Newport Beach Historical Society

04/07/2026

Join the Newport Beach Historical Society for a special evening, The Story of the Last 20 Years of Newport Beach by Its Mayors, on Wednesday, April 15th at the iconic Balboa Pavilion.

As Newport Beach approaches its 120th anniversary, this event brings together former mayors Ed Selich, Nancy Gardner, Diane Dixon, and Joe Stapleton, moderated by Centennial Mayor Don Webb, for a rare look behind the scenes of the decisions, challenges, and milestones that shaped the city we know today.

Enjoy an evening of history, conversation, and community, with a live Q&A and dinner to follow.

Doors open at 5:30 PM
Dinner begins at 6:30 PM
Tickets available now:

https://www.newportbeachhistorical.org/events-1/the-story-of-the-last-20-years-of-newport-beach-by-its-mayors

Be part of the story, past, present, and future.

04/03/2026

Before it became one of Newport Beach’s most tucked-away gems, Pirate’s Cove lived many lives.

In the 1920s, this rugged stretch of coastline doubled as Hollywood’s imagination. Silent film crews transformed the cliffs and coves into swashbuckling worlds, complete with full-scale pirate ships, earning the cove its legendary name.

Just steps away, the Sparr’s Bathhouse, opened in 1925, brought early beach culture to life, offering rented wool swimsuits, showers, and even childcare. It was an early glimpse into the leisure lifestyle Newport Beach would become known for.

Decades later, the cove took on a different kind of significance.

In the late 1960s and 70s, large gatherings were held along the shoreline, where thousands came together for ocean baptisms and shared moments of reflection and community.
That tradition continues today, with the cove still serving as a place where people gather for meaningful experiences by the water.

Today, visitors make their way down from Lookout Point to discover the same dramatic cliffs, calm waters, and hidden caves that have drawn people here for generations.

From silent film sets, to community gatherings, to everyday beach days,
Pirate’s Cove remains one of Newport Beach’s most storied shores.

Next time you’re there, take a moment.
You’re standing in the middle of a century of stories.

03/04/2026

What an incredible evening at the Lido Theater for Sin City: Newport Beach! With a completely sold-out show, the energy in the room was unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who joined us to step back into Newport’s raucous 1920s and 30s and celebrate this fascinating chapter of our city’s history. We had a great time collaborating with the Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society on this event and look forward to many more with them in the future!

A special thank you to Joseph Barber for capturing the Sin City photos and helping us preserve the memories from such a remarkable night.

And we’re just getting started…

🎉 Next Event: April 15th 🎉

As Newport Beach approaches its 120th birthday in September 2026, join us for a special evening reflecting on the story of the last twenty years, told by the people who helped shape it.

The program will be moderated by Centennial Mayor and NBHS Board Member Don Webb, and feature Former Mayors:
• Ed Selich
• Nancy Gardner
• Diane Dixon
• Joe Stapleton

📅 April 15th, Harborside Banquet Room at the Balboa Pavilion
🚪 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🍽 Dinner: 6:30 PM
🎟 Tickets: $70 Members | $80 Non-Members
(Portion of ticket is tax-deductible)

This will be a powerful and engaging look at Newport Beach’s recent history, directly from those who led it.

💙 Become a Member

Members receive discounted tickets to events like these and play a vital role in supporting our mission to preserve, protect, and share the history of Newport Beach. If you’re not yet a member, now is the perfect time to join and be part of preserving our city’s story. Visit www.newportbeachhistorical.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing you on April 15th!

Event tickets for sale now:
https://www.newportbeachhistorical.org/events-1/the-story-of-last-20-years-of-newport-beach-by-its-mayors?mc_cid=41c414b847&mc_eid=UNIQID

02/24/2026

Over 300 tickets have already been sold and only a few remain for this special screening of Sin City: Newport Beach!

Join the Newport Beach Historical Society and the Balboa Island Museum for a fascinating journey back to the 1920s and 30s, when Newport Beach was a raucous seaside playground fueled by illegal booze, gambling, and scandalous nightlife.

Based on “Bawdy Balboa” by Judge Robert Gardner, the film uncovers the stories of a dance hall, a notorious brothel, a formidable madame, and two larger-than-life Dukes, revealing how a boisterous honky-tonk town evolved into the world-class luxury destination we know today.

🎥 Sin City: Newport Beach
📅 Thursday, February 26th
📍 Lido Theater (3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663)
🚪 Doors Open: 5:00 PM
🎞 Movie Begins: 6:00 PM
🎟 Admission: $50 (Beverages & bites included)

This will be a packed house, don’t miss your chance to experience Newport Beach history on the big screen in one of our most iconic theaters.

