Olympics on The Golden Shore

The Historical Society of Long Beach proudly presents Olympics on the Golden Shore part of our Olympic Legacy project supported by the City of Long Beach as we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This initiative explores Long Beach’s pivotal role in the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games through comprehensive research and compelling imagery. Our exhibition chronicles infrastructure investments that transformed Long Beach into a world class city, examining the Games’ lasting impact. To understand this legacy, we traced over a century of the Olympic movement from international origins to local implementation, revealing how the Games put Long Beach on the world’s stage. Drawing from our archival collections, academic research, and journalistic accounts, we discovered gaps in our artifact holdings. A community call yielded invaluable items that now anchor our exhibition, bringing authentic voices and tangible history to visitors. Carefully selected photographs, graphics, and artifacts illuminate Long Beach’s Olympic journey. We highlight milestones in the 50-year campaign that secured the 1984 Games and showcase our city’s contributions to Olympic trials, athletics, and aquatics competitions. For deeper exploration of athlete biographies and additional historical details, we encourage visitors to connect with the LA84 Foundation, LB908 magazine, and the Long BeachCentury Club—each offers unique perspectives and extensive resources about our Olympic legacy.

This exhibition illustrates the strategic planning and community spirit that made Long Beach an integral part of Olympic history.