Susan McCormack
The first sign that Newport Beach was making the change from commercial
port to a thriving cultural and tourist destination came in 1905, when
the Victorian-style Balboa Pavilion was built.
The pavilion was built on a sand pit surrounded by water and its dome
stood out among the barren landscape. Soon, small hotels and wooden beach
cottages began to dot the area and Newport became known for its summer
vacation culture.
Tourists from inland cities began flocking to the beach in horse-drawn
wagons. Some families brought enough belongings and food to camp for
weeks on the sand. Most visitors were fully clothed as they strolled the
beach and dug for clams, and the women often wore hats and carried
umbrellas to keep the sun off their faces.
Outdoor church services featured piano-accompanied singing. Also, a
lending library was set up.
In 1908, the Polish Shakespearean actress Madama Helena Modjeska moved to
Balboa Island with her husband. She was the city's first international
celebrity and brought a touch of European sophistication to the beach
town. She died in her home in 1909.
In 1908, gondolier John Scarpa brought more culture to the area when he
moved his Venice Beach business to Balboa. Scarpa would sing operatic
arias as he took customers around the bay.
On August 23, 1908, Scarpa organized the first lighted boat parade.
Canoes and Venetian-style gondolas were illuminated with Japanese
lanterns in what would later evolve into the Christmas Boat Parade.
In October 1909, the Ebell Club of Newport Beach was formed to plan civic
projects, including a public library.
Sources:
* "Newport Beach California: Celebrating 90 years," Steve Simon, 1996
* "A Hundred Years of Yesterdays," Esther R. Cramer, Keith A. Dixon,
Diann Marsh, Phil Brigandi and Clarice A. Blamer, Eds., 1988
* "Newport Beach: The First Century, 1888-1988," James P. Felton, Ed.,
1988.