🎟 Secure your tickets now before they’re gone!

https://www.balboaislandmuseum.org/events/sin-city-newport-beach

01/23/2026

In 2026, Newport Beach marks its 120th anniversary alongside the 250th anniversary of the United States. To honor this shared milestone, we are opening the archives and sharing rare photographs from the late 1800s that reveal how Newport Beach first came to life.

These images show McFadden Wharf and the Santa Ana–Newport railroad, a time when ships and trains met at the water’s edge. Built in the late 1880s, the wharf served as Newport’s first true connection to the outside world. Lumber, supplies, and passengers arrived here by sea and continued inland by rail. The railroad also brought carloads of beach-loving tourists from Santa Ana, though not on Sundays, which the railroad owners determined should be a day of rest. All of this helped transform a quiet stretch of coastline into a growing community.

Long before the pier became a place for sunsets and gatherings, it was a working gateway that tied Newport Beach to the broader American story of expansion, industry, and movement. Today’s Newport Pier stands on this same historic ground, carrying forward a legacy of connection that continues to shape our city.

We are proud to share this history as part of a community-wide 2026 initiative in collaboration with Mayor Lauren Kleiman, the City’s Historian Laureate Bill Lobdell, Visit Newport Beach, Sherman Library, and the Balboa Island Museum. We will be sharing new historical posts every Friday throughout the year and invite the community to follow along.

01/15/2026

Join us on Wednesday February 4th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the historic Lido Theater for a curated film experience with filmmaker Nathan Gopen, featuring never before seen footage, extended interviews, and rare insights into the origins of the Irvine Ranch and the communities that grew from it, including Newport Beach.

🎥 Film Screening 75 minutes
🎤 Director led Q and A and discussion
🌱 150 years of history from pastures to promise

Discover how a vast agricultural ranch evolved into one of the world’s most influential master planned communities and how Newport Beach played a pivotal role in that transformation.

📍 Lido Theater
📅 February 4th
⏰ 6:00 to 8:00 PM

RSVP here:
https://www.newportbeachhistorical.org/events-1/irvine-documentary

🎟️ Space is limited. Do not miss this special evening of history storytelling and conversation.

11/11/2025

Huge thanks to Chris Epting for a sold-out evening at the Balboa Fun Zone last week! He took us on a fast-moving tour through Lost Landmarks of Orange County, spotlighting the quirky, beloved places that shaped our county’s identity.
Here are a few favorites Chris shared:

Newport Beach’s Buffalo Ranch – Before Fashion Island, buffalo actually grazed right here. The roadside stop served burgers and a slice of frontier life in coastal OC.

Lion Country Safari (Irvine) – A drive-through safari where families rolled up windows as lions strolled by.

California Alligator Farm (Buena Park) – Across from Knott’s, it housed hundreds of reptiles and starred in Hollywood productions. One of the county’s wildest attractions.

Chris’s talk reminded us that “lost” doesn’t mean forgotten; our community keeps these places alive by sharing stories. Drop your favorite memory below of a lost landmark you would like us to highlight in coming posts.

Also, keep an eye on our events. More great programs ahead!
newportbeachhistorical.org

11/04/2025

The countdown is on! Don’t miss the Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Chris Epting, bestselling author of Lost Landmarks of Orange County.
🗓 Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5th
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Fun Zone, Newport Beach

Members: FREE | Non-Members: $10
Get your tickets before they’re gone 👉 www.newportbeachhistorical.org/events

✨ Step back in time and discover the landmarks that shaped our community.

10/29/2025

With over 50 books to his name, Chris Epting has brought Orange County’s history to life for readers everywhere. On November 5th, he’ll join us at the Fun Zone for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, rare photos, and local history highlights.
✔️ Learn about Newport Beach’s past
✔️ Take part in a live Q&A
✔️ Pick up a signed copy of his book

This is your chance to experience history in a whole new way. Don’t miss it!

🎟 Tickets: www.newportbeachhistorical.org/events

10/20/2025

Join us on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at P.F. Chang’s in Newport Beach to support the Newport Beach Historical Society.

📍 1145 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
📞 (949) 759-9007

Simply show this flyer (on your phone or printed) to your server, and 10% of your bill will be donated to help preserve and celebrate Newport Beach’s rich history. 🙌

👉 Bring your family, friends, and your appetite. Every bite makes a difference!

Join us on October 22, 2025 for Dine for a Cause at P.F. Chang's at Fashion Island. Present this flyer on your phone or print it out for NBHS to receive 10% of your check for our non-profit.

10/15/2025

Join the Newport Beach Historical Society for a special evening with Chris Epting, New York Times bestselling author and TV host, as he shares stories from his book Lost Landmarks of Orange County.
🗓 Date: Wednesday, November 5th
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: The Fun Zone, Newport Beach

Explore forgotten places like Buffalo Ranch and uncover the hidden history of our community.

🎟 Members: FREE | Non-Members: $10
Reserve your spot today 👉 www.newportbeachhistorical.org/events