EILER LARSEN THE TOWN GREETER
By Francie Holder

CHERIE FORTIN, AGE 10, STANDS NEXT TO EILER LARSEN, THE LAGUNA GREETER, AT A LATE 1960S EASTER EGG HUNT ON THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELD. FORTIN-O'GRADY IS THE DAUGHTER OF MAE (NINA) FORTIN, A WELL-KNOW LAGUNA ARTIST.

When Eiler Larsen was born in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1890, that city was about the same size as today's Laguna Beach. An ancient city dating back to the 12th century or earlier, Aarhus was originally settled by the Vikings. In Eiler's day as it is today, the town was a thriving seaport. Located at the mouth of a river in the eastern part of Denmark, Aarhus is located on low-lying, fertile and well-forested land. After Copenhagen, the city continues to be the most populous and important in Denmark. Today, Aarhus is a vacation town with an excellent university and an unusual open-air museum.

Larsen came to United States as a young man and later became an American citizen. After traveling throughout the country, he settled sin Laguna Beach around 1934.

Larsen earned a modest living as a gardener, but his main interest in life was Laguna Beach. He demonstrated his love for the town by sending loud and cheerful greetings to all visitors as they passed by. For more than four decades, the gray-bearded, redcoated Larsen stood sentinel roaring, "Hello there!", to visitors and citizens alike. His favorite place to welcome tourists was a spot in front of Hotel Laguna. In honor of his contributions to the city, the City Council named Eiler "The Official Greeter of Laguna Beach and Goodwill Ambassador" in 1963. Beginning in 1965, Eiler's health began to fail. Although he was rapidly loosing strength, he continued to greet visitors whenever he felt up to it. After he died in 1975 at the age of 84, sightseers unaware of his demise continued to look for him.

Today, two colorful statues of Eiler Larsen decorate corners of Laguna. At a restaurant adjacent to Main Beach, the Greeter's Corner, pays homage to his legend and commemorates his favorite greeting spot. Hotel Laguna displays his cane in remembrance of one of Laguna's most interesting characters. At the corner of the now defunct Pottery Shack is a largerthan life statue of Eiler. The Pottery Shack's new owner has pledged to incorporate the statue into a planned renovation in recognition of the joy Larsen brought to Laguna.

Other greeters existed before him and after him, but he was special. Eiler Larsen's presence in this town and his unique welcome contributed to the special atmosphere of Laguna Beach.

To learn more about Eiler Larsen, visit The Laguna Independent Independent's website, www.LagunaBeachIndependent.com. The Indy published several more extensive articles in "The Home Companion."