Wilshire Montana in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Lifeguarding
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 9, 2025
1. Lifeguarding Marker
Ocean swimming was not a popular recreational activity in the early 1900s and as a result the first lifeguards worked in the plunges (indoor salt water pools) preferred by vacationers.
As ocean swimming grew in popularity, avid surfers George Freeth and George Washington Watkins organized a volunteer life-saving corps. Later Freeth would revolutionize modern lifeguarding techniques.
Volunteer lifeguards continued to patrol the beach until the early 1930s when the city funded the first professional lifeguarding service.
Santa Monica Beach Stories is made possible in part by a Preserve America grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
photo courtesy of: The Peterson Family Trust and the Surfing Heritage Foundation.
Erected by City of Santa Monica, California State Parks, and National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 34° 1.025′ N, 118° 30.246′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Wilshire Montana. It can be reached from Pacific Coast Highway
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trees of Santa Monica (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Discovery of Santa Monica (about 500 feet away); John P. Jones Monument (about 700 feet away); Palisades (approx. 0.2 miles away); Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club (approx. 0.4 miles away); Beach Volleyball (approx. 0.4 miles away); Will Rogers Highway (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Georgian Hotel (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 9, 2025
2. Lifeguarding Marker
Located on the public restroom building.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 9, 2025
3. Lifeguard Tower
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 262 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
