Signal Hill’s Library will feature a decades-worth of city history each month through rotating exhibits in honor of the centennial.
In 99 days, Signal Hill will celebrate its centennial; 100 years of changes as a city, growth as a community and a hopeful future. Last week, the Signal Tribune spoke to the city’s mayor and vice mayor about their decades of experience with Signal Hill, and the centennial celebration on April 24 was at the top of their mind.
While Signal Hill was created to avoid Long Beach’s oil taxes and has a peculiar history as a “sleepy oil town,” many residents are unaware to its many colorful historical characters such as Kid Mexico, the famous boxing promoter who ran for mayor in the ‘50s, Jessie Nelson who started the Signal Hill Civic League in the ‘20s and many others.
Mayor Lori Woods told the Signal Tribune that the city has set aside funds over the last few years to prepare for this year’s centennial celebrations, which officially began Jan. 2 with the Signal Hill Public Library’s History Room of Riches.
Each month in 2024 will feature a different exhibit in the library’s History Room, diving into what the city was like decade-to-decade. The exhibits will be accompanied by a History Talk led by Signal Hill historian David Ferrari on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.
The library is currently accepting donated or loaned historical items that can be added to each month’s displays and enrich the experiences. More information can be found on the city’s website.
This month’s history exhibit focuses on the pre-1920s era, before Signal Hill was Signal Hill. Residents can visit the exhibit to learn about the Native American tribes who lived on the land and used the hilltop as a beacon to send smoke signals, the Japanese farmers who grew cucumbers, flowers and more among the fields and the mansions that scattered the hill before oil rigs replaced them.
David Ferrari will dig deeper into the pre-1920s era at the History Talk on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. The rest of the exhibits throughout the year and their topics are listed below:
Feb. 1 through 23 – 1920s
Learn about the history of oil in Signal Hill in the 1920s. The exhibit will feature information and items about the City’s beginnings, including the library’s creation and the era’s librarians, and the variations of City Hall such as Charles Hinshaw’s Building. The exhibit will briefly discuss the newspaper and the city workers.
February History Talk: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6:00 p.m.
March 1 to 27 – 1930s
The exhibit will continue the history of oil in Signal Hill, especially production in the 1930s. Learn about the 1933 earthquake which affected much of the surrounding area and some parts of Signal Hill. The exhibit will also discuss the new City Hall which was built in 1933-1934, the City Council at the time and the city workers.
March History Talk: Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m.
April 1 to 26 – 1940s
The exhibit will touch on life in Signal Hill during World War II. This includes how the Signal Tribune contributed to the war by soliciting women to join the war effort, publishing different political cartoons, articles about the war, and advertisements persuading readers to buy war bonds. The exhibit will also discuss the Southern California Military School, the City Council of the era and the city workers.
April History Talk: Thursday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m.
May 1 to 24 – 1950s
The exhibit will have information on the most famous fire in Signal Hill, the Hancock Oil Refinery Fire, in 1958. The exhibit will also discuss Kid Mexico, a boxing promoter who lived in Signal Hill and had a wide array of famous friends such as Bing Crosby. He was also known for attempting to run for city mayor. This exhibit will also touch on the City Council at the time and one of Signal Hill’s more famous mayors, Nellie Combellack, who was so influential that she had a street named after her.
May History Talk: Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m.
June 1 to 27 – 1960s
With a focus on the 1960s, the exhibit will show the Model-T races and the changes from steel derricks to pump jacks. Various watercolor paintings of Signal Hill will also be on display, along with information on the City Council and the library.
June History Talk: Thursday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m.
July 1 to 26 – 1970s
Learn about the skateboard races in Signal Hill from the 1970s in this month’s display. The exhibit will also show the changes made throughout the city towards a more progressive lifestyle, including new freeways, an updated airport and the growth of businesses establishing themselves within the city. Memorabilia from the 50th Anniversary of the city will be displayed along with photos and information about the city council from the ‘70s.
July History Talk: Thursday, July 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Aug. 1 to 28 – 1980s
This exhibit will feature elements of progress of businesses including the establishment of the Price Club and the decrease in oil production in the 1980s. The growth of the city’s population will also be featured, along with the City Council of that time.
August History Talk: Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 3 to 27 – 1990s
This exhibit will showcase the 1990s in Signal Hill, including the City Council of the era and the time capsule encased in City Hall.
September History Talk: Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Oct. 1 to 25 – 2000s
Learn about the 2000s era in Signal Hill, with an exhibit that will discuss the different monuments that were placed on top of the hill such as the 9/11 monument and review the sponsors. The City Council will also be addressed.
October History Talk: Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 1 to 22 – 2010s
This exhibit will showcase life in Signal Hill in the 2010s. It will show some of the changes to the police department and the different library locations (there were three different libraries at the time). The City Council will be discussed along with the 90th anniversary of the city.
November History Talk: Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 2 to 27 – Present Day
The final Centennial exhibit will showcase not only present-day Signal Hill life, but also the future of Signal Hill. City Council will be discussed and there will be a commemoration of Signal Hill’s 100th anniversary as well as a look at the city’s future projects.
December History Talk: Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.