Bay Island (California)

Island in Newport Beach, California

Bay Island January 2013

Bay Island is a small island located halfway down Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California. It is the only island in the Newport Beach harbor islands that does not allow car traffic. The island is accessible via a small bridge that will only accommodate golf carts. The island is not accessible to the public by land, though public access to its beaches is protected by the California Constitution.[1] It has 23 residences, a botanical garden, courtyard garden, tennis court, and several beaches.

## Notable natives and residents

[edit]

Bay Island Bay Island

Bay Island is Newport Harbor's only natural island. Although not underwater, it was a mud flat with one small hill of dry land when R. J. Waters and Rufus Sanborn (Vice President of the Citizens National Bank of Los Angeles) bought it in 1904 for $350.[2] They recognized good duck hunting there and organized a gun club. Sanborn built a small shack on the dry hill and welcomed hunters. Although at first, hunters could only arrive at low tide, it was not long until a walk on pilings was constructed. It was so popular the first year that, by the second year, a poker club was added and women were invited.[3]

By 1907, Sanborn had built a home. Also in 1907, Sam Tustin (Son of Columbus Tustin, the founder of Tustin[4]) had built a home nearby, but he sold it almost immediately to Madame Helena Modjeska. Although she only owned it for a short while, she was Bay Island's most notable resident. Her acting talents were noted early and, as a young woman, she was placed under a life contract with the Imperial Theatre of Warsaw. Her fame, plus a fast-paced life and some personal losses, resulted in her collapse and the decision to immigrate to the United States to try communal farming in Anaheim. Although farming was a disaster, America welcomed her and she was soon a beloved stage star. Just before her death in 1909, she bought Tustin's home on Bay Island. As Orange County's first rich famous resident, Bay Island was temporarily renamed in her honor.[5]

Notable residents included actress Helena Modjeska,[6] H.R. Haldeman[7] and Otis Chandler.[8]

## See also

[edit]

* History of Newport Beach
* Balboa Island
* List of islands of California

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The California Constitution".
2. ^ Baker, Gayle, Newport Beach, HarborTown Histories Publications, 2004, p. 53-54, ISBN 9780971098435 (print) 9780987903839 (on-line)
3. ^ Baker, Gayle, Newport Beach, HarborTown Histories Publications, 2004, p. 54, ISBN 9780971098435 (print) 9780987903839 (on-line)
4. ^ "The Tustin Area Historical Society".
5. ^ Baker, Gayle, Newport Beach, HarborTown Histories Publications, 2004, p. 54-55, ISBN 9780971098435 (print) 9780987903839 (on-line)
6. ^ "Newport Beach Chronological Timeline". Newport Beach Public Library website. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
7. ^ "Growing Up A Haldeman - The New York Times". The New York Times.
8. ^ "Newport Bay Island home reflects a vacation lifestyle". December 28, 2007.

33°36′25″N 117°54′18″W﻿ / ﻿33.60694°N 117.90500°W﻿ / 33.60694; -117.90500

* v
* t
* e

Newport Beach, California

Geography|

| Neighborhoods|

* Balboa Peninsula
* Corona del Mar
* Newport Coast
* Newport Heights
* San Joaquin Hills
* Santa Ana Heights

|

Islands|

* Balboa
* Bay
* Collins
* Harbor
* Lido
* Linda

Primary and secondary schools|

* Newport-Mesa Unified School District
* Newport Harbor High School
* Corona del Mar High School
* Sage Hill School

Colleges and universities|

* Coastline Community College
* St. Francis School of Law

Culture|

* Catalina Flyer
* Daily Pilot
* Millennial Choirs & Orchestras
* Newport Beach Film Festival
* Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival
* The Wedge

Religion|

* Newport Beach California Temple
* St. James Anglican Church

Parks|

* Corona del Mar State Beach
* Crystal Cove State Park
* State Marine Conservation Area
* Newport Bay
* Back Bay
* Upper Newport Bay
* State Marine Conservation Area

Other landmarks|

* Balboa Bay Resort
* Balboa Fun Zone
* Balboa Inn
* Balboa Pavilion
* Balboa Pier
* Balboa Theater
* The Crab Cooker
* Dory Fish Market
* Fashion Island
* Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory
* Lido Theater
* Lovell Beach House
* Newport Pier
* San Diego Creek
* San Joaquin Hills
* Sherman Library and Gardens

History|

* Outline
* Genga
* McFadden Wharf
* Moyongna
* Murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks
* Rancho San Joaquin

People|

* List of people

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template