Laguna Beach Historical Society Is Celebrating 30 Years

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—The Laguna Beach Historical Society is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Though one of its most important events of 2021 so far was re-opening the Murphy Smith Bungalow at 278 Ocean Avenue. The society is seeking volunteer docents for Sunday afternoons, so visitors can tour the cottage and its displays at the prepandemic schedule: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The 1923 bungalow has been spruced up a bit for the anniversary. The picket fence was whitewashed. And longtime local sign-maker Harvey McMeekin was commissioned to create a sandblasted sign to match the one hanging in front. The new sign faces the always busy, and sometimes treacherous, Whole Foods parking lot.

Curious people often climb the porch steps to peek into the bungalow's windows when the Historical Society is closed. Now, a glassed information board provides a little more for them. The display features the latest news, plus a QR code that links to a walking tour of downtown. The excursion begins at St. Francis By the Sea Cathedral Chapel on Park Avenue, includes the 1897 Cope House on Glenneyre and the Lumberyard, which housed the Laguna Beach Lumber Company from 1919 through the 1970s.

Before the Lumber Co. opened, timbers had to be floated in by sea or hauled in through the canyon. The Historical Society estimates about 90 percent of Laguna's older homes were built from wood sourced at the Lumberyard's original establishment.

In June, the society awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Soren "Luke" Teeple of Laguna Beach High School. "I love history," said the graduate. "I believe that by studying history we can not only learn about the future, but we can learn and appreciate ourselves; our collective story." Mr. Teeple also received scholarships from the Assistance League, Rotary Club, and the Winston and Dorothy Updegraff Memorial Scholarship.

For now, field trips to the Historical Society for local third-graders have been put on hold.

For 30 years now, board members and volunteers have collected and preserved documents, photographs and other ephemera on Laguna's long and fascinating history. Various programs have been organized, such as lectures by local experts and lifelong residents on Laguna citizens of note.

Board members routinely assist writers and filmmakers and other creative types on their research, digging up facts and lore for future books and movies.

And for some fun history within the history, two of the Historical Society's original board members are still serving. Congratulations to Anne Frank and Jane Janz for 30 years of preserving and sharing Laguna Beach history.