The Pacific Ocean is a vast beauty that has drawn many visitors and settlers to Oceanside, California since the beginning of the development of the railroads toward the late 1880’s. Professor of journalism Brian Wiersma and historian Mary Taschner point out that the railroad ran from Los Angeles, to Fallbrook, and then out towards the Pacific Ocean. [1] With a long strand of sand, a pier, and a beautiful ocean view, population slowly increased in what was once a small town of about 164 people in 1888 to around 3,508 people according to a population statistic by 1930. In 1888 was the construction of Oceanside’s first Pier which would eventually cave due to weather and strong ocean current. Oceanside would see the construction and reconstruction of the six pier’s with the final pier’s construction in 1987. [2] Along with the pier the Oceanside Bandshell amphitheater was built in 1919, a stage which would see many celebratory events including local high school graduation ceremonies and beauty pageants.
As Oceanside continued to captivate visitors and settlers alike, many young business entrepreneurs sought Oceanside as a place of opportunity. Behind the history of the Oceanside Harbor, is the story of a young entrepreneur, Erwin Sklar, who moved to Oceanside during the 1950’s after years of success working in the meat industry in Los Angeles, California. Through an understanding of the history of Oceanside and the determination of the people who grew to love Oceanside it becomes clear that Erwin Sklar has made an everlasting impact on the community with the implementation of the Oceanside Small Craft Harbor known today by many locals as just the Oceanside Harbor.
- Brian Wiersma and Mary Taschner, “The Selling of a City: Oceanside, 1920-1930,” The Journal of San Diego History 27, no. 2 (San Diego History Society Quarterly, Spring 1981). http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/1981/april/oceanside/
- Langdon Sully and Taryn Bigelow, Oceanside Crest of the Wave (United States: Windsor Publications, Inc., 1988)., 100.