Local history buff Larry Strawther has a new book titled “Seal Beach: A Brief History.” It was officially to be released by The History Press on April 22.
“It’s actually not that brief,” Strawther said. “It’s 224 pages, but it is the most thorough history of this town yet published – even though it only goes up to 1967.”
Strawther said he stopped there for a couple reasons.
“I didn’t want to write a 500 page book; it covers the first 100 years of Seal Beach (the modern Anaheim Landing was opened in 1867), and I can stay friends with the people who were around here for the craziness of the late 1960s and 1970s.”
The book will be available in some local stores on Main Street in Seal Beach, which will be announced at a later date.
Meanwhile, autographed copies will be available through www.historysb.com.
“I also did a talk and book signing at the Seal Beach Historical Society and Red Car Museum at its quarterly meeting on April 27,” Strawther said.
He described some of the text and what reader can expect:
“The wooden pier, tree-lined Main Street and ocean views, coupled with a prosperous and happy community, led Forbes magazine to name Seal Beach one of the five friendliest towns in America. Getting there, however, was a bumpy adventure.
“Starting in the 1860s as Anaheim Landing, the first seaport in what would become Orange County, it soon became a summer retreat for squatters and illegal saloons. Despite the efforts of real estate developers to turn the town into an amusement resort and an early center for aviation and motion pictures, Seal Beach became neighboring Long Beach’s tavern, brothel and gambling destination. But order and prosperity eventually prevailed to create today’s quiet residential city.”
Fans of Seal Beach may join author Larry Strawther as he tracks Seal Beach’s evolution from raucous port to cherished community.
