Marineland of the Pacific
Marineland of the Pacific | |
---|---|
33°44′17″N 118°23′53″W / 33.738°N 118.398°W | |
Date opened | August 28, 1954[1] |
Date closed | February 11, 1987[1] |
Location | Los Angeles County, California, United States |
Website | www |
Marineland of the Pacific was a public oceanarium and tourist attraction located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast in Los Angeles County, California. Architect William Pereira designed the main structure. It was also known as Hanna-Barbera's Marineland during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Marineland operated from 1954 until 1987, when it was purchased by the owners of SeaWorld San Diego. The new owners moved the popular killer whales and other animals to their San Diego facility and abruptly closed Marineland.
History
Marineland
When it opened in 1954, one year before Disneyland, Marineland of the Pacific was the world's largest oceanarium. The park was designed by William Pereira, whose work, which included the Transamerica Pyramid, the Los Angeles International Airport, and the Geisel Library helped define the architectural look of mid-20th century California.
Marineland was best known for its performing orcas. One tourist guide in 1974 stated, “Entertainment is the first purpose of this well-known Palos Verdes show place. Here’s a rare opportunity to see a ‘killer whale’ leaping 18 feet out of the water to grab a fish from the teeth of its trainer, a dolphin jumping through a fire-ringed hoop, or a sea lion crooning a tune.”[2]
Marineland was home to Orky and
Other attractions included the Sky Tower, “a circular elevator ride 344 feet above the sea,” and hourly boat tours of the coastline.[2]
Marineland was also noteworthy for its Baja Reef concept, a first-of-its-kind swim-through aquarium featuring “many brightly colored fish.” Visitors could enter the winding aquarium wearing a swim mask and snorkel and swim with the fish and sharks. The tour lasted seven minutes in 1979.[4] Special admission tickets to this attraction cost $4 in 1985 US$5 (equivalent to $10 in 2023).[5]
Circa 1979 there was a “new macaw show,” strolling cartoon characters and a “marine animal care center” at the park.[4]
Closing
Orky and Corky were moved to SeaWorld's San Diego park a few weeks after the purchase, supposedly for mating.[6] Although Orky died in September 1988, Corky remains alive as of March 2024. Rancho Palos Verdes city council passed an ordinance requiring Harcourt to maintain the park and allow public access to its beach.[6] Although the company had promised to keep Marineland open, it was suddenly closed on February 11, 1987,[7] six weeks after the sale was completed. Harcourt said it received bomb threats after announcing its change of heart, prompting it to lock the gates three weeks before the announced closing.[6] The animals were trucked out in the middle of the night, and the new owners poured concrete into the drains so the park could not be reopened. Many local residents complained about the sudden closure. On March 1, 1987, the company announced that the park would stay closed.[6]
Abandonment
Much of the infrastructure was left abandoned for nearly 20 years. Marineland's most visible landmark, the 414-foot (126 m) high tower, remained standing until 1995. The Marineland Restaurant continued operating through 2004 as the "Catalina Room" (where
Redevelopment
In 1995, developer York Long Point purchased 480 acres (1.9 km2) of coastal land that included the Marineland location for $24 million.
After several false starts, development began in 2007 on a new $450 million resort, a project by Lowe Destination Development, which was planned to include a hotel, privately owned "casitas", and full spa and resort facilities. Originally projected to include an 18-hole golf course, the plan was changed to include only an "Executive Par 3" golf course on the resort property.
In early 2006, two small temporary sales offices replaced the abandoned gas station at the park entrance, and the large concrete sign along Palos Verdes Drive South (with a tower resembling a whale's tail) was altered to feature the logo and artist's impression of the resort. In July 2007, principal construction commenced, starting with the demolition of the remains of Marineland. The resort was completed in 2009.[9] Today, the Terranea Resort occupies the site, but pays tribute to the history of the location, including Marineland.[10]
The Point Vicente Interpretive Center, located a half-mile north on the same road, reopened in July 2006 after extensive remodeling, and it has a number of items related to Marineland in an exhibit, including a "Save Marineland" pin and various publications from the park. One of the original dolphin statues that formerly adorned the entrance to Marineland is also on display.
Historical Society
The Marineland of the Pacific Historical Society was formed in 2003 "to provide information and access to historical information and images of the park to students, researchers, industry professionals, and interested parties".[11]
LA's Own Marineland Podcast
In 2022, writer and podcaster Tod Perry, launched a ten-hour podcast,[12] "LA's Own Marineland"[13] covering the park's 33-year history, abandonment and the lives of the animals after its closure. The show includes interviews with 20 people intimately involved with the park including management, marine mammal trainers, and guest services employees.
Television, film and music
While still in operation, the park was prominently featured in several television shows, including two episodes of
Since its closing, scenes for several feature
Several TV shows have also used the site for their filming needs, including regular use by NBC's Fear Factor and one episode of Viper. The location was also used for MTV's Motel California.
See also
- List of abandoned amusement parks
- List of former zoos and aquariums
References
- ^ a b "Photo of poster" (JPG). 3.bp.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
- ^ SBN 376-06754-3.
- ^ Branning, Timothy (May 1980). "Whale Done" (PDF). pacificbeachlife.com. Westways. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Smith, Doug (1979-06-17). "There's No End of Things to Do Close to Home". Los Angeles Times. pp. CS1.
- ^
MacArthur, Loren (1985). L.A. Bike Rides: A Guide to 37 Specially Selected Bike Routes in Los Angeles County. San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books. p. 72. ISBN 0-87701-316-0.
- ^ a b c d e Nielsen, John (March 1, 1987). "NATIONAL NOTEBOOK: Rancho Palos Verdes; Harcourt Sinks Marineland". The New York Times. p. Section 8. Page 1. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "Collection of Materials Related to Marineland". The Online Archive of California. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "Marineland of the Pacific". palosverdes.com. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Marineland of the Pacific: Abandoned Places, Desks, Oddities". moderndayruins.com. Modern Day Ruins. January 9, 2008. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Rancho Palos Verdes Resorts | Terranea Resort - History | Southern California Luxury Resorts". Terranea Resort. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
- ^ "Marineland of the pacific: Historical record of the famous oceanarium". marinelandofthepacific.org. Marineland of the Pacific Historical Society. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "The Birth of Marineland: A 10-Hour Podcast Chronicling My Lifelong Obsession with the Park's History By Writer and Podcaster Tod Perry". Palos Verdes Pulse. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "LA's Own Marineland". LA's Own Marineland. 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "IMDb - "The A-Team" Beneath the Surface (TV episode 1986)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 2017-04-16. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
Further reading
- Patryla, Jim. (2005). A Photographic Journey Back To Marineland of the Pacific Lulu Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4116-7130-0.