Bixby Park Bandshell (Long Beach, California)

 bandshell, historic landmark

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The Band Shell was built in 1927 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, which was popular in this time for recreational public buildings. It is located in Bixby Park between Cherry and Junipero where the park is divided by 1st Street. The main building is constructed of brick covered with cement stucco and a hand made red tile roof. Originally there were pergolas adjoining each side, which are now gone. The decorative/ornamental grill work on the windows, amber cathedral glass and round decorative gable window pendulum glass lamp and carved Philippine mahogany 7’ double main doors have amazing that the shell survived the benign neglect and vandalism throughout the years.

It was actually built as a Speakers Stand to be used for community events, public speeches and pageants, as well as municipal band concerts. It was a venue for communication of local news, opinions and events. In the twenties people mainly read newspapers for information and radio was available, but only a few events were transmitted via this medium. The famous State Picnics held at Bixby Park were attended by thousands of transplanted Midwesterners from Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio. This gave them the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, reminiscing about the “old days” in their home state. Thus Long Beach gained the nickname of “Iowa by the Sea”.

www.lbheritage.org/Education/BixbyBandShell.htm