“On its 1835 visit to this coast, the Pilgrim carried a seaman whose name would become part of the local culture. Richard Henry Dana, Jr., far from his native Boston, was struck with rugged beauty of this anchorage within Capistrano Bay, calling the rocky coves and bluffs, ‘the only romantic spot in California’ in his descriptive volume, Two Years Before the Mast, published in 1840.” “Dana Point“, Doris I. Walker, A Hundred Years of Yesterday
The Dana Point Historical Society is pleased to introduce its virtual historic walking map of the Lantern District in Dana Point to be used via computer or smartphone. The tour comprises 18 stops and includes brief descriptions at each stop with one or more photos. We encourage you to take the tour from the comfort of your home computer, or, walk the actual tour with your smartphone to get an all inclusive experience.
Development as a Harbor: In the early 20th century, efforts were made to develop Dana Point as a harbor. In 1923, the Dana Point Syndicate purchased the land with the intention of creating a resort town and harbor. However, these plans were delayed due to economic challenges and World War II. They harbor was completed in 1971. Dana Point was officially incorporated as a city on January 1, 1989. The harbor redevelopment project is underway.
