Santa Monica Pier: The first 100 years

Fireworks light up the sky over the Santa Monica Pier during a ceremonial lighting of the new Ferris wheel at Pacific Park. The new wheel uses 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights, providing a 75 percent greater energy savings than the previously used incandescent bulbs.

Fireworks light up the sky over the Santa Monica Pier during a ceremonial lighting of the new Ferris wheel at Pacific Park. The new wheel uses 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights, providing a 75 percent greater energy savings than the previously used incandescent bulbs.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Santa Monica Pier, 2009

A month shy of its 100th birthday, the Santa Monica Pier glows against a darkened mountain backdrop.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)