This partial view of Lick’s Pier in the Ocean Park section of Santa Monica (next to Venice), California, was taken in 1929. It shows two different ballrooms—the Egyptian and the Bon Ton—as well as a few thrill rides. This is the second Lick’s Pier. The first one only lasted from 1922 to 1924 before it burned down, as so many piers used to do back then, and rebuilt. But look at the beach in the foreground. It’s wall-to-wall umbrellas. How did anybody get to the shoreline and splash around the in Pacific on what must have been a hot day?
This is the full panorama shot. If you click on it, you’ll go to a larger version in which you can see more detail.
Here is an advertisement for the Bon-Ton Ballroom on Lick’s Dome Pier from the “Evening Vanguard”, June 3, 1922
Thanks, Martin. Love that ad! Didn ‘t they have a fire there last year?
The place had changed dramatically. It was a mecca for filming, especially tv. I think every cop show I’ve seen had at least once scene at Ocean Park.
Back in the day Mannix and Cannon would film out there. I was watching Cannon (from 1973!) last night and they filmed an episode at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Just beautiful.
Yes, the first Lick pier lasted only two years (1922 to 1924) and was rebuilt.
Thought so. The irony is all that water, and still nothing they can do! Just like in Malibu! The pix are outstanding.
Concluding episode of The Fugitive (David Janssen) has the running down of the One Armed Man at Ocean Park shortly before it was consumed by the final fire. That appears to be another version of The Chutes ride out on the far end of the pier back then.
Thanks, Al. You are right. Have seen that episode, and its of historical value.
And in color.
Adding to the “filmed at the pier” responses, there’s a whole episode of Get Smart filmed there titled “The Wax Max,” and a second season episode of Burke’s Law. Also Route 66 and The Mod Squad and “The Pit” episode of The Invaders. Although the movie They Shoot Horses Don’t They mostly was shot on a soundstage in Burbank, some brief filming of the ocean Park Pier and the Aragon Ballroom are used.
Yes, Martin! There are so many oldie sitcoms and shows that used the pier as a backdrop. The great thing is its all captured on film for history. You look back to the 70s, like MOD SQUAD, and you get a birdseye view of the place which is a trip! Being a cop show fan, many episodes of MANNIX and CANNON were done there. HARRY O was filmed at Warner Brothers, and they were out there because David Janssen’s character lived on the beach. I lived near the beach in Ventura for a few years, and miss it. HOWEVER, they also had a fire there recently OMG.
Hello Mr. Turnbull,
There is some confusion. There were two piers, Venice and Santa Monica. The Venise pier eventually became known as POP or Pacific Ocean Park. And the Santa Monica pier today known as Pacific Park. Both piers had amusement parks. In the 60’s POP had all the rides until it’s demise about 1967. It’s the pier mentioned in the movie Lord’s Of Dogtown. In the 60’s there wasn’t much left on the Santa Monica pier but some old buildings and the beautiful carousel. So when talking about the old piers and amusement parks it’s Venice pier or Santa Monica otherwise they become interchangeable.
Hey Jacqueline, thanks for taking the time to clear that up. I’ve never been able to keep them straight!
Hi Martin. I have a question. Was Lick’s Pier named after the beer baron (Pabst Blue Ribbon) Charles Lick? He was behind the Los Angeles Brewery Company. Some mighty fine beer came out of LA back in the day! There are more notes on him concerning Pabst than anything else. Thanks for any info you could dig up.
Tom, yes you’re right. The Wiki page for Lick’s pier says that it was named after him:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_Pier
Thanks, Martin. It makes sense. Lick deserves a lot of credit, playing an integral part in the beer industry, and right here in LA. Some terrific stories about pioneers come right out of LA. Great reading.
Good try but not right. POP was built upon the Ocean Park pier. Venice was further south, originally Lick/Dome piers. Up at Santa Monica was the Municipal pier (1909 concrete) combined with the Loof pleasure pier (wooden). Concrete portion began collapsing and was restructured in 1919. Another pier was in South Santa Monica known as the Crystal Pier, but it was reduced down. The big Super Slide was probably located just around there when it was built in the 1960’s. (POP had gone under in those days.)