Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-03-24
SANTA CATALINA, CALIFORNIA.
BY LUE F. VERNON.

CoasG lies private commonwealth
which a comparatively few years ago
was bought for a mere song, so to
speak, but to-day is valued at fabu.
lous price. 1t ia the Island of Santa
Catalina, whereon is founded munic.
ipality containing a population OF
two hundred merchants and their
families, a government postoflice, pre-
sided over by a regularly appointed
official, a justice OF the peace, two
churches, Catholic and Protestant,
streets, alleys, and city improvements
all owned and controlled by three
brothers, whose business is to attract
people to this sun-kissed isle for pur.
poses of recreation and health.
1t is a peculiar condition of affairs
that exists ON Santa Catalina-a puz.
zle to the judicial mind or to the ex-
pert in the study OF government,
whether State, municipal, or rural.
Such absolute private ownership is
probably unknown in the United
States.
Santa Catalina is twenty-five miles
long and eight miles wide. 1t has
two towns, Avalon and Cabrillo, being
located on the only level spots found
on the island, where the tourists and
summer visitors in multiplied numbers
congregate.
This domain is part of q Spanish
grant dedicated at one time to the use
and comfort of Don Pho Pico, once
Governor OF California. He sold
this island to the Lick estate, and
then it came into the possession of
the father of the present owners,
Phineas Banning.
This locally famous father paid $780,
600 for this island that springs so
boldly from the depths OF the peaceful
Pacific. The price now asked for the
island is over 100000. This latter
figure somewhat indicates the enorm-
GUS value of the Catalina tourist trade
and the bonanza fortunes annually re-
sultiug to the three native. born Cali.
fornia brothers.
Before the aged Banning came into
possession certain individuals had
bought lots in Avalon from the Lick
estate. For ono OF these lots, that
cost an old settler $40, there was bid
$4,000 last year and the offer was
refused.
The proprietor is rapidly approach
ing the grave, but he has two sons
who are operating his hotel on the
island, and to these boys he prefers to
leave his property. Enough lots were
sold to establish the right OF public
domain, streets were established and
now the entire municipality is to all
intents and purposes . part of the
great world OF Southern California.
1t is to the expenditure, manage.
ment and advertisement of the Ban.
nings that the island owes its popular.
ity. Except the brass band supplied,
nature furnishes all the charms to the
weary traveller or inquisitive tourist.
Thousands OF the in habitan Is of South.
ern California and Arizona in the
summer time flee to this magic isle,
where the eternal zephyrs Of the Pa.
cific continually chase around the
island.
In the winter time the grand pro.
cession of wealthy tourists ever on the
go through California, visits this re-
mote spot and takes q brief mental
photograph Of the precipitous hills.
around which the blue waters OF the
Pacific, surfless. ebb and flow.
Five steamers are engaged contin'
uslly handling freight and passengers
to the island, each traveller pays $3.50
for this trip of forty miles, two OF the
steamers can accommodate fifteen
hundred persons each. the remainder
are merely tug boats.
A conservative estimate OF the num-
Der OF passengers in one year is 5OO,.
600; that means fortune to the
Bsnnings annually. Merchants pay
rent and license to the owners in
order to do business. One thousand
canvas tents and muslin houses &C.
commodste the families who 60 to the
sequester regularly on the lonely
island.
One OF the steamers running to the
island has q glass bottom, and through
this the tourist can amuse himself
watching the antics of life under the
waves.
A little figuring will develop the fact
that many reasons exist Why the Ban
nings should desire to retain complete
control OF these two growing munich.
palities. Given, any island possessed
with suitable accommodations in the
vicinity OF a sun-scorched area like
that of California and Arizona, and
the result invariably is q great demand
for sea atmosphere and a consequent
financial success.
Captains on the mainland have
essayed to land passengers at Avalon
Steamers, launches and yachts have
passed and are passing the island con
tinually, whereon gaze the storekeepers
and merchants, and wishes are fervent
especially in dull seasons, that they be
allowed to land their passengers to
patronize the local stores. The imper