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Laguna Beach was first inhabited
by Indian tribes, first the Ute-Aztecas and later the Shoshone, who
named the area Lagonas.
When the Spaniards arrived they called it Canada de las Laguna. In
1818 the pirate Hipolito Bouchard raided the Monterey peninsula during
a war between Argentina and the Spanish and docked here in search
of fresh food.
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For some reason, perhaps oversight,
it was never included in the Spanish Land Grants. As a result of the
Timber-Culture Acts of 1871, the coastline attracted homesteaders
who, unfortunately, found the terrain inhospitable for ranching or
agriculture.
Instead, people would travel from other parts to enjoy the rest and
relaxation of the coastline. In 1904, the name of the area was officially
changed from Lagonas to Laguna Beach. |
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In 1903 a watercolorist Norman
St. Claire came from San Francisco by train and stage to paint the
surf, the hillsides and the lagoons surrounding this seaside village.
His plein-air artist friends eventually followed him to Laguna Beach.
In early 1918 artist Edgar Payne opened an art gallery and formed
the Laguna Beach Art Association. |
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By the late 1920's nearly half of the residents
were artists. In 1935 a gate was built on what is now the corner of
Forest and Park Avenues. On it is inscribed: "This gate hangs
well and hinders none, refresh and rest, then travel on."
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Today Laguna Beach's reputation as an art colony is reflected in the
annual Pageant of the Masters. |
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