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'Balboa Island' is an area of Newport Beach, California actually comprising three modified or artificial islands in Newport Harbor: Balboa Island (), the largest; the smaller Little Balboa Island () to the east of Balboa Island, joined by a two-lane bridge; and the smallest Collins Island () to the northwest of Balboa Island, joined by a one-lane bridge. The Balboa Island community is joined to the mainland by a short two-lane bridge on the northeast of Balboa Island, and a privately-operated fleet of three, three-car ferryboats (Balboa Island Ferry) which provide access across the harbor to the Balboa Peninsula which lies to the south.
Balboa Island is one of the most expensive real estate markets in North America outside of Lower Manhattan. A two-bedroom house with a water view from the living room can cost about $3 million.
Local tradition has it that Balboa Island is where the ''frozen chocolate banana'' was first marketed. Snack shops on Marine Avenue will dip a frozen banana on a stick into chocolate sauce and dredge it in ground nuts or candy sprinkles. This legend is referenced in the American television show ''Arrested Development'' in which the wealthy Bluth family of Orange County owns a frozen chocolate banana stand on Balboa Island. Also popular is the ''Balboa bar'', a square of vanilla ice cream on a stick prepared in a similar fashion.
The zip code for Balboa Island is 92662.

Contents

History

Jamboree Road Massacre

Balboa Island today

External links

References

History

The island was not always easily accessible. Newport Harbor was still largely undredged, and sailboat was often the only way to get around. Robert McFadden, an early Balboa Harbor developer had established a successful fishing wharf on the Balboa Peninsula and by 1906, the Pacific Electric line Red Cars began servicing the Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Pavilion, and soon the Red Cars brought thousands of visitors from Los Angeles.
Within a few years, real estate promoters began sending salesmen to Pasadena and to Los Angeles (both connected by the Red Cars) to promote property in and around Newport Harbor. Much Balboa Island property was sold in Pasadena, one of the reasons that many longtime Island residents have family and contacts in the Pasadena area. One of these real estate promoters was William Collins. At the time, Balboa Island was little more than a sandbar, usually swallowed up by high tide.
In 1908 and 1909, with permission of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Collins dredged the surrounding bay and piled the sand on the sandbar that he called Balboa Island. Collins originally sold Island lots for as little as $25, promising a bridge and ferry service later. Area fishermen were early buyers, intending to use the remote dry space to spread, dry, and repair their fishing nets. They were incensed, that for a while at least, they were required to buy a minimum of four (!) lots for an outlay of $100. Compare this to the figure quoted for a lot today. Joseph Allan Beek, a student at Pasadena City College, was enchanted with the area, and became one of Collins' salesmen. Joe Beek played a crucial role in the development of Balboa Island, and spent a lifetime devoted to it. He later served as Secretary of the California State Senate until his death in 1968.
The island grew slowly, and in 1916 it became part of the City of Newport Beach. By 1921, homes were beginning to fill in the Island and Balboa Peninsula. Roads to the Newport Harbor area were still largely undeveloped, and many arrived by rail on the peninsula and took the ferry to the island. The first bridge from the mainland to the North Bayfront was built in 1912, but was not capable of carrying automobiles until 1929, when it was refurbished.
In 1919, after complaints of inadequate service, the city of Newport Beach awarded a fifteen-year franchise to Joseph Beek to operate the ferry. First providing only pedestrian service, in 1921 vehicle transportation was begun. The operation remains in the Beek family.
In 1941 Englishman William Maxwell purchased 15 lots, an investment that he still owns today.

Jamboree Road Massacre

The 1953 National Scout Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America held its event where Newport Center and Fashion Island now sit. It was the third international jamboree; the first jamboree held west of the Mississippi River and had with 50,000 scouts from all 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii and 16 foreign countries.^[1] Thousands of tents were pitched in the area accessible only by a muddy two-lane trail called Palisades Road. The road was soon paved, and later the name was changed to Jamboree Road in honor of the event. It remains a major thoroughfare through Newport Beach, ending at Balboa Island.

Balboa Island today

Balboa Island has developed into a close-knit community, home to professionals, families, retirees, students and celebrities.

External links

★ http://www.balboa-island.com/

★ http://www.balboa-island.net/

★ Virtual tour

References

1. http://www.ocalmanac.com/History/hi01h.htm