The Street Seen: Santa Fe Wharf
Ocean Park (Santa Monica)
In 1895, the Santa Fe Railroad1 builds a 500-foot-long pier 300 feet south of Hill Street. The pier falls into disrepair and is demolished by the City in 1899.
The first (steam-powered) Santa Fe train arrives at the passenger depot at Hill and Main in June 1892. As part of its agreement with Kinney & Ryan, in 1895 Santa Fe builds a 500-foot-long, iron pipe pier. The pier, 300 feet south of Hill Street, is close to the Sante Fe depot. Work begins in August 1895, and the wharf is completed in October 1895. There are no structures on the minimalist wharf, and only the last 50ft of the narrow wharf widens out to 25 ft.
In 1897, a 40-ft pavilion is erected on the beach near the wharf to accommodate tourists. There is talk of extending the wharf another 1,000 ft out into the ocean - but nothing comes of it. The wharf is a disappointment to Kinney as only minor shipping follows.2 In 1897, J.P. Sheets advertises the distress sale of his lunch and curio business, Catalina Island Shell Store, on the beach at the foot of the wharf.
By 1889, the Santa Fe Wharf is in disrepair, and the structure rapidly decaying. In March 1889, a 25 ft long section of the wharf collapses. In August 1889, the Santa Monica City Council inspects the wharf and threatens to condemn it unless it is repaired. On August 31, the City Council condemns the wharf as unsafe and a menace to the public.3
A week later, on September 4, 1898, a strong storm tears off 100 feet at the end of the wharf. Residents quickly hauled away for firewood wood debris washed up on the beach.
The wharf is abandoned, and no ownership can be identified. In August 1899, City contractor L.W. Stevens removes what remains of the wharf.
For simplification, we are using “Santa Fe Railroad” to include Santa Fe and all of its subsidiary companies.
On June 30, 1898, the City of Santa Monica grants Kinney and Ryan permission to build a 1250-foot-long pier at Pier Avenue on pilings already being used to carry the city's 200-foot-long outfall sewer. The Kinney and Ryan pier is completed in less than six weeks. The pier serves two purposes:-
to protect and extend the sewage pipes seaward so the currents wouldn't pollute Kinney and Ryan property south of it; and
as a pleasure pier for tourists and fishermen.
The Kinney and Ryan pier is abandoned in 1904. In 1911, Fraser's Million Dollar Pier is built over the Kinney and Ryan pier.
On August 30, 1898 Ryan and Kinney have a public barbecue and clam bake to celebrate the completion of their pier.