Want your O.B. Historical Photos in the O.B. Book?

OBHS needs O.B. historical photos for the book we are producing/writing for Arcadia Publishing! The bigger the selection of photos to chose from, the better the book! We need a variety of O.B. photos showing the events, historical structures, people, the community, families, beaches, businesses, unique qualities that made-up O.B.  Please consider donating to the OBHS and help preserve our history in our upcoming book and archives. —For donations contact: Kathy Blavatt, OBHS Creative Director at kblavatt@cox.net or OBHS Archivist  Mary Allely to schedule a meeting or pickup: (619)  223-7784

WONDERLAND 100 Year Celebration!

The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presents: WONDERLAND 100 Year Celebration!
Featuring OBHS President Pat James and Author Jonnie Wilson
THURS., JUNE 20, 7 PM at the PL United Methodist Church, 19841 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.

Join us for the ultimate night of “Wonderland” history and celebration. Learn about D.C. Collier and his vision for Wonderland and Ocean Beach. Hear how Wonderland was effected by the famous 1916 flood, and its relationship to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. Don’t miss this important bit of three year history that changed O.B. and San Diego forever. This OBHS JUNE 20 program is Free.

OB Exposed! A Photo Perfect 19th Year!

The 19th Annual OB EXPOSED! was a photo perfect night! Photographic Impressions of Ocean Beach & Point Loma filled the Masonic Center on Fri., May 17th.

Congratulations to OB EXPOSED! 2013 WINNERS: Best in Show: Don Johnson – O.B. Phil #1, Color: Ray Hitchcock – Sunset Splash, Black & White: Don Johnson – O.B. Phil #1, Special Effects: Fran Del Santo – Electric- A Young Woman Writing in Her Journal Vintage: McElwee/Peace, Vince Adami - Looking North of OB from Cliff Area (1917), People’s Choice (voted by show attendees): Jane Swanson – Dog Explores Cave at Sunset Cliffs

Thanks to Donors (all those Great Refreshments): Point Loma Masonic Lodge; C.J.’s Catering & Speciality Baking; European Cake Gallery; Newbreak Coffee at the Beach, OB Business Center; OB People’s Co-op; OB QuikStop; Olive Tree Market Place; Pepe’s and Shades. Also, Thank You to the OB Business Center, Judges Joe Ewing & Steve Rowell, volunteers, and participants that help make this a fabulous event. 

Start clicking those photos for next years as we celebrate the 20th OB EXPOSED!

April 18th Diana Lindsay presents Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist

The Ocean Beach Historical Society Presents: Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist Featuring Author Diana Lindsay Thurs., April 18, 2013 at 7PM at P.L. United Methodist Church. Placed against the backdrop of the immense Anza-Borrego desert in Southern California, Ricardo Breceda’s “Sky Art” is the perfect blend of stunning craftsmanship and placement in the open desert landscape. He has taken a primitive welding art form of Mexico to new provocative heights. Over 125 metallic sculptures are scattered over three non-contiguous square miles of Borrego Valley. Diana Lindsay: Biographer and historian is well known for her many publications about the Anza-Borrego region of Southern CA. She is also an award-winning photographer. Join us Thurs., April 18th at 7PM, (books will be available)!

A Fabulous 2013 WISTERIA GARDEN PARTY

The Ocean Beach Historical Society March 23, 2013 Annual WISTERIA GARDEN PARTY Fundraiser on was fabulous! Attendees spent the afternoon in the  garden of a early 1900′s home, under the largest wisteria canopy in O.B. Guests enjoy tasty treats while listening to live music.  Special guest “Mayor Bob Filner” awarded the OBHS a Proclamation for the event and the historical site of the party. The event included a LIVE AUCTION and OPPORTUNITY DRAWING with great prizes donated by local businesses and friends of the OBHS. Members of the Clarke family attended… Their family was the original owners who built the Wisteria House (After the Clarks, it was owned by the Titlows). Thanks To All That Made The Wisteria Garden Party A Success:
Volunteers, OBHS Board, Food Donors, Mayor Filner, Billy & Rag Swingers Band and the Opportunity Drawing Donors.

WONDERLAND is Back!

The OBHS is happy to announce that O.B.’s Noah Tafolla and WONDERLAND are back on TV!
“Get ready…. because my television show, Wonderland has a NEW home and a NEW time!  Monday – Friday @ 12 noon and AGAIN @ 9:00 pm on U-T TV, which is Cox Channel 114!!  Tune in or set your DVR and come with me as I explore San Diego’s incredible neighborhoods and meet the people that make our town so cool.”
— Noah

A Historical Perspective of OB’s Planning Board

At our Feb. 21, 2013 Program Frank Gormlie, Editor of the OB Rag, gave a humorous and insightful  program on the history of the Ocean Beach’s Planning Board and the importance of O.B. residents taking part in their community groups. Frank was a member of the fist O.B. Planning Board, which was also one of the first San Diego Community Planning Boards elected by the community. Frank spoke about the importance of a good community plan that reflects what the residents want, and how they want to shape their future. Frank stressed the participation of residents in running for the board, going to meetings and voting in the election. About 1/3 of the attendees at our program were current and former planning board members. OBHS members express their hopes and concerns involving O.B.’s future plans. We want to thank Frank for a great presentation.