As the 1890s evolved into the Roaring '20s, people came by train, Red Car or Model T to enjoy Redondo Beach's advertised "clean water" at The Plunge and to experience the thrill of riding the Lightning Racer roller Coaster.
The Moorish style, four-story Plunge, also known as the "Bath House," was built in 1909 by Henry E. Huntington, covering 43,688 square feet of waterfront. Advertised as the "largest indoor saltwater heated pool in the world," the main pool could accommodate more than 1,000 swimmers at a time, many wearing the latest in wool bathing costumes. A smaller diving pool featured a tower, two boards and a trapeze where the legendary surfer, George Freeth, could be seen performing his daredevil stunts. Pacific Light and Power's steam plant, located to the north, heated the pools. The Plunge close in September 1941.
The Lightning Racer
The best view of the entire waterfront entertainment area was from atop the Lightning Racer, a rambling roller coaster, with 6,000 feet of track, located between Beryl and Coral Streets on El Paseo. The storm-battered coaster was repaired and rebuilt many times, eventually succumbing to fire and storm damage by the 1930s.
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