Old Picture of Laguna Beach
@DeborahDiane (40044)
Laguna Woods, California
April 6, 2018 8:54pm CST
One of the closed hotels in Laguna Beach used to have this photo of women playing badminton at the beach on display.
I don't know when it was taken, but I assume it must have been sometime between 1890 and 1920.
Can you imagine playing any sport at the beach in these long dresses? I thought it was an interesting photo.
Times have changed. Today you would see girls in bikinis playing beach volleyball in the same area!
13 people like this
14 responses
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Apr 18
I imagine so much has changed since those times, both in physical appearance of the beach and surrounding area, and the culture of the local population.
When the Spanish first settled Florida 450 years ago, they found that the area where I live was very suitable to raising cattle. They called the area the land of the cows. When the Americans first started settling the area 150+ years ago, they named our area Alachua, which was a combination of the Spanish words "a la chua", which literally translated means "of the cows." (as in land of the cows). To this day, our county is named Alachua County.
It's so cool to be able to look back at our history and see how things were compared to how things are today.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Apr 18
@DeborahDiane I love when people go back and take photos at iconic locations and then compare the new with the old!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 Apr 18
@moffittjc - Me, too. That is one reason I like old photos of Laguna Beach. The layout of the town is the same ... just four main streets in the business area ... so it is easy to tell where the old pictures were taken. They are fascinating!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Apr 18
@moffittjc - I agree! It is fun to see these old picture. The local Irvine Museum has a collection of paintings of Orange County which were done by artists over many years. More recently, people have gone back to where the paintings were done and taken photos, which are displayed next to some of the paintings in the Museum. It is amazing to see a painting of a tranquil valley or rolling hills and the photo next to it has homes, malls and other modern features. Great contrast!
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
7 Apr 18
How can they move with those long skirts and long sleeves? Hehe
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@mlgen1037 - I agree! How in the world could they move enough to play badminton? LOL
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@mlgen1037 - You are right! They must have gotten sweaty in those clothes and they had to be very uncomfortable.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
7 Apr 18
@DeborahDiane that is something I sometimes think. It is hard to move around and dont they get all sweaty?
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
14 Apr 18
@DeborahDiane I would rather stay home than going to the beach dressed like that. Unless, it would be a cold day.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Apr 18
@marlina - I agree with you! I would rather stay home than be at the beach with all those clothes on! Of course, since they didn't have air conditioning at home in those days, maybe they thought it was cooler at the beach. Hard to say. LOL
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Apr 18
@marlina - I can't imagine going to the beach dressed like this, either. It must have been hot and they would have been sweaty everywhere the clothing binded them. They would have gotten sand everywhere, too. I can't imagine spending a day at the beach dressed like that.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57742)
• Centralia, Washington
7 Apr 18
@DeborahDiane They're probably in pain from those corsets.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@sallypup - I always think it is funny that no one ever smiled in the old photos, even when they were supposedly having fun. These women almost look irritated that they are being photographed, don't they?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@sallypup - Oh, wow! I didn't even think about the fact that they were probably wearing corsets ... as well as bloomers, lace-up boots and who knows what else! Can you imagine going to the beach like that?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Apr 18
@DianneN - Honestly, I wouldn't mind having one of those "old-fashioned" swimsuits when I spend time at the beach. I don't like to reveal as much, these days!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Apr 18
@DianneN - Thanks! Yes, I'm relaxing and just doing easy computer stuff right now. Nothing stressful!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246334)
• United States
11 Apr 18
@DeborahDiane Me, too! I need a tent. Lol! I hope you are relaxing and start feeling better soon!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@Courage7 - I'm the same way. I love to go to the beach and would wear whatever is in style. However, I don't think I would play badminton dressed like that ... unless I had to!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
7 Apr 18
It is True that most of the time now you only see women in Bikinis out there playing Beach Volleyball. But I have played Volleyball in a skirt and Tennis shoes. It can still be quite fun.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Apr 18
@KrauseHome - I have played volleyball indoors dressed that way, but not on the beach! I love the photo of these women!
@LeaPea2417 (36399)
• Toccoa, Georgia
7 Apr 18
Interesting, old historical photos like that always fascinate me.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@LeaPea2417 - I agree. I always enjoy looking at the old photos of this area!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Apr 18
How strange the styles were for some sport like that. I am somehow missing your notifications, so came to catch up.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
22 Apr 18
@DeborahDiane I guess the glitch went away.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
23 Apr 18
@JamesHxstatic - Yes. I think it is common on the internet to hit a glitch. A friend of mine just emailed me to tell me she had a problem leaving a comment on my blog. By the time I saw her email and responded, she was able to leave a comment again. It's weird. I try not to take it personally when my computer goes on strike! LOL 
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 Apr 18
@JamesHxstatic - I agree that the clothing styles were uncomfortable for any sport. I guess women were not really expected to do much of anything. Dressing like that in the heat on a sunny day would not encourage me to do anything, that is for sure! MyLot has been a little weird for the past few minutes. I tried to comment on a couple of posts, and it would not let me. Hopefully, it is just a momentary glitch.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@JudyEv - I agree. I can't imagine really trying to stretch out with your racquet for a hit and, indeed, it must have been hot to wear all those clothes at the beach!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Apr 18
@HazySue - I'm so glad you enjoyed the photo. I think old pictures are a lot of fun, too.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Apr 18
The guys were hoping for a glimpse of ankle!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@JohnRoberts - Ha ha! You are probably right. The women had to try to be lady-like while playing badminton!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129379)
• Israel
10 May 18
@DeborahDiane
I love black and whites. That is really cool.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 May 18
@Hannihar - Thank you! I love these old black and white photos, too!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129379)
• Israel
11 May 18
@DeborahDiane
I really truly believe the black and white tell us something and are very unique.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 May 18
@Hannihar - I agree. These types of photos are very interesting.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
7 Apr 18
yes that's right.. you can't see girls wearing long dresses in beach in this modern times..
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 18
@Jessabuma - Pretty funny!
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@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
7 Apr 18
@DeborahDiane hehehe!!! That's right
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