History of Catalina Island

Catalina Island’s past is long and fascinating, reaching back to the era of the Spanish Empire. The island was also once owned by William Wrigley, Jr.

Santa Catalina Island has had people living on it for at least 8,000 years. When Europeans first arrived in 1542, the Native Americans on Santa Catalina Island are believed to have called the island Pimu and referred to themselves as Pimungans, or Pimuvit.

In 1542, the Pimungans welcomed the Spanish galleon carrying explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo to the island’s shores, marking the beginning of the Spanish discovery of the island. Later, in 1602, on November 24, the eve of St. Catherine’s Day, the vessel of the second Spanish explorer, Sebastian Viscaino, came upon the island. Viscaino gave it the name Santa Catalina in tribute to Saint Catherine.

During the years that followed, Catalina Island was used by otter hunters, smugglers, and ranching, mining and military operations. In 1846, Mexican Governor Pio Pico granted Santa Catalina Island to Thomas Robbins as a Mexican land grant.

George Shatto bought Catalina Island from the Lick estate in 1887. He was the first to imagine Catalina Island as a resort destination. William Wrigley, Jr., known for Wrigley Chewing Gum, arrived in 1919. He built Avalon into a resort island destination and brought the Chicago Cubs baseball team, which he owned, to the island for spring training from 1921-1951, except for several years during WWII.

Catalina Island was also used as a setting for many films made during Hollywood’s early years. One movie filmed in the 1920’s brought 14 bison to the island and then left them there. Today, about 150 bison wander the island’s interior. In the 1970’s, Wrigley deeded 88% of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, helping keep it undeveloped and wild, much like the Hollywood back lot of its early film era.

The island’s layered history is visible in many buildings and historic landmarks throughout the City. For a deeper look at the island’s past, visit the Catalina Island Museum.

In 2013, the City of Avalon marked its 100th anniversary.

History of Catalina Island

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