Ocean Beach Historical Society helps preserve local history through programs, postcards, the Sea Scrolls, articles, local events, and history conferences. OBHS partners with historical groups and organizations. OBHS Archives collection includes historical photos, articles, and other items. Our OBHS You Tube site has historical talks, filmed events, videos, presentations, and more. LINK: Ocean Beach Historical Society You Tube®Channel
The Beach News paper Archives: Link for Beach News
The Peninsula News paper Archive: Link for Peninsula News
Author: kblavatt
April 18th Diana Lindsay presents Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist
The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presents: Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist Featuring Author Diana Lindsay Thurs., April 18, 2013 at 7PM at P.L. United Methodist Church. Placed against the backdrop of the immense Anza-Borrego desert in Southern California, Ricardo Breceda’s “Sky Art” is the perfect blend of stunning craftsmanship and placement in the open desert landscape. He has taken a primitive welding art form of Mexico to new provocative heights. Over 125 metallic sculptures are scattered over three non-contiguous square miles of Borrego Valley. Diana Lindsay: Biographer and historian is well known for her many publications about the Anza-Borrego region of Southern CA. She is also an award-winning photographer. Join us Thurs., April 18th at 7PM, (books will be available)!
A Fabulous 2013 WISTERIA GARDEN PARTY
The Ocean Beach Historical Society March 23, 2013 Annual WISTERIA GARDEN PARTY Fundraiser on was fabulous! Attendees spent the afternoon in the garden of a early 1900’s home, under the largest wisteria canopy in O.B. Guests enjoy tasty treats while listening to live music. Special guest “Mayor Bob Filner” awarded the OBHS a Proclamation for the event and the historical site of the party. The event included a LIVE AUCTION and OPPORTUNITY DRAWING with great prizes donated by local businesses and friends of the OBHS. Members of the Clarke family attended… Their family was the original owners who built the Wisteria House (After the Clarks, it was owned by the Titlows). Thanks To All That Made The Wisteria Garden Party A Success:
Volunteers, OBHS Board, Food Donors, Mayor Filner, Billy & Rag Swingers Band and the Opportunity Drawing Donors.
WONDERLAND is Back!
The OBHS is happy to announce that O.B.’s Noah Tafolla and WONDERLAND are back on TV!
“Get ready…. because my television show, Wonderland has a NEW home and a NEW time! Monday – Friday @ 12 noon and AGAIN @ 9:00 pm on U-T TV, which is Cox Channel 114!! Tune in or set your DVR and come with me as I explore San Diego’s incredible neighborhoods and meet the people that make our town so cool.”
— Noah
A Historical Perspective of OB’s Planning Board
At our Feb. 21, 2013 Program Frank Gormlie, Editor of the OB Rag, gave a humorous and insightful program on the history of the Ocean Beach’s Planning Board and the importance of O.B. residents taking part in their community groups. Frank was a member of the fist O.B. Planning Board, which was also one of the first San Diego Community Planning Boards elected by the community. Frank spoke about the importance of a good community plan that reflects what the residents want, and how they want to shape their future. Frank stressed the participation of residents in running for the board, going to meetings and voting in the election. About 1/3 of the attendees at our program were current and former planning board members. OBHS members express their hopes and concerns involving O.B.’s future plans. We want to thank Frank for a great presentation.
ALL SURF! Joe Ewing Wowed Us!
On Jan. 17, 2013, The Ocean Beach Historical Society presented: Photographer Joe Ewing — ALL SURF! JOE HAS THE PHOTOS TO PROVE IT! This year’s presentation was ALL surfing photos. Joe is known for taking some of the best surf photos of O.B., we enjoyed hearing his stories, and learning tips on taking photos. Joe has been a multiple past winner of OB Exposed! and became a judge of the show. Joe will exhibit some of his photos at the 2013 OB Exposed! in May.
© Pier Photo by Joe Ewing
2012 a Year to Remember… 2013 an Exciting Year Ahead!
Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Ocean Beach at the OB Holiday Parade was the perfect way to end 2012. OBHS’ Pat James & Jan Gawronski were judges.
The Ocean Beach Historical Society Won 3 Awards in 2012!
Assembly Certificate of Recognition
Ocean Beach Town Council Cultural Contribution Award
Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association Award (Susan James and Mary Alley received the Mainstreet Award for working on the OB 125 Year Anniversary Celebration and the Beacon’s OB Anniversary addition)
Thank you to the groups awarding our organization, and thank you to all those that worked hard to make the Ocean Beach Historical Society so wonderful.
OB Historical Society in the Parade 2012
The 33rd ANNUAL OCEAN BEACH HOLIDAY PARADE on Dec. 1, 2012, was spectacular.
The 2012 theme was 125 YEARS OF OB FUN. The OBHS honored ever decade starting from 1887. We had a number of children and adults walk with us in the parade in fantastic time-period costumes. Thanks to everyone that helped make this such a fun and memorable event!
Nov. 15, 2012- 40 Year Anniversary Celebration of the 30 Ft. Height Limit
What a Wonderful Celebration of the 40 Year Anniversary of the 30 Ft. Height Limit and a great
program given of this popular historical people’s initiative in 1972 by Alex Leonis.
Wonder what helped keep Ocean Beach a beach town verses Miami? Most people answer is “it’s
activist’s community”. But equally important was the “30-foot Coastal Height Limit Law”. The law was the brainchild of a very dedicated activists group called “VOTE”. They had the foresight and drive to realize a strong law was needed to protect our views and coast from overdevelopment. Residents voted the law in with a large majority 80% of O.B. voters voted in favor of the 30 ft. height limit! Even with challenges, the court system agreed with the voters. Thank you Alex, the VOTE group and the many unpaid signature gathers for what they did to preserve or views and beach communities.
Oct. 18th Local Birds & Life in O.B. by Photographer Steve Rowell
On Oct. 18th Steve Rowell’s program was a visual treat with great insight into both our local 2 and 4 legged residents. He showed us his fabulous local bird photos and stories… visiting with a few new and old birds, as well as, an update on our local Osprey population. Also, shown was some of the people, animals, plants, and scenery of the Ocean Beach area.
Steve Rowell is a well known Ocean Beach photographer know for his historical and bird/animal photos. His work is part of the permanent collection ay People’s Food.
The program is at the P.L. United Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B. and is Free.
Ocean Beach Historical Society 