Avalon Springs is a name that resonates with history and transformation. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a vibrant community, Avalon Springs has a rich story to tell. This article delves into the history of Avalon Springs, exploring its evolution and significance.
Avalon at Catalina Island from the sky.
Early Beginnings and Transformations
In the 1860s, German immigrant Augustus William Timms found the location a good place to operate his goat farm, and the sparsely settled location became known as Timms Landing. One of his vessels, the Rosita, would also ferry pleasure seekers across the channel to Avalon Bay for bathing and fishing. The settlement in Avalon was then referred to as Timms's Landing in his honor.
Catalina Island passed through many hands before developer George Shatto and his partner A.C. Shatto purchased it. Shatto was the first owner to try to develop Avalon Bay into a resort destination. Shatto created the settlement that would become Avalon and built the town's first hotel, the original Hotel Metropole, and pier. His sister-in-law Etta Whitney suggested the permanent name of Avalon in reference to a poem by Lord Tennyson called "Idylls of the King".
The Banning brothers fulfilled Shatto's dream of making Avalon a resort community. They attempted to transform it into a high-class tourist destination, and under their stewardship, the island became a fashionable vacation spot for the well-to-do.
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The Wilmington Transportation Company’s steamboat “Falcon” in San Pedro, Los Angeles, circa 1905.
The Banning Era
The Bannings immediately began making major improvements to Avalon, including plans to take complete control of access to the island. Catalina’s growing popularity led to an increased influx of people during tourist season. The Bannings tried to control that at first, too, making sure that the Hotel Metropole was issued the city’s only liquor license, but eventually, other establishments serving liquor began to open, including the posh Pilgrim Club in 1902.
In addition, the establishment of the Avalon Freeholders Improvement Association in 1909 led to a movement to break the Bannings’ grip on the island itself. When the June 1913 election results came in, pro-incorporation voters had succeeded in creating a new city of the sixth class by a yes vote of 132-88.
Postcard view of Avalon in 1913.
Sadly, much of that work was damaged by a devastating fire that began on the morning of Nov. 29, 1915. It destroyed a good portion of the city and dealt a $2 million blow to the Bannings’ investment. Only Hancock Banning opposed the $3 million sale, and his brothers outvoted him.
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The Wrigley Era
Building on the foundation laid by the Bannings, the Wrigley family further transformed the island into the tourist mecca that had been envisioned more than thirty years earlier by George Shatto. In 1919, William Wrigley Jr. gained control of Avalon and oversaw much of its development, including the construction of the landmark Catalina Casino. Following the death of William Wrigley Jr. in 1932, his son Philip K. Wrigley took over the Santa Catalina Island Company.
In 1975, Philip Wrigley deeded the Wrigley shares in the Santa Catalina Island Company to the Catalina Island Conservancy that he had helped create. The Conservancy now stewards 88 percent of the island, primarily outside of the City of Avalon. The Santa Catalina Island Company maintains control of much of its resort properties and operations within the City of Avalon.
Avalon attracts about 1 million visitors a year and is frequently visited by cruise ships. The city is a resort community with the waterfront dominated by tourism-oriented businesses.
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Modern Avalon
Today, Avalon is a resort community with a primarily tourist-based economy. As of 2016, 38.4% of the employed population worked in the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services industries. An additional 13% worked in retail trade and 7% in real estate, rental, and leasing.
Government and Infrastructure
The municipal government of the City of Avalon is of the council-manager type. The Mayor is elected to serve a two-year term while the City Councilors are elected to four-year terms. The City Manager is the executive officer of the city and is appointed directly by the City Council. The new City Hall was completed June 8, 2004.
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Education
There are two preschools within the City of Avalon, Catalina Kid Ventures and Pre-School Learning for Avalon Youth (P.L.A.Y.). For K-12 education, children attend Avalon School, which is part of the Long Beach Unified School District. The campus is composed of three Mission Style buildings, a gymnasium, four secondary bungalows, and sixteen elementary bungalows.
Children in Avalon have one other option for elementary education. Children may also study at the private Avalon Christian School, located on 346 Catalina Avenue. Students then attend Avalon Schools for junior high and high school education.
Transportation
The city is served by several high-speed passenger boats with daily services such as the Catalina Express to San Pedro in Los Angeles; Long Beach; and Dana Point. Daily service is also provided by the Catalina Flyer to Newport Beach in Orange County. Private vessels that come to Avalon Harbor are assigned a mooring by the Avalon Harbor Patrol on a first-come, first-served basis.
The main method of transportation within the city is by small gasoline or electric-powered motorcars referred to locally as "autoettes". It is very difficult for a private citizen to get a permit to have a full-size vehicle in Avalon. Because of these restrictions, there is no regular vehicle ferry service for visitors to take their car to Avalon and the rest of Catalina Island.
Demographics
The 2020 United States census reported that Avalon had a population of 3,460. The population density was 1,198.9 inhabitants per square mile (462.9/km2). The racial makeup of Avalon was 49.1% White, 0.9% African American, 1.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 32.7% from other races, and 14.7% from two or more races.
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $91,713, and the per capita income was $37,155.
Here's a summary of Avalon's racial and ethnic composition based on the 2020 US Census:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 49.1% |
| African American | 0.9% |
| Native American | 1.3% |
| Asian | 1.0% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.3% |
| Other Races | 32.7% |
| Two or More Races | 14.7% |
Note: The US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category.
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