Manhattan Beach - South Bay

CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA History

Manhattan Beach's History is truly part of California's Gold.
In 1837, Mexico granted 22,500 acres of land to Antonio Ygnacio Avila for the area known as Rancho Sausal Redondo, this included the area now known as Manhattan Beach. Sir Robert Burnett later purchased Rancho Sausal Redondo and used the land for sheep and cattle raising.

Around 1872, Colonel Duncan built a mansion close to what is now the intersection of First Street and Sepulveda. Colonel Duncan is recognized as being the first Manhattan Beach resident. In 1873, Daniel Freeman leased the rancho from Sir Robert Burnett when Sir Robert Burnett returned to his native Scotland. Mr. Freeman and family moved to the ranch and expanded the livestock herds and planted citrus trees in the area. Two years later, a major drought severly impacted the livestock industry and the family turned to dry farming. During the 1880's Daniel Freeman purchased the rancho outright. Unfortunately, Freeman never completely recovered from the drought and later fell into financial difficulties selling the land to the Redondo Land Company.

In 1888, the Santa Fe Railroad placed rail tracks from the downtown Los Angeles area to the Redondo Beach wharf. The deepwater canyon located just off of Redondo made the wharf popular for ships to land and deliver goods to the area. People would take the Santa Fe Railroad's passanger cars from Los Angeles to the beaches of the South Bay to cool in the beach breezes and play in the surf.

Two piers were built in 1901. One at Center Street(Manhattan Beach Blvd) and a wooden one at Marine Avenue. The Center Street pier was known as "Old Iron Pier" and supported a wave motor to generate power for the Strand lighting system. Purportedly, part of the wave motor lies buried in the sands at the shore end of the present pier. (see some of the massive 600lb Black Sea Bass that were caught from the pier). Then in 1903, the Pacific Railway Company (Known later as the Pacific Electric) laid railway along the oceanfront extending from Los Angeles to Santa Monica and then south to Redondo Beach. The railway was located where the strand bicycle path is today.

Even in those days competition existed. Santa Fe Rail couldn't compete with the Pacific Electric "Big Red Cars" passenger rates, therefore the Santa Fe Railroad terminated their passenger service in 1918. The Red Cars ran until 1940.

By the early 1900's an acre of land cost about $35.00. Early Manhattan Beach was a collection of sparse-looking sand dunes seemingly 30 miles from nowhere. A steady wind whiped across the barren dunes and made life miserable for the early settlers. Many of the early settlers used narrow planks and built precarious walkways between often-frequented spots. The hardier ones didn't bother -- they plodded through the sand. Only a few homes existed in what is know Manhattan Beach. Often there was no indoor plumbing, electricity, or natural gas and the water came in a pipe that layed on across the top of the sand dunes. Many people would just stay in tents or rental cottages to vacation. The early wooden beach cottages ranged from about 300 square feet to 1,100 square feet in size and many painted a rusty red.

In the 1920's, leveling the sand dunes for development was difficult. Developers from Hawaii struck a deal with the Kuhn Bros. Construction Company to supply Waikiki Beach with Manhattan Beach Sand. The sand was loaded onto railroad cars and transported to the San Pedro Harbor and then on to ships destin for Hawaii. No wonder the beaches are so nice in Waikiki!

The storms in 1913 destroyed the piers and the Marine Street Pier was never replaced. The New "Manhattan Beach Pier" was designed by City Engineer A.L. Harris and was constructed by the City of Manhattan Beach during the years 1917-1920. The roundhouse building was added a year later. Harris' innovative design featured a rounded end to the pier, which helped it withstand the pounding of the Pacific. Although the roundhouse was reconstructed in 1992, the pier itself survives as southern California's oldest remaining example of early reinforced concrete pier construction and is an Historical Landmark for the oldest cement pier standing on the West Coast.

The rail access brought developers into the area. The three more notable developers in the area included George Peck, John Merrill, and Frank Daugherty.

Basically, George Peck owned the northern section of the area including north of Rosecrans (including El Porto). George Peck was called his development area "Shore Acres" after a Santa Fe Railroad junction sign.

John Merrill owned the South Manhattan land area between First Street and Center Street (now known as Manhattan Beach Blvd) and just west of the Santa Fe tracks (what is now Valley & Ardmore Streets). John Merrill called his development area "Manhattan" after his hometown in New York.

Frank Daugherty owned 20 acres from Marine Avenue south to 15th Street and east of Highland Avenue to the railroad tracks. Frank believed the area should have only one name. According to Frank Daugherty, a half dollar coin was flipped and "Manhattan" won. It is believed that this occurred in 1902 because that is when the railroad changed the junction name to Manhattan.

In the early years, families would take the Pacific Electric trolley or Santa Fe train from Pasadena and Los Angeles and a real estate agent would greet them as they stepped off. Manhattan Beach was promoted as a summer resort and vacation destination. A few people resided year round in Manhattan Beach, but most stayed only for a weekend, or the summer.

The city incorporated on December 7, 1912 and there were approximately 600 permanent residents. The full name "Manhattan Beach" was registered by Postmaster Virgil Wahlberg with the Washington, D.C. Postal Service to avoid confusion with the 14 other "Manhattans" across country. Planks were still laid in the sand on Manhattan Avenue for vehicles and also along the Strand and side streets for pedestrians. By 1930 Manhattan Beach's population grew to 1,891 residents. By 1950 the population exploded to 26,315 residents, and by 1960 the City's population was 33,934.

Manhattan Beach has developed over the years into one of the best "Crown Jewels" of Los Angeles County. The great beaches, surf, Blue Ribbon Schools, and small town charm, have cultivated to create a world-class community. As the town has grown most of the original beach cottages have been destroyed to make way for newer and more elaborate homes that are often 10 times larger than the original beach cottages.

In the 1980's the Manhattan Beach City Council preserved one original beach cottage that was located at 205 15th Street, looking down Manhattan Avenue. For almost 80 years, this little cottage remained virtually unchanged from its origninal construction.

The Manhattan Beach School district provided a new location for the cottage, often referred to as the "Little Red House," in Polliwog Park. The cottage was restored by the Department of Parks and Recreation, with the help of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society and the Neptunian Women’s Club. The labor and materials were donated by the community. Once the cottage was purchased it took nearly four years to relocate and restore to it's present condition.

Manhattan Beach Historical Society now uses the cottage as their home and it is full of artifacts that represent life in Manhattan Beach starting around 1905 when the cottage was built. Visitors to the Manhattan Beach Historical Society are always surprised by what they learn about their small town. The antique furnishings, old photographs, written material, and short historical video are a transcend you in time. Visit the Reference Room which contains old newspapers, telephone books and yearbooks.Manhattan Beach Historical Society Link