Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island real estate photographs, 1950-1969

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Summary

Abstract:
The Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island real estate photographs comprise a small collection of original black-and-white photographic prints from an unidentified real estate company showing properties for sale in the 1950s and 1960s in the beachside communities of Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island, located within Newport Beach, California. The photographs advertise both commercial and residential properties with handwritten notes on verso documenting the address of the property and sometimes other details, such as the asking price. Among the commercial properties shown is the old Balboa Motel at 315 East Balboa Boulevard, which offered 11 bungalow style units at the asking price of $70,000. Another photograph shows Rickey's Sea-Air Court, which was located on the east side of Adams street and ran from Balboa Boulevard to the alley at Harding Street. It was home to many of Balboa's long-time locals but was torn down in the mid-1970s to make way for two duplexes and a donut shop. The collection also contains a photograph of Pop's Cafe at 811 E. Balboa Boulevard. One of the photographs shows a quaint bungalow and is accompanied by a small, typed note that reads: "Cheapest place on Balboa Island. 2 Bdr - 2 Bath - Dbl garage close to S. Bay. Very good rental. Full price $39,500."
Extent:
0.21 Linear Feet 1 box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island real estate photographs, Collection no. 7092, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Background

Scope and content:

A total of 63 black-and-white photographic prints, measuring 8" x 10", showing properties for sale in the 1950s and 1960s in the beachside communities of Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island, located within Newport Beach, California. All but one of the photographs include handwritten notes on the verso, which generally record the address of the property and sometimes includes other details, such as the asking price. Several of the photographs include a "Realty Graphic Co." stamp on verso, with description: "Photo Multiple Listing Service for Real Estate Boards Exclusively." Also included is the envelope that previously housed the photographs, labeled: "Balboa Cal. 1950s 60s."

Biographical / historical:

Balboa Island was created in the early 20th century out of swamplands in Newport Bay and was named after Vasco Nunez de Balboa, who discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513. The island grew slowly with some of the first lots on the island selling for as little as $25. When the first concrete bridge was built, the population boomed and today homes sell for several million dollars.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Johnson Rare Books and Archives, May 1, 2019.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island real estate photographs, Collection no. 7092, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Location of this collection:
Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182, US
Contact:
(213) 740-5900
specol@usc.edu
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