Santa Monica Tutors Come To You

The Santa Monica Pier is an attraction that draws in people from all parts of the country. What many don’t know, is the history of the pier is just about as exciting and colorful as the pier itself! The first dream for this pier started in 1915 when a man by the name of Charles Looff had a vision, a pier extending out into the ocean, complete with its own amusement park! He made this vision a reality, and constructed a large pier, that was essentially two piers in one, made entirely of concrete. The pier featured a carousel, Blue Streak Racer rollercoaster, and a fun house. Live music played in a pavilion was another feature.

It was common for Navy ships to go by the pier, and every time it happened the mayor and a large crowd of people would visit the ships like they were the first one. It was on one of these events, with a crowd gathered at the end of the pier, that the pier groaned, then dropped two feet into the ocean! Rust had taken over the concrete, and the piles were replaced with creosote-treated wooden piles, eventually the concrete deck was replaced with wood as well. Perhaps the engineer in charge of construction should have visited with his Santa Monica tutor more often!

In the 20’s the interest of the Looff family in the pier diminished. Charles Looff had since passed, and his son was too involved in other projects to give the pier much attention. So, it was sold to the Santa Monica Amusement Company. They replaced the roller coaster with an even better one, and also built the La Monica Ballroom, a dance hall that sat on a pier above the ocean. The Great Depression, however, ended this fun reign. The pier sat empty and the ballroom was used for dance marathons to try and raise money, however the building had lost its luster. I’m sure you’ve heard about the devastating effects of this time with your Santa Monica tutor, and the pier was not immune to its wrath.

In the 1940’s Walter Newcomb purchased the pier, sure that the attraction of the pier would return. The pier functioned, however maintenance was not very well kept up the pier fell into disarray. A few different times new functions for the pier were presented that involved turning into a highway, or thoroughfare. The community wouldn’t have it however, and eventually were able to pass a bill that protected their beloved pier. As the pier was set to be restored, two separate storms destroyed a third of the pier. The pier was revamped and made from concrete yet again (quality had gone up quite a bit since the original attempt), and the amusement park re opened. Today the park has a little something for everyone, including rides, live music, and just a gorgeous setting.