Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-03-19
CA TALL INA ISLAND
IS PURCHASED BY
CHICAGO RESIDENT.
William WdgIey, Jrv Heads
Company Which Intends to
Improve Famous Island Re-
sort Off California Coast.

10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wtRsI
Los Angeles, Calf, March 1S.-One
of the biggest real estate deals ever
put over in California is now an as
sured fact and details can be furnished
by the interested parties.
Mr.. William Wrigley. Jr.. manufac-
turer of the famous ''Wrigley's Spear
mint one of the chief stockholders
in the Chicago Cubs" ball team and
an officer and director in a total of
fifteen enterprises in various parts of
the L. S., is the head and controlling
interest in company which has taken
over Santa Catalina Island. The pur-
chase price is close to "a 900, 10000 and
several millions more will be spent to
make the island the great show place
Of the Pacific coast.
Included in the transfer are prac-
tically all of the $4,000 acres of the
island, the new 100000 Ste. Gather
inc hotel yand its appurtenances, ten
thousand head of sheep, two large
steamers which ply between San Pc
dro and the island, a fleet of glass
bottom power boats and other prop
erty of the Santa Catalina Island
company.
The officers and directors in the
new Santa Catalina Island company
are some of the most enterprising
business men in Los Angeles county.
The general manager is Everett II.
Seaver, who directed the Fulton Shop
yards at San Pedro during the war
and who last year built successful
wooden ships at astonishing speed for
the government. Mr.. Seaver's record
as builder of ships is equalled by
his fame as an employer of labor, for
in all his period of service at San Pc
dro there was no rumor of labor trou-
BILE.
David Blankenhorn, a well known
Los Angeles business man is president
of the new company. gIe recently re-
ceived his honorable discharge from
the u. S. army where he ranked as
captain
1--WE intend to make Santa Catalina
Island the greatest summer and win
ter resort in America" said Mr..
Wrigley Development will progress
as rapidly as possible and when bust
ness warrants we will put on more
steamers. There is room for a half
million new cottages on the island
and second new hotel is projected
for early completion. 1t is my plan |
to make this gem of the Pacific q re-
sort of such 'attPactiveness that it will !
be the mecca for visitors from all |
parts of the country"
There are many unique features |
found at Catalina" as the island is
called locally. In one vast expanse
are the frames Of $50 tent cottages |
which in summer are covered with
furnished completely and |
'ented by the day or week just as
1otels rooms are rented. This is the
amous Island Villa. Another sum-
ner settlement is, made up of hum
ireds of tents completely furnished
or housekeeping.
The glass-bottomed power boats, al
eady mentioned make daily trips over
he Marine Gardens-through these
,oats the visitor gets such sights of
great ocean world of vegetation and
ish as can be had nowhere else. Here
$ a realm peopled with brilliantly col
red inhabitants swimming through
orests of feathery verdure. Huge
re@like ferns waver and bend with
ne motion of the water. Great stalks
t kelp touch the bottom or the boat
rom the strange sea cucumber"
hat clings to the ocean floor and is
aid to. be one Of the lowest forms of
nimal life, to giant tuna fish and sea
ass, which are the delight of sports
len. the range of species. size and
ppearance of these creatures of the
eep is utterly astounding.
Above water are scores OF seal, some
( them weighing n ton, summing
and their young on the
ocks The bald headed eagle perch
S himself on a crag and hautily sur
eys the scene while flock of stormy
etrel scurry away before the boats
dvanee. Yonder on a cliff some
fountain goats enjoy the scenery and
erbage. Over and above all are the
luest of Skies reflected in the depths
( the deep blue sea.