City of Seal Beach history

In 1867, seeking a port to on-load their goods, the Burghers utilized Anaheim Landing, near the site of the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.

By the 1870's the Burghers began using the coast as a pleasant place to spend summer days.

Another early landowner was I. W. Hellman, founder of Farmers and Merchants Bank of Los Angeles in April 1871.

In 1901 J. C. Ord, as associate of Bixby, Hellman and H. E. Huntington, set up the first general store on the corner of Main Street and Electric Avenue.

One of the first structures ever built at Anaheim Landing was this old bathhouse (circa 1910).

One of the first surfing contests ever was in 1914, Strawther said.

1916:The Joy Zone at the pier entrance opened with the Derby roller coaster, bowling in one of two pavilions, and cafes.

Henry Huntington had just created the Pacific Electric Railway, and because it was an extremely convenient method of transportation, year-round residents began to populate the area by the end of the 1920s.

Josephine Rendon Sanchez, 15, at the Seal Beach Joy Zone in 1924.

Another area of Seal Beach, Surfside Colony, had been around since 1929 and is credited as the first beach resort community of its type on the west coast.

Postman Earl Randall on the pier in 1930.

1944:The United States Navy bought about 5,000 acres, which is now the Naval Weapons Station.

The iconic Bay Theater near Main and Pacific Coast Highway was originally built as the Beach, then remodeled in 1947.

Meanwhile Leisure World, a retirement community which comprises nearly a third of the city's residents, was built by Ross Cortese in 1957.

Founded in 1962, it even had room for almost 10,000 new residents.

1964:The city hired four full-time firefighters to assist the all-volunteer fire department when it annexed the Leisure World senior community.

1972:Congress declared 920 acres of land on the Naval Weapons Station to be a part of the National Wildlife Refuge.

1983:A massive storm destroyed the pier in January.