1970s

‘I was in a sit-in at UCSD when we heard about the killings at Kent State.’

May 4, 2020 by Source

Originally posted May 4, 2009.

By Dr. Anonymouse

May 4th, 1970, is forever etched in my brain and memory cells. I was a student at UCSD, and we had just taken over the 5th floor of Urey Hall – a Science building – in protest of the University’s complicity in the Vietnam War, when we heard the bad news from Kent State. It came over a small radio someone had perched on a chair out on the balcony overlooking the Quad. …

May 4, 1970: ‘4 Dead In Ohio’ … We Won’t Forget

May 4, 2011 by Frank Gormlie

May 4, 1970: Four students murdered, nine wounded by National Guardsmen, on the campus of Kent State in Kent, Ohio.

Allison Krause, William Schroeder, Jefferey Miller and Sandra Scheuer were killed in the 13 second fusillade of 67 shots fired by the Guardsmen, after an order to fire was given.

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The Very First Issue of the Original OB Rag, Vol. 1, No. 1

January 24, 2011 by Staff

Here it is – the very first OB Rag – the OB People’s Rag – published on September 17th, 1970. It was four pages – front and back of 2 pages stapled together. This is great because we have been missing many of the issues from the Rag’s first year, including this very first edition.

A blogger’s sibling found it in some old files and sent it our way. We have scanned all four pages – see below – plus we have retyped all of the articles so you don’t have to squint and ruin your eyes. In addition, we have included all of the graphics and most of the hand-drawn headlines.

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The Ocean Beach Town Council of Yesteryear …

August 31, 2010 by Frank Gormlie

Come meet the OB Town Council of yesteryear … of 1972. OB community activists were engaged in a stand-off with the then president Bob Miller. Here is a portion of the front page of the original OB Rag in March 1972.

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Anniversary of the take-over of Chicano Park – April 22, 1970

April 22, 2010 by Frank Gormlie

Originally posted April 22, 2009

by Frank Gormlie

This was the day a new park was born, created out of the dirt of a Highway Patrol station. The people of Barrio Logan on this day seized land that was supposed to hold a CHP station. They made it into a park – Chicano Park – which today stands as an historic center for murals, art, Chicano and Mexican-American culture.

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38 Years ago today: February 22, 1974 – the Day Ocean Beach Became an Armed Police State

February 22, 2010 by Frank Gormlie

Originally posted February 22, 2009

OCEAN BEACH, CA. Exactly 36 38 years ago today, on February 22, 1974 – all hell broke loose in Ocean Beach – and for many of the seventies generation, this day will always live on in their memory as a day of infamy – the day the world came crashing down on our little seaside community. It was the day that Pete Mahone, a politicized ex-convict and member of OB’s anti-Vietnam war community, tried to commit suicide by cop. It was also the breaking point in police-community relations, relations that had been simmering for years.

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Far Out, Groovy and Outta Sight: Remembering the OB Ranger

August 28, 2009 by Staff

Originally posted August 24, 2009
By OB Rag Staffer

“From out of a cave at the foot of Sunset Cliffs, the thundering hoof beats pound, with a hearty ‘Hi Yo Sylvia, away!’ The OB Ranger rides again.”

The OB Ranger was a radio series that aired on “HIS Radio, FM stereo ninety” in 1971 and 72. It was a spoof of the old “Lone Ranger” radio show, but a lot more fun. Ranger fans tuned in every week to find out what new trouble the OB Ranger would stumble his way into.

He introduced himself with “Far out, groovy and outta sight, I am the OB Ranger!”

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New scenes from OB’s past

June 9, 2009 by Frank Gormlie

Here are some real treasures from OB’s past – these are from the original pages of the OB Peoples Rag – most from 1972.

And it was that merged surfer-hippie-politico subculture that was so unique in Ocean Beach that saved the community from over development.

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Ring Guy May 15, 2021 at 3:48 pm on Update on the Ocean Beach Pier – the West End May Be Permanently Closed OffThat's because you must not go out there much... they've been working on it for a few weeks now, I see them everyday except weekends....
Frank Gormlie May 15, 2021 at 1:47 pm on In the early seventies Gary Gilmore found ‘heaven’ and he’s been in Ocean Beach ever since.Gary - you should have kept the beard!
Virginia Franco May 15, 2021 at 1:20 pm on Digging 83You know Ernie, We're still remain alive; whether due too luck or punishment. We breathe, we read, by luck or genius, tho.-at-times do fail. "The...
Frank Gormlie May 15, 2021 at 11:57 am on The Elusive New Lifeguard Station for Ocean BeachThank you, Ed Harris, for the clarification. Glad to see you're still kicking.
sealintheSelkirks May 15, 2021 at 11:54 am on In the early seventies Gary Gilmore found ‘heaven’ and he’s been in Ocean Beach ever since.I had to laugh at the OB sticker comment. My last two OB stickers finally peeled off my '93 Toyota 4x shell's back window and...
Ed Harris May 15, 2021 at 11:05 am on The Elusive New Lifeguard Station for Ocean BeachThanks Frank, Just a little more info. In 2002 it was on the list of Lifeguard and Fire replacement. We were able to replace all...
nostalgic May 15, 2021 at 8:36 am on Sunset Cliffs – the Forgotten BoulevardWhat is a mobile home? It is a car with a back seat. The sleeping bag and pillow go in the back seat, possessions in...
Mark Dodge May 15, 2021 at 7:46 am on ‘GIMBY’ – Garden In My Back YardGreat article Kathy. You captured our yard at its most lush immediate post rain peak.
Harvey Moul May 15, 2021 at 1:34 am on New Numbers Shed Light on Potential Impact of Campbell’s Vacation Rental ProposalThanks for getting me back into the reading again. I really enjoyed the stuff you shared in the form of blogs. Keep writing.
Peter from South O May 14, 2021 at 9:07 pm on In the early seventies Gary Gilmore found ‘heaven’ and he’s been in Ocean Beach ever since.Actually it was and still IS a 4Runner.
sealintheSelkirks May 14, 2021 at 10:29 am on Wife Won’t Let Husband Help With Her Gambling ProblemCasino gambling is just another way to tax the poor not just on those who don't understand probabilities Since the state so-called 'Lotteries' have proliferated...
Shane R May 14, 2021 at 8:48 am on Mural of Padres’ Fernando Tatis Goes Up in Ocean BeachHappy to Amaze you! regardless of record or ownership, the memories with my family (especially the one's that have past)going to games were worth the...
Corinne May 14, 2021 at 7:47 am on In the early seventies Gary Gilmore found ‘heaven’ and he’s been in Ocean Beach ever since.Lol... I didn’t mean to put a ? I know it’s a four runner!!
Corinne Anderson May 14, 2021 at 7:37 am on In the early seventies Gary Gilmore found ‘heaven’ and he’s been in Ocean Beach ever since.I worked at Rare Comforts in 1978 I believe. I sure wish there were some pictures of the store, it was such an amazing time...
Moses roses May 14, 2021 at 4:01 am on Sunset Cliffs – the Forgotten BoulevardThe local residents have to get together like in a community group to police their streets. No hate no violence. Just protecting the community and...