History Tuesday – The Encyclopedia Lots of Huntington Beach California

The story of the encyclopedia lots of Huntington Beach, California, is a fascinating example of how real estate sales tactics have evolved over time, often with unexpected outcomes.

In the early 20th century, between 1914 and 1919, an innovative yet deceptive sales tactic emerged where each encyclopedia purchase came with a piece of land. Buyers of a Moroccan leather-bound set of encyclopedias for $126 would come with a 25’x112′ lot in Huntington Beach. Purchased from the Huntington Beach Company, the encyclopedia companies had bought up less than desirable areas like hills, ravines, or marshes, in blocks of lots known for their narrow, book-like alignment  – like encyclopedias. 

Many farmers in New England went for this sales pitch, never having seen the lots which were mostly useless swamp land at that point and unsuitable for housing.

In a dramatic turn of events, however, the farmers got the last laugh. The lots’ value was altered when oil was discovered nearby in 1920, transforming previously worthless land into valuable real estate, with the introduction of slant drilling further enhancing their potential. Oil derricks went up everywhere.

Over time, the scattered ownership of these lots, many held by absentee owners, posed significant challenges for developers aiming to consolidate land for new projects. The Huntington Beach Company and the city’s redevelopment agency navigated these issues by buying back or facilitating the sale of these parcels to allow for urban expansion.

Today, this history is celebrated within the community through monuments and educational displays, reflecting its cultural and historical significance. While many lots have been repurposed or acquired for public use, about 38 remain privately owned, potentially becoming valuable again with the rising demand for housing in California, and where housing prices in Huntington Beach start at $1million.

This story encapsulates broader themes in urban development, including the long-term effects of speculative real estate practices, the influence of natural resources on city growth.