History of Balboa Island

Whose brilliant idea?

W.S. Collins

Balboa Island Highlight Reel

1902 W. S. Collins and A. C. Hanson purchase 880 acres for $50,000 from James McFadden. It includes the majority of Newport Bay and a sand spit which becomes Balboa Peninsula.

1904-1905 The partnership dissolves, leaving Collins the sole owner and visionary of Newport Bay.  Collins negotiates with Pacific Electric Railway & the Red Cars arrive in Newport Beach in 1905, charging $1 each way between Los Angeles and Newport Beach.  The Balboa Pavilion and Balboa Pier built in preparation for Red Car arrival in 1906.  

1906-1908 Collins begins dredging the Bay to form Balboa Island, transforming a two-acre mud flat into a 35-acre island.  In 1908 the first homes are built on the west end of the Island.  

1909 Collins builds Collins Castle on Collins Island

1913 Collins completes the dredging project with the carving of The Grand Canal

1914 First sidewalks installed.  Collins gives 28 lots on the Little Island to the Covina Masonic Home for Orphans known as Camp Collins.  Collins only sells half the 1400 Island lots needed to break even, mortgaging the other half.

1915 Financially forced into bankruptcy, Collins is unable to complete necessary infrastructure for Balboa Island.  With his personal dream dashed, he deeds Collins Castle to his wife Apolena and relocates to Wichita, Kansas.

1916 Balboa Island annexed to Newport Beach, gaining access to needed utilities, along with required city taxation.  In lieu of paying taxes, many lot owners return their lots to the bank.  Banks start selling lots for $25-$50.

1918 First bridge to Little Island constructed.  Three financial donors purchase and donate two-foot strip around the Island to City of Newport Beach.  We thank these donors for our ability to stroll around the Island and enjoy the beauty of Newport Bay.  

1919 Joe Beek gets new ferry contract

1920 “Fat Fairy” pushes First Car across Newport Bay

1923 Seawall and sidewalk rebuilt; City installs water lines.  Joe and Carroll Beek start Balboa Island Yacht Club for kids.

1924 Second Balboa Island Bridge built with two lanes at Marine Avenue.  Wallie’s Market and gas station constructed.

1925 Streets lighted and paved.  J. A. Beek office built on Agate Avenue at Ferry Landing

1926 Collins Island Footbridge built; Balboa Island Post Office opens.

1927 Balboa Island Fire Station completed on Marine Avenue

1929 108 Agate Avenue constructed as a residence; then becomes home of The Original Cottage Plates in 1975, now present-day Mary Hardesty Realty’s office.

1930 First three-car Ferry begins operation

1933 First Balboa Island Drugstore serves the Island

1935 Marine Avenue Business Association initiated.  Hershey family buys Wallie’s Market which becomes Herseys Market.  First dress shop on Marine Avenue.

1936 Federal Government completes harbor dredging; Newport Harbor Dedication May 23.   Marine Avenue widened for parking.  Fun Zone opens for entertainment.

1938 New Bayfront Bulkhead, Sidewalk and Public Piers completed.  James Cagney buys Collins Island.

1940 Catholic Church dedicated

1941 Balboa Island Community Methodist Church forms; in 1951 moves to 115 Agate Avenue.

1946 Christmas Boat Parade begins

1949 Postal delivery service starts on Balboa Island

1950 One-way streets created on the Island

1953 Collins Island Car Bridge constructed.  Collins Island divided into eight lots.

1964 The last of 126 private docks built, as well as five public docks

1965 Island beaches replenished with Linda Isle horseshoe sand

1974 R 1.5 zoning established on Balboa Island.  Little Island Property Owners Association begins.

1977 Flagpole erected at bridge entrance to Balboa Island

1980 Balboa Island Bridge remodeled and retrofitted

1981 Newly constructed Carroll Beek Community Center opens at the previous Methodist Church site at 115 Agate Avenue

As Balboa Island history continues to unfold….Balboa Island is flourishing as a beloved home for many, attracting many visitors throughout the year.  Individuals, groups and associations in the community continue to maintain and improve the quality of life on the Island.  

We owe much gratitude to the early founders and visionaries who had the foresight to create this Island Jewel of Newport Bay that so many of us call home or for others, their cherished home-away-from-home.

To learn more about the history of Balboa Island, please visit balboaislandmuseum.org