Long Beach voters tire of city life
July 27, 1896: Long Beach, which in 1888 declared its independence from Los Angeles and became a city, voted to revert to county control.
Saloon owners were a major force, outmaneuvering prohibitionists to win disincorporation -- which put them under Los Angeles County’s authority.
On the day of the vote, “the town was alive with people,” The Times reported. “Bands of women went hither and thither, singing hymns and pleading with the men to exert their influence, which, they declared, was a project conceived, planned and executed by the saloon element.”
One saloon owner, D.J. McCarthy, said he would reopen that night, after the 130-122 vote to disincorporate.
“His place has been closed since July 1, when his city license expired. He has a county license and a state license, which enables him to reopen at once,” The Times said.
Long Beach would reincorporate in 1897.
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