History of Newport Beach
Encyclopedia
For thousands of years, members of the Tongva and Juaneño
/Luiseño nations long inhabited this area. In 1542, Juan Cabrillo first sailed the coast of California
for New Spain
and in 1602, Sebastián Vizcaíno
mapped the coast for the Spanish Empire
. Jose Antonio Yorba
(1746–1825), known also as Don José Antonio Yorba I, was one of the important early settlers of Spanish California (then known as Alta California
). Born in San Sadurni de Noya in the Spanish province of Catalonia
, Yorba first came to the New World as an officer in the Gaspar de Portolà
Expedition of 1769. For his service, Yorba was awarded with an enormous land grant from the Spanish Empire in 1801 that comprised a significant portion of today's Orange County
in Southern California
. Covering some 62512 acres (253 km²), Yorba's great rancho included the lands where the cities of Olive, Orange
, Villa Park
, Santa Ana
, Tustin
, Costa Mesa
and Newport Beach
stand today.
From this Spanish period, the Ranchos
began trading hides with US merchants in Boston
for goods from New England
, sailing around South America. The Ranchos also traded with English
and European
merchants. This trade continued through the Mexican
period (1823–1848) as immigrants were offered land if they converted to the Catholic religion and became Mexican
citizens, which many did. Many Anglo
immigrants married into Spanish families, becoming Californios inheriting and acquiring lands and ranchos.
In 1870, Captain S.S. Dunnells guided a ship called the Vaquero into an unnamed harbor. Captain Dunnells, feeling distinctly uncreative, decided to call the harbor "New Port."
In September 1870, Captain Samuel S. Dunnells’ steamer Vaquero ventured into the bay to offload a cargo of lumber and shingles. Captain Dunnells soon established “Newport Landing” by constructing a small wharf and warehouse near the west end of the present Coast Highway/Newport Bay Bridge.
In 1875, James McFadden and his younger brother Robert acquired the landing and for the next nineteen years operated a thriving commercial trade and shipping business. However, the bay was not yet a true harbor and sand bars and a treacherous bay entrance caused the McFadden Brothers to move the shipping business to the oceanfront by constructing a large pier on the sand spit that would become the Balboa Peninsula. The site was ideal because a submarine canyon (Newport Submarine Canyon), carved along with Newport Bay by the ancient Santa Ana River, provided calm waters close to the shore.
In 1888, McFaddens decided their shipping business would be more successful if they moved it from the inner shores of the bay to the oceanfront were it was connected by rail to Santa Ana. So they built McFaddens’ Wharf at the location where the Newport Pier
is today. “McFadden Wharf soon became the largest business in newly created Orange County
”, California. It lasted for eight years, the McFadden Wharf area was a booming commercial and shipping center and a company town began to grow. However, in 1899, the Federal Government allocated funds for major improvements to a new harbor at San Pedro, which would become Southern California’s major seaport. The McFadden Wharf and railroad were sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad that same year, signaling the end of Newport Bay as a commercial shipping center.
In 1902, James McFadden sold his Newport townsite and about half of the Peninsula to William S. Collins, who saw Newport Bay’s resort and recreation potential. Collins took on Henry E. Huntington as a partner in the Newport Beach Company. Huntington had acquired the Pacific Electric railway system and used it to promote new communities outside of Los Angeles.
In 1905, the Pacific Electric “Red Cars” were extended to Newport. Collins began dredging a channel on the north side of the bay and deposited the sand and silt on tidelands that would become Balboa Island. Formerly known as Balisle, this enchanting little island was not always easy to get to. Newport Harbor was still largely undredged, and sailboats were often the only way to get around. Robert McFadden, an early Balboa Harbor developer had established a successful fishing wharf on the Balboa Peninsula.
In 1906, the Pacific Electric line Red Cars began service to the Balboa Peninsula and Pavilion, and soon, the Red Cars would bring thousands of summertime visitors from Los Angeles.
