Santa Monica History Museum

Santa Monica History Museum Discover. Explore. Experience. Since 1975. We Are Santa Monica Bay History.

Let's thank the hard work and dedication of hotel staff. They are integral in American tourism and communities nationwid...
09/01/2026

Let's thank the hard work and dedication of hotel staff. They are integral in American tourism and communities nationwide. It's National Hotel Employee day!

The Hotel Carlton, located at 3005 Main Street in Ocean Park, was formerly an Elks Club building. The remains which can still be seen in this 1941 photo at the top, B.P.O.E.. The building is still standing today.

Several businesses are below including a plumbing, barber and shop serving drinks, ice cream and other items.

Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.7687)


Enjoy the outdoors, eat outside! 🍉🍴 There are so many great locations around Santa Monica, Santa Monica Mountains is one...
08/31/2026

Enjoy the outdoors, eat outside! 🍉🍴 There are so many great locations around Santa Monica, Santa Monica Mountains is one of them. Pack a lunch and head out for an adventure.

Where's your favorite place to eat outside?

This group of unidentified people is enjoying a meal in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Santa Monica Mountains is ~40 miles East to West and it's unusual for it to have any snowfall but an unusually cold storm brought snow on January 17, 2007. The hills above Malibu had three inches!

Santa Monica History Museum Collection (36.2.3867), undated


Looking good! 🎀👔 Robert D. Farquhar, son-in-law of Santa Monica co-founder (Senator John P. Jones) is looking dapper in ...
08/28/2026

Looking good! 🎀👔 Robert D. Farquhar, son-in-law of Santa Monica co-founder (Senator John P. Jones) is looking dapper in his bow tie. It's National Bow Tie day.

Department stores had displays of ties and bow ties to select from. In 1945, this is the necktie display in the Men's Furnishings Department at J. C. Penney's.

J. C. Penney opened on August 4, 1949. It was located at Wilshire and Third Street and part of the Third Street Promenade until the mid-1990s. The building, styled as "Late Moderne" by Santa Monica Landmark assessment, was designed by architect Milton L. Anderson.

Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.3170), 1945 - Necktie display
John P. Jones Collection (1.2.45), 1950s - Robert D. Farquhar


The start of something good. In this undated photo, it is the beginnings of Santa Monica Canyon sometime between 1916 an...
08/27/2026

The start of something good. In this undated photo, it is the beginnings of Santa Monica Canyon sometime between 1916 and 1920.

There's a pharmacy, a place to grab a bite to eat - burgers, hot dogs and ice cream - and a grocery store.

We believe the view point is looking South with Adelaide Drive at the top of the photo.

The use of the large building on the left, The Golden Butterfly, is unknown. Does anyone know?

Santa Monica History Museum Collection (36.2.282, 36.2.283), undated


Women's Equality Day! This day commemorates the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment, securing women’s right to vote....
08/26/2026

Women's Equality Day! This day commemorates the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment, securing women’s right to vote. Reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the work ahead, and advocate for full equality in all spheres of life.

Our past exhibition on this, All is Possible: Women's Suffrage in California
unfortunately wasn't able to open due to COVID closure. Visit it now online!

https://santamonicahistory.org/exhibitions/all-is-possible

This 1950 photo is of the Santa Monica Assistance League redecorating the garage apartment on the property adjacent to their day nursery at 1443 15th Street. The property was purchased for use of the day nursery, and the apartment rented to add a small income for the nursery.

Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.5810), 1950


Come see our NEW pop-up exhibition in the lobby, now through October, celebrating 100 years of Santa Monica Hospital. We...
08/25/2026

Come see our NEW pop-up exhibition in the lobby, now through October, celebrating 100 years of Santa Monica Hospital. We're open Thu 2pm-5pm and Fri-Sun 11am-5pm.

Discover historic photographs highlighting the healthcare workers who have cared for our community, along with artifacts connected to famous figures who passed through the hospital—including Shirley Temple’s 1928 birth certificate.

Photo 1 - In 1941, these nurses are taking a meal in the dining room of the Santa Monica Hospital. Mortensen Family Collection (2015.13.100), 1941

Photo 2 - A room inside the Santa Monica Hospital. Mortensen Family Collection (2015.13.73), 1941

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center


08/24/2026

Submit your stories, photos and videos for a chance to be in our exhibition about Route 66. Send by September 16th, 5pm.

They're still standing 🏢 These buildings are nearly the same as they were in this photo taken in 1941. There are a few e...
08/24/2026

They're still standing 🏢 These buildings are nearly the same as they were in this photo taken in 1941. There are a few exterior changes but the distinctive roof lines and entrance ways are pretty much the same. This is the corner of 17th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard.

Today, there's a frozen yogurt shop where Maury Miller's National Pharmacy was and the far left building is now a real estate office.

Check out the price of dry cleaning at Paris-Bell Cleaners, 40 cents!

These buildings were rented as part of the new Sunset Park area. W.E. Jacobsen was the sole agent and developer of Sunset Park. W.E. Jacobsen Co. leasing office (2667 17th Street) is seen at the far right side of the photo.

Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.5477), 1941


We need your help? These are photos from our Herminia Minnie Reyes Collection and some individuals in the photos are uni...
08/21/2026

We need your help? These are photos from our Herminia Minnie Reyes Collection and some individuals in the photos are unidentified.

Herminia Minnie Reyes Collection (2019.6.45), 1885
Two men, possibly Oliveva, Reyes or Marquez family members. An accompanying handwritten note reads: “Men of Santa Monica Canyon.” A handwritten note on the verso reads: “Oliveva’s men.”

Herminia Minnie Reyes Collection (2019.6.36), 1928
Rosemary Romero (far left) with her brother, Vince Romero (kneeling), and Clarence Reyes (standing with goat, center). The boy at the far right is unidentified. A handwritten note on the verso dates the image as September 20th, 1928, but handwritten in the album dates the image as August 30th, 1928.

Herminia Minnie Reyes Collection (2019.6.49), circa 1918
Portrait photo of unidentified man

Ysidro Reyes and Francisco Marquez were granted Rancho Boca de Santa Monica in 1839 with full ownership of the land. Both families continue to contribute to the rich cultural history Santa Monica.

Come visit our Permanent Exhibition room to learn more about these families.


Radio has shaped music, news, and storytelling for generations. 📻 🎶📰 Southern California's KCRW station from Santa Monic...
08/20/2026

Radio has shaped music, news, and storytelling for generations. 📻 🎶📰 Southern California's KCRW station from Santa Monica College is still broadcasting at 89.9FM.

It was once known as The College Radio Workshop and is an NPR affiliate and now has an international presence through online broadcasting. Nearly a decade ago, we presented an exhibition on the 70 years KCRW was on the air. Revisit this exhibition on our website and through our archives.

https://santamonicahistory.org/exhibitions/70-years-on-the-air

In this archive photo from 1950, beachgoers listen to the radio on the beach.

How many use to strap a radio to their bike while riding down the Strand?

Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.2633), 1950


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