Historian Kathy Blavatt and cottage-renovators Jane and Tom Gawronski gave their presentation on the historic cottages of Ocean Beach last night at the OB Historical Society’s standing-room-only monthly event.
Pat James, president of the Historical Society, opened up the event in the community room of the Methodist Church on Sunset Cliffs Blvd and announced that the OBHS is 21 years old this month. He has been president for 12 years.
With a great slideshow riveting the audience, Kathy led the crowd through a visual display of the wonderful cottages of the village. Many of them have taken advantage of the Mills Act – (and there is 
more info on it at the OB Historical Society’s website). The Mills Act gives tax advantages to home owners who are able to quality their houses as historic. The historic nature involves the exterior of the house.
Kathy is an active member of the OB Historical Society, and Tom and Jane are both currently on the OB Planning Board – and have been for many years. They purchase and then renovate old OB cottages – and have found many treasures and headaches.
Here, what follows, in order, is a photo gallery of the a good part of the slideshow – not all the pictures were able to be duplicated – plus many of the photos are shot at an angle and reflect a small distortion or tilt (the photos have captions that are legible).
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great meeting, slides and discussion. Was 4644 Santa Monica the original school house? Did Frank Gormlie first encounter Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds at the Red House? Timely reminder of the importance to support the upcoming elections to the OB Planning Board on Tuesday March 10, at the OB Rec Center.
Thank you for posting all these wonderful pictures. I grew up here and liked being reminded of the nice cottages that still survive.
Thanks Frank. I am glad everyone enjoyed the program. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed putting it together. As far as the schoolhouse I was going off what the couple that bought the house were told. The info about the library room made it sound plausible. Unfortunately, the couple wasn’t at the OBHS meeting, so we didn’t get an update if they had found more information or documentation. If anyone has info on this or other important facts, please forward it to the Ocean Beach Historical Society. ARCHIVES preserve local history. We need: Historical Photos, Items, Cash & Archival Supplies, Documentation & Interviews Donate gifts at OBHS programs. Archive Donations Only Contact?Archivist Mary Allely (858) 550-5982. OBHS is a 501 (C) 3 Non-profit, Donations May Be Tax Deductible.
Please help us preserve our history and teach residents about Ocean Beach. We have some great events coming up so visit our us at: https://obhistory.wordpress.com
Our next program is Thurs., March 19, at 7 pm at P.L. United Methodist Church at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.: Speaker Margret Francis worked on the decoding machines as seen in the movie “The Imitation Game” Margret Francis is a WWII Veteran of the WRENS (Women’s Royal Navy Service). She worked on the decoding machines (the bombe) 10 miles from Bletchley Hall at Gayhurst Manor.
Great photos. I love these old cottages, it would be so much fun to restore one