On November 13, 1886, the Coronado Beach Company held a public auction, selling selected lots on Coronado Beach. The ferry made trips across the bay every 30 minutes to accommodate the crowds. More than 6,000 people came over from San Diego to be part of the activities. An article written in the San Diego Union the day after the event stated that after visitors got off the ferry they were “thence whirled by steam-cars from bay shore to sea shore along an avenue lined with oranges trees and spraying fountains.” A large tent by the beach was erected for the auction, and a free lunch of coffee and sandwiches was served. Bidding began at 11:00 a.m., and by the end of the day 350 lots had sold for a total of $110,000. Maj. Levi Chase, the lawyer who negotiated the purchase of the peninsula for Babcock and Story, bought the first oceanfront lot.
