A Captivating Timeline

IN

BY BETH FHANER

SURF CITY USA HAS seen an evolution through the years, including various changes in agriculture, oil, aerospace, beach culture, and surfing. Here are some of the city’s most fascinating historical milestones.

1898 now extends 1,850 feet in length and is a world-famous tourist attraction. Also in 1904, the 4th of July Celebration begins as a way to welcome the Pacific Electric Red Cars brought in by railroad mogul Henry Huntington, the city's namesake. Today, the event is the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River.

The Newland House Museum, Huntington Beach’s oldest building, is built as a Queen Anne-style home by pioneers William and Mary Newland, farmers who settled here on 500 acres. As the city’s oldest and best-preserved residence, the building is added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

1909 Huntington Beach is incorporated with 215 residents under its first mayor, Ed Manning.

1914

George Freeth becomes the first person to surf near the Huntington Beach Pier.

1920

The city becomes a boomtown when California’s largest oil deposit at the time is discovered. Oil rigs dot the coastline and the city’s population increases from 1,500 to 5,000, all within a month.

1925

1956

The city’s first surf shop is established when Gordie Duane opened Gordie’s Surf Boards. A year later, Jack’s Surfboards opens and today remains a major surf retailer in downtown HB.

1959

The first West Coast Surfing Championships is held in HB. A year later, the event is televised for the first time, cementing the city's reputation as a surfing mecca. Now known as the U.S. Open of Surfing, the event is recognized as the world’s largest surf competition.

1992

More than a half-million people turn out for the opening of the rebuilt pier, which was destroyed years earlier by winter storms.

2000

The Surf City Marathon (originally called the Pacific Shoreline Marathon) makes its debut with less than 600 finishers. Today, the popular race attracts more than 17,000 runners from all 50 states and 30 countries.

2006

The outdoor Bella Terra shopping center is on the former site of the 1960s-vintage Huntington Center.

2015

1904

The Huntington Beach Company (Standard Oil) builds a wooden pier at Main Street and PCH. The iconic Huntington Beach Pier

Olympic gold medalist and Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku hits the waves on his redwood surfboard, officially bringing the sport to HB.

1963

Dean Torrance of rock duo Jan and Dean records the classic surf tune "Surf City"—in 1991, he successfully lobbies for the city's official nickname to become Surf City USA®.

1970

Huntington Beach becomes the fastest growing city in the contiguous U.S., driven by a population drawn to the locale, weather, and nearby jobs.

1978

The Old World Village shopping and dining center is developed; it’s now synonymous with the annual Oktoberfest festival.

The highly anticipated Pacific City shopping center debuts in downtown HB. That same year, 66 people ride an epic wave for 12 seconds, resulting in a world record for the most people riding a surfboard at one time. Additionally, the 42-foot-long board sets a world record for “World’s Largest Surfboard,” which is currently on display at the International Surfing Museum in downtown.

2016

The Pacific Airshow launches in Huntington Beach. The thrilling, three-day event now attracts millions of spectators each fall.