View
214
Download
2
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
I have always had a deep appreciation of all things historical related
to Balboa Island, so when my home was turning 100 years old, I
knew that I couldn’t let this occasion go by without celebrating it to
benefit the Museum and continue its heritage. I decided to throw a
fundraiser birthday party
for the house, with the
proceeds benefiting the
Museum. On Thursday,
December 12, 2013, old
and new friends gathered
for the festivities.
In preparation for the
event, I researched the
home’s history and
discovered some
interesting facts. We did
not find documentation regarding who originally built the house,
but we did find the Deed, which lists Leonora May Collins as
having purchased the land in June 1911, and we believe she may
have also done the construction. She was the sister-in-law of W.S.
Collins, the initial developer of Balboa Island. Initially the house
was considered a “duplex” as there was a small apartment facing
Topaz between the back yard and the alley.
It appears that the house was vacant more often than lived in until
1995, when my husband and I moved in. Allan and Seymour Beek,
who lived next door, remember a doctor and his family were there
until after World War II. Allan recalls, “Mother always referred to
the owner as Dr. Suckow…
It was a weekend get-away,
often loaned out to
friends.”
There was a palm tree in
the southwest corner of the
front yard, and another on
the street side in the yard.
“Over the years, about a
dozen balls disappeared
into the upper branches of
those palm trees,” Allan
recalls.
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society Founded 2000
We believe the Buren family rented the apartment during the late
1930s/early 1940s. Around 1945, the Baird family moved in and stayed
until the late 1940s.“The daughters were Nancy and Peggy, about my
age. I remember my parents being amazed at the price the Bairds paid
for the house - over $1,000 per front foot ($45,000)”, said Seymour.
Charles and Muriel Gay were the next owners. They operated Gay’s
Lion Farm, a public attraction in El Monte dedicated to the training and
exhibition of African lions, until 1942, when wartime rationing made it
impossible to get the daily meat for the lions. When the war ended,
Charles was too ill to reclaim his cats and retired to Balboa Island.
Then an elderly couple by the name of Lamaree owned the house.
They lived in West Los
Angeles and came down
some weekends in good
weather. “Doc” Lamaree
passed away in 1969
and Mrs. Lamaree died a
few years later. Willard
and Harriet Harris were
the next owners. Both
builders, they did major
remodeling, maintaining
the basic design of the original house. They attended the birthday party
and were so happy to celebrate with us.
My husband, Eric, and I bought the house in 1995 and two remodels
were done since then. I feel so fortunate that in this last 100 years, none
of the owners made a decision to tear down the house.
(Thank you to Allan and Seymour Beek, Robert Lambert and Don Abrams for helping
with the historical details.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! A CELEBRATION FOR OUR 100-YEAR-OLD ISLAND HOME
VOLUME 7 WINTER 2014
Snowbirds sail in front of 526 S. Bay Front
and one of the infamous palm trees!
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society
526 S. Bay Front sits on the corner of the Bay Front and Topaz
Happy 100th Birthday 526 S. Bay Front!
Christmas 2013
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society
100th Birthday Party for Historic Home
THE MUSEUM LOVES STORIES! Please stop by the Museum on Valentine’s week-
end and bring us your written Love Story (Sat.,
2/15 or Sun., 2/16). This could be a romantic love
story or an "“I love Balboa Island" tale. Each con-
tributor will be entered in a drawing to win a gondola ride on
our beautiful bay. These LOVE stories will become a perma-
nent part of our Balboa Island History Collection. Photos will
be taken, and refreshments served. Share your love!
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER Ed Trainor
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Diane Bock
Balboa Island's 19th Annual Holiday
Home Tour was held on Sunday, De-
cember 8th, under fabulously fair skies.
Nine hun-
dred and
sixty peo-
ple toured
the seven
stops. In
addition to the six lovely homes, the Bal-
boa Island Museum, in full Christmas re-
galia, played a key role for the second
year in a row by serving as the Tour's
launch point, providing refreshments and holding the Art Raffle.
