Spirits and smugglers

In 1920, when the United States government prohibited the sale of alcohol through a constitutional amendment, Crystal Cove — a small beach community between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach — was in its formative stages.

Aside from being a beach retreat for families, who would camp in tents along the shore, the stretch of coastal land was becoming a destination for movie producers who wanted to create the image of exotic locales.

Besides being ideal for both of those activities, the cove proved to be an asset for another operation, decidedly less legal.

Big, black boats would loiter along the coastline, waiting for the coast to clear so they could bring barrels of whiskey, rum and other outlawed spirits ashore.

“They would put it into a big canvas and lower it over the side [of the boat] if they figured the Coast Guard was after them,” said John Paull, an early cove resident, in a recording made four years ago, before his death.

Paull remembered finding some full liquor bottles that had washed up on shore after being discarded by boats trying to evade the authorities.

His memories and other research went into creating a historical exhibit recently put up for display in a small green room on the beach at Crystal Cove. The exhibit is the first of its kind put on by the nonprofit Crystal Cove Alliance, an organization that serves both as an administrator and promoter for the state-owned beach.

The display is small. Housed in a room the size of a bedroom, it includes two posters with short explanations and a few pictures, a 15-second sound bite and a handful of Prohibition-era liquor bottles — five minutes viewing altogether, even at a slow pace.

Alliance President Harry Helling said it will be the first of many similar efforts to highlight the area’s history.

“We want to show people that when you come to the district it’s more than just a restaurant visit,” Helling said.

Many small cottages were built during the 1920s, which still dot the area’s bluffs despite strong efforts through the years to redevelop the land with more luxurious and pricey amenities.

It has been a constant battle to keep the area authentic, according to third-generation Crystal Covite and activist Laura Davick, and more educational efforts help people create a bond with the place so that they will help fight future challenges.

The exhibit will run through the end of September, culminating in the “Prohibition Party” that the nonprofit is hosting as its annual fundraising gala on Sept. 26.