Rossmoor resident Larry Strawther recently held a lively discussion regarding the topics discussed in his latest book “Seal Beach, a brief history,” at O’Malleys on Main in Seal Beach.
The book was the second local history book penned by Strawther, a former sports reporter and television writer. He also published “A brief history of Los Alamitos and Rossmoor” in 2012.
Strawther’s latest look at local history focuses on the way that Seal Beach began and how it bared a little resemblance to the quaint bedroom community that is now referred to as “Mayberry by the sea.” One of the biggest factors in the development of Seal Beach was alcohol. Notably, the outlawing of liquor in neighboring Long Beach and how that made Seal Beach a nearby place for people to have a drink.
“Seal Beach, as a town is based on alcohol,” Strawther said.
In 1915, when the city first incorporated, then as Bay City, the town also voted to leaglize alcohol, as a means to draw resort visitors, who might chose Seal Beach over other places such as the Pike in Long Beach or Redondo Beach, because they could also get liquid amusement.
Strawther’s book notes a newspaper article about the vote, stating: “In November, the new city council approved the sale of alcohol, causing the Los Angeles Times to gush that the new town now ‘edges its way into the spotlight of Southern California’s numerous ‘watering places’ and resorts where the bright lights gleam and care is thrown to the winds.’”
The book also notes the development of Anaheim Landing as a port and how it became a major factor in building the city. Anaheim Landing, was Alamitos Bay and was developed as a port where wineries in Anaheim could load their wine onto boats for shipping. Just 12 miles from Anahiem, the Alamitos Bay area offered the best option over places like San Pedro or Newport Beach.
“Anaheim landing was almost as big as San Pedro back in the day,” Strawther said.
Strawther’s book delves into the failed attempts to make Seal Beach resort town (it was too small, how it changed in World War II and the change from Bay City to Seal Beach to escape the negative connotation with a failed real estate investment of the same name.
The book stops at 1967, for personal reasons for Strawther.
“I stopped at 1967 because I wanted to keep friends,” Strawther said.
The book is available at most book sellers or through www.historypress.net.