HUNTINGTON BEACH
By C.R. Stuart
Huntington Beach is one of the most promising sea-side cities on the California coast-line. It is about thirty-two miles from the business center of Los Angeles on the broad-gauge Huntington Electric car line. This enterprising little city occupies a commanding position on a high bluff overlooking the ocean. From many standpoints Huntington Beach resembles Long Beach, particularly in the topography of the land and in its beach-front.
Huntington Beach was founded about three years ago by the Huntington Beach Company – a corporation of well-known Los Angeles capitalists. The founders have anticipated the future of this young city as did the founders of Long Beach. With the marked advantages of location, the resourceful back-country and the excellent facilities for transportation it required only capital to quickly form the nucleus of a substantial city at this point.
The plan of development was modern and skillful, and has been well executed. Broad boulevards and avenues have been established, second to none in the state. Cement curbs and walks border every thoroughfare. Modern water and electric light plants were among the first public utilities to be established. A school system of a high character is a feature.
The beach and surf advantages have not been overlooked by the builders of this fortunately located city. A substantial pleasure pier extends out into the ocean for several hundred feet. It is an ideal salt-air promenade and a vantage point for deep-sea fishing. The boating and fishing privileges are unexcelled. A modern pavilion has been erected at the entrance to the pleasure pier, in which musical concerts and dancing are features during the summer.
Although practically a new community, Huntington Beach has gained prominence as a convention city. The Southern California Methodists have chosen Huntington Beach for their annual summer camp-meeting place. They have secured ten acres of land in the center of town, and a large auditorium, possessing exceptional acoustic properties, has been erected. It has a seating capacity of 2,500.
The G. A. R. Encampment is also an annual event at Huntington Beach. The country back of the city comprises one of the richest agricultural sections in the Golden State. The greatest celery district in the world is at the very door of Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach is nearer to the great citrus fruit belt than Los Angeles. There is every reason to believe that the city will eventually be one of the most important shipping points in Southern California.
That capitalists are alive to the commercial possibilities of Huntington Beach is evidenced by the factories that have been and are to be erected. A $40,000 cannery is completed. This establishment has a ten-hour capacity for 25,000 cans of each class of vegetables, and employs 150 men and women, when running at full capacity. An extensive peat fuel plant is also under construction. Other important industries are soon to follow.
Although Huntington Beach is in its formative period, the new resident does not have to “pioneer it.” Prospective home-buyers may step from the electric car into a model little city with every metropolitan convenience – a city whose plan of development was outlined before a yard of earth was turned.
Huntington Beach has unlimited capital behind it. The builders of this beautiful ocean-side city have been closely identified with the marvelous development of Southern California.
The Huntington Beach Company has erected a modern hotel, which is called the Huntington Inn. Every comfort of home life has been incorporated into this modern hostelry. A connoisseur has said “the Huntington Inn is to Huntington Beach what the famous Glenwood Tavern is to Riverside.”
Hundreds of “vacationists” have enjoyed tent life this season at Huntington Beach Tent City. This “canvas city” bids fair to rival the famous tent cities of the Southern California coast. When you think of Huntington Beach, do not think of it as a mere beautiful summer resort. Think of an energetic town, an hour's ride from Los Angeles, that has commercial, agricultural and social advantages that make for the upbuilding of a great city.
(Out West, April 1907)