June 16, 2016,The Ocean Beach Historical Society presented The History of the OB Rag, by OB Rag Editor Frank Gormlie who gave us a great presentation of the OB RAG —The OB Rag was an alternative grassroots newspaper for Ocean Beach during the first half of the 1970s, with its first publisher, editor & writer Frank Gormlie. It published from late Summer 1970 to early 1976. The Rag’s volunteer and dedicated activist staff succeeded in fueling the community organizing in O.B. during those years with their underground publication, taking on the establishment while giving voice to the burgeoning counter-culture.
The OB Rag blog and website was first initiated by Frank Gormlie & Patty Jones in late Oct. 2007. Their original intent was to ply the San Diego scene with news and commentary from a distinctively progressive and grassroots perspective, and to also provide a forum for those views.
The OB Rag also provides web platform for the community, OB residents and merchants, and covers local OB and Point Loma news, issues and events – and more. Learn more about the OB Rag at:
obrag.org
Friday evening May 20, 2016 at the Masonic Center, was an incredible evening as the Ocean Beach Historical Society Presented OB EXPOSED! Photographic Impressions of Ocean Beach & Point Loma.
Attendees enjoy the evening photography, including historical photo displays and film clips! Peoples Food Co-op Nancy Casady was our OB Exposed! M.C., we eat yummy refreshments! Many entered the 50/50 Opportunity Drawing and OB Exposed! Flash Drawing that included many great items donated from local venders. This year we had a Special Subject Prize Category “Piering-thru-the-LENS” (OB Pier Photos) Celebrating of the 50 Year Anniversary of the Ocean Beach Pier!!! There were so many fabulous Pier Photos at the 2016 OB EXPOSED!
PRIZES WINNERS:
Special Subject Prize – OB Pier Photos: Dan Dennison, Surfer on Beach Near Pier
People’s Choice (Voted by show attendees): Patty Sammulei, O.B. Parrot
Best In Show: Richard Thouberry, Newport Sunshine
Best Color: Richard Thouberry, Newport Sunshine
Best Black White: Richard Thouberry, Newport Sunshine
Best Vintage (Historic): Cheryl (Huston) Hall, We’re Ready for the O.B. Parade
Best Special Effects: Ray Hitchcock, O.B. Pier & Sunset
Best Child’s Under age 16 and Best in Show, John Barrel, John Deer
Thank you to all the volunteers, photographers, judges, food donors and opportunity drawing donors that made this years OB Exposed! a successful event!!!
Thursday, April 21, 7 pm at P.L. United Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.
The OBHS presents “The Carlson & Higgins O.B. Scandals” By Bruce Semelsberger. In 1887 Billy Carlson and Frank Higgins (credited as the founders of O.B.) renamed “Mussel Beds” to “Ocean Beach”. Following that they were linked to numerous scandals. To name a few: land deals, an O.B. hotel and trains. Later Carlson became San Diego’s youngest Mayor; while Higgin’s became a tragic figure. Suggested OBHS Program donation $5, but any donation is appreciated.
Bruce Semelsberger is the Archivist for the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum 1985 – present. Bruce built an archival collection and gives lectures on the railroad.
Bruce also lectures about local history. He has been prominent feature speaker at The Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties annual conferences.
On March 17, 7 PM, at the P.L. United Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B. we celebrate Spring with a program about the history and O.B. spirit of the beloved Wisteria Cottage and it’s famous 100+ year-old vines. You will see and hear what has made the historical site so special… from the people who have lived there, to the people that have partied there!
Along with the wisteria vines, we will also celebrate the “shamrock”… since this is St. Paddy’s Day! You’ll be able to enter our Lucky Shamrock 50/50 Opportunity Drawing.
Come join in the fun on the evening of March 17th (in the spirit of purple & green) as we celebrate O.B. style
Feb. 18, 2016, The OBHS & Rick Crawford presented the “Centennial of the Devastating 1916 Flood and the Rainmaker”.
One hundred years ago, the drought-fearing city councilmen of San Diego hired a rainmaker. For a handshake pledge of $10,000, Charles Hatfield built a wooden tower, set up equipment at Lake Morena, and began “milking the skies.” In the days that followed, San Diego was deluged with nearly 30 inches of rain. Mission Valley flooded, reservoirs filled and dams collapsed, roads and bridges washed away. Did the rainmaker produce the epic storms of January 1916? Or was this massive deluge an act of God?
