Celebrate the History of Early Long Beach

Oct. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- New from Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is Early Long Beach. In vintage photographs, local author Gerrie Schipske shares the history of the area. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images, giving readers a unique opportunity to reconnect to the history that shaped their community.

Few other cities can boast of the natural assets, the people, and the events that shaped the first 50 years of their history, as can the city of Long Beach, California. First inhabited by the Tongva people, the land was taken away by the Spanish then granted to “friends of the King,” who in turn sold parcels to real estate speculators working with the railroads. It was called many names before Belle Lowe suggested in 1884 that the town site be known for its eight miles of long beaches.

Its oceanfront provided a resort area, a landing strip for early aviators, a fishing industry, a port for shipbuilding and trade and a location for the US Navy to anchor its “battle fleet” in 1919. However, discovery of oil in 1921 transformed the city, bringing incredible wealth and an explosive growth in population. By 1938, the city’s population was 200,000 and would be a major factor in the Southern California war effort.

Highlights of Early Long Beach include:
•   Early Inhabitants and Settlers
•   The Long Beach
•   Alamitos Beach Tract and Belmont Heights
•   Building a City
•   Making a Port and a Breakwater
•   Discovering Incredible Wealth

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

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With more than 7,500 local history titles published to date, Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Widely recognized sepia books feature hundreds of vintage historical images.