The Heritage Association’s Port of Long Beach Harbor Tour
The Heritage Association of Long Beach sponsored a Harbor Tour on Saturday, April 19. The ninety minute boat tour detailed highlights from the 100 year history of our Port, the second largest in the country. The Port began in 1911 and originally consisted of 800 acres of mud that had to be dredged. After wooden wharfs were constructed dozens of ‘lumber schooners’ began arriving from northern California with lumber to build houses here. Today, the Port has innovative ‘green’ piers that allow huge container ships to turn off their polluting engines while docked. The historic Administration building, with its tile murals illustrating the history of the Port up to 1958 is a notable piece of architecture. To learn more about the history of the Port of Long Beach or to find dates for your own Boat Tour, check out their website: Port History .
We were able to see up close so many historical and architectural marvels including:
*The “Sea Launch” This rocket launcher at the Port propels satellites into space (near the equator) that conducts transmissions for Satellite XM Radio and Direct Cable TV (the one we use here at the St. Regis):
*The old “Edison Power Plant” This dinosaur is still operational! It isn’t currently being used because it isn’t “green”, but in the event of an emergency, it could still be fired up:
*The Heim Vertical-Lift Bridge (named for a Navy Commander). If you are a Movie Buff you may recognize this bridge; it was featured in the opening sequence of every Mannix:
In addition, the bridge was also host to scenes in Robocop, Inception, and many other films, TV shows (including The Closer and other police shows) and commercials. I also recommend you check out It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World which also includes many shots of downtown Long Beach and areas around the Port.
Speaking of Movie Making, we have several upcoming appointments with Directors and Location Scouts in order to see if the St. Regis could be of interest as a shooting location. Eli Guzman and I have been promoting the St. Regis as a possible venue. Of course, many sites are reviewed and inspected before Directors find their ideal location, but the St. Regis boasts one of the nicest locations in Long Beach and our lovely historical building is of interest to many people.
Upcoming Historical Events in Long Beach
“May Day in Drake Park” The Heritage Association is sponsoring a May Day Festival to be held Saturday, May 3 in Drake Park (951 Maine Avenue) from 1-4 p.m. Also, across the street, there will be The Bembridge Heritage Homesite Tour from 1:30-3:30p.m. A $2. Donation is requested. “Great Homes of Long Beach Tour” This 2014 docent led tour will take place on Sunday, June 1 from 12-5 p.m. This year’s Tour will include homes in Naples, Bluff Park, and other sections of the city. There are six homes in all, each of differing architectural character. The tickets will go on sale at the end of April and you can get detail at their website, lbheritage.org. The tickets sell out fast and the proceeds are all used to help restore The Bembridge House.
