I have always had a deep appreciation of all things historical related to Balboa Island, so when my home was turning 100 years old, I knew that I couldn’t let this occasion go by without celebrating it to benefit the Museum and continue its heritage. I decided to throw a fundraiser birthday party for the house, with the proceeds benefiting the Museum. On Thursday, December 12, 2013, old and new friends gathered for the festivities. In preparation for the event, I researched the home’s history and discovered some interesting facts. We did not find documentation regarding who originally built the house, but we did find the Deed, which lists Leonora May Collins as having purchased the land in June 1911, and we believe she may have also done the construction. She was the sister-in-law of W.S. Collins, the initial developer of Balboa Island. Initially the house was considered a “duplex” as there was a small apartment facing Topaz between the back yard and the alley. It appears that the house was vacant more often than lived in until 1995, when my husband and I moved in. Allan and Seymour Beek, who lived next door, remember a doctor and his family were there until after World War II. Allan recalls, “Mother always referred to the owner as Dr. Suckow… It was a weekend get-away, often loaned out to friends.” There was a palm tree in the southwest corner of the front yard, and another on the street side in the yard. “Over the years, about a dozen balls disappeared into the upper branches of those palm trees,” Allan recalls. Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society Founded 2000 We believe the Buren family rented the apartment during the late 1930s/early 1940s. Around 1945, the Baird family moved in and stayed until the late 1940s.“The daughters were Nancy and Peggy, about my age. I remember my parents being amazed at the price the Bairds paid for the house - over $1,000 per front foot ($45,000)”, said Seymour. Charles and Muriel Gay were the next owners. They operated Gay’s Lion Farm, a public attraction in El Monte dedicated to the training and exhibition of African lions, until 1942, when wartime rationing made it impossible to get the daily meat for the lions. When the war ended, Charles was too ill to reclaim his cats and retired to Balboa Island. Then an elderly couple by the name of Lamaree owned the house. They lived in West Los Angeles and came down some weekends in good weather. “Doc” Lamaree passed away in 1969 and Mrs. Lamaree died a few years later. Willard and Harriet Harris were the next owners. Both builders, they did major remodeling, maintaining the basic design of the original house. They attended the birthday party and were so happy to celebrate with us. My husband, Eric, and I bought the house in 1995 and two remodels were done since then. I feel so fortunate that in this last 100 years, none of the owners made a decision to tear down the house. (Thank you to Allan and Seymour Beek, Robert Lambert and Don Abrams for helping with the historical details.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! A CELEBRATION FOR OUR 100-YEAR-OLD ISLAND HOME VOLUME 7 WINTER 2014 Snowbirds sail in front of 526 S. Bay Front and one of the infamous palm trees! Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society 526 S. Bay Front sits on the corner of the Bay Front and Topaz Happy 100th Birthday 526 S. Bay Front! Christmas 2013
Transcript
I have always had a deep appreciation of all things historical related
to Balboa Island, so when my home was turning 100 years old, I
knew that I couldn’t let this occasion go by without celebrating it to
benefit the Museum and continue its heritage. I decided to throw a
fundraiser birthday party
for the house, with the
proceeds benefiting the
Museum. On Thursday,
December 12, 2013, old
and new friends gathered
for the festivities.
In preparation for the
event, I researched the
home’s history and
discovered some
interesting facts. We did
not find documentation regarding who originally built the house,
but we did find the Deed, which lists Leonora May Collins as
having purchased the land in June 1911, and we believe she may
have also done the construction. She was the sister-in-law of W.S.
Collins, the initial developer of Balboa Island. Initially the house
was considered a “duplex” as there was a small apartment facing
Topaz between the back yard and the alley.
It appears that the house was vacant more often than lived in until
1995, when my husband and I moved in. Allan and Seymour Beek,
who lived next door, remember a doctor and his family were there
until after World War II. Allan recalls, “Mother always referred to
the owner as Dr. Suckow…
It was a weekend get-away,
often loaned out to
friends.”
There was a palm tree in
the southwest corner of the
front yard, and another on
the street side in the yard.
“Over the years, about a
dozen balls disappeared
into the upper branches of
those palm trees,” Allan
recalls.
