Huntington Beach History
Huntington Beach: Through the Years
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Prehistory |
Human habitation in Huntington Beach dates back 8,500 years. Cog stones – rare archaeological artifacts – and bones discovered in the area of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve offer evidence of ancient settlements. |
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1784 |
Today’s Huntington Beach location is included in the Spanish land grant of Rancho Los Nietos. |
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1898 |
Local farmers and pioneers William and May Newland settle into their new Queen Anne-style house in the heart of 500 acres of farmland. The Newlands turned the onetime swampland into productive croplands where they grew lima beans, sugar beets, celery, and peppers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Newland House Museum is the city’s oldest residence and displays period furnishings and artifacts. |
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1901 |
Developers build the first resort to rival Atlantic City. The community changes its name from Shell Beach to Pacific City. |
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1904 |
The first pier opens and the community is renamed Huntington Beach, honoring Henry E. Huntington, who brought the Pacific Electric Railway to the coast. |
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1909 |
Huntington Beach incorporates with a population of 915. |
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1914 |
George Freeth of Hawaii, who helped bring surfing to California, surfs at the opening of the new Huntington Beach Pier. |
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1920 |
Oil is discovered in Huntington Beach. |
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1922 |
Legendary Hawaiian waterman and Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku surfs at Huntington Beach. His statue can now be found at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, across from the Huntington Beach Pier. |
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1940 |
Visitors head to Huntington Beach with RV campers to enjoy beach bonfires and coastal breezes. |
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1956 |
Gordie Duane opens Gordie’s Surf Boards, the city’s first surf shop. |
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1957 |
Jack’s Surfboards opens and is still a major surf retailer today. |
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1959 |
The first United States surfing championships are held at the Huntington Beach Pier. |
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1960 |
The city’s population is 11,492. |
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1963 |
Jan & Dean record the classic surf tune “Surf City”. |
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1970 |
The city’s population is the fastest growing in the country and reaches 11,960. |
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1973 |
The State of California establishes the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. |
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1974 |
The 350-acre Huntington Central Park opens. It’s currently one of the largest city-owned parks in Orange County. |
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1983 |
Winter storms badly damage the Huntington Beach Pier. |
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1988 |
After repairs in 1985, another storm destroys much of the pier. |
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1991 |
Huntington Beach officially adopts the nickname of Surf City USA. |
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1992 |
An estimated 500,000 people attend the opening of the rebuilt pier. |
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1997 |
A decades-long citizen effort leads to the state’s purchase of an additional 880 acres at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. |
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2006 |
The outdoor Bella Terra retail center opens on the former site of the 1960s-vintage Huntington Center. |
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2009 |
The Strand opens downtown with new retail stores, dining, and a hotel. |
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2011 |
The Sunset Beach area becomes part of Huntington Beach. |
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2015 |
The Pacific City retail, restaurant and entertainment hub opens in downtown. |
Surf City Spotlight
