Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-03
Of three miles and is about twenty-three

of three miles and is about twenty-three
miles long, with numerous little caves
along its northern shore. :
The history of this island dates back
over three and half centuries. 1t was
first discovered by Cabrillo in 1912. He
found it inhabited by Indians, who
navigated the channel between the
island and the mainland by means of
canoes made of burnt-out logs or of
hide-covered frames or on tule RATS.
They lived by fishing and hunting the
seal-otter, which lived on the kelp. The
island was again visited by Bizcavno in
| 1902, who bestowed upon it the name of
| Santa Catalina. The natives were OBJ
| served to have temple wherein was. an
idol, to which sacrifices were offered.
The Spanish or Mexicans never set
tied the island. A patent for the entire
island, embracing 48,S25.4S acres, was
issued by the United States to James
Lick, the celebrated millionaire of San
Francisco. Mr.. Lick had previously
purchased all conflicting claims.
| About 1886 it was sold to George r.
| Shatto, who laid out the town of Avalon.
Later Mr.. Shatto transferred his inter
ests to an English syndicate, and from
them it passed into the hands of the
Banning Bros, who have made il the
present popular resort that it is.
The island at all times during the long
summer season is free from wind and
heavy seas, making it one of the safest
resorts in the world. Among the thou
sands of visitors, who spend the greater
part of their time boating and bathing,
there is no record of single death from
drowning.
The climate is not subject to any
great atmospheric changes. During the
warmest season the weather is never op-
pressive, but on the contrary mild and
inyigorating. In winter, although the
air is somewhat cooler, there is never
any really cold weather, oranges,
bananas and other semi-tropical fruits
being taken from the island during the
month of January, 1892, in a we'll
| developed condition and bearing no sign
of effects of frost.
The water at all times during the sea-
son, beginning May 1st and continuing
until the 1st Of the following November,
is as quiet as mill-pond and Of such a
clear and transparent nature that the
bottom can be seen at times at depth
of one hundred feet. This water
abounds with numerous varieties of fish,
large and small, which can be seen dart
ing to and fro or under overlapping sub
merged boulders, these boulders forming
submarine passages, their entrances
draped with beautiful sea weeds and
delicate moses. Fish are caught easily
with hook and line, and thousands are
taken every season.
On the south side of the island ia
Santa Catalina harbor. a very deep and
completely land locked sheet of water,
which ranks among the best harbors in
the world, and is capable of accommo-
dating a large feet OF the deepest
draught ships.
The island, taken as whole, with its
beautiful coves, harbors crystalline
waters and picturesque mountains, the
latter of which abound with wild goats,
quail and other game, makes altogether
the most beautiful and attractive resort
in the world.
AT Avalon the pleasure-seeking public
will find the best OF accommodations al
the Hotel Metropole, thoroughly reno
waited and newly furnished throughout,
which was opened on June 10Th, under