Anon. Ocean Park and Venice Timeline (1890-1909), Web Document, 2005b, 1905
"Enormous waves from two disastrous winter storms in February and March demolish the entire Venice Pier. All the pier's buildings were damaged beyond repair. The beach was a pile of driftwood and many building sites were flooded. Damages exceeded $50,000 and set the resort's planned May opening back several months.
"Venice of America's grand opening was rescheduled for the July 4th weekend and 1000 workers worked in shifts to rebuild the damaged pier and its Auditorium and Pavilion buildings in time.
"Water, flowing from the sea in two huge pipes at a rate of 500 gallons a second, began filling the canal network's central lagoon on June 30th. Coffer dams held back water from the unfinished portions of the canal network where workers were cementing canal walls.
"Opening weekend's events included yacht racing, swimming races in the lagoon, the opening of his six week long Assembly in the pier's 3000 seat auditorium, and band concerts and evening fireworks at the lagoon's huge 2500 seat amphitheater. Each day 20,000 visitors thronged Venice's streets for the four day holiday weekend. Many of the resort's buildings and attractions weren't open yet, but visitors found the resort enchanting. With only a few hotels open, many tourists stayed at Kinney's Tent City alongside the Grand Canal.
"Ocean Park dedicated its enormous $150,000 indoor heated salt-water plunge on July 4th.
"Strong and Dickerson began selling canal lots in their adjacent Short Line Canal tract on July 6th. Work began shortly afterwards to dredge their canal network and connect it to the Playa del Rey lagoon and to Kinney's Venice of America's canals.
"Venice's imported gondola fleet and miniature railroad began operation in July.
"Venice of America's canal network was completed in September.
"Kinney announced that the sideshows and amusements from the Portland World's Fair would come to Venice. Construction of buildings to accommodate them began in an area beside the canals.
"In the off-season, the lower floor of the pier's Auditorium was converted to the Venetian Gardens. They served refreshments at tables while patrons listened to Ellery's Royal Italian Band."