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History Reveals a Pioneering Tourism Destination and a Seaport that Faded Away The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, a leading membership association that promotes and protects the interests of the business community in Southern California’s South Bay, is honoring the history of the City of Redondo Beach on its 125th birthday. Chamber researches have recovered and highlighted some little known, interesting facts about the origins of Redondo Beach. A rival to the port of San Pedro As early as 1887, investors were eyeing Redondo Beach, where the largest ships of the time could sail to within 200 feet of the surf line, as a location for a major, richly rewarding port for Los Angeles. Cargo shipping in the competing town of San Pedro, located at a greater distance from Los Angeles than Redondo Beach, was slower and more expensive. By 1888, the PR war was on, with the publication of a brochure for Redondo Beach titled National Advantages of Redondo Beach for Deep Sea Commerce. A year later, the Redondo Beach Pier was built, and the Santa Fe Railroad was completing a line from Los Angeles to Redondo Beach. By 1891, more than 650 American ships had offloaded cargo from the Pacific Northwest. On April 29, 1892, Redondo Beach became an incorporated city. But the newborn City had a fatal geographic flaw as a seaport: a deep-sea canyon that made it impractical to build a necessary breakwater. In the meantime, construction had begun on a larger port in San Pedro. By 1909, the City of San Pedro and its Port of Los Angeles had become part of the City of Los Angeles. From trade to tourism With four railway systems in place, the Los Angeles & Redondo Railway was handling 25 to 35 percent of the L.A. shipping trade, but business recessions reduced freight traffic. That was when the tourist trade began to pick up the slack, and has remained as the economic engine for Redondo Beach for a century and a quarter—and still counting. Enter the legendary Red Car, railroad, and real estate magnate Henry E. Huntington, who, having formed Pacific Electric in 1901, began to buy land in Redondo Beach. By 1906, he owned nine-tenths of the Redondo Beach area. Huntington acquired the Los Angeles & Redondo Railway, later converted to the Pacific Electric Railway System, which was bringing thousands of people to enjoy the delights of Redondo Beach. In 1909 Huntington built the four-story, Moorish-style Redondo Beach Plunge, billed as the "largest indoor salt-water-heated pool in the world," with three pools heated by the steam plant of Pacific Light and Power, a company organized by Huntington in 1902. A pleasure garden by the ocean Since its beginnings in 1890, Redondo Beach has offered a variety of delights for residents and tourists. Although early 20th-century attractions such as a Tent City and Moonstone Beach no longer exist, there are many more popular destinations today than a century ago. Fun for All: Beautiful hotels, restaurants, art galleries, nightlife and beach leisure The Redondo Beach Pier: A South Bay landmark offering panoramic ocean views, oceanfront dining, shopping for local art and gifts, an arcade for children, live music, and seafood restaurants, entertainment, water activities, harbor cruises, seasonal whale watching, kayaks, pedal boats, and paddle boarding. Redondo State Beach Veterans Park, overlooking the ocean, with fields, a playground and a memorial to local veterans Seacoast Redondo Church, the most beautiful and one of the oldest churches in the South Bay area Visitors to Redondo Beach have commented online: “This pier and boardwalk area are different from the other beaches we visited in California. There's a small marina and a really cool fisherman's market with all sorts of seafood to purchase by the pound to take home or have steamed, grilled or fried for you to eat there...” “Certainly a surprise to me to see the beautiful Rolling Hills Estates and the wonderful beach pier! The seafood market is also a great place, fresh crabs and lobsters every day! “ “We visit Redondo Beach each year and never tire of this area! From the great Coney Island feel of some of the shops to the fresh seafood and unique restaurants, you'll have a challenging time picking which place to eat at! Great area to walk around too!” For more information about Redondo Beach and its many special events, visit http://www.redondochamber.org/. About the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce Founded in 1907, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is one of the leading business organizations in the South Bay, and provides businesses in the Redondo Beach region with resources, networking and educational opportunities to help their businesses grow. The RBCC serves the community by working to create a strong local economy, promote the City of Redondo Beach, represent the interests of business on government issues, and support political action. Its dynamic membership of more than 625 businesses throughout Redondo Beach and the South Bay includes businesses of all sizes, from large firms to growing, mid-size companies to micro-businesses. The RBCC is happy to welcome new members to our business network. You can join by clicking on this link
History Reveals a Pioneering Tourism Destination and a Seaport that Faded Away
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, a leading membership association that promotes and protects the interests of the business community in Southern California’s South Bay, is honoring the history of the City of Redondo Beach on its 125th birthday. Chamber researches have recovered and highlighted some little known, interesting facts about the origins of Redondo Beach.
A rival to the port of San Pedro
As early as 1887, investors were eyeing Redondo Beach, where the largest ships of the time could sail to within 200 feet of the surf line, as a location for a major, richly rewarding port for Los Angeles. Cargo shipping in the competing town of San Pedro, located at a greater distance from Los Angeles than Redondo Beach, was slower and more expensive. By 1888, the PR war was on, with the publication of a brochure for Redondo Beach titled National Advantages of Redondo Beach for Deep Sea Commerce.
A year later, the Redondo Beach Pier was built, and the Santa Fe Railroad was completing a line from Los Angeles to Redondo Beach. By 1891, more than 650 American ships had offloaded cargo from the Pacific Northwest. On April 29, 1892, Redondo Beach became an incorporated city. But the newborn City had a fatal geographic flaw as a seaport: a deep-sea canyon that made it impractical to build a necessary breakwater. In the meantime, construction had begun on a larger port in San Pedro. By 1909, the City of San Pedro and its Port of Los Angeles had become part of the City of Los Angeles.
From trade to tourism
With four railway systems in place, the Los Angeles & Redondo Railway was handling 25 to 35 percent of the L.A. shipping trade, but business recessions reduced freight traffic. That was when the tourist trade began to pick up the slack, and has remained as the economic engine for Redondo Beach for a century and a quarter—and still counting.
Enter the legendary Red Car, railroad, and real estate magnate Henry E. Huntington, who, having formed Pacific Electric in 1901, began to buy land in Redondo Beach. By 1906, he owned nine-tenths of the Redondo Beach area. Huntington acquired the Los Angeles & Redondo Railway, later converted to the Pacific Electric Railway System, which was bringing thousands of people to enjoy the delights of Redondo Beach. In 1909 Huntington built the four-story, Moorish-style Redondo Beach Plunge, billed as the "largest indoor salt-water-heated pool in the world," with three pools heated by the steam plant of Pacific Light and Power, a company organized by Huntington in 1902.
A pleasure garden by the ocean
Since its beginnings in 1890, Redondo Beach has offered a variety of delights for residents and tourists. Although early 20th-century attractions such as a Tent City and Moonstone Beach no longer exist, there are many more popular destinations today than a century ago.
Fun for All:
Visitors to Redondo Beach have commented online:
For more information about Redondo Beach and its many special events, visit http://www.redondochamber.org/.
About the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1907, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is one of the leading business organizations in the South Bay, and provides businesses in the Redondo Beach region with resources, networking and educational opportunities to help their businesses grow. The RBCC serves the community by working to create a strong local economy, promote the City of Redondo Beach, represent the interests of business on government issues, and support political action. Its dynamic membership of more than 625 businesses throughout Redondo Beach and the South Bay includes businesses of all sizes, from large firms to growing, mid-size companies to micro-businesses. The RBCC is happy to welcome new members to our business network. You can join by clicking on this link