In 1906 the Balboa Pavilion
was completed along with her sister project, the Balboa Pier
(for the purpose of attracting lot buyers to the Balboa Peninsula part of Newport). Back then, bayfront houses sold for as little as $500.
Further, in 1906, Newport Beach became a tourist destination with the arrival of the Pacific Electric Railway
. The railway terminated at the Balboa Pavilion.
Still further, in August 1906, Newport Beach became incorporated as a city.
In 1908, John Scarpa, an Italian gondolier, put together the first Christmas lights boat parade in Newport Harbor
. This started a long, yearly tradition that has lasted to this day.
In 1908 and 1909, with permission of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, William Collins moved his small dredge to the eastern part of the Newport bay, a mud flat called "Snipe Island," and begin cutting a channel along the north side of the bay across from the Pavilion, piling the sand and silt up on the mud flat and thus Balboa Island was born. Balboa Island was a summer vacation place. Most homes had no heaters, and were closed up in the winter. Families came down for the entire summer. Cooking was done on a gasoline stove as there was no gas or electricity. Coal oil lanterns and candles were used.
In 1909t the first "seawall", a wooden bulkhead that protected part of the island, was built.
In 1910, the McFaddens sell Newport, Lido
and Balboa Island for US$35,000.
In 1912, the seawall was partially replaced by a cement barrier (cheap German cement).
in 1914, water lines to the Island were first laid.
In 1916, Balboa Island is annexed to city of Newport Beach.
In 1919, water for the Island came from the famous "Wooden Water Tower" built on Agate St. (removed in 1929).
In 1920, Park Ave. was the only road paved on the island. People had outhouses behind their house as there was no sewer. They buried trash in big holes dug in vacant lots. Also in this same year, gas utility came to the Island (heating, cooking, lights).
In 1919, Joseph Beek
, while still a student at Pasadena City College, was enchanted with the area, and became one of Collins' salesmen. Joe Beek played a crucial role in the development of Balboa Island, and spent a lifetime devoted to it. Joe got the first contract for a ferry between the Island and Balboa Peninsula.
In 1920, the first car was pushed across the bay (for 10 cents). In 1922, Joe Beek got a 15 year franchise, using the ferry boat "Joker", which could hold two cars. That franchise has continued until this day, with three 64 ft (19.5 m). boats that can carry three cars. He later served as Secretary of the California State Senate until his death in 1968.
In 1922, the seawall was rebuilt.
In 1923, the city annexed Corona del Mar.
In 1926, the Pacific Coast Highway was built through the city. Also a bridge over the Upper Bay was built.
In 1929, The Grand Canal wooden bulkhead and walk were rebuilt in concrete.
In 1936, Newport Harbor was officially dedicated. This occurred after a $1.8 million project dredged out the sandbars and extended the jetties.
In 1938, James Cagney, a famous Hollywood actor at the time, purchased Collins Island. The US Coast Guard used this island during World War II and Cagney eventually sold the island in 1948.
Later in the 20th century, Newport Beach became the home of a number of famous celebrities. The most popular Newport Beach celebrity was John Wayne
, also known as “the Duke.” Orange County later named its airport for Wayne. Other celebrities residing and/or keeping boats in Newport Beach included James Cagney
, Humphrey Bogart
, Shirley Temple
, and Errol Flynn
. Furthermore, "Roy Rogers
and Dale Evans
" as well as George Burns
resided in Newport Beach. Other notables included television star, Buddy Ebsen
(Beverly Hillbillies, Barnaby Jones
), as well as Johnny Carson
’s most frequent guest host, Joey Bishop
. Arizona
Senator and 1964 Republican
Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater
spent many summers living at the Balboa Bay Club.
Newport Beach also became a hub for tennis stars, especially from Australia. Australian professionals Rod Laver
, Roy Emerson
, Syd Ball
and Phil Dent
all lived in Newport Beach at various stages in their careers. This in turn spawned a new generation of tennis stars from Newport Beach, Taylor Dent
, Carsten Ball
and Anthony Emerson.