In words and pictures this presentation will re-visit the famed Rainmaker Flood and look at the strange story of an itinerant sewing machine salesman—turned rainmaker, who claimed the historic rainfall as “an act of Hatfield.”
Rick Crawford is the supervisor of Special Collections at the San Diego Public Library. He is the former archives director at the San Diego Historical Society, where he also edited the Journal of San Diego History. He has degrees in history and library science, and has written extensively on local history, including articles for the San Diego Union-Tribune, and the books “San Diego Yesterday” and “The Way We Were in San Diego”.
Jan. 21, 2016 the Ocean Beach Historical Society Presented: Guest Claudia Jack, as she presented “OB’s History of VOLUNTEERISM”. She told of how the many organizations and volunteers helped make OB special… and many of them attended the program. We are thankful to the multitude of caring and helpful residents that are the heart of of our beach town. Claudia included information sheets about the many local and nation organizations and how you can get involved.. and keep OB’s wonderful community volunteerism spirit alive!
We thank Claudia for her enjoyable and inspirational talk, and applaud her for her lifetime of VOLUNTEERISM!
Nov. 19, 2015, over 200 attendees were at the Ocean Beach Historical Society “Centennial of Historic SUNSET CLIFFS!” at St. Peter’s by the Sea Lutheran Church.
Topics included: Ever wonder what was along Sunset Cliffs Blvd 100 years ago? How about 600 years? 70 million?
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Chair, Ann Swanson, and members talked of the park’s dinosaurs, sea-going monster lizards, Kumeyaay Indians and other early visitors. Also, about the Sunset Cliffs’ connection to Balboa Park’s famous exposition, the contributions of sporting goods magnate and developer Albert Spalding as he created the cliffs’ romantic bridges, gazebos and staircases. Hear about the secret passageways, caves and myths. Then hear of the later history of neglect and rubble-dumping; and now the renewed caring led by the community.
The human history of Sunset Cliffs started with the Kumeyaay who considered Sunsets Cliffs sacred, a place to be shared with all. Around the turn of the century came the Theosophists and Albert Spalding, who developed the linear section in time for the Panama California Exposition of 1915. This program will included coastal bluffs photos showing images from 1915, contrasting them with their present formations (photographed by Steve Rowell). An update regarding park planning efforts will be included, as well as a look toward future plans and needs.
Don’t miss this fabulous 2016 Congress of History Conference “Scandals & Scoundrels”
Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5, 2016 at San Diego OASIS at Mission Valley Macy Store, 3rd floor—1702 Camino del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108 For information and reservations: http://www.congressofhistory.org
The Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties is a networking organization that brings together representatives of historical organizations, groups, museums and historical archives in California’s San Diego and Imperial Counties.
The OBHS Presented: The SISTERS of O.B. By Sister Marie Louise Flick RSCJ, Thurs. Oct. 15,, 2015.
The nuns who live/ lived in O.B. are an important part of the history of Ocean Beach, San Diego and California. “Church Row” on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. goes back to O.B.’s early history, as does Sacred Heart Church and Sacred Heart School (now Preschool). These nuns played vital roles at St. Charles Academy, University High School, USD, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and other institutions.
The O.B. nuns have helped the homeless, aided children and the disabled as well as many others in our region.
Many of these nuns have multiple degrees, music backgrounds, various talents and interesting family histories. Some have lived in O.B. for short periods, while others for many years. Many can be seen walking around the community and enjoying our local coffee houses.
Sister Marie Louise Flick RSCJ is a retired educator. Most of her life has been in secondary education for girls. Primarily she has been the academic dean responsible for faculty evaluation, curriculum development and student academic progress. Every summer for 15 years she was an adjunct professor at Creighton University in Omaha NE in their Christian Spirituality Masters Program. Since 1996, she has been a staff member at the Spiritual Ministry Center on Del Mar Ave. in Ocean Beach.
OB History would like to thank both Frank & Patty for the wonderful talk last night and for all the hard work producing this paper now blog ( image provided by OB Rag ). Please take time to visit them sometime soon ( 
Ocean Beach Historical Society 