originally published in Los Angeles Times, May 30, 1933 The sport of horse racing did not technically begin in the Los Alamitos area when Frank Vessels started his Sunday “bet-less” races in 1947. There are well-documented races in the area during the ownerships of Abel Stearns and Don Juan Temple of Rancho Los Alamitos and … Read more
Most histories of the Los Alamitos area frequently mention a strong heritage of Belgian immigrant farmers. While their numbers and impact to the area are usually overstated, some certainly had an impact. One of those was long-time Seal Beach doctor, Homer Eugene deSadeleer, whose obituary is reprinted below. According to Frans De Man, Denderhoutem in … Read more
Aviation has a long history in the Seal Beach area. When Phil Stanton imported most of the 1915 San Francisco’s Pan-Pacific Exposition’s amusements to build the Joy Zone at Seal Beach, aviation was part of the business plan. Daredevils like Joe Boquel thrilled attendees with his aerial antics over the waves, and local pilots landed … Read more
The following publications regularly carried information on Los Alamitos. I have information on about half of them and will start filling in as time allows. EARLY DAYS (PRE 1915) Los Alamitos Bee — published some issues in 1896 and 1897. It is mentioned by both the Los Angeles Times and the Santa Ana Standard … Read more
Before Los Alamitos, before Seal Beach (even before Long Beach), there was Anaheim Landing. Now it’s swallowed up by the US Naval Weapons Station, but it was the first major European/non-Native American settlement in the Los Alamitos-Seal Beach area. It got its name because of its use by the merchants and residents of the Anaheim … Read more
To the left is a late 1896 USGS map showing the lower portion of “the Downey” quadrangle, the upper portion of the Bolsa quadrangle and the west portion of the Anaheim quadrangle, but mainly focusing on Rancho Los Alamitos and the surrounding area. The sugar factory would be constructed later that year but the early … Read more
You’d have to be a hermit or living jn the Bin Laden compound to be oblivious to the recent John Moorlach inspired local conversation about Rossmoor, Los Alamitos, and Seal Beach and “Super-city”, annexation, sphere of influence. shared powers The issue has motivated a number of people to speak up. Some of them actually knew … Read more
The Bayside Land Company was formed by Phillip A. Stanton to to create and promote the town that would eventually become Seal Beach. 2 SEP 1903 – LA Times, pA2. INCORPORATED: Bayside Land Company, capital stock $200,000; subscribed: $25. directors: P.A. Stanton, I.A. Lothian, George E. Pillsbury, W.R. Bacon, E.M. Mansell Pillsbury was the Chief … Read more
GEORGE E. PILLSBURY. Los Angeles Born Tewksbury. Mass.. 1857. Educated public schools and Lawrence Academy. Began civil engineering in Lowell, Mass., and until 1880 was in the employ of various railroads; then removed to Mexico where, for about three years, he was a division engineer during the building of the Mexican Central Railway. In 1884 … Read more
GEORGE E. PILLSBURY. Los Angeles Born Tewksbury. Mass.. 1857. Educated public schools and Lawrence Academy. Began civil engineering in Lowell, Mass., and until 1880 was in the employ of various railroads; then removed to Mexico where, for about three years, he was a division engineer during the building of the Mexican Central Railway. In 1884 … Read more