Los Angeles County, CA

Catalina Island’s rich history can be seen in many of the buildings and landmarks that dot the town of Avalon and Two Harbors.

1 Airport Rd
Avalon, CA

Catalina Island's Airport in the Sky was commissioned by P.K. Wrigley, son of William Wrigley, Jr. Construction of the 3,200 foot runway began in 1940. Initially named Buffalo Springs Airport, the runway was nearly complete when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941. Construction on the runway came to a halt. During WWII, the entire island was leased to the United States Government, and tourism ceased. Throughout the war, the island served the Merchant Marines, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard as well as the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor of the Central Intelligence Agency, and the United States Army Air Forces, the precursor to the U.S. Air Force. The runway was covered with debris so that enemy aircraft would not be able to use it as a base. After the war, the island was returned to the Wrigley Family, the runway was completed and construction began on air traffic control tower and terminal building. Airport in the Sky officially opened in 1946.

398 Wrigley Rd
Avalon, CA

Built by chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley, Jr., for his wife Ada between 1919 and 1921, the mansion on top of Mt. Ada served as the family's summer cottage, allowing them an escape from Chicago's cold winters. The Georgian Colonial Revival style mansion was built by architect Zachary Taylor Davis, who also designed the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field. The spot atop Mt. Ada was picked as it was the first spot to receive the morning sun and the last spot to receive afternoon light before the sun dipped behind the mountains.

Avalon, CA

Avalon's Bird Park opened in 1929 and closed in 1966, serving as a popular and free attraction in Avalon for over 35 years. At nearly 8 acres, it cost $400,000 to build and was considered the world’s largest bird park at the time. The facility included a breeding program for endangered species as well as a research facility. Bird Park was home to almost 8,000 birds, hundreds of species, many exotic and rare, from all over the world including penguins, toucans, parrots, peacocks and peafowl.

105 Pebbly Beach Rd
Avalon, CA

Ben was a sea lion that is thought to have swam up from the island’s east end and into Avalon Bay in the late 1800’s. Deciding to make Avalon his home base, the large bull sea lion set about making friends of Islanders, visitors and local fishermen. He had a huge appetite, and since swordfish, tuna and albacore were not considered edible at the time, it was customary for fishermen to throw their catch back into Avalon Bay after having a photo taken with their fish.

1 Casino Way
Avalon, CA

The Catalina Island Casino is Catalina Island’s most recognizable landmark. The round, Art Deco structure rises the equivalent of 12 stories, and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. During the day its white façade gleams in the sunshine, and at night it lights the harbor with a romantic glow. Commissioned and built by William Wrigley, Jr, the Catalina Casino opened on May 29, 1929, just in time for the summer season. The Catalina Casino – which is actually not a gambling facility but “place of entertainment” – played host to dozens of Big Bands through the 1930s and 1940s. Measuring 20,000 square feet, the Catalina Casino Ballroom is the largest circular room in the world without supporting pillars.

1400 Avalon Cyn Rd
Avalon, CA

Located at the top Avalon Canyon on Catalina Island, the Wrigley Memorial is the centerpiece of the Catalina Island Conservancy's Botanic Garden. The towering 80 foot memorial honors the memory of William Wrigley, Jr., who purchased interest in Catalina Island in 1919. The Botanic Garden was the idea of Mrs. Ada Wrigley, wife of William Wrigley, Jr. The garden, set over 38 acres, offers a special emphasis on California island endemic plants.

Chimes Tower Rd
Avalon, CA

Located up above the Avalon Bay and across from the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel, the Catalina Chimes have been tolling on the quarter of the hour between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm since 1925. William Wrigley Jr. and wife Ada purchased the Westminster chimes from the Deagan Company of Chicago in 1925 and a Spanish-style structure was built to house the chimes. The Catalina Chimes Tower was presented as a gift to the town of Avalon by Mrs. Wrigley in hopes to add a bit of character to the island. Only half the 400 or so chimes produced by the Deagan Company are still in operation today.

1 Country Club Dr
Avalon, CA

For 30 years, from 1921-1951, William Wrigley Jr., owner of the Santa Catalina Island Company, brought his baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, to Catalina Island for spring training. The baseball field was built to match the dimensions of Wrigley Field in Chicago and a clubhouse was built to house the team’s lockers and provide a social setting for the players. Nineteen Hall-of-Fame players trained with the Cubs on Catalina Island, including such legends as Grover Cleveland Alexander, Dizzy Dean, Roger Hornsby, Joe McCarthy and Hack Wilson. While only a plaque remains near the site of the field where the Chicago Cubs once played, the historic clubhouse is still used. Known as the Catalina Island Country Club, it houses the pro shop and lockers for the Catalina Island Golf Course. The building is available for weddings and events. The original bar still stands and offers great display of Chicago Cubs memorabilia.