Now a world-famous recreation area, the city of Santa Monica, California originally constructed the Santa Monica Pier in 1909 to carry sewage lines out past the breakers.

In 1922, inspired by the pier's popularity as a fishing and recreation destination, carousel manufacturer and amusement park pioneer, Charles I.D. Looff erected a shorter, wider pier adjacent to the city-owned pier for use as an amusement park. The pier soon boasted an arcade, ballroom, Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and an elaborate carousel.

During the 1920s and 30s, the pier remained one of the most popular southern California attractions for tourists and locals alike. But in the mid-20th century, as the popularity of pleasure piers faded due to the rise of inland amusement parks, the pier gradually fell into disuse.

In the 1970s and 80s both developers and violent storms threatened to destroy the landmark once and for all, but local citizens banded together and saved the iconic pier.

Now fully restored, Santa Monica Pier continues to attract throngs of tourists eager to relive the "pleasure pier heyday" of the early 20th century.

Podcast Written and Narrated by Erika Wilhite, Public History Student at the University of West Florida.