'1912 Days' in Hermosa Remembered

Hanging out in downtown Hermosa Beach for drinks or coffee was reportedly just as popular in 1912 as it is now—but it wasn't as costly.

While a glass of beer today might ring up to about $5, it was only 5 cents in 1912.

Want to start the morning with a cup of coffee? It too would only cost you a nickel—compare that to Starbucks' nearly $2 cups of joe.

These prices were chronicled in an Associated Press article that was printed in The Modesto Bee on October 10, 1953 (see accompanying article under photo.)

Hermosa Beach residents during the 1950s were just as stunned at the low prices of food, drinks and services many years ago in 1912 that they organized an annual 1912 Days celebration, in which local businesses sold items at the price they would have cost in 1912.

For example, a plate of ham and eggs for breakfast would add up to only 25 cents, according to the article, and a haircut would cost 20 cents.

The article reported, "Needless to say, thousands of visitors thronged into town for the event."

Hermosa Beach was established as a city in 1907.