Seal Beach Pier Was a Jewel
In 1912, promoters trying to make Seal Beach a tourist attraction--and thereby sell some lots--dressed up the 6-year-old fishing pier into a fun zone called Jewel City.
San Francisco’s Panama Pacific Exposition had just closed, and some of its attractions--a roller coaster and 50 “scinillator lights” that created outdoor rainbow effects--were installed on and near the pier.
The photo above, taken sometime during World War I, shows the Jewel City Cafe at the foot of the pier.
The Depression snuffed out Jewel City, then in 1939 hurricane winds and huge breakers cut the pier in half. The rebuilt pier was again assaulted in 1983, when huge storm waves cresting beneath the pier lifted 1,140 feet of deck off its pilings. The pier was such a part of the city’s identity that it was rebuilt again with the help of private donations. The new pier was built of wood to preserve its historic look. Fire damaged the pier in 1992 and 1994, but each time it was restored.
Today’s pier, at right, is 1,865 feet long. It is 3 1/2 feet taller than its predecessor in hopes of keeping it out of reach of future storm waves.
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OC Then and Now calls (714) 966-5973; e-mail OCthenandnow@latimes.com
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