Dana Point Historical Society

As many of you know, Geody and Richard Deffenbaugh were chosen as the Dana Point Historical Society's Founders Day honorees for 2020 in May. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Society has been unable to present them with their awards nor hold a reception in their honor. Yesterday, on October 29 we held an impromptu safe gathering to present their proclamations. We were honored to have Sergio Prince representing OC Commissioner Lisa Bartlett and also glad to welcome current Dana Point Mayor Richard Viczorek. A small group of city representatives attended, as well. The small gathering occurred outside of the Deffenbaugh's Dana Point Auto business. You can view the article about their lives and history in Dana Point at our website www.DanaPointHistorical.org or on this Facebook page.

Will This Historic Landmark Survive? by Keith Johannes The Dana Point Historical Society receives many questions about historic buildings and their preservation. Many comments express concern about the building at the up-coast entrance to the Dana Point Commercial District, now called the Lantern District. The first use of the building at the split of Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado was as the Sidney H. Woodruff Real Estate Tract Office (shown c. 1930.) An articl...e in our March 2011 News Drogher shared a similar concern for this building’s preservation describing it as an anchor and key focal point in the visual character of early Dana Point. There have been many uses for the structure, and we are still researching its history following the dissolution of Woodruff’s Dana Point Syndicate in 1939. We know the building was used as a gift store called Coral Island (pictured), operated by Gretchen Cooper in the 1950s. Cooper’s granddaughter, Jane Edelman, and Dana Point businesswoman Tracie Sullivan contacted the Society, who met with them and city officials in 2013 regarding their concerns about the building’s condition. The next use of the building was again for real estate sales --- first Lingo Reality and then Grubb-Ellis by which time the French doors on the west side had been removed. In the 1960s, Paul Hofer bought the structure and opened Brookside Winery. In 1965, an addition was added designed by local architect Lynn Muir. Brookside Winery built a larger building nearby, across Del Prado, which was later leased, most recently as a Montessori School. Brookside Winery eventually closed but Hofer retains ownership of both buildings. In the middle 1990s for about 15 years, it was what many most recently remember as UP Sports, a sporting-goods store. The last use we have on record is as a motor bike store. This landmark building at the entrance to our city has languished, empty, for nearly a decade, much of its decorative exterior work damaged by years of exposure to the elements and vandalism, with little maintenance. If you have photos, facts or memories related to this building, please connect with us at or leave a message at 949-248-8121.

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Will the Blue Lantern Gazebo Be Saved? by Barbara Force Johannes The Blue Lantern Gazebo (pictured) at the Ken Sampson Overlook Park continues to be fenced off due to a rockslide on January 13, 2018. Cove Road was also closed when 18 tons of rock, including a two-ton boulder, dropped on the stone restrooms below. Cove Road was re-opened but the restrooms below and the gazebo above remain closed and fenced off, although the Ken Sampson Overlook still remains a popular harb...Continue reading

The Society has recently installed 14 new tiles on the Baby Beach tile wall project. Be sure to stop by and check them out. New tiles also include instructions on where to purchase your own tiles for future installations. Thanks to Tile Wall Chair Jeff Huston and his pro team volunteers Mike Choate and Randy Roberts! Pictured: Randy Roberts, Jeff Huston and Mike Choate yuck it up during installation.... Board Member Judy Henderson checks out the new tiles. The Joe Prenovost Family (son of Society Treasurer, Gary Prenovost) stop by to help: Tori and Joe Prenovost with children Madi, Sailor, Pella and Harlow. See more

Will the Seaside Inn Saved? As one would expect, whenever our Historical Society volunteers meet the public we receive questions about historic buildings in Dana Point. This was especially true for our volunteers at our outreach booth during the Festival of Whales on March 7th and 8th. Santa Clara Avenue neighbors wanted to know what was being done about the Blue Lantern Gazebo at the Ken Sampson Overlook. Many people asked about the historic Woodruff Real Estate Building on ...Continue reading