Mural to depict early figures
Important figures in Hermosa’s early years will grace the first mural planned by a nonprofit group that wants to dot buildings in the western stretches of town with wall-sized art depicting the city’s history and culture.
“Early Hermosa” is the theme selected by the Hermosa Beach Mural Project, which is spearheaded by civic figures including three former councilmen, and now boasts 50 or 60 people actively working on its various committees.
The mural will feature five yet-to-be-determined “founding fathers and mothers, if you will,” said former councilman Chuck Sheldon, a member of the board of directors.
Figures under consideration include businessman Ralph Matteson, Sarah Beane, a founder of St. Cross by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, and architect Richard Douglas King, who designed buildings including the landmark Bijou Theater structure on Hermosa Avenue, which opened in 1923 as the Metropolitan.
Matteson, who was born during the presidential administration of Ulysses S. Grant, came to Hermosa in 1905, two years before incorporation. He managed Western Fuel Gas and Power Co. and played an active role in the town’s early real estate development.
When Matteson died, some sentiment sprang up to change the name of Manhattan Avenue to Matteson Avenue, said Rick Koenig, president of the Hermosa Beach Historical Society and a great-nephew of Matteson.
A location for the first mural has not been determined, but project members want to see 10 large murals painted over the next 10 years on exterior walls west of Valley Drive, roughly north of 10th Street and south of 15th Street.
Members previously said they have identified about 20 potential sites on walls of both privately-owned and city-owned buildings.
The group will finalize its list of important early figures, gather supporting documents and photos, and then ask artists to propose competing mural concepts depicting the figures and their contributions. It has more than $6,000 in the bank, along with as much as $3,000 in pledged donations.
The group will hold a Walk of History fundraiser June 5, with proctors taking groups to 10 sites within walking distance of the Pier Plaza, which serve as landmarks of Hermosa’s early history.
“Where was the first jail cell? Where was the first bank? Where was the first grocery store?” Sheldon teased.
He said he expects a couple hundred or more to show up.
“We’ll have T-shirts, memberships, it’ll be a big deal,” Sheldon said.
For more information, and tickets to the Walk of History, see hermosamurals.org. ER