NEWPORT SHORES: FROM SAND PILE TO PROSPERITY
By Duncan Forgey
– photography by Duncan Forgey
– originally published on November 2, 2021 in Stu News Newport
In 1954, ten local business leaders submitted a report entitled Greater Newport Harbor – Two Cities or One? Its’ preface stated: “This is a report of the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.” They explored the pros and cons of such a merger with an eye on a much larger coastal Newport Beach. The report projected that by 1964; the “total assessed valuation for Newport Beach” would be approximately $77,000,000. Quite a startling number for the time but laughable in today’s world. Driving factors in this move to consolidate the two cities was the great agricultural value of Costa Mesa, expected marine and harbor growth in Newport, and a school system that could be unified.
Needless to say, the two cities have remained separate, each now representing the tremendous growth of Southern California in their own unique ways. The west end of Newport Beach came into the picture due to its’ proximity to Costa Mesa via the Santa Ana River. In its earliest years, the westside was home to Gabrielino Indians and vagabonds, but until the Twentieth Century it remained the victim of unpredictable waters rushing down the Santa Ana River. In the early 1900’s red cars and family autos passed west Newport with barely a glance, while driving to the very desirable McFadden’s Landing and Balboa. The area showed as nothing but a sandy river bottom that changed shape and size depending upon up river rain and snows. The beaches were used primarily for clam bakes and grunion hunts.
A few “pioneers” built homes on the vast sand beach; first known called Seashore Colony. In 1912, John G. Allan, a transplant from Alhambra, was just such a person. His home was constructed even before an access road was available. The Long Beach earthquake of 1933, with an epicenter just off shore Newport Beach, a hurricane in 1934, and the flood of 1937 washed out whatever houses were there, discouraging others from investing in the area. Oil activity took precedent for many decades to come. Known as the “Oxbow” due to its humpshape, West Newport’s river, canals and marshes were estimated to sit at least four feet below mean high tide, making it prime for flooding. Eventually, Signal Oil and Gas Company promised to “consider” a residential type development due to their 80% ownership of the land. This began the development of the Oxbow and its bluffs.
By 1957, the concept of a “multi-million” dollar yacht Marina with docks and luxury homes known as Mesa Harbor and Keys Marina was floated to the two cities. Using LA’s Venice Beach as an example, the plan called for a marina “up-river” giving Costa Mesa direct access to the ocean. All looked promising due to the post World War II growth and building taking place in both cities. For nearly two decades, the concept was brought up and developers were recruited. Ultimately, state intervention and the age old concern for flooding kept the project from fruition.
Leased to Donald Ayres Company for development, Newport Beach established assessment Tract 772 bringing the Oxbow out of the past and into the future. A 400-home residential project was built after 130,000 cubic yards of fill was moved to prevent flooding. Homes could now be built. They originally sold for around $20,000 with down payments of $2,100 but sat on leased land still controlled by the oil company. In its infancy, Newport Shores fought rumors of foul-smelling water, tenant dominated party homes, and an exaggerated reputation for being the exile for divorced spouses. The usual “status value” attached to other water-oriented communities in Newport Beach was simply not present in the westside colony, allowing a new type of young family to buy, while other areas of Newport Beach became increasingly more expensive.
One such family was that of Gil and Valerie Lukosky, their kids and grandkids. Having moved into Newport Shores in 1973, they became an integral part of a “gang of fun and freestyle families” that typified at the Shores until the 1990’s. With its clubhouse, hot tub, near Olympicsized pool, tennis court and canals the small community had a lot to offer. An added bonus was its easy bicycle ride to some of Newport’s finest waves and restaurants. Newport Shores was a perfect place for a beach-oriented family. This resulted in an extremely tight knit community.
Gil described the early days this way: “The Shores had swim teams composing of 170 children who became long lasting friends. Even more intense than the kids was the interaction of the adults typified by their three-day tennis tournaments. Pitting family against family in a carnival like environment created deep and loyal friendships.”
Over the years leases were bought out, homes rebuilt, and electrical wires undergrounded. Newport Shores became one of a kind. Still one of the least known neighborhoods in Newport Beach, “The Shores” is no longer only a “poor man’s Lido Isle” having developed a unique personality of its own and remains one of the most “up and coming” of Newport’s neighborhoods.
On September, 28 2021 a huge “black cloud” for the Shores, came one step closer to resolution. For decades, residents and environmentalists have led an intense fight against developers and the city to allow a large residential and commercial development on the Banning Ranch lands overlooking the Shores. This 401-acre prime open space consists of undeveloped wetlands and coastal bluffs with ocean views has been a prime target for years. Determined activists were able to stall, fight and defeat efforts to build on the Ranch. The latest $11 million federal grant has hopefully protected the land for eternity; saving views and a number of endangered species. Early in this fight Newport’s beloved environmentalists and Citizen of the Year, Jean Watt, compared the size of the Banning Ranch to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. The future Banning Ranch Park will give Newporters and visitors a vast open space to enjoy and protect.
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Thank you to Duncan for writing and sharing this wonderful article and photos. Although Duncan and Madelynn have moved to Kaui, Newport Shores remains a special place for them. Duncan will send us more of his writings in future and also look for his work in the Stu News and his up coming book.