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society Founded 2000
We believe the Buren family rented the apartment during the late
1930s/early 1940s. Around 1945, the Baird family moved in and stayed
until the late 1940s.“The daughters were Nancy and Peggy, about my
age. I remember my parents being amazed at the price the Bairds paid
for the house - over $1,000 per front foot ($45,000)”, said Seymour.
Charles and Muriel Gay were the next owners. They operated Gay’s
Lion Farm, a public attraction in El Monte dedicated to the training and
exhibition of African lions, until 1942, when wartime rationing made it
impossible to get the daily meat for the lions. When the war ended,
Charles was too ill to reclaim his cats and retired to Balboa Island.
Then an elderly couple by the name of Lamaree owned the house.
They lived in West Los
Angeles and came down
some weekends in good
weather. “Doc” Lamaree
passed away in 1969
and Mrs. Lamaree died a
few years later. Willard
and Harriet Harris were
the next owners. Both
builders, they did major
remodeling, maintaining
the basic design of the original house. They attended the birthday party
and were so happy to celebrate with us.
My husband, Eric, and I bought the house in 1995 and two remodels
were done since then. I feel so fortunate that in this last 100 years, none
of the owners made a decision to tear down the house.
(Thank you to Allan and Seymour Beek, Robert Lambert and Don Abrams for helping
with the historical details.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! A CELEBRATION FOR OUR 100-YEAR-OLD ISLAND HOME
VOLUME 7 WINTER 2014
Snowbirds sail in front of 526 S. Bay Front
and one of the infamous palm trees!
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society
526 S. Bay Front sits on the corner of the Bay Front and Topaz
Happy 100th Birthday 526 S. Bay Front!
Christmas 2013
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society
100th Birthday Party for Historic Home
THE MUSEUM LOVES STORIES! Please stop by the Museum on Valentine’s week-
end and bring us your written Love Story (Sat.,
2/15 or Sun., 2/16). This could be a romantic love
story or an "“I love Balboa Island" tale. Each con-
tributor will be entered in a drawing to win a gondola ride on
our beautiful bay. These LOVE stories will become a perma-
nent part of our Balboa Island History Collection. Photos will
be taken, and refreshments served. Share your love!
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER Ed Trainor
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Diane Bock
Balboa Island's 19th Annual Holiday
Home Tour was held on Sunday, De-
cember 8th, under fabulously fair skies.
Nine hun-
dred and
sixty peo-
ple toured
the seven
stops. In
addition to the six lovely homes, the Bal-
boa Island Museum, in full Christmas re-
galia, played a key role for the second
year in a row by serving as the Tour's
launch point, providing refreshments and holding the Art Raffle.
Eighteen Museum docents were
delighted to welcome visitors
who enjoyed the lively exhibits,
including three new displays,
and lingered to enjoy cider and
cookies. A local choral group
provided entertainment in the
Museum courtyard.
Jeff Herdman, Home Tour
Chairman, is enthusiastic about
the Museum's participation in the Home Tour and expressed the possibil-
ity that next year's plans may include utilizing
the Museum as the Tour's headquarters for
Will Call and Day Of ticket sales. The Balboa
Island Museum is very pleased to partner with
the Balboa Island Improvement Association,
the Tour's sponsor-
ing organization,
and appreciates the
opportunity to in-
troduce more peo-
ple to the fun and
fascinating history
of our Island.
Sue Sibley greets visitors
Sandy Brown & Barbara Birnie
The Keil Sisters
2013- 2014
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Ed Trainor
VICE PRESIDENT
Bob Dennerline
TREASURER
Michael Smith
SECRETARY
Diane Bock
DIRECTORS
Don Abrams
Conrad Baumgartner
Steve Bromberg
Alice Dear
Robert B. Lambert
Sharon Lambert
Tia Morris-Lowell
Jack Northrup
Shirley Pepys
Sue Sibley
Tina Wayt
Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society
THANK YOU, SANTA JIM,
FOR VISITING THE MUSEUM!
Enjoying the carolers
About the Museum Founded in 2000, the Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society provides a place for
Islanders and visitors to gather and share the history and heritage of this beloved location.
Browse in the Museum often and plan to attend one of our upcoming events. Donations
are tax deductible. Volunteers are desired. Contributions of photos, memorable stories and
