By Daily Press staff
Santa Monica Beach will be the guest of honor at a presentation and book signing next week, hosted by the Santa Monica Conservancy and the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum.
On Sunday, Dec. 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can learn more about the beach’s history from Ernest Marquez, a local historian and author of “Santa Monica Beach: A Collector’s Pictorial History.” The event is free and will be held at Santa Monica Historical Society Museum at 1539 Euclid St. in Santa Monica.
Marquez, 80, grew up in Rancho Boca de Santa Monica in Santa Monica Canyon, formerly a Mexican land grant given to his grandfathers in 1839. He has collected images and information about the beach for decades, in addition to helping preserve his family cemetery, which is a cultural-historic landmark in Santa Monica Canyon.
The hardback, 9”x9” book features more than 200 rare, vintage images, including photographs by Carleton E. Watkins, H.F. Rile and Valentin Wolfenstein. Proceeds from book purchases will go toward the hosting organizations. The Santa Monica Conservancy is dedicated to preserving Santa Monica’s unique cultural and architectural heritage.
The Santa Monica Historical Society Museum collects, preserves, and documents the history, art and culture of the Santa Monica Bay area.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 2, 2004. Read the original PDF.