Some of the Issues Long Beach Faced in Its Early Years

By Gerrie Schipske

In 1906, Long Beach was experiencing tremendous population growth. The Pacific Electric train replaced the GOPR (Get Out and Push Railroad) and brought thousands of passengers to the pleasure pier and bathhouse; some of whom decided to stay.

Because many who settled in Long Beach were conservative, mid-west transplants, they often complained about the modern direction the city was taking and pushed city government to make laws to regulate public conduct.

Much of the “civic concern” was centered around the city’s “pleasure pier, pavilion, bathhouse and beach.” Responding to pressure, Long Beach City Council (called then a board of trustees) passed an ordinance prohibiting women from wearing anything but a long, black woolen bathing suit should they wish to swim in the rough waves off the coast.

Because the city relied on tourists to its seafront, the ordinance had to be changed, especially in 1908 when the latest fashion in Atlantic City, New Jersey became the beach craze: colorful, revealing, silken bathing suits.

When the “pleasure pier” was built it included a “Sun Parlor” at the end where dances and in-door picnics could be held with a view of crashing waves. To accommodate concerns, the city scheduled daily band music during the summer and dance music on week day evenings. “Sacred music” without dancing was offered on Sunday evenings. Some residents still complained that there was dancing during the week.

Adjacent to the pier was a municipal auditorium where “shocking” live vaudeville was performed. Later “picture machines” were added and for one cent, viewers could see three sets of pictures from “The Unfaithful Wife, “ “Harping on Her Shape,” and “The Pasha’s Darlings.” Several residents made strenuous objections to Mayor Downs in 1906, who in turn gave several policeman “pennies” and told them to view the pictures. Mayor Downs felt that if the views were “really objectionable” they “must be replaced by others.”

Down on the sand, a battle ensued among the “Royal Italian band,” the “Long Beach American Military Band,” and the “Majestic Skating Rink Band,” who performed daily and who relied upon a contract from the city. The City eventually settled the matter by creating a Long Beach Municipal Band, requiring those in the band to become city employees. No Italians were allowed.

A bathhouse was constructed in 1902 and included a “Ladies’ plunge” and a bowling alley. In the 1920s, the bathhouse was expanded to accommodate the growing beach crowds and a large plunge was added which allowed both men and women bathers. The salt water was pumped from a pipe that ran along the Pine Avenue Pier.

City government struggled to balance efforts to attract thousands of beach visitors while at the same time responding to residents and thousands of conservative Methodists who assembled each summer at the city by the sea. By the 1920s, Long Beach was hosting “bathing suit” contests.

Gerrie Schipske is a native of Long Beach whose several books on Long Beach history can be found in local bookstores.

gerrie@beachcomber.news