In 1953, the third international jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America
held its event where Newport Center
and Fashion Island
now sit. It was the first jamboree held west of the Mississippi River and had with 50,000 scouts from all 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii and 16 foreign countries. Thousands of tents were pitched in the area reachable only by a two-lane muddy trail called Palisades Road. The road was soon paved, and later the name was changed to Jamboree Road
in honor of the Scouts.
In 1955, the Newport Harbor Buffalo Ranch
was established. This tourist attraction featured a head of buffalo in addition to other 1950's-style 'cowboys and indians' exhibits. Among other things, the attraction was notable for having a number Native Americans
among it's staff including one of Geronimo's grandchildren, Chief Cuthle Geronimo III.
In 1958, Hughes Aircraft Company's Solid State Products Division, and Microelectronic Circuits Division, specializing in electronic testing, and assembly of hybrid components and administrative activities, was built in Newport Beach. Throughout the years, various use permit approvals were granted for the expansion of the site. In 1997, Raytheon Company merged with Hughes, and subsequently acquired the site. Raytheon continued the established operations. Raytheon sold the site in 2000.
In 1962, Pacific Electric trains along the Pacific Ocean are used for the last time to deliver boats to Newport Beach.
In 1963, the first phase of Eastbluff, the first "village" to be developed under the Irvine Company
's master plan, is opened.
In 1967, Fashion Island was completed. Newport Center Drive, a circular road, embraces Fashion Island and gives it the "island" name. Newport Center's first office building, at 400 Newport Center Drive, is completed the same year.
In 1969, the Irvine Company
's twin towers are completed at Newport Center.
In 1971, Harbor View Hills, the second Irvine Company village to be built in Newport Beach, is opened. It includes the area between MacArthur, Ford and San Miguel roads, and the area now known as Spyglass Hill. The Big Canyon Golf Club opens the same year. The first of three eight-story glass towers that make up the Newport Medical Complex is completed.
In 1972, architect William Pereira
's famous "flying saucer" building, as well as Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
's 18-story high-rise (the city's tallest to date), are both completed at Newport Center.
In 1973, the village of Big Canyon is opened.
In 1971, Harbor View Hills, the second Irvine Company village to be built in Newport Beach, is opened. It includes what is now known as
In 1990, construction began on Newport Coast.
Juaneño
The Juaneño or Acagchemem are a Native American group from Southern California. The Juaneño lived in what is now part of Orange and San Diego Counties and received their Spanish name from the priests of the California mission chain due to their proximity to Mission San Juan Capistrano...
/Luiseño nations long inhabited this area. In 1542, Juan Cabrillo first sailed the coast of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
for New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
and in 1602, Sebastián Vizcaíno
Sebastián Vizcaíno
Sebastián Vizcaíno was a Spanish soldier, entrepreneur, explorer, and diplomat whose varied roles took him to New Spain, the Philippines, the Baja California peninsula, the California coast and Japan.-Early career:...
mapped the coast for the Spanish Empire
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
. Jose Antonio Yorba
José Antonio Yorba
José Antonio Yorba , also known as Don José Antonio Yorba I, was a Spanish soldier and early settler of Spanish California.-Spanish Soldier:...
(1746–1825), known also as Don José Antonio Yorba I, was one of the important early settlers of Spanish California (then known as Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
). Born in San Sadurni de Noya in the Spanish province of Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, Yorba first came to the New World as an officer in the Gaspar de Portolà
Gaspar de Portolà
Gaspar de Portolà i Rovira was a soldier, governor of Baja and Alta California , explorer and founder of San Diego and Monterey. He was born in Os de Balaguer, province of Lleida, in Catalonia, Spain, of Catalan nobility. Don Gaspar served as a soldier in the Spanish army in Italy and Portugal...
