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Special Event Hotels > Catalina Jazz Festival Overview City Information Dining Attractions Event Information |
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Avalon Attractions: ANIMALS Catalina is home to an interesting variety of animals, and is the only one of the Channel Islands with rattlesnake or native quail. The island has its own subspecies of ground squirrel and its own subspecies of the Channel Island fox, beautiful and lacking shyness. Catalina's native species form part of a special and interesting ecosystem. Since its discovery by the Spaniards, many animals have been introduced to Catalina, including pig, goat, deer, and the American Bison. Fourteen buffalo (Bison) were brought to Catalina in 1924, used in the filming of "The Vanishing American" in 1925, and then were left here. In 1934, eleven additional buffalo were purchased to supplement the herd, which by then had increased to nineteen. Today there are approximately 200 buffalo roaming Catalina. BIRDS More than 100 species or varieties of birds make Catalina their permanent or transitory home. They include the Catalina Quail, Laphortyx californica catalenesis, a separate and distinct subspecies that grows larger than the mainland quail. Other Catalina birds include ravens, mocking birds, shrikes, burrowing owls, red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons, turkey and Bald Eagles. Through a joint project of the Catalina Conservancy and the Institute for Wildlife Studies, the magnificent Bald Eagle again soars above Catalina. The island is also home to pelicans, cormorants and is a nesting site for western gulls. FISHING The game fish of Catalina include the marlin and broadbill swordfish, tuna, yellowtail, albacore, white sea bass, barracuda, mackerel and bonito. Other Catalina fish include black sea bass, opaleye, halfmoon, Garibaldi, kelp bass, kelp perch, kelpfish, sheepshead, California moray, grouper, red snapper, sand dabs, sole, halibut, whitefish, sculpin, flying fish and shark. FLORA CAMPING HIKING CASINO BUILDING Although the building itself is equivalent in height to a 12-story office building is the Catalina Island Museum, the Catalina Art Association Art Gallery and a fitness center, as well as public restrooms. The Casino Ballroom, located on the top floor of the Casino Building, has been the site of major events since its grand opening in May of 1929. The ballroom's national fame came in the 1930's and 40s when it hosted many of the big bands including Jimmy Dorsey, Woody Herman and Harry James just to mention a few. And it was on May 15, 1934 that radio listeners across the country first heard: "From the beautiful Casino Ballroom overlooking Avalon Bay, at Catalina Island, we bring you the music of..." Today, the ballroom is the site of special events year-round. THE TUNA CLUB Founded in 1898, the Tuna Club is the oldest fishing club in the United States. The club's main goals were to elevate the sport of fishing to its highest possible standard, and for the protection of the game fish of Southern California. The Tuna Club is responsible for the development of modern angling rules and sportsmanship that has been adopted by angling clubs the world over. The Tuna Club is a California Historical Landmark (#997) and is on the National Registry of Historical Places. The original building, constructed at the turn of the century at the edge of Avalon Bay, was destroyed in the 1915 fire. The present structure was built in 1916 at the same location. Many notable dignitaries and personalities have been members of the Tuna Club such as Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, General George S. Patton, Cecil B. DeMille, Charlie Chaplin, and Bing Crosby. ZANE GREY In 1926, American author Zane Grey built a pueblo-style home on the hillside overlooking Avalon Bay. He spent most of his later life in Avalon writing and fishing. Grey wrote 89 books including The Vanishing American and Riders of the Purple Sage. His home is now a popular hotel that has many of Grey's original furnishings. Grey also left another legacy on Catalina Island. In 1924, Hollywood came to the island to do a movie version of one of Grey's books. They brought 14 head of American bison, or buffalo, for the filming. When the film was finished the company packed up and left, leaving the buffalo behind. Today, about 300 buffalo roam freely in the interior of Catalina Island. Grey was also a member of the Tuna Club. CHIMES TOWER Built in 1925, the Chimes Tower was presented as a gift to the town of Avalon by Mrs. Ada Wrigley. Located up and across from the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel, the chimes have been tolling on the quarter of the hour between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM since 1925. On holidays and special occasions the chimes are played manually and can be heard throughout Avalon. CATALINA COUNTRY CLUB AND GOLF COURSE During his lifetime, former owner of Catalina Island, William Wrigley Jr., had two great passions - the Chicago Cubs baseball team and Catalina Island. The Chicago Cubs were already Wrigley's property when, in 1919, he purchased the island from the Banning Brothers. In less than ten years, he was able to intertwine his two passions by bringing the Chicago Cubs to Catalina for Spring Training. For 30 years, (usually between mid-February and mid-March), with only a brief break during the war years, the Cub's yearly return to Avalon was welcomed by all. The baseball field at Catalina was built to match the dimensions of Wrigley Field in Chicago. A clubhouse was built, adjacent to the Catalina Island Golf Course, to house the baseball team's lockers and provide a social setting for the players. While only a plaque remains on the site of the field where the Cubs once played, the Catalina Island Golf Course and the historic clubhouse, now known as the Catalina Island Country Club, still remain. In fact, the Country Club just went through a complete renovation and is open once again to the public. Originally opening on August 15, 1928, the Country Club was designed by the same architects who designed the legendary Casino building, another Avalon landmark. While renovations included some changes to the clubhouse, most of its original design and décor have remained. The Country Club features full service conference facilities as well as a restaurant, pro shop and locker rooms. The Catalina Island Golf Course also has its share of history. Built in 1892, it is acknowledged as the first golf course west of the Rocky Mountains. The Bobby Jones Amateur Golf Tournament began at the Catalina Golf Course in 1931 and was hosted thereafter until 1941 and after the war from 1947-55. Today, the nine-hole, 32-par course still remains a scenic and challenging course for low and high handicappers alike. HOLLY HILL HOUSE Built in 1890 by Avalon pioneer Peter Gano, the Holly Hill House, with its prominent red roof and striped cupola, captures the attention of everyone entering Avalon Bay. Its current owner has restored it and furnished it with turn-of-the-century antiques. For one Saturday, June - October, the owners graciously allow the Museum Society to conduct tours of their home. For more information call the Catalina Island Museum at 310-510-2414. INN ON MT. ADA Once the home of former Island owner William Wrigley Jr., the Inn on Mt. Ada is now a four-star country inn. Built in 1921, the Georgian colonial style inn has been meticulously restored and furnished to represent the time that the Wrigley's lived in the house. Located on top of Mt. Ada overlooking Avalon Bay, the home is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. |