Historical Society’s Cemetery Tour: Where the dead tell their tales
The Cemetery Tour is the Historical Society of Long Beach’s main fundraising event, and every year it draws more than 1,000 people.
The Cemetery Tour is the Historical Society of Long Beach’s main fundraising event, and every year it draws more than 1,000 people.
Heading north on Long Beach Boulevard, away from the shoreline and bustle of downtown, a relic of the Pike’s past sits tucked between strip malls, fast food joints and used car dealerships. Loof’s Lite-A-Line’s fate has followed the path of the bouncing ball at the heart of its business. The “game of skill” that once was a hub for tourists visiting the Nu-Pike, found a new home when it bounced to its new location on the Boulevard in 2000.
Every year, the Long Beach Navy Memorial Heritage Association (LBNMHA) hands out awards and grants that aim for one thing: to preserve Long Beach’s rich history. This year, the LBNMHA handed out $188K to seven local organizations pursuing historic restoration, renovation, or innovation.
It has been the home to many businesses and has a storied history, but the building at 957 East 4th Street—commonly called the Koffee Pot Café amongst Alamitos Beach locals—is now under scrutiny from the City following a declaration that the building is substandard.
Hailed as the largest and fastest rollercoaster in the United States, the Cyclone Racer ran along the shores of Long Beach from 1930 to 1968 until it was demolished to make way for what would become Shoreline Drive. Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is appealing to bring the historic coaster back.