Expedition of 1769. For his service, Yorba was awarded with an enormous land grant from the Spanish Empire in 1801 that comprised a significant portion of today's Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. Covering some 62512 acres (253 km²), Yorba's great rancho included the lands where the cities of Olive, Orange
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
, Villa Park
Villa Park, California
Villa Park is a city in northern Orange County, California, near and surrounded by the City of Orange, and close to Anaheim Hills, that incorporated in 1962. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 5,812, down from 5,999 at the 2000 census, achieving the status of the smallest city in...
, Santa Ana
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
, Tustin
Tustin, California
-Top employers:According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Tustin had a population of 75,540. The population density was 6,816.7 people per square mile...
, Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, California
Costa Mesa is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 109,960 at the 2010 census. Since its incorporation in 1953, the city has grown from a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 to a primarily suburban and "edge" city with an economy based on retail, commerce, and light...
and Newport Beach
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
stand today.
From this Spanish period, the Ranchos
Ranchos of California
The Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...
began trading hides with US merchants in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
for goods from New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, sailing around South America. The Ranchos also traded with English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and European
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
merchants. This trade continued through the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
period (1823–1848) as immigrants were offered land if they converted to the Catholic religion and became Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
citizens, which many did. Many Anglo
Anglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the terms Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American, Anglo-Celtic, Anglo-African and Anglo-Indian. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to people of British Isles descent in The Americas, Australia and...
immigrants married into Spanish families, becoming Californios inheriting and acquiring lands and ranchos.
Timeline
After the Mexican-American war in 1848, American rule was established in California in 1850, the Yorba lands were amongst the very few to be preserved.In 1870, Captain S.S. Dunnells guided a ship called the Vaquero into an unnamed harbor. Captain Dunnells, feeling distinctly uncreative, decided to call the harbor "New Port."
In September 1870, Captain Samuel S. Dunnells’ steamer Vaquero ventured into the bay to offload a cargo of lumber and shingles. Captain Dunnells soon established “Newport Landing” by constructing a small wharf and warehouse near the west end of the present Coast Highway/Newport Bay Bridge.
In 1875, James McFadden and his younger brother Robert acquired the landing and for the next nineteen years operated a thriving commercial trade and shipping business. However, the bay was not yet a true harbor and sand bars and a treacherous bay entrance caused the McFadden Brothers to move the shipping business to the oceanfront by constructing a large pier on the sand spit that would become the Balboa Peninsula. The site was ideal because a submarine canyon (Newport Submarine Canyon), carved along with Newport Bay by the ancient Santa Ana River, provided calm waters close to the shore.
In 1888, McFaddens decided their shipping business would be more successful if they moved it from the inner shores of the bay to the oceanfront were it was connected by rail to Santa Ana. So they built McFaddens’ Wharf at the location where the Newport Pier
Newport Pier
The Newport Pier is one of two piers located within the city of Newport Beach, California, at the center of the Balboa Peninsula. It is 1,032 feet long and registered as California Historical Landmark number 794....
is today. “McFadden Wharf soon became the largest business in newly created Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
”, California. It lasted for eight years, the McFadden Wharf area was a booming commercial and shipping center and a company town began to grow. However, in 1899, the Federal Government allocated funds for major improvements to a new harbor at San Pedro, which would become Southern California’s major seaport. The McFadden Wharf and railroad were sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad that same year, signaling the end of Newport Bay as a commercial shipping center.
In 1905, the Pacific Electric “Red Cars” were extended to Newport. Collins began dredging a channel on the north side of the bay and deposited the sand and silt on tidelands that would become Balboa Island. Formerly known as Balisle, this enchanting little island was not always easy to get to. Newport Harbor was still largely undredged, and sailboats were often the only way to get around. Robert McFadden, an early Balboa Harbor developer had established a successful fishing wharf on the Balboa Peninsula.
In 1906, the Pacific Electric line Red Cars began service to the Balboa Peninsula and Pavilion, and soon, the Red Cars would bring thousands of summertime visitors from Los Angeles.
