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Square
Newport'
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Landing
1870= 1881
In 1888, the McFadden brothers moved port operations —buildings and all —to the peninsula,
putting the "beach" in Newport Beach.
Newport
Wharf:
(1888-early 1900s)
Port, lumber company, and fishing village created the beginnings of a downtown.
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The journey from Santa Ana and beyond was long enough that visitors often camped out for days.
The train
and trolley
changed
everything
Easy access to Newport Beach brought thousands of tourists, more residents and incorporation.
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In addition to a port and lumber company, Newport now had stores, hotels, bars, boarding
houses, and a pavilion.
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With incorporation.,
elements of a
true city emerged
Police and fire departments, utilities, phone operator, stores, and a City Hall (population: 206.E
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Downtown Newport Beach, early 1900s
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NEW BUSINESS R)Lock Pli���ru ror, �N:uvoiz"r REACH �
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WPORT BUILDING TO RISE SOUK
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Development plans announced in 1927 for B.K. Stone building (21 It Street and the oceanfront);
First tenants: Malt shop, tackle shop, cafe, fish market, Theodore Robins Ford, confectionary
shop, offices and hotel rooms.
B.K. Stone building, shortly after completion, late 1920s. Designed by Frank Landsdown, who
designed the Bowers Museum and Santora building in Santa Ana. Development went bankrupt
in 1934 and took the bank six years to find a buyer.
McFadden Square, 1940s.
The Ri s
of a New
Downtown'
Fashion Island and Newport Center, circa 1970
cFadden
Square
facelift No. 1
Property owners and city split the $3 million price tag for area improvements.
"This area, being that it was the founding site to the city, and yet probably the biggest embarrassment
to the city, was in greatest need of renovation.... It had lost its glory."
cFadden
Square
facelift No. 2
in 2008
McFadden Square Centennial Legacy Project: Globe sculpture, historical labyrinth
AM
arlson
STaTU
added i
n
2016
Honors Newport Beach's first lifeguard who died in the line of duty.
Facelift
No. 3 ?0 +
New plans under consideration ...
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Mayor
Joe Stapleton
Mayor Pro Tem
Lauren Kleiman
Council Members
Michelle Barto
Noah Blom
Robyn Grant
Sara J. Weber
Erik Kenneth Weigand
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
949 644-3004 1949 644-3039 FAX
newportbeachca.gov
July 8, 2025
Bill Lobdell
17 Canyon Crest Drive
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Dear Bill,
On behalf of the City Council and our entire community, thank you for once again
sharing your extraordinary knowledge and passion for our city's history - this time
with a fascinating presentation on McFadden Square, the original heart of downtown
Newport.
Your unwavering dedication to preserving and presenting our local history continues
to be a gift to us all. Each time you speak before the Council, you bring to life the
people, places, and moments that have shaped our community, and this most
recent presentation was no exception. It was insightful, engaging, and full of the
thoughtful detail we've come to appreciate from you.
We are incredibly fortunate to have you as both a historian and storyteller who so
generously shares your time and expertise. Thank you for helping ensure that
Newport's rich past remains a vibrant part of our present - and for reminding us,
once again, of the many reasons we have to Celebrate Newport.
With sincere appreciation,
Joe Stapleton
Mayor