Did you know that Hermosa Beach has a very interesting past, and that the Hermosa Beach Historical Society is behind the push to preserve historically important buildings and sites? Founded in 1987, the organization has a website (www.hermosabeachhistoricalsociety.org) and is busy recording the stories and images of this small beach city’s past so that those in the future, and present, can appreciate them.
In researching Hermosa’s past, I discovered that it’s history as a city really starts in the early 20th Century. The first pier and Strand were built entirely of wood, and in the 1920s the only transportation out of town was The Santa Fe railway until Pacific Coast Highway was paved. There are numerous places you can still visit to get the flavor of what the town was once like: The Lighthouse Cafe, for instance (www.thelighthousecafe.net) and The Hermosa Hotel (www.hermosahotel.com.
These are just some of the amazing photos that have been preserved:
Right now, the organization is seeking locals who have knowledge and a love of Hermosa Beach and are willing to contribute their knowledge to the general good of history for their ongoing preservation efforts. The Historical Society is located at 710 Pier Avenue, and you can see photos, documents, and other wonderfully preserved items there.
Let me show you some Hermosa Beach homes so you can see what it would be like to live in this beautiful beachside city!