The Laguna Beach Historical Society is an all volunteer non-profit civic organization dedicated to preserve historical information and artifacts of Laguna Beach and to and accurately disseminate information regarding the important heritage of Laguna Beach.
Changes have occurred at the Laguna Beach Historical Society. After losing long serving President Belinda Blacketer and her father Doc Blacketer, many distinguished members of the community have volunteered to serve. Continuing as Board members are: Dr. Gregg de Nicola, Anne Frank, Francie Holder Pemper, John Hoover, Eric Jessen, Gene Felder, Jane Janz, Ron Kaufman, Dr. Glenna Matthews, Vern Spitaleri, Tom Simpson, Kimberly Stuart, Nelda Stone and Georgina Valdez. Long serving Board Member Ed Perry recently died. The Board is dedicated to build upon Belinda and Doc Blacketer’s accomplishments of leasing the Murphy-Smith Bungalow from the Wells Fargo Bank and restoring it so beautifully. The Board is proud of doing a good job at meeting its top priority to ensure that the house is open to be enjoyed and experienced by members and the public to learn about Laguna Beach and take a step back into 1920s Laguna.
In addition, we have an ongoing series of programs for those interested to learn about and explore the history of Laguna Beach. Programs in 2004 to 2009 included the History of Main Beach Park 40th Year Anniversary Window-to-the-Sea, Train Robber’s Daughter: The Melodramatic Life of Eva Evans, Jack Norworth & Song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”, the Legend of Pancho Barnes, a History of saving Laguna Canyon, the 1993 Laguna wildfire, Villa Rockledge, History of Laguna Art Museum, Dr. Lou D’Elia presents George Hurrell, Pancho Barnes, Larry Lytle on photographer William Mortensen, View and Discussing Historic Photographs, History of Surfing and the Laguna Connection, and the Effects of Spanish Colonialism on Takic-Speaking Peoples, View and Discuss Historic Images from the Tom Pulley Postcard Collection, Victoria Beach Tower & Norman House, Retrospective of Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts in Laguna Beach, Growing Up in Laguna During the Great Depression by Peter Kaye, and "Peanuts” George Larson by author Craig Lockwood.
The Historical Society headquarters is the Murphy-Smith Bungalow at 278 Ocean Avenue, which is generously leased to the Historical Society by Wells Fargo Bank for $1 per year. The Murphy-Smith Bungalow has a volunteer from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visitors are welcomed to see a little corner of the past, a look back into how Laguna used to be. A very popular feature at the house is the changing exhibits and collection of old photographs, books, and memorabilia of Laguna. Laser copies from our archives can be obtained (a $3.00 each donation is requested). Copies on photographic paper are also available. Free brochures are available for visitors.
