Laguna Beach Historical Society

Laguna Beach Historical Society Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Laguna Beach Historical Society, 278 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA.

The Laguna Beach Historical Society is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation, collection and dissemination of Laguna Beach History through special events, community support, and the Murphy Smith Bungalow

DID YOU KNOW? 🤔Laguna Beach wasn’t always called Laguna Beach. For a time, it was officially known as Lagona, Lagona? 🤔I...
08/28/2026

DID YOU KNOW? 🤔

Laguna Beach wasn’t always called Laguna Beach.
For a time, it was officially known as Lagona,
Lagona? 🤔

In 1904, the name was changed back to Laguna Beach. We think they got it right. 😅

We ❤️ Laguna Beach!

Visit our website and explore more Laguna Beach history. Link in bio.

ONLY IN LAGUNA……..The Greeters 👋Long before Eiler Larsen became Laguna Beach’s famous Official Greeter, there was Old Jo...
08/21/2026

ONLY IN LAGUNA……..The Greeters 👋

Long before Eiler Larsen became Laguna Beach’s famous Official Greeter, there was Old Joe Lucas, waving to passersby in the late 1800s.

And the tradition didn’t end with Eiler. Over the years, other colorful characters have taken up the wave and kept one of Laguna’s most unusual traditions alive.

Discover their stories, photos, articles and more on our website. Link in comment’s.

HISTORY LIVES HERE

08/19/2026

LAGUNA BEACH LANDMARK | The Coast Inn

The Coast Inn has been part of Laguna Beach for nearly a century, with a history as colorful as the town itself. 🌊🏨

Thank you, Carolyn Smith Burris, for sharing its story with us. That’s how history stays alive. ❤️

Discover our website, where you’ll find links to even more Laguna Beach history!

Want to know more about us and the Coast Inn?
Links in bio.

LAGUNA BEACH LANDMARKThe Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach. 🏴‍☠️Built in 1926, the 60-foot tower was originally constructed...
08/14/2026

LAGUNA BEACH LANDMARK
The Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach. 🏴‍☠️

Built in 1926, the 60-foot tower was originally constructed as a staircase from a home above down to the beach.

Almost 100 years later, it’s still one of those places that is unmistakably Laguna.

Have you been to the Pirate Tower?

Follow the Laguna Beach Historical Society for more old photos and stories, and visit our website to discover more Laguna Beach history. Link in bio.



HISTORY LIVES HERE

Just in case you were wondering…How did the Laguna Beach Historical Society get started? 🤔It started in 1991 with a smal...
08/11/2026

Just in case you were wondering…

How did the Laguna Beach Historical Society get started? 🤔

It started in 1991 with a small group of people who believed Laguna Beach’s history was worth preserving.

That passion eventually found a home in the 1923 Murphy-Smith Bungalow, restored by volunteers and opened as our museum in 1995.

More than 30 years later, we’re still preserving and sharing the stories that make Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach.

Want to know the whole story?
Visit our website. Link in bio.

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BEHIND the BUNGALOW 🔑 A small detail with a great story!The beautiful front doorknob at the Murphy Smith Bungalow, engra...
08/07/2026

BEHIND the BUNGALOW
🔑 A small detail with a great story!

The beautiful front doorknob at the Murphy Smith Bungalow, engraved with the initials “LB,” was donated by the long-time Laguna Beach business Laguna Locksmith (The Lock Shop).

When they met John Hoover at the bungalow, they carefully installed the doorknobs so the “LB” initials were perfectly straight and could be read from both sides of the door.

The best part? The doorknobs were originally custom-made for one of their customers whose initials were also L.B.

Next time you visit the Murphy Smith Bungalow, be sure to take a closer look at this unique piece of Laguna Beach history!

Murphy Smith Bungalow Museum open Fridays - Sundays, 1-4pm.

Have you explored our website? We invite you too, it’s all things Laguna Beach. From the story of how the Laguna Beach ...
08/01/2026

Have you explored our website?
We invite you too, it’s all things Laguna Beach.

From the story of how the Laguna Beach Historical Society got its start to historic photos, local landmarks, and the Murphy-Smith Bungalow Museum, there’s plenty to discover. The website also includes research resources, walking tours, newsletters, and more.

Take a look, then tell us what you think!

🔗 Link in bio.

History Lives Here.

BEHIND the BUNGALOW: The Fence Our new backyard fence is more than an improvement. It brings back the nostalgia and uniq...
07/31/2026

BEHIND the BUNGALOW: The Fence

Our new backyard fence is more than an improvement. It brings back the nostalgia and unique character of the Murphy Smith Bungalow’s early days.

The historic photo, taken in 1961, captures construction at Laguna Federal Savings (today’s Wells Fargo Bank). Look closely and you’ll spot the original fence behind the construction, vintage cars, and Acords Market in the background.

HISTORY LIVES HERE.

🌿 Fun Fact: Historic fences weren’t just for privacy. They helped define property lines, framed gardens, and added character to a home’s landscape.

Photo credit: Photo 1 Alice Hall

History Lives Here… Because of Your Support! The Laguna Beach Historical Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit organizat...
07/28/2026

History Lives Here… Because of Your Support!

The Laguna Beach Historical Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to:

• Collecting and preserving Laguna Beach’s historic photographs, artifacts, and documents.
• Sharing our community’s history through the Murphy-Smith Bungalow Museum and educational programs.
• Inspiring future generations to appreciate Laguna Beach’s rich heritage.

Memberships start at just $25 a year, and every dollar helps preserve the stories that make Laguna Beach… Laguna Beach.

❤️ Join us today and help keep history alive.
Link in bio.

BEHIND the BUNGALOW Continues………Preserving the original wood floors was one of our highest priorities, so we turned to l...
07/24/2026

BEHIND the BUNGALOW Continues………

Preserving the original wood floors was one of our highest priorities, so we turned to local Laguna Beach wood floor restoration expert Terry Rogers.

With decades of experience restoring historic floors, Terry shared our commitment to preserving the Murphy Smith Bungalow’s original character while achieving museum-quality results. Mission accomplished!

Before the furnishings returned, Board Member Scott Sumner added felt pads to every piece to help protect these beautifully restored floors for years to come.

🌳 Fun Fact: Every plank has a unique grain pattern. Just like a fingerprint, no two pieces of wood are exactly alike.

P.S. While looking beneath one of the floorboards, Terry discovered a hidden space. Rumor has it Vernon Murphy hid his bootleg liquor there during Prohibition. Whether true or not, it’s one of the many stories that makes the Murphy Smith Bungalow Museum so fascinating.

Visit the Murphy Smith Bungalow Museum open Fridays - Sundays, 1-4pm.

Address

278 Ocean Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA
92651

Opening Hours

Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Website

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