was Quiet Day Here”.
	070910-1 728 KB	Huntington Beach Surprised at Rating A copy of an article from the OC Register of June 16, 1985 describing how Huntington Beach ranked first in individual and household income among the 100 largest cities in the United States. Alicia Wentworth, Hal Simmons. Also see 070910-2
	070910-2 925 KB	100 Largest Cities A series of tables showing the placement of Huntington Beach in various categories, among the 100 largest cities in the United States. The information appears to be from July 1993. Categories shown include population, median age, Asian population, Black population, Hispanic population, personal income, welfare recipients, poverty unemployment, Federal aid, tax revenue, state aid, city employees, median home value, waste spending, homeownership, suburbanization, murder rate, police officers, property crime, fire fighters, high school graduates, public school enrollment, students, and parks spending. Also see 070910-1
	070910-3 179 KB	City is Still One of the Most Livable A copy of an article from the OC Register of February 24, 1996 describing how despite recent gang activity, the city continues to garnet awards for being a good place to live. Helen Putnam honors, Governor Pete Wilson, Mike Kelly, Mayor Dave Sullivan.
	070910-4 914 KB	Profile: Orange County’s Fastest Growing City of Huntington Beach An article from the Orange County Business magazine of May/June 1979 describing how the influx of people to Huntington Beach in the 1960s and 1970s made Huntington Beach the fastest growing city in the continental United States for a decade. The article also describes how most of jobs were outside the city, and the efforts to bring commercial development to the city.
	070910-5 851 KB	Martin Brower’s Orange County Report An article from the July 1987 issue of the Martin Brower’s Orange County Report, with one of the sub-articles entitled ‘Is Huntington Beach Ready to Move Ahead?”. The article describes some of the development in the city, and some of the problems it faces in the future. Tourists, oil, housing, small employment base, Main-Pier and the Waterfront, Bolsa Chica, big time commercial, and needed: more land.
	070910-6 74 KB	Residents Voice Wetlands Concern An article from the Huntington Beach Independent describing how residents, concerned about the future of the Bolsa Chica wetlands, told city officials that they’d like to see the minimal amount of development in the area.
	070910-7 239 KB	Extra, Extra, Library to Get Old Copies of Independent An article from the December 1, 1994 issue of the Huntington Beach Independent newspaper, describing how a bunch of old Huntington Beach Independent newspapers were found in a garage of the Daily Pilot, and that they would be given to the Huntington Beach Library, as part of the history of Huntington Beach.
	070910-8 807 KB	Surf City? It’s Hanging on in Huntington Beach An article from 1991 discussing how the surfer scene in Huntington Beach is disappearing in favor of homogenized pink Mediterranean-style redevelopment. It talks about disappearing landmarks such as the famous pier, the Surf Theater, and the original Golden Bear restaurant. It talks about how the surf scene developed and the changes that have taken place.
	070910-9 725 KB	The City Has One of the Finest Concrete Piers in the World An copy of the front page from the June 12, 1914 issue of the Huntington Beach News describing the elaborate program that had been prepared for the dedication of the Huntington Beach Pier. Other articles of the page include ‘Commencement Exercises Will Be June 18’, ‘Princess Theater is Now a Popular Place’, and ‘Progressive Merchants Looking for Business’. Also see 070904-6 and 070906-3.
	070910-10 287 KB	Huntington Beach News – June 1914 A copy of a page from the Huntington Beach News from June 1914 with several short article blurbs including ‘Twenty-One Building Permits Last Month’, Employees of L.A. Ice Company Picnic Here’, J.C. Lamb, Judge Gavin Craig, Eider Home Bakery.
	070910-11 701 KB	The 55 Best Places to do Business in California The April 1993 issue of California Business, describing how Huntington Beach is ranked #1 overall as the best big city for business in California. The article is more about business growth in California rather than Huntington Beach itself. It also contains some statistics about Huntington Beach.
	070920-1 2 MB	What Price Progress in Huntington Beach? A Preservationist’s Perspective on the Oil and Real Estate Booms of the 1920s and 1980s. An article by Barbara Milkovich from the Journal of Orange County Studies of Spring 1989 discussing the impact that the oil and real estate booms had on the cultural preservation of Huntington Beach. It also discusses how what was learned from the past should help in not allowing the remnant of historic cultural identity to be obliterated by a modern economic boom.
	070920-2 271 KB	Oil and the Roaring Twenties An article by Marcelie Blakely, from the Seacliff Breeze in the Autumn of 1981, describing the oil boom in Huntington Beach in the 1920s, and the resulting growth of the city due to the oil boom. It also contains some photos from that period. Standard Oil Company, Tent City, Pacific Coast Highway.
	070920-3 480 KB	Huntington Beach: A Portrait of Oil and Water An article by Robert Farrar in the April 1967 issue of the Orange County Illustrated, that discusses the early history of Huntington Beach, and the effect that the discovery of oil had on the city and its growth. Huntington Beach Company, Pacific Electric, Tent City, Encyclopedia Britannica, Holly Sugar, Standard Oil Company, Bolsa Chica.
	070920-4 166 KB