Eighteen Museum docents were
delighted to welcome visitors
who enjoyed the lively exhibits,
including three new displays,
and lingered to enjoy cider and
cookies. A local choral group
provided entertainment in the
Museum courtyard.
Jeff Herdman, Home Tour
Chairman, is enthusiastic about
the Museum's participation in the Home Tour and expressed the possibil-
ity that next year's plans may include utilizing
the Museum as the Tour's headquarters for
Will Call and Day Of ticket sales. The Balboa
Island Museum is very pleased to partner with
the Balboa Island Improvement Association,
the Tour's sponsor-
ing organization,
and appreciates the
opportunity to in-
troduce more peo-
ple to the fun and
fascinating history
of our Island.
Sue Sibley greets visitors
Sandy Brown & Barbara Birnie
The Keil Sisters
2013- 2014
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Ed Trainor
VICE PRESIDENT
Bob Dennerline
TREASURER
Michael Smith
SECRETARY
Diane Bock
DIRECTORS
Don Abrams
Conrad Baumgartner
Steve Bromberg
Alice Dear
Robert B. Lambert
Sharon Lambert
Tia Morris-Lowell
Jack Northrup
Shirley Pepys
Sue Sibley
Tina Wayt
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society
THANK YOU, SANTA JIM,
FOR VISITING THE MUSEUM!
Enjoying the carolers
About the Museum Founded in 2000, the Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society provides a place for
Islanders and visitors to gather and share the history and heritage of this beloved location.
Browse in the Museum often and plan to attend one of our upcoming events. Donations
are tax deductible. Volunteers are desired. Contributions of photos, memorable stories and
artifacts depicting island life are welcomed.
Hours: Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. 10 am - 4 pm
Location & Contact Info:
331 Marine Ave., Balboa Island, CA 92662 info@balboaislandmuseum.org
949-675-3952
www.balboaislandmuseum.org
Be a part of Balboa Island history. Renew or
become a member. Application enclosed.
It is a new calendar year and a new membership
year for the Balboa Island Museum & Historical
Society! Many of you have already renewed
your 2014 membership, or in some cases be-
come members for the first time, and we are
grateful for your continued support in preserving
the history of our beautiful Island. If you have yet to renew or
would like to join with us and become a member, please visit
our website, BalboaIslandMuseum.org, and under How to
Help you will find a Membership tab that will allow you to
become a member or renew an existing membership and pay
by credit card or PayPal; alternatively, you can always mail it
to P.O. Box 147, Balboa Island, CA 92662. Happy New Year!
Ed Trainor
MEMBERS/DONORS 2013—2014*
PLATINUM - $20,000
City of Newport Beach
DIAMOND - $5,000
Mr. & Mrs. Don Abrams
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Dirk
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Northrup
Ms. Shirley Pepys
SPECIAL DONORS
Argyros Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Curry
Hershey Family
EMERALD - $2,500
Jack Scudder Memorial Fund
RUBY - $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Barry Meguiar
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Trainor
SAPPHIRE - $500
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Bock
Mr. & Mrs. Bo Brusco
Mr. & Mrs. Bill De Witt
Mr. Jeff Gehl
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Harris
Mr. Stan & Mrs. Renee Pepys
Lowe
TOPAZ - $250
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Bromberg
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Burch
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Cassell, Jr.
