Take a trip through history... Just stroll
through historic Hermosa Beach and you can visit many of the
locations that played a role in the development of American
Popular Culture. A Visit to some of the locations listed below
will give you a sense of the rich heritage of Hermosa Beach.
32 - 10th Street
This home was occupied by the Charlie Chaplin family for several
summers.
Pier & Ocean Drive - Old Hermosa Hotel. It is said that Errol
Flynn was a regular guest at this site, along with others who
wished to enjoy the ocean breeze and clear water of our beaches.
740 The Strand -
Justice Shaw House
The former home of Supreme Court Justice Lucien Shaw, founder of
the Los Angeles Bar Association. His family is still in the
legal business in Los Angeles. He died in 1933.
10th & The
Strand - The Sea Sprite Motel
This site along 10th Street and the Strand has been the vacation
spot for many a famed personality, including the likes of jazz
great Dizzy Gilespie, Tito Puente and others who entertained at
the former Insomniac Coffee House and the famed Lighthouse.
Also, movie personalities Hugh O'Brien and Emilio Esteves, opera
diva Beverly Sills, many Ice Capade stars, sports figures, and
symphony orchestra members. It is still owned and operated by
the Greenwald Family.
11th & The
Strand - Berth Hotel
Listed as the only hotel in operation in Hermosa Beach in 1917,
it was open year round for visitors and diners.
Loreto Plaza
Site of the Insomniac Coffee House
The Beatnik generation gathered here regularly to listen to jazz
and poetry. It was the birthplace of many talented musicians who
became renowned in the jazz world.
Pier & The
Strand
Thelen's Mermaid (Zuca's Terrace)
The current proprietor is a former Mayor of Hermosa Beach.
Today, it is considered the watering hole for old time Hermosans.
During the 1940's Zuca's Terrace was known as the best place to
dine and dance on the waterfront.
13th & The
Strand
Frank Champagne's Bath House
Many old Hermosans worked here as towel boys, which meant that
it was a locker club, a place with showers and private change
areas, and a bar called the Tropicale. A secret room hidden on
the second level was allegedly used as a bookmaking operation
for horserace betting.
1608 - 1612 The
Strand - Neutra Apartments
Built in 1938 for Hugo G. Maas. Debate has raged whether the
famed architect Richard Neutra actually designed this complex or
not. Many believe it to be an unnoticed treasure of his early
style.
1820 The Strand
- Slim Summerville House
The famed vaudeville comedian and entertainer spent summers here
in Hermosa Beach.
2008 The Strand
- William Jennings Bryan
Lawyer, Congressman from Nebraska, orator, patriot and literary
figure spent a year with his family in Hermosa Beach in the
1920's. After having given a Memorial Day speech in Hermosa, he
came to love this spot upon his retirement from politics.
2020 The Strand
- "Pinky" Snyder House
Meredith Pixton Snyder was born in 1859 and came to Los Angeles
in 1888. He served four terms as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1897
to 1921. The structure was built pre- 1900 but has been
extensively renovated.
2340 The Strand
- Mae Marsh /Lee Arms House
Mae Marsh was a silent screen star, featured in the D.W.
Griffith classic, Birth if a Nation. Lee Arms, her husband, was
a retired editor, sports columnist and publicist. Miss Marsh
died in 1968 and Mr. Arms in 1989 at the ripe age of 100.
2408 The Strand
- Doheny House
Built in 1916, this was the home of E.L. Doheny, Jr. The son of
the famed oil magnate and is still held by the Doheny family.
2601 The Strand
- T.L. Woolwine House
Famous and infamous in the political history of Los Angeles, Mr.
Woolwine was Los Angeles' most energetic district attorney
during the 1900's. This was his summer home, probably built
before 1915.
2806 The Strand
- The Seawright Home
Still occupied by the family, this lovely home was haven to Roy
Seawright , cinematographer of many Laurel & Hardy films and the
Topper series. Many of his early film techniques are still used
in the film industry today.
2826 The Strand
- James G. Leovy House
Mr. Leovy was the General Counsel for Gulf Oil. He was very
active in Hermosa Beach on all levels. This house has been
occupied by the same family since 1920.
3105 The Strand
- Farmer John Meats Family House
Still owned by the Farmer John family. Their logo is familiar to
all who have ever bought bacon.
3301 The Strand
- The Sprague Home
It is said that family members of the current owners were a part
of Nixon's Kitchen Cabinet and had strong ties to Washington
D.C. politics. The home was originally built by Brooks Gifford
of Pasadena for many years by Walter Gibson and for 25 years by
the McFaden family.
3909 The Strand
- Supreme Court Justice McComb House
Still occupied be the members of this family, this charming home
exemplifies beach living. Justice McComb was an important part
of the judicial history of our state and was an honored member
of State Supreme Court.
3417 The Strand - The Warren Miller
House
Former home of Warren Miller, famed ski and sports filmmaker.
The family still produces films from studios in Colorado.
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