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Seaside History

Breaking High

December 12, 2012 | by Nate Burke

Ever wish you could reach out and touch the horizon? On this stormy day, sometime in the 1930s or 1940s, the horizon decided to reach out and touch the land. Notice how the crowd has clustered on the turnaround as close to the advancing waves as possible. Like those dare-devils that rush to the front seats of a roller coaster, these folks want to experience the tempest up close and personal. It’s hard to say if these were visitors or residents, but whatever the case, it certainly looks like they’re enjoying getting chummy with a frighteningly high-tide.

As most people familiar with Seaside know, the turnaround and promenade are normally a few hundred feet from the clutches of your typical high hide. Back in the day, every now and then one could be flecked with ocean spray while walking on the prom. But as mentioned in previous posts, Seaside’s beachhead has grown and extended enormously over the years due to the South Jetty up north. Just how much has the beachhead grown? Well one shocking (and little known) indicator is that there is actually a second flight of stairs leading up to the turnaround . . . . And it’s completely buried in the sand.

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