TERRANCE PHILLIPS -- The Harbor Column

It wasn’t the orange groves, lemon trees and strawberry fields that made

this town famous. It wasn’t oil, lumber or other resources that caused

all these boxes we live in to cost so much.

However, it’s the same reason that made Olympia Beer famous: “It’s the

water.” This old saying made “Oly” a household word in the 1950s through

the 1970s, and it is still heard today. It is the water!

What differentiates Newport Beach from El Toro, Fountain Valley, Tustin

or Irvine? It’s the water -- the harbor, and a natural one at that. In

addition to being famous and popular as a place to live or visit, Newport

Beach played a significant role in why the above mentioned cities even

exist.

In the late 1800s, Southern California was beginning to experience

tremendous growth. Newport Harbor was a safe port for the delivery of

lumber, building materials, tools, equipment and other much-needed goods.

It was a port for the delivery of cargo and the exporting of citrus. In

later years, after roads and rails were installed, the need to export and

import decreased, and the emphasis shifted to the fishing and cannery

industry.

About this same time, Newport Harbor became known for its recreational

properties and was a destination location because of its beaches,

boating, picnicking and camping sites. The popular resort eventually

gravitated from summer beach cottages into year-round homes and

developments. Even today, as evidenced by the long lines of cars backed

up, bumper-to-bumper, on the Costa Mesa Freeway on any weekend afternoon,

we have something that the rest of the world seems to want. It’s not oil,

strawberries or oranges; it’s just plain, old water.

Weekend or summer retreat recreational activities eventually became a

lifestyle and turned Newport from a resort into a small town. High

schools, golf courses, homes, shopping developments and the boat-building

industry made Newport what it is today. The quaint cottages have

succumbed to the waterfront estates, and we now boast the world’s largest

Mercedes-Benz dealership. Times have changed. Maybe now we should use the

term “It’s the money.”

SPLISH SPLASH: It’s the water, Newport Harbor High School pool water.

From 5 to 8 p.m. June 11, there will be a fund-raiser for the family and

support team of Newport Harbor High School sophomore swimming sensation

Aaron Peirsol. Peirsol, 16, is rated No. 1 in the world in the 200-meter

backstroke and is favored to compete on the U.S. Olympic team in Sydney,

Australia.

Although Peirsol’s expenses have been met, a group of friends has

organized an event called “Back the Stroke,” hoping to raise enough money

to assist Peirsol’s family with the expense of national and international

travel. The event, which will be held at the Newport Beach Yacht Club,

includes silent and live auctions, Olympic coaches and Olympians, live

music and dining on the deck. Michael Villani, from the movies “Up Close

and Personal” and “Man On The Moon,” will be the master of ceremonies.

For tickets and information or if you would like to make a donation,

please contact Michele Mullen at (949) 645-8988 or the Newport Beach

Yacht Club at (949) 760-0221.

TERRANCE PHILLIPS is the Daily Pilot’s boating writer. You can leave a

message for him at (949) 642-6086 or via e-mail at

dailypilot@latimes.com.