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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJames Thomas Worthy - Early Huntington Beach Pioneer - PersoJames Thomas Worthy Early Huntington Beach Pioneer In 1897 James Thomas Worthy, his wife and four young children traveled by train to Orange County in Southern California. Upon arrival James rented land where he raised corn, potatoes and celery. He later purchased twenty acres between Santa Ana and Huntington Beach known as Midway City today. The large farm fronted on Bolsa in Between Beach Boulevard and Newland, he farmed lima Beans, celery, sugar beets and alfalfa. They kept animals for meat and milk and planted twenty three fruit trees. This was their home ranch where three more children were added to the family. All the children attended the original Ocean View School and all graduated from Huntington Beach High School. The Christian faith was very important to James and his family. He was one of the charter members of the First Church of Christ. Lawrence E. "Boots" Worthy fourth son of James, was an athletic and competitive person. He excelled in basketball, baseball and track. Also participated in outdoor events such as hunting, fishing, swimming, body surfing and outdoor team sports. He made a name for himself in the field of plumbing contracting and was known as the singing plumber for over forty years. L.E. Worthy Plumbing and Heating was in business from 1921 to 1965. Prior to his new business, Boots worked one year for the Huntington Beach City Gas Department and spent three years farming. Boots married school sweetheart Amy Helme, daughter of Matthew and Mollie Helme also Huntington Beach Pioneers, in 1916. Boots and Amy were involved with First Church of Christ where Boots was a member since 1907. He served as a deacon, an elder, and as choir director from 1924 to 1954. Amy was an accomplished pianist and soloist. Boots served for eighteen years on the board of Pacific Christian College, and was also involved in civic affairs, Rotary Club and Lions Club. Boots and Amy had two sons Norman and Jerry. Norman Lee Worthy born in 1924, has always had a special admiration for his hometown Huntington Beach which was manifested in his life. As a young man, Norman excelled in many sports and in the arts. Swimming, body surfing, basketball, baseball, tennis and table tennis. He was accomplished at the piano and accordian. Upon graduating in 1942 from Huntington Beach High School, he served in World War II. After the war, Norman studied at Fullerton Junior College, then attended and graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. Norman married Shirley Baker in 1947 and began their family and a photography business. Norman was instrumental in creating the Recreation Department as Huntington Beach residents enjoy today. In 1950, Norman was hired as Boys Sports Director then became the Superintendent of Recreation in 1954. In 1959, Surfboard riding became famous in Huntington Beach when Norman along with surfing advocate Hoppy Swartz organized and held the first professional surf contest "The United States Surfing Championships" This was the forerunner to all modern day pro surfing contests that are held today. Norman was the Director of Recreation and Parks for the City of Huntington Beach for over thirty years and established all the parks in the city with Central Park winning a national award. For his dedication and contributions to Huntington Beach, a park is named in his honor Norman L. Worthy Community Park located at Main and 17Ih Street. In the 1980's In the mid 1960's, our Huntington Beach City Council and other administrative leaders desired a "'new vision" for Huntington Beach. They envisioned a resort beach community that would be a tourist designation. Yet the many years of trying to acquire the needed property and economic downturns had postponed this vision until the 1980's. Redevelopment was on its way; many properties were sold at this time and the structures were torn down. Among these were the Surf Theater, the Tom Talbert family home, the Boogie Woogie(Richard's Coffee Shop), the Texaco gas station(WindanSea Surfboards) the Wild Oats/Robert August building (burned) and several other historical buildings. There are a few property owners that wanted to keep their property and managed to hold on to it through this redevelopment time that still exist today. One property in particular is the Helme/Worthy property located on the corner of Sixth and Walnut Streets in the downtown area of Huntington Beach. Instrumental in protecting the structures on the property is the Worthy Family. One of the members Susan Worthy, a descendant of some of the original founders of the city, and her husband Guy Guzzardo became the next generation to get involved with historic preservation. They both got involved with many others concerned with preserving what historical structures that were remaining in the city. Guy formed the Huntington Beach Heritage committee which resulted into an approved city board, the Historic Resources Board, which still functions today. Historical properties throughout Huntington Beach were recorded, photo -documented and presented to the city record department. Guy and Susan were involved with the Historical Society with Guy serving on the Board of Directors for four years and then became Historical Society President for two years. Guy and Susan reside in the home today and were the driving force to protecting the historic site. In March 1987, the Helme/Worthy property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its historic significance to the start of Huntington Beach and its association with M.E. Helme a town founder.