Collection Guide
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Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island real estate photographs
7092
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island real estate photographs
Identifier/Call Number: 7092
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1950-1969
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."
Container: 1
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.
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."
Advance notice required for 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.
[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
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Johnson Rare Books and Archives, May 1, 2019.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Balboa (Newport Beach, Calif.) -- History -- Photographs
Balboa Island (Newport Beach, Calif.) -- History -- Photographs
Real estate listings -- California -- Newport Beach -- Archival resources
Photographs