Huntington Beach (CA) (Images of America) [Paperback]

Chris Epting (Author)

Book Description

Series: Images of America | Publication Date: June 25, 2001

Incorporated in 1909, Huntington Beach remained a sleepy seaside town until the city's legendary oil boom in the 1920s. Wells sprang up overnight, and in less than a month, the city's population more than doubled. As the area developed culturally through the decades, the once tiny farming community increased its size with 25 miles of annexations to become one of Southern California's major tourist destinations. Pictured here in nearly 200 vintage photographs is the evolution of this small seaside village into a classic, Southern California beach city, known as Surf City to nearly a million tourists a year. Showcased here are images acquired from city records, including shots of the famous Huntington Beach Pier as it evolved over the century, rare amateur photos of one of the largest gushers in city history, vintage beach scenes, rarely seen historic aerial views, images of the turn of the century Tent City, the infamous flood of 1938, and nostalgic shots of the Saltwater Plunge.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Chris Epting has compiled an in-depth visual history of one of America's oldest beach cities, the first time a collection this extensive has been available to the public. He lives in the Huntington Harbour area of Huntington Beach with his wife and two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (June 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738518786
• ISBN-13: 978-0738518787
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #979,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chris Epting is the author of 17 travel/history books, including James Dean Died Here (Santa Monica Press), Roadside Baseball (McGraw Hill) and most recently The Ruby Slippers, Madonna's Bra and Einstein's Brain -- The Locations of America's Pop Culture Artifacts (Santa Monica Press). He has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways and Travel + Lesiure magazine, and writes a weekly newspaper column for the Huntington Beach Independent. He is the national spokesman for Hampton Inn hotel's Hidden Landmarks program and hosts the weekly syndicated radio show, The Pop Culture Road Trip. In addition, Chris is a frequent talk show guest, appearing on shows including National Public Radio, the E! Channel and Access Hollywood.Originally from New York, Chris now lives in Huntington Beach, California with his wife and their two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely interesting, August 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Huntington Beach (CA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Excellent pictorial history of "Surf City." We've lived here for years and never knew all that had gone on here. Incredible selection of rare historic photos, which we've always been on the lookout for. Well worth the price of admission.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Archaeological Best, July 19, 2005

By 

Scott Crull "Ph. D. Archaeologist" (Woodland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Huntington Beach (CA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

I had contacted the author prior to buying the book - to use any pictures needed for my archaeology report on a site I was working. I couldn't believe the treasure I found inside. Those pictures allowed me to continue my research direction & I was able to reduce the age of my site from c.1900-1940 to c.1900-1927 & have the proof to back those dates up. I applaud Chris for this book & hope to obtain other copies for friends & associates, in the future.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sidewalk is worth a thousand words., August 22, 2001

By 

Mark Snow (Huntington Beach) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Huntington Beach (CA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Having lived in and near Huntington Beach for the last 5 years, I found this book fascinating. Historically, you get a great perspective of what the city once was...and how it developed throughout the late 1900's. But what I found MOST interesting...was the before and after transformation. Walking the same streets the author had. Lining up the same shots at the same historical locations. Standing in the exact same spot that the pictures had been taken almost a century before. And seeing how this sleepy surfside town blossomed into the famous city we now know. I definitely recommend this book for anyone that lives in Huntington Beach. It's great reading...and great for exploring the sidewalks of HB.