See/Hear Signal Hill's 90th Anniversary Celebration

(April 25, 2014) -- Signal Hill's Community Center was filled with music, photos, newspapers -- and people -- from the decades when the defiant independent town "in the center of Long Beach" transformed itself from oil derricks into a prosperous commercial center with upscale homes offering scenic views.

The City of Signal Hill celebrated its 90th birthday on April 22 with an open house, inviting its taxpayers to see --up close and personal -- those who built their city. LBREPORT.com partnered with the independent Signal Tribune Newspaper (online at www.signaltribunenewspaper.com) to carry a live webcast of the simultaneously homestyle and historic event. We jointly present on-demand video below. To launch, click here or on video icon below (large file, make take a few moments to load.)

Separate text and photos are on our respective websites.

City Manager Ken Farfsing peruses the exhibits.

Signal Tribune publisher Neena Strichart examines historic materials.

Signal Hill Mayor Ed Wilson (left) and Councilman Mike Noll readying for the event..

Splendid cake created by Rossmoor Pastries.

A number of Signal Hill's city-builders posed for group photo below, flanked by Mayor Ed Wilson (top row left) and Councilwoman Lori Woods (right) are:

Top row (next to Mayor Wilson) is former Mayor/Councilman Keaton King (a Signal Hill resident since 1957.)

In second row are (left to right), Millicent Petrich; next to her is Clemencia Arroyo (pale green dress with roses), born in 1921 and a Signal Hill resident for forty years; and next to her is Marjorie Grommé, formerly Marjorie Posner, who served as Signal Hill's Treasurer after her husband, City Treasurer Alfred Posner, passed away in 1975. Their daughter is Signal Tribune publisher Neena Strichart.

Seated in front row is Barbara Camody (formerly Barbara Kemner) whose late husband, Paul Kemner, was a Mayor and Councilmember. Their son, Randy Kemner, owns Wine Country in Signal Hill.

Long Beach Councilman Patrick O'Donnell and Signal Hill Petroleum's Debra Russell

Larry Blunden of the Signal Hill Historical Society chats with Signal Hill Petroleum's Stefanie Gillett

Retired LBPD Commander Charles Parks greets Keaton King.

Signal Tribune publisher Neena Strichart is a native of "The Hill"; her parents came to town in 1955 (after her father landed a job at Douglas aircraft.) Ms. Strichart tells the touching story behind the picture of her (below) as part of our video coverage here.

Neena's father, Alfred E. Posner, became active in civic affairs and went on to become Signal Hill's Treasurer. After his passing in June 1975, his wife Marjorie took on the task of City Treasurer for a period of time. Marjorie remarried and is now Marjorie Grommé...and is heard and seen on our video here.

Ms. Grommé, age 94.

Ms. Grommé was among several of Signal Hill's retired leaders who attended the casual, homestyle event, designed so residents could view historical materials and meet and mingle with those who shaped the history of their city.