LAPL Blog
Long Beach
Photo Friends, April 10, 2019
William Willmore had a brilliant idea. He was going to create a farming community on the coast of Southern California. He bought 4,000 acres of Rancho Los Cerritos and subdivided the land into plots which comprised Willmore City.
![A view of The Pike amusement park in Long Beach. The roller coaster extends down the pier; underneath it is the Long Beach bath house. The Hotel Arlington is bottom, left. Next to the hotel is the Crystal Cafeteria and next to the cafeteria is the Ambassador ballroom dancing establishment. Hoyt's Theatre abuts the Ambassador. On the horizon are several naval or Coast Guard ships, [ca.1920]. Security Pacific National Bank Collection The Pike and warships](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_latest_list_120x90/public/blogs/2019-04/longbeachheader.jpg?itok=vHj9E8xL)