|
|
 |
|
| Following are by-gone, but not
forgotten, Redondo Beach landmarks. Historically significant to the development of
Redondo Beach, all were gone before the City's Preservation Program commenced. Today they
would certainly be candidates for City, State, or Federal landmarking. Thank to the Redondo Beach Historical Commission for the use of several photos on this page. To see many more, please visit the Redondo Beach Historical Museum in Heritage Court. |
|
|
 This view of
the 1915 Pleasure Pier is one of the photos on the 2002 City of Redondo Beach Calendar.
Taken looking east, it depicts residents and tourists strolling along the Pier.
[click for large image, 64KB] Note the Pavilion building on the right side.
In the distance is the Paseo streetscape.The Calendar, featuring colorized photos of Redondo Beach at the turn of the last century as depicted in a collection of postcards from the past, is available for $2 at Redondo Beach Libraries, City Hall, the Recreation Department and the Historical Museum. Thanks to Fire Chief Pat Aust for the use of the postcards from his collection. |
|
A moonlit view
of the Auditorium and the "Plunge" Bath House. The Plunge, billed as the
"largest indoor salt-water-heated pool in the world", was built in 1909 by Henry
Edward Huntington. Photo from the 2002 City of Redondo Beach Calendar. [click
for large image, 60KB] |
|
The Hotel Redondo is the most
famous of Redondo's lost historically significant buildings. Opened to the public on
May 1st, 1890, the 225-room hotel included a wealth of architectural features including
turrets, gables and chimneys. The property was the cultural hub of the South Bay.
Unfortunately, the Hotel did not survive Prohibition and a downturn in Redondo's
commercial harbor ventures. Sold for salvage, the Hotel Redondo was demolished in
1925. [click for large image, 40KB] The Hotel Redondo is also remembered on the Veterans Park Bandshell Mural. |
 |
Construction of Redondo Beach's first City Hall, downtown at Benita and Emerald Street (now the Seascapes area), was authorized by a $30,000 bond issue in 1905. Old City Hall was completed by 1908 and utilized until 1957. [click for large image, 43KB] |
|
Locals and visitors could catch the train to Los Angeles or other coastal towns at the Redondo Beach Santa Fe Depot, shown in this 1915 photo. The Pacific Electric Red Cars also arrived near the Depot. Today in the same location (the southern side of King Harbor Basin 3) stands Quality Seafood restaurant. [click for large image, 80KB] |
 |
Roller coaster enthusiasts know that the "racer" in the Redondo Beach Lightning Racer meant this coaster had two parallel tracks. In cars traveling over 6000 feet of track, riders had the sensation of racing those in the adjoining car. First opened to the public in 1913, the Lightning Racer was located on the beach just north of old Wharf One (and today's Municipal Pier). Severely damaged by an extreme storm in March 1915, the coaster was demolished, and the Giant Dipper coaster was subsequently constructed nearby. [click for large image of this postcard, 46KB] |
|
The Plunge, looking north. Four-stories and Moorish in style, it housed three pools heated by Pacific Light and Power's steam plant (originally built to generate electricity for the Red Cars). A tower, two diving boards, and a trapeze were features of the large main pool. It was located on the beach, between the ends of the Horseshoe Pier, where a parking structure stands today. |
|
A Redondo
Beach fueling station circa 1920s. Photo from the Redondo Beach Historical Museum
collection. [click for large image, 70KB] |
| Check back again for additions to this page... | |
 |
If you have a historical Redondo photo you'd like to share by displaying it here, please contact us. |