In 1906 the Balboa Pavilion
Balboa Pavilion
The Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, Orange County, California, is a state landmark. Established on July 1, 1906, the Balboa Pavilion played a prominent role in the development of Newport Beach by attracting real estate buyers to an area formerly designated as “swamp and overflow” land.The Balboa...
was completed along with her sister project, the Balboa Pier
Balboa Pier
The Balboa Pier is one of two piers located in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It is located in a part of Newport Beach called the Balboa Peninsula....
(for the purpose of attracting lot buyers to the Balboa Peninsula part of Newport). Back then, bayfront houses sold for as little as $500.
Further, in 1906, Newport Beach became a tourist destination with the arrival of the Pacific Electric Railway
Pacific Electric Railway
The Pacific Electric Railway , also known as the Red Car system, was a mass transit system in Southern California using streetcars, light rail, and buses...
. The railway terminated at the Balboa Pavilion.
Still further, in August 1906, Newport Beach became incorporated as a city.
In 1908, John Scarpa, an Italian gondolier, put together the first Christmas lights boat parade in Newport Harbor
Newport Harbor
- Geography :* Newport Beach, California* Newport Harbor High School, in Newport Beach, Orange County, California* Newport Harbor Light, in Newport, Rhode Island* Newport, Rhode Island* Newport, Pembrokeshire...
. This started a long, yearly tradition that has lasted to this day.
In 1908 and 1909, with permission of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, William Collins moved his small dredge to the eastern part of the Newport bay, a mud flat called "Snipe Island," and begin cutting a channel along the north side of the bay across from the Pavilion, piling the sand and silt up on the mud flat and thus Balboa Island was born. Balboa Island was a summer vacation place. Most homes had no heaters, and were closed up in the winter. Families came down for the entire summer. Cooking was done on a gasoline stove as there was no gas or electricity. Coal oil lanterns and candles were used.
In 1909t the first "seawall", a wooden bulkhead that protected part of the island, was built.
In 1910, the McFaddens sell Newport, Lido
Lido Isle, Newport Beach, California
Lido Isle is a man-made island located in the harbor of Newport Beach, California. Surrounded by the city, Lido Isle was incorporated as part of Newport Beach in 1906. At that time it was part sandbar and part mudflat. There are no commercial facilities on the island other than a small snack bar...
and Balboa Island for US$35,000.
in 1914, water lines to the Island were first laid.
In 1916, Balboa Island is annexed to city of Newport Beach.
In 1919, water for the Island came from the famous "Wooden Water Tower" built on Agate St. (removed in 1929).
In 1920, Park Ave. was the only road paved on the island. People had outhouses behind their house as there was no sewer. They buried trash in big holes dug in vacant lots. Also in this same year, gas utility came to the Island (heating, cooking, lights).
In 1919, Joseph Beek
Joseph Beek
Joseph Allan Beek was the longest-serving Secretary of the Senate in California history . The Secretary of the California State Senate is a nonpartisan officer of the Senate who advises the presiding officer and Senators on parliamentary procedures and is the chief recordkeeper of the Senate...
, while still a student at Pasadena City College, was enchanted with the area, and became one of Collins' salesmen. Joe Beek played a crucial role in the development of Balboa Island, and spent a lifetime devoted to it. Joe got the first contract for a ferry between the Island and Balboa Peninsula.
In 1920, the first car was pushed across the bay (for 10 cents). In 1922, Joe Beek got a 15 year franchise, using the ferry boat "Joker", which could hold two cars. That franchise has continued until this day, with three 64 ft (19.5 m). boats that can carry three cars. He later served as Secretary of the California State Senate until his death in 1968.
In 1922, the seawall was rebuilt.
In 1923, the city annexed Corona del Mar.
In 1926, the Pacific Coast Highway was built through the city. Also a bridge over the Upper Bay was built.
