Encapsulating history

One hundred years of history were portrayed at Pier Plaza Tuesday night, as a standing-room-only crowd celebrated the precise date of Surf City’s founding.

Following days of storms, the clouds parted to give the occasion perfect weather.

A letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lauded the city’s unique heritage as an oil town and surfing mecca.

About a dozen former mayors in attendance joined an equal amount of citizens who have lived in Huntington Beach for 80 years or more.

“It is a time of celebration for the families and relatives who have been here from the beginning,” Councilman Joe Carchio said.

“It has been such a thrill to be here in Huntington Beach,” Chamber of Commerce President Joyce Riddell said, calling the celebration the icing on the cake.

Councilman Gil Coerper compared the city to its pier, which still stands — albeit in a different form — following its many batterings by the sea.

“It may come down a little bit, but it always comes up much stronger,” he said.

Postmaster Richard Samaniego announced a centennial postmark, which was offered that night and will be available through the month at the city’s post offices.

Also announced was a new city history book, “Ebb & Flow,” will be available in the coming days at the Huntington Beach Art Center.

But the highlight for many of the residents and luminaries who attended was the opportunity to place something in a time capsule that will be opened in 50 years.

Victoria Frantz, who has been a local Albertsons employee for 28 years, dropped her Preferred Card into the time capsule, and also wrote a note to her coworker Whitney Fitzgerald, who will be 70 when the capsule is opened in 2059.

Mark Sandoval put a picture of his 8-year-old nephew in the capsule.

“Captain Jack Sparrow,” a fixture on local beaches, even made his own contribution: a genuine artificial black pearl.

Council members Devin Dwyer and Jill Hardy — a fourth-generation resident — tugged at attendees’ heartstrings by saying they will place letters to their daughters in the capsule.

Dwyer read aloud from an open letter he wrote to his young daughter, which she will read in 50 years.

“Be impulsive,” he told her. “Some of my best memories are things that we never planned.”

Dwyer said afterward that writing the letter was an exercise in emotion for him, as it caused him to come to terms with inevitable loss.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” he said afterward.

City officials had high hopes for Surf City’s next 100 years.

“I really like Huntington Beach as it is today,” Dwyer said. “I’d like to see it carried through.”

“Despite the economy, I think Huntington Beach will just get better and better,” Mayor Keith Bohr said. “My son’s going to be born in July, so this really means a lot to me. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

The centennial celebration will last until the end of the year; visit hb100years.org for more information.

TIME CAPSULE DONATIONS

 Silver ingot with Huntington Beach symbols

 DVD about Surf City, with DVD player (in case the technology is too outdated)

 Chamber of Commerce newsletter

 Miniature fire truck and garbage truck

 Letters to children and friends

 City map

REPORTER CANDICE BAKER may be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at [email protected].