Sunny" Solana  Beach
 

Solana Beach, Calif.--When settled in 1886 by Charles Jones and his family, the region was known as Lockwood Mesa. Another settler, Edmund Stevens, came from South Dakota to retire in the area in 1892. 

The mesa was comprised of approximately 200 acres of rich soil drenched with year round sunny, warm climate ideal for growing grains and lima beans. At the turn of the 20th Century, Solana Beach appeared as houses and farms overlooking the blue Pacific. 

Nearly 75% of the Lockwood Mesa was sold in 1922 to Colonel Ed Fletcher. With backing from the Santa Fe Railroad, he purchased approximately 140 acres of  the mesa from settler George Jones. The Stevens heirs began selling their property for development ten years later in 1932. 

Bluff views were nice but access to the beach below was difficult.  Ed Fletcher realized the beach could become a drawing card to help sell his plan of a residential community. The concept had worked in so many other cities along the California coast.  With some clever engineering, a gap in the bluffs was cut out by using a combination of hydraulic washing and steam shovels.  A new site for community festivals was created along with permanent access for beach lovers who previously could only gaze down on the water. 

 
Photo ©  D. Stock 

Solana Beach grew at a gradual and steady pace with Justice Court created in 1930 and a community lifeguard service at the beach formed in 1941.   The two photos above show the downward slope of the path cut and paved for beach access. Public parking is to the left and to the right along the stone wall stands a plaque which says:

THIS PLAZA, PARK AND MILE OF OCEAN SHORE DONATED TO THE PUBLIC BY ED FLETCHER, THE DEVELOPER OF SOLANA BEACH   ERECTED BY ADMIRING FRIENDS

 Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society Museum--(858) 755-2937 Home--(858) 755-6213 Person to Contact:

 Nancy L Gottfredson, Curator, Heritage Museum Mailing Address: P.O. Box 504 Solana Beach 92075 S

ite Address: 715 valley Avenue Solana Beach 92075 Number of Members: 99

Purpose: to promote charitable giving for the artistic and cultural advancement of the community, and to contribute to the education of the public through support of the Historical Society and other appropriate activities. Activities: numerous civic beautification and civic improvement projects; restoration and preservation of historic Stevens Ranch House; operation of Stevens Ranch House as Solana Beach Heritage Museum since 1994. Publications: newsletter issued ten times per year Resources: Stevens Ranch House, built in the 1890s, is the oldest home in Solana Beach. Collections include period furniture, photo collection, stories of early residents, scrapbooks, and books on the history of the area. Open to Public: Fridays 12-3, and by appointment