Breakers History

The first Breakers Hotel was built on ridge overlooking the ocean just east of the present Breakers Condominiums. It was one of the most elegant hotels on the Pacific Coast. It was built in 1900 by Joseph Arthur. In 1903 it caught fire and burned to the ground. In 1904 the hotel was rebuilt. It was four stories high and had 300 rooms. It was a popular resort for the wealthy people who came by boat from Portland. Rooms rented for $2.00 a night or $12.00 a week. There were seven hotels in Long Beach at the time. About 1915 hotels were being built along the Oregon Coast. This was too much competition for the hotels in Long Beach. Most of them closed. The Breakers Hotel closed and four years later it was demolished.

A wealthy lumberman by the name of Isom White, from Portland, built a big house, on the old hotel property where he and his family spent the summers. It was later sold to a man by the name of Johnson, who turned it into a hotel and restaurant. The next owner was Leon Edwards, who bought the hotel in 1930. He lived in it with his family for a few years. he then built cottages and called it The Breakers Motel. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards moved to Tacoma and the Edward’s son and family moved into the big house and operated the motel. The motel was sold to the Hansons and the Blyths in 1965. They renovated all the cottages and built a swimming pool.

In 1968 the Hansons bought the Blyths interest and operated the motel until 1973, when it was sold to a group of investors who called themselves Ocean Crest. Caretakers were hired to operate the motel. It was later sold to a developer who had plans for a convention center and motel. Unable to get financing, he had to give up this idea. While he had been looking for financial backing, the developer sold two cottages which were removed from the property. There were 14 two bedroom units left, which were then torn down. The big house was the last to go. It was a lovely home with beautiful woodwork, lovely chandeliers, a huge fireplace, a large kitchen, a large dining room and living room. It had five large bedrooms, several large enough for three double beds. There were two bathrooms and a large sun porch. There was also a small cottage next door. It was offered as a museum, but it was eventually torn down. It had been a landmark and therefore was a sad day for all of Long Beach.

The property where the condominiums are located was bought by Rudy Edenbeck and he built the condominiums in the late 1970’s which today are known as THE BREAKERS.