HISTORY OF DANA POINT
A Step Back
Dana Point is steeped in a rich, lively history. The native Acjachemen tribe called the region home for centuries before Spanish missionaries arrived in the 1700s. With Mission San Juan Capistrano’s founding in 1776, Capistrano Bay—the cove of Dana Point—became a hub for trade and transport. The city’s
namesake, Richard Henry Dana Jr. sailed from Boston to California in the early 1800’s and recounted the area as “the only romantic spot on the California coast” in his 1841 book “Two Years Before the Mast.” The rest, you can say, is history. Today, visitors can take pleasure in learning about the community’s past while experiencing historic landmarks during a stroll about town or hike through the Headlands nature preserve.
Richard Henry Dana Jr. Statue in the Dana Point Harbor
1887 6JG CTGCŦU ƒ TUV FGXGNQROGPV San Juan By-the- Sea, was built. Now known as Capistrano Beach, the boomtown was a result of the Santa Fe Railroad’s beach arrival.
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residence, “The Dolphin” or Dolph House, was built by and for Blanch Dolph. The Mediterranean-inspired home still stands.
1928
California oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny begins the Capistrano Beach development along Beach Road and the Palisades. Palisades House No. 1, the Doheny House, remains today.
1936
Originally called Dana’s Point, made famous by Richard Henry Dana Jr. in his book “Two Years before the Mast,” Dana Point was named California Registered Landmark No. 189.
1950s Doheny State Park, which began as a private beach, was formed as a result of a grief-stricken Doheny’s 40-acre beachfront land donation to the State of California in 1931—two years after his son Ned was murdered by an associate.
1923 The Scenic Inn, built along the beach in Dana Cove, served as a lunch pavilion to prospec- tive land buyers. Los Angeles developer Sydney Woodruff set his sights on Dana Point in 1926 and began constructing Spanish-style homes and structures throughout town.
1971 Dana Point Harbor QHƒ EKCNN[ QRGPGF QP ,WN[ HQNNQYKPI ƒ XG [GCTU QH EQPUVTWEVKQP $WV
with its birth meant the death of the “Killer Dana” surf break. When building began in 1966, a 50-year time capsule was placed. The capsule will be opened in August 2016.
1976 Excitement hit the new harbor in June when an 18 foot Great White Shark was brought in after being caught halfway to Catalina. The shark was sent to Sea World for display.
1989 Dana Point became the 28th city of Orange County 6JG ƒ TUV %KV[ %QWPEKN OGODGTU YGTG sworn in on the deck of the brig Pilgrim.
2015 After more than a decade of planning the downtown Lantern District came to fruition. With its opening Dana Point is home to a pedestrian- friendly business district. Revitalization projects are also in the works for Dana Point Harbor and Capistrano Beach’s central neighborhood.
Find out more:
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)QNFGP .CPVGTP 5VG Text and historic photos provided by Carlos Olvera 12 | DANA POINT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DESTINATION GUIDE & BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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