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HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS
Historic Manhattan Beach Photographs. Pictures from 1902 through 2019 © the Manhattan Beach Historical Society. Click on any picture for an expanded view.
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The Beach
O001.jpg — Circa 1936
The Beach. Photo taken from the Pier looking north. Note the Pacific Electric Red Car tracks along the present day bike path and the Marine Ave. Pavilion in the distance.
The Beach. Photo taken from the Pier looking north. Note the Pacific Electric Red Car tracks along the present day bike path and the Marine Ave. Pavilion in the distance.
The Community Church
O002A.jpg — Circa 1920s
The Community Church, 904 Highland Ave. Built in 1909, the first church in Manhattan Beach.
The Community Church, 904 Highland Ave. Built in 1909, the first church in Manhattan Beach.
The Community Church
O002B.jpg — Circa 1933
The Community Church at 904 Highland Ave. The church was first built in 1909 and enlarged in 1924. The structure still exists as an apartment house.
The Community Church at 904 Highland Ave. The church was first built in 1909 and enlarged in 1924. The structure still exists as an apartment house.
The Bath House
O003.jpg — Circa late-1920s
The bath house, located under the deck of the Pier near its base. It had 360 lockers for bathers and it rented swim suits and sun umbrellas to beach goers.
The bath house, located under the deck of the Pier near its base. It had 360 lockers for bathers and it rented swim suits and sun umbrellas to beach goers.
Tennis Courts at 15th and Valley Drive
O004.jpg — Circa early-1940s
Tennis Courts at 15th and Valley Drive, present day location of the Police Department.
Tennis Courts at 15th and Valley Drive, present day location of the Police Department.
Roy Casey's Vegetable Truck
O005.jpg — Circa 1927
Roy Casey's Vegetable Truck at 8th St. and Manhattan Ave.
Roy Casey's Vegetable Truck at 8th St. and Manhattan Ave.
The Manhattan Beach Pier
O006.jpg — Circa 1930s
The Pier was built in 1920 with the pavillion (roundhouse) completed in 1922. The wooden fishing extension was completed in 1928 and destroyed by a severe winter storm in 1940/41.
The Pier was built in 1920 with the pavillion (roundhouse) completed in 1922. The wooden fishing extension was completed in 1928 and destroyed by a severe winter storm in 1940/41.
Looking north on Manhattan Avenue
O007.jpg — Circa late 1930s
Looking north on Manhattan Avenue from 10th Place.
Looking north on Manhattan Avenue from 10th Place.
Looking north from the end of the Pier
O008.jpg — Circa 1930s
Looking north from the end of the Pier. In the distance are The Strand, the beach, the Marine Avenue Pavilion, and the Sadler Building.
Looking north from the end of the Pier. In the distance are The Strand, the beach, the Marine Avenue Pavilion, and the Sadler Building.
South from Center Street
O009.jpg — Circa late 1930s
Looking south from Center Street (present-day Manhattan Beach Blvd.) down Manhattan Ave.
Looking south from Center Street (present-day Manhattan Beach Blvd.) down Manhattan Ave.
Fishing from the wooden pier fishing extension
O010.jpg — Circa 1930s
Fishing from the Wooden Pier Fishing Extension. The extension was 200 foot long. It was built in 1927/28 and destroyed by the 1940/41 storms.
Fishing from the Wooden Pier Fishing Extension. The extension was 200 foot long. It was built in 1927/28 and destroyed by the 1940/41 storms.
Future site of Live Oak park
O011.jpg — Circa 1917
The site of Live Oak park. Looking north from the present-day intersection of Valley Blvd. and 15th St.
The site of Live Oak park. Looking north from the present-day intersection of Valley Blvd. and 15th St.
Aerial photo 17th Street
O012.jpg — Circa 1930
Aerial photo from about 17th Street looking south with undeveloped Palos Verdes in the distance.
Aerial photo from about 17th Street looking south with undeveloped Palos Verdes in the distance.
Fred Horner Residence
O013.jpg — Circa 1900s
Fred Horner Residence. This was the first beach cottage in Manhattan Beach. It was built in 1902 on a lot that was purchased for $180. It stood at 712 Manhattan Ave. until 1987 when it was demolished.
Fred Horner Residence. This was the first beach cottage in Manhattan Beach. It was built in 1902 on a lot that was purchased for $180. It stood at 712 Manhattan Ave. until 1987 when it was demolished.
The La Mar Theater
O014.jpg — Circa 1940s
The La Mar Theater was built in 1938 for $65,000. It was torn down in July 1981.
The La Mar Theater was built in 1938 for $65,000. It was torn down in July 1981.
Rosecrans Ave
O015.jpg — Circa 1940s
Rosecrans Ave. looking west from Pacific Ave. It was named after General William Stark Rosecrans of the Union Army in Civil War (who became a real estate developer in the late 1890s).
Rosecrans Ave. looking west from Pacific Ave. It was named after General William Stark Rosecrans of the Union Army in Civil War (who became a real estate developer in the late 1890s).
Neptunian Woman's Club
O016.jpg — Circa: 1930s
Neptunian Woman's Club, founded in 1909, is located at 920 Highland Ave. The original building, finished in 1925, has been expanded to the present building.
Neptunian Woman's Club, founded in 1909, is located at 920 Highland Ave. The original building, finished in 1925, has been expanded to the present building.
Manhattan Beach Pier Sign
O017.jpg — Circa 1928
Sign over the Manhattan Beach Pier built by Metlox out of Metal, ceramic and neon.
Sign over the Manhattan Beach Pier built by Metlox out of Metal, ceramic and neon.
Sign to Manhattan Beach
O018.jpg — Circa 1930s
Sign directing traffic to Manhattan Beach at El Camino Real (Sepulveda Blvd.) and Center St. (Manhattan Beach Blvd.). The Metal/Ceramic/Neon sign above the intersection was made by Metlox.
Sign directing traffic to Manhattan Beach at El Camino Real (Sepulveda Blvd.) and Center St. (Manhattan Beach Blvd.). The Metal/Ceramic/Neon sign above the intersection was made by Metlox.
The original American Martyrs Church
O019.jpg — Circa 1940
The original American Martyrs Church was located at Highland Avenue and 10th Street. Dedicated Aug. 30, 1931.
The original American Martyrs Church was located at Highland Avenue and 10th Street. Dedicated Aug. 30, 1931.
Aerial view of Manhattan Beach
O020.jpg — Circa 1946
Aerial view of Manhattan Beach. There was a large building boom arter the war but there are still many vacant lots shown.
Aerial view of Manhattan Beach. There was a large building boom arter the war but there are still many vacant lots shown.
Metlox Potteries Sign
O021.jpg — Circa 1980s
Metlox Potteries Sign at the NW corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Valley Dr. The sign now sits on Morningside Dr. at Metlox Center underground parking entrance/exit.
Metlox Potteries Sign at the NW corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Valley Dr. The sign now sits on Morningside Dr. at Metlox Center underground parking entrance/exit.
11th Street Bathhouse
O022.jpg — Circa 1910s
Bathhouse at the foot of 11th St. was built in 1906. Note the old "Iron Pier".
Bathhouse at the foot of 11th St. was built in 1906. Note the old "Iron Pier".
The Red Car
O023.jpg — Circa 1922
A Pacific Electric "Red Car" passes a house at the Strand and 8th St. The "Red Car" ran along the present-day bike path.
A Pacific Electric "Red Car" passes a house at the Strand and 8th St. The "Red Car" ran along the present-day bike path.
Paving Highland Ave
O024.jpg — Circa 1914
Paving Highland Ave.
Paving Highland Ave.
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