Cool photos: OB Pier celebrates 50th anniversary!

Visitors to the Ocean Beach Pier during its 50th anniversary celebration look at posters with information that concern the amazing concrete pier's construction and history.
Visitors to the Ocean Beach Pier during its 50th anniversary celebration look at posters containing information about the amazing concrete pier’s construction and history.

I enjoyed a walk along the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier this morning around 10 o’clock, just as the pier’s 50th anniversary celebration got underway! One of my favorite places in San Diego, the OB Pier has a fascinating history.

Here are some cool photos of what I saw and learned! To enlarge the posters containing historical information, click the images!

A table near the OB Pier gate welcomes people to the 50th anniversary celebration with flyers and event info.
A table near the OB Pier gate welcomes people to the 50th anniversary celebration with flyers and event info.
This San Diego Fishing Pier plaque was unveiled on July 2, 1966, 50 years ago when the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier first opened to the public.
This San Diego Fishing Pier plaque was unveiled on July 2, 1966, 50 years ago when the engineering marvel known today as the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier first opened to the public.
A good crowd turned out for the beloved pier's big day! Here we are looking west toward the Pacific Ocean.
A good crowd turned out for the beloved pier’s big day! Here we are looking west toward the Pacific Ocean.
Later in the day, a new plaque would be unveiled near the stairs down to the beach.
Later in the day, a new plaque would be unveiled near the stairs down to the beach.
Turning for a moment back east toward Ocean Beach. It's a pleasant if somewhat overcast morning in July.
Turning for a moment back east toward Ocean Beach. It’s a pleasant if somewhat overcast morning in early July.
A stand up paddle surfer next to the OB Pier. It's possible to watch a lot of surfing action from the top of the pier on almost any given day.
A stand up paddle surfer next to the OB Pier. It’s possible to watch a lot of surfing action from the top of the pier on almost any given day.
The familiar old Pier Cafe has a brand new red, white and blue paint job!
The familiar old Pier Cafe has a brand new red, white and blue paint job!
People were poking their heads through a couple of fun photo props, set up just for the special occasion.
People were poking their heads through a couple of fun photo props, set up just for the special occasion.
As we approach the hub of the anniversary event, just past the Walking on Water Cafe, a lady peers through the jaws of a shark!
As we approach the hub of the anniversary event, just past the Walking on Water Cafe, a lady peers through the jaws of a shark!
The United States Postal Service had a temporary philatelic station out on the OB Pier! Anyone could have a special pier postcard stamped with a custom-designed postmark!
The United States Postal Service had a temporary philatelic station out on the OB Pier! Anyone could have a special pier postcard stamped with a custom-designed postmark!
Before the OB Pier was built, the Mission Bay Bridge across the San Diego River was used by trolleys, cars and fishermen. The Del Monte Avenue Steel Pier's construction was halted due to WWII.
Before the OB Pier was built, the Mission Bay Bridge across the San Diego River was used by trolleys, cars and fishermen. It no longer exists. The Del Monte Avenue Steel Pier’s construction was halted due to WWII.
The Souvenir Dedication Program Book dated July 2, 3, and 4, 1966. The original opening celebration was also around the Fourth of July!
The Souvenir Dedication Program Book dated July 2, 3, and 4, 1966. The original opening celebration was also around the Fourth of July!
Planning the pier. Historical photos of the people who commissioned and built the truly amazing 1971 feet long concrete pier--the longest on the West Coast. Its original purpose was simply for fishing, out beyond rock and kelp beds!
Planning the pier. Historical photos of the people who commissioned and built the truly amazing 1971 feet long pier–the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. Its original purpose was simply for fishing, out beyond rock and kelp beds!
Engineering the OB Pier was no small feat. Thirteen months were required for the pier's completion because of various design changes.
Engineering the OB Pier was no small feat. Thirteen months were required for the pier’s completion because of various design changes.
Poster shows photos of the OB Pier construction back in the 1960s. 2 foot diameter piles were place 12 feet deep into bedrock. Slabs placed on top were welded securely.
Poster shows photos of the OB Pier construction back in the 1960s. The 2 foot diameter piles were place 12 feet deep into bedrock. Slabs were placed on top and everything was welded securely.
I couldn't help but notice a surfer in this old photograph! Nothing can deter a good ride on the mighty ocean, even half a century ago!
I couldn’t help but notice a surfer in this old photograph! No obstacle can deter a good ride on the mighty ocean, even half a century ago!
Photo shows concrete pilings and steel. The pier has survived countless huge storms over the decades.
Photo shows concrete pilings and steel. The pier has survived countless huge storms over the decades.
A poster highlights events at today's Ocean Beach Pier 50th anniversary. There will be spectacular fireworks this Fourth of July!
A poster highlights events at today’s Ocean Beach Pier 50th anniversary. There will be spectacular fireworks this Fourth of July!
Photos of the opening celebration weekend in 1966. Governor Edmund Brown cut the ribbon and cast the first fishing line . . . but gave up after 5 minutes! Festivities included parades, a surfing and variety show, and a sandcastle contest.
Photos of the opening celebration weekend in 1966. California Governor Edmund Brown cut the ribbon and cast the first fishing line . . . but gave up after 5 minutes! Festivities included parades, a surfing and variety show, and a sandcastle contest.
This cool dude gave me the thumbs up while hanging a display for the OB Pier's 50th anniversary. That's Ocean Beach style!
This cool dude gave me the thumbs up while hanging a display for the Ocean Beach Pier’s 50th anniversary. That’s OB style!
Generations of San Diegans have been fishing here for half a century. I wonder . . . how many fish have been caught over the years?
Generations of San Diegans have been fishing here for half a century. I wonder . . . how many fish have been caught over the years?
A gull and the OB Pier hover over the restless ocean. This 180 feet extension of the south arm at the pier's end was added at a later time, and remains a favorite spot for fishing way out where the water is around 30 feet deep.
A gull and the OB Pier hover over the restless ocean. This 180 feet extension of the south arm at the pier’s end was added at a later time, and remains a favorite spot for fishing way out where the water is around 30 feet deep.

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Published by

Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

6 thoughts on “Cool photos: OB Pier celebrates 50th anniversary!”

  4. Pingback: Photo memories of summers in San Diego. – Cool San Diego Sights!
  5. Pingback: Cool photo memories from July 2016. – Cool San Diego Sights!

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