In 1936, Newport Harbor was officially dedicated. This occurred after a $1.8 million project dredged out the sandbars and extended the jetties.
In 1938, James Cagney, a famous Hollywood actor at the time, purchased Collins Island. The US Coast Guard used this island during World War II and Cagney eventually sold the island in 1948.
Later in the 20th century, Newport Beach became the home of a number of famous celebrities. The most popular Newport Beach celebrity was John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
, also known as “the Duke.” Orange County later named its airport for Wayne. Other celebrities residing and/or keeping boats in Newport Beach included James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
, Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was an American actor. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon.The American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the greatest male star in the history of American cinema....
, Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
, and Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn
Errol Leslie Flynn was an Australian-born actor. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films, being a legend and his flamboyant lifestyle.-Early life:...
. Furthermore, "Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
and Dale Evans
Dale Evans
Dale Evans, was an American writer, movie star, and singer-songwriter. She was the third wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers.-Early life:...
" as well as George Burns
George Burns
George Burns , born Nathan Birnbaum, was an American comedian, actor, and writer.He was one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, film, radio, television and movies, with and without his wife, Gracie Allen. His arched eyebrow and cigar smoke punctuation became...
resided in Newport Beach. Other notables included television star, Buddy Ebsen
Buddy Ebsen
Buddy Ebsen was an American character actor and dancer. A performer for seven decades, he had starring roles as Jed Clampett in the long-running television series The Beverly Hillbillies and as the title character in the 1970s detective series Barnaby Jones, and played Barnaby Jones in the movie...
(Beverly Hillbillies, Barnaby Jones
Barnaby Jones
Barnaby Jones is a television detective series starring Buddy Ebsen and Lee Meriwether as father- and daughter-in-law who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles. A spin-off from Cannon, the show ran on CBS from January 28, 1973 to April 3, 1980, beginning as a midseason replacement...
), as well as Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
’s most frequent guest host, Joey Bishop
Joey Bishop
Joey Bishop was an American entertainer who was perhaps best known for being a member of the "Rat Pack" with Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin...
. Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
Senator and 1964 Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater
Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
spent many summers living at the Balboa Bay Club.
Newport Beach also became a hub for tennis stars, especially from Australia. Australian professionals Rod Laver
Rod Laver
Rodney George "Rod" Laver MBE is an Australian former tennis player who holds the record for titles won in career, and was the World No. 1 player for seven consecutive years, from 1964 to 1970...
, Roy Emerson
Roy Emerson
Roy Stanley Emerson is an Australian former tennis player who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 Grand Slam men's doubles titles. He is the only male player to have won singles and doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments. His 28 Grand Slam titles are an all-time record for a male...
, Syd Ball
Syd Ball
Syd Ball , is a former professional tennis player from Australia.Ball enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 7 doubles titles and finished runner-up an additional 14 times. Partnering Bob Giltinan, Ball finished runner-up at the 1974 Australian Open...
and Phil Dent
Phil Dent
Phillip "Phil" Dent, born on 14 February 1950, in Sydney, Australia, is a former professional tennis player. Dent's high water mark as a pro singles player was reaching the Australian Open final in 1974, which he lost to Jimmy Connors 7–6, 6–4, 4–6, 6–3...
all lived in Newport Beach at various stages in their careers. This in turn spawned a new generation of tennis stars from Newport Beach, Taylor Dent
Taylor Dent
Taylor Phillip Dent is a retired professional tennis player from the United States.-Early career and back injury:He won 4 ATP singles titles during his career: Newport , Bangkok , Memphis , and Moscow , and reached the finals of three other events on tour...
, Carsten Ball
Carsten Ball
Carsten Thomas Ball is a professional Australian tennis player. Although born and based in the U.S., Carsten has continued to compete as an Australian player.-Tennis career:...
and Anthony Emerson.
