1964 – The Beginning

On June 30, 1964, the City of Lomita was officially incorporated as a City in California. Then, on July 5, 1976, Lomita buried a community Time Capsule in celebration of its incorporation 12 years prior. The 1976 Lomita City Council designated it to be opened in 2026, 50 years after the burial.

Did you or someone you know participate in the 1976 Time Capsule burial ceremony? The City of Lomita is looking to gather community members who participated in the original Time Capsule to celebrate its grand unveiling this summer during Founders Day celebrations. Contact the City for more information at (310) 325-7110 or info@LomitaCity.com.

May 2026 – The Unearthing

Ahead of the scheduled unearthing of Lomita’s 50-year Time Capsule in July, City crews began removing the surrounding Circle of Honor plaques to protect them from any potential damage during the excavation.

Established by the City Council in 2008, the Circle of Honor is located in the plaza in front of City Hall and serves as a special monument honoring prominent community members who have demonstrated significant local civic achievement and outstanding service to Lomita.

It was during the careful removal of these plaques that the team noticed a strong, stagnant odor coming from the Capsule’s location and decided to investigate.

Upon closer inspection, crews discovered that the Capsule had been completely submerged within its cement-block enclosure, which had filled with water and remained flooded for a long time. As nature has made its way inside over the last five decades, both the exterior concrete casing and the Capsule itself have been completely inundated. Recovery and preservation efforts began immediately.

Check out some pictures and videos of the excavation below.

A weathered bronze plaque set in a concrete border on the ground. The text reads: "A TIME CAPSULE ASSEMBLED BY THE CITIZENS OF LOMITA, SEALED AND DEDICATED ON THE 5TH DAY OF JULY 1976, TO BE OPENED JULY 4, 2026." It lists City Council members Charles Belba, Jim Cole, Leonard Loy, Hal Hall, Jerry Moore, and City Administrator Morris Vance.
Three city workers using shovels to dig up dirt around a large concrete slab embedded in the ground next to a newly poured concrete sidewalk, surrounded by construction fencing.
Workers using a crowbar, pry bar, and hand tools to carefully dig out a trench around the edge of a large, flat concrete lid buried in the dirt.
Overhead view of three workers clearing dirt off the top of a heavy, rectangular concrete slab lid using hand tools, a hammer, and a towel.
Workers using a long metal pry bar and wooden blocks to leverage and loosen the heavy concrete lid of a buried vault.
High-angle view of an excavated underground concrete vault filled with murky water. A large package wrapped in dark plastic is submerged in the water, and the heavy concrete lid sits propped open to the side.
A top-down view of an opened underground concrete vault filled with dark water, revealing a large object wrapped in protective plastic submerged inside.
A wide view of the uncovered concrete vault with its lid propped open, showing the water-logged interior and tools scattered on the adjacent sidewalk.
A man in a red plaid shirt and work gloves bends over an open underground vault, lifting a heavy object wrapped in a wet, muddy black plastic bag out of the standing water inside.
A stone-lined garden bed in Lomita, the Circle of Honor, featuring black granite plaques dedicating the monument to residents Jim Cole and Margaret Estrada. Five stepping stones lead through the mulch toward the plaques, and a bronze time capsule plaque from 1976 sits in the bottom right corner.

June 27, 2026 – The Artifact Reveal

The Official Unveiling and Artifact Reveal

Due to extensive flooding, the Capsule’s contents sustained water damage and are understandably a bit smelly. We are currently allowing the water to drain and for excess moisture to dissipate while City staff and the Lomita Historical Society assess next steps to preserve and recover the historic materials.

To experience the long-awaited unveiling and see the artifacts in person, attend our Time Capsule unveiling ceremony on Saturday, June 27, at 11:30 a.m. in front of City Hall!

Check back after Founders Day weekend (June 27-28) for a full photo gallery of the uncovered artifacts.

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