How Huntington Beach Got Its Name

The place we call home has had several names over its history.

In the early days, the entire coastal area between the present mouth of the Santa Ana River and Bolsa Chica was unofficially known as Shell Beach.

In 1901, the West Coast Land & Water Co. decided to develop a large seaside area on the Northam Ranch. They held a contest to name the new town. Mr. Walter L. Vail, a Los Angeles cattleman, won with his entry: “Bolsa Beach.” (The second choice was “Superior Beach.”)

However, within weeks, the company's board of directors had dumped the “Bolsa Beach” name.  This may have been to avoid confusion with other localities that included the word “Bolsa” in their names.

The new name they selected was Pacific City. This was meant as a riff on the successful Atlantic City in New Jersey, with hopes that the West Coast beach town would someday equal its eastern “sister city” as a resort and tourist destination. The tract map for Pacific City was filed August 5th, 1901.

In early May 1903, with about 35 cottages already built, the West Coast Land & Water Co. was succeeded by The Huntington Beach Co. Pacific City was renamed Huntington Beach, in honor of the company's primary shareholder, railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington. (See photo above.) Construction of a Pacific Electric railway line from Los Angeles to the new town began almost immediately.

The post office was also given the name Huntington Beach, and the city itself was incorporated under that name in 1909.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Great post Chris...very interesting!

[aa]

"In early May 1903, with about 35 cottages already built, the West Coast Land & Water Co. was succeeded by The Huntington Beach Co."
What is meant by "succeeded?"

[Chris Jepsen]

It means the H.B. Co. took over from WCL&W as the owners of the original townsite of Pacific City/Huntington Beach.

Philip A. Stanton, the lead partner in WCL&W, sold his interest in the company to the Vail & Gate Group of L.A. in 1902.

That was about the time Mr. Huntington was thinking about running a new rail line down the coast. So, under new leadership, the developers wisely decided to use the name "Huntington Beach" for both the town and their company.

It should be noted that Phil Stanton also founded the cities of Seal Beach (then called Bay City), and Stanton.

[aa]

Would like to shed more light on HB's origin...
"In early May 1903, with about 35 cottages already built, the West Coast Land & Water Co. was succeeded by The Huntington Beach Co. Pacific City was renamed Huntington Beach, in honor of the company's primary shareholder, railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington."

Some reputable history books glorify the naming of HB "in honor" of H.E.H. during the 4th of July celebration commemorating the new railway. Pacific City officially changed to HB prior to July, 1904 as the name change was part of the sales package deal to get H.E.H. to build the railway to the area.

"1904... the townspeople changed the name to honor Pasadena developer Henry Huntington."

"On July 4, 1904, the first Red Cars of the Pacific Electric rolled in to the new city and its name was changed to Huntington Beach."

"He (H.E.H.) bought the town in 1903, renamed it and began running the Red Cars of his Pacific Electric Railway Co. into town."

"It was sold to a group who renamed the town Huntington Beach, hoping that by paying railroad magnate H. E. Huntington this nominal tribute he would extend his Pacific Electric Railroad to the young city. (He did.)"

"Although the site of Pacific City held great promise, it lacked easy access for prospective citizens and land speculators. The syndicate, headed by J. V. Vickers, approached Henry E. Huntington, owner of the massive interurban electric railway in southern California, and asked him to extend the Long Beach line to Pacific City. In return, Huntington was offered a large block of stock in the new company, free right-of-way along the ocean front, one-twelfth of all subdivided land lots and one-fifth interest in all ocean front bluff property. The company would be named The Huntington Beach Company and, the coup de grace, Pacific City would be renamed Huntington Beach. Huntington agreed to extend the Long Beach rail line."