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The Bird Park, Catalina Island, California

 
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Title
The Bird Park, Catalina Island, California
Date
1934
Description
Exterior view of the Catalina Island Bird Park, with mountains in the background.
Format Extent
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Aviaries--California--Santa Catalina Island; Bird refuges--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. The Catalina Island Bird Park was established in 1929, covering eight acres of land in Avalon Canyon. The park offered free admission, and housed over 8,000 different species of birds from around the world. When tourism ceased during World War I, the park was significantly scaled back. Although tourists returned after the war, the bird park never fully recovered, and closed in 1966.
Collection
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Santa Catalina Island (Calif.); Avalon (Calif.)
Language
eng
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