In 1953, the third international jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
held its event where Newport Center
Newport Center
Newport Center is a business, shopping, and entertainment district located on a high bluff overlooking Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, California. Newport Center is also famously dubbed "Fashion Island" amongst locals. It was created in the early 1960s as part of William Pereira's master plan for...
and Fashion Island
Fashion Island
Fashion Island is an upscale open-air lifestyle center in Newport Beach, California . Fashion Island is owned by The Irvine Company.-History:...
now sit. It was the first jamboree held west of the Mississippi River and had with 50,000 scouts from all 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii and 16 foreign countries. Thousands of tents were pitched in the area reachable only by a two-lane muddy trail called Palisades Road. The road was soon paved, and later the name was changed to Jamboree Road
Jamboree Road
Jamboree Road is a major route through Orange County, California.-Route description:The southern terminus of Jamboree Road is at Bayside Drive, immediately before Balboa Island. It changes names, into Marine Ave., to make the very short journey over the water that separates Balboa from Newport...
in honor of the Scouts.
In 1955, the Newport Harbor Buffalo Ranch
Buffalo Ranch
Buffalo Ranch was a famous tourist attraction which was operated on in what is today Newport Beach, California by Gene Clark of the Irvine Company and the grandson of the famous Indian chief Geronimo. It was the first outside business to be allowed onto land owned by The Irvine Company. The ranch...
was established. This tourist attraction featured a head of buffalo in addition to other 1950's-style 'cowboys and indians' exhibits. Among other things, the attraction was notable for having a number Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
among it's staff including one of Geronimo's grandchildren, Chief Cuthle Geronimo III.
In 1958, Hughes Aircraft Company's Solid State Products Division, and Microelectronic Circuits Division, specializing in electronic testing, and assembly of hybrid components and administrative activities, was built in Newport Beach. Throughout the years, various use permit approvals were granted for the expansion of the site. In 1997, Raytheon Company merged with Hughes, and subsequently acquired the site. Raytheon continued the established operations. Raytheon sold the site in 2000.
In 1962, Pacific Electric trains along the Pacific Ocean are used for the last time to deliver boats to Newport Beach.
In 1963, the first phase of Eastbluff, the first "village" to be developed under the Irvine Company
Irvine Company
The Irvine Company is a privately held real estate development company based in Newport Beach, Orange County, Southern California. The corporate center of the company lies in Newport Center. A large portion of its operations are centered in and around the City of Irvine, a planned city of 250,000...
's master plan, is opened.
In 1967, Fashion Island was completed. Newport Center Drive, a circular road, embraces Fashion Island and gives it the "island" name. Newport Center's first office building, at 400 Newport Center Drive, is completed the same year.
In 1969, the Irvine Company
Irvine Company
The Irvine Company is a privately held real estate development company based in Newport Beach, Orange County, Southern California. The corporate center of the company lies in Newport Center. A large portion of its operations are centered in and around the City of Irvine, a planned city of 250,000...
's twin towers are completed at Newport Center.
In 1971, Harbor View Hills, the second Irvine Company village to be built in Newport Beach, is opened. It includes the area between MacArthur, Ford and San Miguel roads, and the area now known as Spyglass Hill. The Big Canyon Golf Club opens the same year. The first of three eight-story glass towers that make up the Newport Medical Complex is completed.
In 1972, architect William Pereira
William Pereira
William Leonard Pereira was an American architect from Chicago, Illinois, of Portuguese ancestry who was noted for his futuristic designs of landmark buildings such as the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco...
's famous "flying saucer" building, as well as Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP is an American architectural and engineering firm that was formed in Chicago in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings; in 1939 they were joined by John O. Merrill. They opened their first branch in New York City, New York in 1937. SOM is one of the largest...
's 18-story high-rise (the city's tallest to date), are both completed at Newport Center.
In 1973, the village of Big Canyon is opened.
In 1971, Harbor View Hills, the second Irvine Company village to be built in Newport Beach, is opened. It includes what is now known as
In 1990, construction began on Newport Coast.