Jeffrey Stanton Santa Monica Pier A History from 1875 to 1990, Donahue Publishing: Los Angeles, CA, 1990, 1926
"On Monday February 1, 1926 waves from a huge mid Pacific storm began to threaten the Santa Monica Bay piers. The waves built up throughout the day until they were breaking during the night atop a fifteen foot high building at the end of Ocean Park's pier. The landing stage at the end of Santa Monica's Municipal Pier soon crumbled under the highest breakers since 1916.
"The storm continued throughout the following day as the giant waves began pulling up pilings by their roots and hammering the standing timbers into kindling wood. The night watchman notified the owners that the dance hall's foor was buckling. Workers arrived immediately after midnight to remove everything of value including a $2000 grand piano. Even boats that had been dragged onto the pier for safety were taken off the pier to shore.
"Word spread quickly . . . that the pier's collapse was imminent. Thousands swarmed the ocean front and atop the palisades . . . Police had to establish fire lines . . ." p. 57
"High tide peaked shortly after noon on Wednesday February 3rd. William Murdoch, a noted construction engineer, predicted that if the structure could survive until 1 p.m. that day, it would survive . . .
"When the storm subsided slightly later that day, constuction workers found the ballroom floor buckled beyond repair. It had sunk three feet on the west side near the orchestra pit. The three principal owners were making determined plans to save the ballroom, but they were philosophical about the outcome . . .
"Reconstruction began on Feb. 5th. Workers tore a hole in the side of the ballroom and moved a heavy pile driver inside. . . .
"The owners blamed the city. . . .
"The La Monica's interior was restored with loving care. the owners employed one hundred local artisans and construction workers. A.B. Rice, the famed dance floor builder, laid down the new dance floor. The ballrooom's decorations were the conception of the Russian artist V. Ulianoff and his partner John Thackento who painted the unusual motif, a mixture of Oriental, Russian and barbaric art. They used pale tints to blend in quietly with the lights and decorative schemes.
"Thousands including numerous Hollywoood celebrities attended the La Monica's gala reopening on March 25, 1926. Sally Rand, Follies girl and movie actress danced the Charleston and demonstrated various steps of the latest dance craze." p. 58
"The winter storm season wasn't over yet. On April 8th high seas, some say worse than the awesome February storm, tore the fishing fleet loose from their moorings near the Municipal Pier. Captain T.J. Morris, Paul Brooks and Lee Gregory tried to prevent a floundering launch, the "W.K." from wrecking the Municipal Pier. They were washed overboard and the unattended boat was later dashed to pieces south of the pier in front of the Edgewater Club. When Charles Trecy and Jack Dugan tried to rescue the drowning men, their small skiff was capsized by a huge breaker. Lifeguards rescued them but were unable to help the three fishermen who were swept south under the Crystal Pier and crushed against its pilings. Morris's body was found a week later offshore in El Segundo.
"These two destructive storms prompted the Greater Santa Monica Club to revive their harbor plan to protect the pier. They hired Taggart Aston, consulting engineer, . . . His plans were presented to members of the club and to Howard B. Carter, city engineer at their May 5th meeting.
" . . .
". . . R. J. Conners, the Edgewater Club's president opposed the harbor because it would end surf bathing in front of his club . . . "