Dana Point Historical Society is Having a Whale of a Year

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce recently awarded the Dana Point Historical Society (DPHS) two well deserved honors. Not only was it recipient of the Nonprofit Excellence Award, but Barbara Johannes, its President for the past 6 years, was named Citizen of the Year. “It’s been a privilege sharing Dana Point’s history, from our early 19thcentury roots as the Mission’s harbor, through the development of the 20th century to our more recent surfing heritage.” she said. “All of these chapters created the unique culture and history of our town.” Barbara and her husband Keith, the Society’s Preservation Chair, will be riding in the Festival of Whales Parade on Saturday March 2nd, while members man its popular booth near Baby Beach in the harbor below.

From its inception in 1987 to present, DPHS has played a vital role in preserving the history of this coastal city. The Society was formed out of the struggle of founding members who fought successfully to retain public access and restore the beautiful bluff top trail between Amber Lantern and Violet Lantern just prior to the City’s incorporation in 1989. Today, remnants of the 1920s rock-studded switchback trail can still be seen below the arches of the ill-fated Dana Point Inn.

The Dana Point Inn, Sidney Woodruff’s dream of a beautiful hotel overlooking Dana Cove, fell victim to the depression and was never completed. Thanks to DPHS, the arches that remain were preserved as a beautiful tourist attraction located just below the bronze statue, “Hide Drogher", another Historical Society achievement. (A hide drogher was a rugged shipmate tasked with hoisting and flinging heavy cow hides, gathered from local Mission San Juan Capistrano, from the Dana Point bluff to waiting cargo ships in the harbor below.)

The Society champions preservation and maintains an historic registry. In 2013, it succeeded in preserving the City’s first commercial building, the original "Blue Lantern Fountain Lunch", which is today’s Coastal Kitchen restaurant. It was remodeled, thanks to consultation with DPHS preservationists, with a façade replicating its original appearance. Interestingly, DPHS was recently gifted photos of the 1929 Mission San Juan wedding of Marguerite Walters, daughter of the original property owner, Anna G. Walters. The Society will be conducting historical walking tours during the Festival of Whales, starting from the Coastal Kitchen on Blue Lantern, March 2nd and 3rd starting at 2 PM.

DPHS has hosted tours of historic Doheny and Woodruff homes, and maintains a treasure trove of historic photos, books, artifacts, ship models, and memorabilia at their local museum, located in suite 104 at City Hall. The Museum is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3 PM each week. It will hold a 1st Saturday Open House on April 6th and on the first Saturday of each month thereafter from 11 AM to 3 PM.

This weekend, visitors are invited to browse through historical photos, books and merchandise available at their Festival of Whales booth near Baby Beach on March 2nd and 3rd. The Festival continues on March 9th and 10th when DPHS will have a booth near Dana Wharf Sport Fishing. “Come pay us a visit,” said Sandie Iverson, DPHS photo archivist. “We have a great assortment of photos that will remind you of the good old days.”