Auto Club and the Fullerton Museum Center Join Forces
24 August 1998
Historic Pacific Coast Highway and Surf Photographs Displayed by Auto Club and Fullerton Museum Center
FULLERTON, Calif.--Aug. 24, 1998--The Automobile Club of Southern California and the Fullerton Museum Center have joined together to present an exhibit of historic photographs and memorabilia depicting the construction, the development and pop culture of Pacific Coast Highway.
The exhibit will feature a regional emphasis on the Orange County coastline with historic photographs from Balboa, Huntington, Laguna and Newport beaches.
The exhibit will be displayed at the Fullerton Museum Center from Saturday, Sept. 12 until Jan. 3, 1999.
Titled, "Coast Road: 1900-1950," the exhibit combines coastal images and memorabilia from the Auto Club's Corporate Archives, the Fullerton Museum Center, Ventura County Museum and private collections. Featured are surfing photographs by the late John Larronde, an avid surfer, surfboard maker, historian and conservationist, as well other black and white photographs of Orange County's coastline.
Vintage photos of Pacific Coast Highway's construction, piers, roadside attractions, and beach activities along Malibu, Point Mugu, Santa Monica Canyon, Rincon Causeway, and other scenic locations are part of the exhibit displayed for the first time in Orange County. Also included in the exhibit are Surfer's Journal videos from Opper Sports and historic surfboards from Hobie Sports, Dana Point.
The exhibit also features historic rarely displayed Auto Club ink-on-vellum maps; original cover art by well-known California artists from the Auto Club's Westways magazine collection; an enlarged three-dimensional tower display of historic postcards; and unique promotional publications from beach-front motels. Along with the photographs and artifacts, a late-1940s Harley-Davidson motorcycle used to deliver maps, and assist Auto Club members and stranded motorists, is part of the exhibit.
"The images and objects in this exhibit tell the story of PCH's early construction and its role in shaping the culture and lifestyle associated with the Southern California coast," said Rosa Nowels, manager of the Auto Club's Fullerton district office.
"The Auto Club is pleased to join with the Fullerton Museum Center in sharing this unique collection of Southern California history with the community in a presentation that illustrates a rich history of the Coast Highway."
Lynn LaBate, Fullerton Museum Center curator, said, "For someone who lives in Southern California, it's difficult to imagine life without the Pacific Coast Highway. The museum is happy to join with the Auto Club to tell the special story of one of the finest scenic routes in the world."
The Fullerton Museum Center is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum also is open from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students and free to children under 12. An Auto Club discount applies with a membership card. Admission is $1 for all visitors during Thursday hours.
Persons requiring special accommodations to view the exhibit are asked to notify the museum prior to coming to the center. The museum is located at 301 N. Pomona Ave., east of Harbor Boulevard, in downtown Fullerton. Telephone: 714/738-6545. Web site address is: www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/depts.shm.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit from the organization's emergency road service; financial products; travel agency and trip planning services; highway and transportation safety programs; insurance products and services; automotive pricing; buying and financing programs; automotive testing, and analysis and legislative advocacy.
Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A press preview will be held for members of the media from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