Mr. Terry Causey
Mr. Chuck Cencibaugh
Ms. Alice Dear
Ms. Heidi Hall & Mr. Steven
Guzowski
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Houston
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lambert
Ms. Ksenia Larson
Ms. Peggy Marotta
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin O'Grady
Ms. Marilyn von Kleinsmid-
Randolph
Ms. Nancy Watkins
PEARL - $100
Mr. & Mrs. David Allan
Ms. Donna Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Baumgartner
Mr. & Mrs. Allan Beek
Mr. Seymour Beek
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Birnie
Mr. & Mrs. Pete Blackman
Mr.& Mrs. Ron Brower
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Caton
Mr. & Mrs. Rich Cholakian
Ms. Victoria Collins
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Cook
Mr. & Mrs. Ted Cooper
Mr. William Crawford
Mr. & Mrs. Lou D' Ambrosio
Ms. Jane Davis
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Eggert
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Ehmig
Mr. & Mrs. Dick Fenton
Mr. Michael Glenn
Ms. Janet Goodwin-McNiff
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Grant
Ms. Mary Hardesty
Mr. & Mrs. Bert Harris
Ms. Marilyn Harris
Mr. & Mrs. George Harwood
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Herdman
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Jackson
Jacobson Family Properties
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Janssen
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kallestad
Mr. Bob Kelley
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Kirst
Mr. & Mrs. Rich Kredel
Ms. Miriam La Plante
Mr. & Mrs. Reid Lowell-Morris
Dr. Richard Mays
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen McCoy
Ms. Anne McNeill
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Miller
Mr. & Mrs. James Moloney
Mr. & Mrs. Glen Muney
Ms. Leslie Newquist
Mr. John Owens
Ms. Kathy Parks
Mr. & Mrs. Noel Pepys
Dr. & Mrs. Ron Pizitz
Mr. Al Preusch
Mr. Douglas Rasmussen
Ms. Marilyn Rock
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Romo
Mr. & Mrs. Don Rooten
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Saliba
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schnieders
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Shacklett
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Spragins
Mr. Dean Starr
Dr. Dan Stringer
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Swanson
Mr. & Mrs. Skip Taft
Ms. Judy Tarr
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Wayt
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Witzel
Mr. & Mrs. Cam Woods & Family
CRYSTAL - $50
Ms. Jill Adams
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Baker
Ms. Anita Bessler
Ms. Jacqueline Birdsong
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Bonhall
Mr. & Mrs. Don Bowers
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bress
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Byers
Ms. Janice Burton
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Callahan
Mr. & Mrs. Dave Carmichael
Ms. Joan Cayanni
Mr. & Mrs. Rick Celio
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Childs
Ms. Diane Christie
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cohoe
Ms. Patti Culpepper
Ms. Carrie Davis
Mr. Lyle Dawn
Ms. Edna Dietrich
Ms. Donna Di Bari
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Douglas
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eichenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Farmer
Mr. Jim Fournier
Mr. & Mrs. John Fowler
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Gilbert
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Goodman-Beal
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Gouvion
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hagemeyer
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Hanes
Ms. Noelle Heusser
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Hively
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Holden
Mr. & Mrs. Dick Jones
Mr. Donald La Londe
Ms. Cynthia Lake
Ms. Mary Lane
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Lang
Mr. & Mrs. Gaylord Larsen
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lehman
Mr. Peter Leinau
Ms. Maureen Lenihan
Ms. Diane Lewis
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lincoln
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Longfield
Ms. Margaret Lord
Mr. & Mrs. Buz Lowe
Mr. & Mrs. Rod Maxson
Ms. Diane Mondini
Dr. Joyce Nance
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Niday
Mr. Pete Painter
Ms. Frances J. Pedley
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Peets
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Peters
Mr. & Mrs. Max Pepys
Ms. Tiffany Pepys Hoey
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Pugh
Ms. Michele Raney
Mr. Hurley Robinson
Mr. Ralph Rodheim
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Rohrer
Mr. & Mrs. David Rose
Mr. Dave Ruffell
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Runner
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Sadler
Ms. Jenni Samuel
Ms. Marea Seastrom
Ms. Helen Smith
Mr. & Mrs. John Swain
Mr. Anthony Torrance
Ms. Helen Tuppan
Mr. & Mrs. Brett Turner
Ms. Vicki Veden
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Weinstein
Mr. & Mrs. Rick Whipple
Ms. Gail White
Ms. Shirlee Ann White
Ms. Susan Seely
MERCHANTS
Balboa Island Ferry
Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop
St. John Vianney Chapel
*As of 1/21/14.
Membership period extends
from 10/1/13 through 12/31/14.
Please call (310) 717-2325 with
any corrections or if you do not
see your name listed.
Recommended