A few days ago, a devastating fire destroyed the end of the Seal Beach Fishing Pier, and the community is already rallying around a prompt effort to restore this local landmark to its typical glory. There were no fatalities, but one heroic firefighter was treated at a local hospital. This fire was heartbreaking, but it will not break the spirit and love that Seal Beach has for this pier itself – an important part of our own identity.
When first built in 1906, the 1,865 foot pier was the longest pier south of San Francisco. It was the center of the “Jewel City” amusement resort and was one of the many pleasure piers in southern California. Attractions included a roller coaster and fifty huge lamps which projected changing rainbows of light onto the water for nighttime bathing.
Memorial bronze plaques near the entrance of the pier give testament of the pier’s history and resiliency. One says, Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, 1938, Project No. Calif. 1723-F. It represents a rebuilding that occurred because of damage by the 1935 storms and accompanying wave damage. Just a year later, in 1939, a hurricane ripped the pier in half. Again, it was soon repaired, at a cost of $110,000.
The huge storms of 1983 that destroyed so many California piers also destroyed ours. Several sections of the pier were torn away and many questioned if the pier would ever be rebuilt. “Save Our Pier” group formed and the members raised money from both private and public sponsors and got their pier rebuilt, at a cost of $2.3 million.
Soon after, there was another group that formed called “Save the Pier Again” and they lobbied the Council to get Ruby’s to open, for families to enjoy affordable pier dining. Today, plaques honoring many of these separate crusades are placed at the pier entry, including Emily Frazier, Daisy Funk and Joyce Risner, who co-founded the group, as well as various other individuals, businesses and groups that contributed time and money to the many projects, are visible on the pier.
Since then a number of additional incidents have closed the pier. On May 15, 1992, an electrical fire started in the center lifeguard tower caused major damage to the pier. Next, just a few months later, the Lander’s earthquake cracked some of the pier’s support pilings. On May 21, 1994, a natural gas line under the pier was ignited by falling barbecue coals. The blaze blocked the mid-pier section and trapped about 150 people out at the end of the pier, all departed the pier safely, but the pier again was closed for repairs for months. It closed again in May of 1994 for repairs caused by the earlier fires and earthquakes. Further damage occurred in 2014 during hurricane force storms.
And today, it is clear we need to rally together, set aside differences, and bring all hands together for Save our Pier Again 2016. Seal Beach again faces the challenges of possessing a landmark public attraction that extends into the unforgiving ocean, more than a quarter-mile from dry land. We will overcome and recover from the shock and devastation of the pier fire this week, and once again our pier will be the focal point of our community for the full use and enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Vince Bodiford is publisher of the Sun Newspapers.
