LONG BEACH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 77, 13 March 1933, Page 8

LONG BEACH

THE TOWN AND HARBOUR. CITY OF HOMES AND CULTURE. After three decades of breath-taking development in which it rose from a town of 2200 inhabitants to a seashore metropolis of 160,000 population, Long Beach settled down to steady growth, preparing for future years as a combined resort and commercial city. Some twenty miles south of down, town Los Angeles, Long Beach has built itself into a great industrial, residential and shipping city, with its excellent harbour, developed at a cost of more than 10,000,000 dollars, adjoining and now combine# with the harbour of Los Angeles. More than 190 industrial plants give employment to 2500 persons and have a yearly output valued at 54,676,736 dollars, according to the last Federal census. Adjacent to the city proper is Signal Hill, one of the largest oil fields in the State, which has poured millions of dollars into local channels of trade. At the eastern end of the city is delightful Alamitos Bay, summer playground of the city, and scene of the Olympic rowing events last year. Long Beach is a city of homes and a city ot culture. It has one of the finest school systems in California, beautiful parks, 106 church buildings, and outstanding apartment and club buildings. Its fame as a convention city has spread far. Last year saw the dedication of its 3,000,000 dollar municipal auditorium and Rainbow Pier, which will go far toward making Long Beach the “Atlantic City of Southern California.” The presence of the Battle Fleet and the demand of commercial shipping for dock and wharfage facilities have stim. ulated work at the water front during the past year. With nearly 50,0tM navy men offshore, commerce has felt very materially the advantage of navy pay rolls. Construction of an elaborate navy landing in the outer harbour, reduced rents for desirable apartments and other inducements have attracted a large navy population to Long Beacn. The water supply for the future is receiving its share of attention. Huge steel storage tanks have been erected recently to provide for any emergency and affiliation with the Metropolitan Water District is expected to provide enough water for the city’s needs f< r many years. The municipal gas department has prepared for the future by completing a new building and adjusting its gas lines. Plans were under way for the construction of an eight-storey post office building that will also house navy, immigration. and other Government offices which require branches at Long Beach. With any national revival in business large residential and industrial areas adjoining Long Beach will see amazing development. 'These are already plotted and planned on a gigantic scale, including the Montana Laud and Bixby acreage to the east and north of tlie city. Another important step in the development of the city is the 2,090,000 dollar Union Pacific cutoff, rerouting the railway line to the harbour so that its tracks yill be removed from Ocean Bouleward, one of the city’s busiest streets. COMPTON. The town which suffered the most is Compton,, which lies midway between Los Angeles and the harbour, it is the hub of a twenty-five mile circle containing 2,500,000 people. The city has forty factories mid a population of 13,500. Recent improvements there include a 125,000 dollar track for dog races, a junior high school gymnasium ami the remodelling of the City Hall. A 120.000 dollar post office and n new Southern Californian telephone building were in course of construction.