Del Mar History: Then and Now: Who built Del Mar

The geographic pallet of our area is rich. We are surrounded by an ocean, two lagoons, rare Torrey Pine trees, cliffs, hills, and valleys. Upon this space our recent ancestors built hotels, a natatorium, a pier, a school, a race track, a business district, a grassy park above the beach, elegant and modest homes, roads narrow and wide, and, of course, a train track. This transformation has occurred in the last 140+ years. Who built Del Mar?

The man who converted a barren mesa, referred to as the home of rattlesnakes and jack rabbits, into a resort town along the new rail line was Jacob Taylor. He built a resort hotel and home sites in 1885 with 10th Street as the main corridor. Twenty years later the South Coast Land Company re-established the village from 10th Street to 15th Street and sold lots in a new “resident” area east of the highway.

Not your usual resort town on the beach, the geographic diversity of the area offered opportunities to developers, architects, artists, scientists, and workers. And there was a long list of Hollywood stars that left a major imprint on the emerging town.

The book, Del Mar Reflections, by longtime resident, Bill Arballo, reminds us of the important contributions made by these early residents, who had lived in Del Mar for generations. Their work and appreciation for the singularity of this geographic pallet left us with the beautiful place we call home, Del Mar.

If you have photographs, stories, or even books to share, please contact the Del Mar Historical Society at [email protected].