#longbeachpike

Anamorphic 3D mural by Leon Keer for 2018's edition of Pow Wow! Long Beach.

Southern California residents had long escaped the summer heat by flocking to the cool Pacific waters in Long Beach, but with the opening of Pacific Electric’s Red Car route to Long Beach in 1902, a new bath house was built and a new amusement zone designated around the Pike. As “Silver Spray Pier” evolved rides were added and changed over the years until the park was permanently closed in 1979. For Pow!Wow! Long Beach in 2018 Dutch pop-surrealist and leading practitioner of anamorphic street art, Leon Keer, wanted to revive some of that history for Long Beach. On W. Broadway Keer recreated this stunning 3D representation of a car from the famous Dodg’em ride, and says he was overwhelmed by the number of onlookers who shared their memories of the Pike with him.  @leonkeer  @powwowlongbeach

Paul Miranda lived and worked on the Long Beach Pike in the 1930s and 1940s. At that time, it grew from being the first Amusement Zone on the West Coast of the United States, into a destination that hosted many tens of thousands a day on weekends. He saw much from his 3rd story bedroom and from his workplace at Mon's Cafe. This is part of a series first inspired by a book that was written by Paul Miranda and Patricia Tsoiasue about his youth on the Pike. In this episode he shares the day the Pine Avenue Pier came down in a storm. To purchase the book on Amazon, click here.

Hope you are all starting your day off like I have! It's family gathering day! 🦃🍁🍽🍸#medicationtime #happythanksgiving2016 #baileys #longbeachpike #queenmary (at Long Beach, California)