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Hotel Metropole and Beach of Avalon, Catalina Island, Cal.

 
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Title
Hotel Metropole and Beach of Avalon, Catalina Island, Cal.
Description
Swimmers and sunbathers on the beach in front of the Hotel Metropole, Santa Catalina Island, California.
Physical description
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Seaside resorts--California--Santa Catalina Island; Beaches--California--Santa Catalina Island;
Note
Santa Catalina Island is located approximately 26 miles off the coast of Southern California, near Long Beach. In 1887, entrepreneur George Shatto purchased the Island with the intention of turning it into a major tourist destination. He began the settlement of Avalon Bay, built the first pier and hotel, and organized regular boat service to the island, but amassed debts and sold the property in 1892 to Joseph and Hancock Banning. The Banning brothers continued to develop the area, adding an aquarium, incline railway, amphitheater, and glass bottom boat tours to the island's natural attractions, until a devastating fire swept through Avalon in 1915, destroying much of their real estate. In 1919, William Wrigley participated in a group investment purchase of Catalina, but grew to love the island and soon bought out his other partners. He and his son Philip continued to develop the island, and in the mid-1970s created the Catalina Island Conservancy, which was given 88% of the island to protect native species and prevent over-development. Originally built by Mr. Shatto in 1888, the Hotel Metropole was destroyed in the 1915 fire. The Banning Brothers built the Saint Catherine Hotel to replace it. Later, a new Hotel Metropole was built on the site of the original.
Collection Location
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Santa Catalina Island (Calif.); Avalon (Calif.)
Language
eng
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