Featuring Photographer Steve Rowell
Ocean Beach photographer Steve Rowell has not only lived OB’s history, but also recorded it through his extensive photography collection. It includes the good, the bad and the weird, depending on your perspective.
Steve’s presentation of 100 photos embodies an indelible visual history of OB in the mid-60s — mid-90s. His images include memorable characters such as Jazz Musician Bob Oaks and the famous OB Spaceman.
Other photos show historical events such as the opening of the OB Pier with the Insights band playing and the construction of the Dog Beach Jetty.
Steve has taken pictures of many of our historical buildings from the past, such as the former D.C. Collier Cliff House above Alligator Rock at the foot of Coronado and Bacon, and the White House apartments with some of the original “Wonderland” facade incorporated into the entrance. He has also photographed Newport Ave. and many of its previous businesses during this time period between 1960s & 1990s.
Steve Rowell’s photos can currently be seen on
exhibit at People’s Food (top floor), through Dec. 31, 2008
Ocean Beach Historical Society 
Is Steve Rowell, the Steve that was married to Kathy Wirth? Are you 2 still together and/or do you know where she is? I still have the pictures you took of my son when he was about 5 months old.