Photograph courtesy of the McCleskey Family, © 2024. Used with permission.
We are a volunteer group of current and former Imperial Beach residents that enjoys remembering and researching the history of our city. We are dedicated to preserving memories and are always looking for any items of historical interest. If you would like to help, there are many ways you can support us. If you have any old photographs, newspapers and clippings, periodicals, brochures, and other items related to Imperial Beach, or have personal story about Imperial Beach that you would like to share, please contact us by email at ibhs.info@imperialbeachhistoricalsociety.org or message us through our Imperial Beach Historical Society Facebook Group.
Collect and organize documents, photographs, stories, oral histories, publications, periodicals, artifacts, and any other items related to the history of Imperial Beach, leading to the future establishment of our own Imperial Beach History Museum.
Provide current and former residents of Imperial Beach a centralized location to contribute, view, read, and remember the history of Imperial Beach.
Solicit, categorize, and identify photos, newspaper articles, booklets, pamphlets, and other memorabilia, including oral and written histories relating to significant events, daily life, and the people of Imperial Beach.
Engage the support of our local residents. We will have our booth open at various local events with selected artifacts on display to promote the establishment of the Imperial Beach Historical Museum. We will be accepting new members as well as soliciting donations.
Seek out, identify, and coordinate with our local government to obtain a location for the Imperial Beach History Museum.
The Imperial Beach Historical Society can trace its legacy back to Author and Historian Freda Compton Elliott Adams, who wrote the book "History of Imperial Beach" initially published in 1976. Freda and local journalist Jay Robbins were named official city historians, and received the awards at the Mayor’s State of the City address on May 24, 2006. Prior to 2016, a formal historical society for the City of Imperial Beach did not exist. The Imperial Beach Women's Club had previously been involved in efforts documenting Imperial Beach history. A second book titled “Imperial Beach, California: A Pictorial History” was written by Julie M. Walke in 2006 to celebrate the city's fiftieth anniversary and expanded on Freda's original effort.
In 2016 councilmember Lorie Bragg received a collection of papers, notebooks, and related items that belonged to Freda Compton Elliott Adams, who passed away in April of 2013. As a result, an informal group of residents interested preserving, documenting, and displaying information and artifacts about the history of Imperial Beach was organized. They formed the basis for the Imperial Beach Historical Society.
This group was involved with the organization that was planning the sixtieth birthday celebration of the City Imperial Beach to be held along with the 2016 Sun & Sea Festival. Lorie sent out a request to anyone who would be able to assist and to add information and history. They met at city hall. Lorie also had several boxes of Imperial Beach memorabilia that the city had stored and also items that had been rescued from a dumpster. The original group met regularly before the birthday celebration to sort, discuss and create some sort of display.
During the planning of the 60th Birthday event, they decided to set up an organized historical society. All of the items that had been accumulated formed the basis for the original inventory, which has now grown considerably. At last count, there are over 800 inventoried items.
Also in 2016, this group joined with the South Bay Historical Society to benefit from the established structure and 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization. They regularly set up a booth featuring newspaper articles, photographs, and other memorabilia related to local history at the Mayor’s Breakfast, a tradition that had started with Freda years ago. There would be displays at city hall and a booth would be staffed at various events throughout the city to educate residents about the society and to showcase historical artifacts. A Facebook group was also created for information sharing.
In 2017 the Imperial Beach Historical Society officially became an independent organization and received their 501(c)(3) Non-Profit designation from the State of California. The By-Laws were also finalized and filed with the State. Participation in city events continued with a booth showcasing Imperial Beach history, including two popular aerial photographs of the city from 1956, the year Imperial Beach was incorporated. The web page went live in September of 2019.
During the coronavirus period, public events were limited by COVID-19 restrictions. Historical items and memorabilia continued to be collected and archived, with many items donated by the public. The Facebook Group remained active providing continuity, as well as a forum for sharing and discussions. Virtual events and projects hosted by the city and local groups were also supported, including historical trivia for IBactive and historical content and photos for the IB Arts Bureau.
The Imperial Beach Historical Society is out and about in the community again. In addition to monthly meetings, we have participated in the Mayor's Breakfast and Sun & Sea Festival in August 2024. We plan to support future events throughout the city with a display booth including photographs, books, and other items from our archive. We are all volunteers that enjoy sharing the history of our city.
The Imperial Beach Historical Society will be holding our regular meeting at the Imperial Beach Library on Thursday, November 14th, 2024, from 6:00-7:30 pm. The public is invited to stop by and meet the members. We usually have a small display of items from our archive. New members are always welcome. If you enjoy the history of Imperial Beach and interacting with the public, as well as research, storytelling, and documenting historical events, please consider joining. Your membership dues help us to maintain the ongoing operation of our organization. We are a Non-Profit 501(c)(3).
Please note that this will be our last meeting for calendar year 2024. We will resume regular meetings in January of 2025.
Please visit our Facebook Group for the latest information.
The Imperial Beach Historical Society is thankful for the lifetime members and annual members who have supported us in the past. Your paid membership allows us to cover the required annual local, state, and federal filings and fees and recurring administrative expenses.
Additionally, there is ongoing work to categorize, maintain, and archive physical books, documents, photos, other historical items, and digital media, and to support public displays and presentations.
Lifetime Members provide the Imperial Beach Historical Society with a dedicated core of people that provide a continuity of purpose and help to keep the society focused on our Mission and Vision, and achieve our Strategic Goals.
Membership is tax-deductible, and active members in good standing may hold board and officer positions within the organization.
Annual membership covers one calendar year. The categories are:
Individual: $20.00 Family - $35.00 Business/Corporate - $100.00 Lifetime (One-time) - $200.00
You may join and pay for your membership online through Square or by mailing a check:
Click on the following link to access online payment processing:
IBHS Membership
A new window will open and display the membership options. If you have any issues please contact us via email.
You may pay by check or money order or send us an email to arrange a local meeting.
Download our Membership Form (Fillable Adobe pdf). After download, open, enter your information, and print.
Make check or money order payable to Imperial Beach Historical Society. Mail the form and your check or money order to:
Imperial Beach Historical Society, 768 13th Street #456, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Are you interested? There are so many ways you can support us.
Please contact us to find out more about volunteer opportunities, events, and ways to contribute.
You may email us or visit our Facebook Group for more information.
The city of Imperial Beach has been very lucky to have individuals that have taken the time to personally research and publish information about the city's history.
We need to remember these people and their contribution to documenting and preserving the history of Imperial Beach.
Freda is best known for her book "History of Imperial Beach" published in 1976. She and journalist Jay Robbins were named official city historians, and received the awards at the Mayor’s State of the City address on May 24, 2006.
A published author and historian, Toni researched and published articles related to the Imperial Beach's military history and personnel. Most recently, she authored the series about the Experimental Airfield at Imperial Beach and aviation pioneer Charles Francis Walsh. Also, she authored articles about Imperial Beach Green Ghost, Lance Corporal, Dennis Christie, MIA/BNR Vietnam, who was honored by the Imperial Beach Historical Society.