Archive,  Field Notes

Laura Davick Crystal Cove Historic Archive Collection

A Message from Laura Davick, Founder of the Crystal Cove Conservancy
"It is so important that this history is not lost and that 100 years from now people will be able to truly step back in time and better understand Crystal Cove’s history on a much deeper level. I then contracted Jennifer and Cindy Keil at 70 Degrees to digitize my entire collection."
Laura Davick Founder of Crystal Cove Conservancy
“Many of you know that I am a bit of a history buff when it comes to Crystal Cove. My family started tent, camping at Crystal Cove in 1937. In 2037, it will be 100 years that my family has been at Crystal Cove in one form or another.
 
It has been my privilege and passion to protect and preserve the history of Crystal Cove over the past few decades. Hundreds of individuals and families have trusted me to protect and preserve their family photos and stories. It has been truly such an honor to be the guardian of this important information.
 
For the past 20 some years, I’ve been working with UCI Library, Special Collections, with the idea of having them preserve and house all of the original information in my historic archive collection.
 
It has always been my goal to make this information available to the public and future generations for all to enjoy! It is so important that this history is not lost and that 100 years from now people will be able to truly step back in time and better understand Crystal Cove’s history on a much deeper level.
 
I then hired Jennifer and Cindy Keil at 70 Degrees to digitize my entire collection. Last week, on March 15, 2024 that contract was completed with the transfer of the archive to their new home at UCI Library, Special Collections.”  – Laura Davick

Tucked between the housing developments and golf courses of the Orange County coast lies a small settlement of rustic beach cottages seemingly frozen in time. Crystal Cove Cottages is the first history of this uniquely preserved beach spot that has lured travelers and campers since the 1920s. It is co-authored by 3rd generation Coveite Laura Davick. Deemed by the National Register of Historic Places to be “the last intact example of California beach vernacular architecture,” it is now a registered state park whose cottages are newly available for public overnight visits. From silent-film location to rum-runners’ hideout, scenic setting for a vibrant landscape painting community to 1950s luau-party headquarters, Crystal Cove has all the while remained a bohemian yet family-friendly village. Ten sidebars on notable individual cottages highlight the Cove’s distinct and often amusing architectural evolution. Crystal Cove Cottages captures the nostalgic ambiance of seaside Americana.

​The Crystal Cove Cottages books are here at the Randy Higbee Gallery; after purchase you will be notified and your books may be picked up at the Randy Higbee Gallery.

 
 

 

 

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Abstract: The Laura Davick collection on Crystal Cove contains materials documenting the history of Crystal Cove, California, and the cottages there, including records from families who resided in the Crystal Cove community starting in the 1910s, and more specifically from Laura Davick’s family’s residency at Crystal Cove from approximately 1937-2001. The collection encompasses materials from approximately 1910 to 2021.

Extent: 2.8 Linear Feet (7 letter-size document boxes)

Acquisition information: Gift of Laura Davick, 2024.

Processed by Jennifer Keil, 2022-2024, Cindy Keil, 2022-2024.

Preferred citation: Laura Davick collection on Crystal Cove. MS-R213. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California

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