A Short History of Crystal Pier / A Short History of Pacific Beach

Book Notes

Raymond Starr, Book Review Editor

A Short History of Crystal Pier.
A Short History of Pacific Beach

By John Fry. San Diego: John Fry Productions, 1987. Photographs. 44 Pages. $5.95 Paperbound.

For the centennial of Pacific Beach, John Fry has written and published two brief paperbacks on that community's past. The history of Crystal Pier traces that landmark from early plans, through dedication in 1926, its half century as one of the highlights of the Pacific Beach scene, to current plans for renovation. The Short History of Pacific Beach provides a brief overview of the major events in Pacific Beach's past. It focuses on land development, educational and social institutions and a few of the community's more prominent citizens. Both booklets are profusely illustrated with old photographs, which help convey the flavor and atmosphere of the area. Unfortunately neither is documented, nor is there a bibliography or essay on sources to help the reader pursue more fully the stories told so briefly in these two volumes.