Guide to the Collection of Materials Related to Marineland 002

Stella Castillo, Marlene Goering
Alison Menninger
V.02 (Revision of 2008 Aug 2. Reflects revised arrangement and description.)
Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.
2016-Sep-25
701 Silver Spur Road
Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274
localhistory@pvld.org


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.
Title: Collection of Materials Related to Marineland
Identifier/Call Number: 002
Physical Description: .45 Cubic Feet
Date (inclusive): 1950-2010
Physical Location: Local History Center
Abstract: Collection of photos, brochures and clippings related to Marineland of the Pacific (Marineland), built on 65 acres of prime oceanfront property known as Long Point on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

[Name of item], Collection of Materials Related to Marineland (Collection 002). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Biographical / Historical

Marineland was built on land purchased from the Palos Verdes Corporation in 1953. It opened a year later on August 28, 1954. Marineland was famous for its performing orcas, Orky and Corky. Marineland was also known for its Baja Reef concept, a first-of-its-kind swim through aquarium featuring a wide array of sea life. In addition to the orcas, a pilot whale (“Bubbles”), dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals and sharks, a number of other sea creatures were housed in its entertainment and research facilities.
In December 1986, Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich (HBJ) purchased Marineland and soon after moved the two orcas to SeaWorld’s San Diego facility. HBJ closed the park six weeks later on February 11, 1987. Much of the buildings were left abandoned for nearly twenty years until in 2005 development began on the Terranea Resort.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into three series: Clippings, 1950-2010, arranged chronologically; Visual Materials, arranged by material type; and Promotional Materials.

Scope and Contents

Collection includes newspaper clippings, park pamphlets, postcards, brochures, photos, slides, a family album, and a DVD of footage from the park opening.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Clippings compiled by the Palos Verdes Library District. Photos, postcards, site brochures donated by Mark Grindle. Photocopy of album courtesy the William Monahan Family.

Processing Information

Initial rehousing, stabilization, timeline and description of materials by Local History Center volunteer Marlene Goering, 2008. Final arrangement and description by Stella Castillo, 2016.

Related Materials

Point Vicente Interpretive Center Docent Research Papers (#160, #141), Local History Center.
Marineland of the Pacific Historical Society - www.marinelandofthepacific.org

Bibliography

Patryla, Jim., A Photographic Journey Back to Marineland of the Pacific, 2005

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Marineland of the Pacific (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.)
Amusement parks -- California
Public marine aquariums -- California
Real estate development -- California

 

Clippings

Scope and Contents

The clippings dating from the 1950s consist of articles from various local papers including the Daily Breeze, the Palos Verdes Peninsula News, and the Los Angeles Times.
Box 1

Clippings 1950-2010

Physical Description: 5 Folders

Scope and Contents

Folder one includes a detailed timeline of the history of Marineland. Folder five includes a copy of a 1992 auction brochure used in the selling of the former Marineland site.
 

Visual Materials

Scope and Contents

Includes photos and slides donated to the Local History Center by Sally Sakaguchi and Rudy Carlson; photocopy of a family album; and a DVD from opening day. Images document Marineland signage, views from the site, and various marine shows.
Box 1

Photographs and slides

Physical Description: 3 Photographic Prints
Physical Description: 20 Photographic Slides
Box 1

Opening of Marineland

Scope and Contents

DVD (no sound) created from a VHS recording with runtime of 13.06 minutes. Production credits to Vagabond Productions. Footage includes building site, marine shows, birds, and fish feeding.
Box 1

William Monahan Family Album

Scope and Contents

Album is a photocopy of the William Monahan family album. Album includes clippings and photographs. William Monahan was Marineland's general manager beginning in January 1956.
 

Promotional Materials

Scope and Contents

Includes brochures, Marineland site maps and guides.
Box 1

Brochures

Box 1

Postcards