An exceedingly rare and desirable image of Avalon from the turn of the century. Nestled safely at Catalina Island's southeast channel, the town is the emotional and economic heart of the island. Shown here are important early buildings, such as 1890's Holly Hill House on the foreground ridge and Hotel Metropole at the shore in front of steamer pier. More than half the town shown would be lost in a 1915 fire. Combined with the natural topography and the diverse marine activity shown in the bay, it is a complete scene.
An absolute Southern California destination for tourists and locals, Catalina Island has hosted and served as home to humans for centuries. Europeans first made landings in the late 16th Century. It evolved through a series of ownerships and visions to be popular resort destination by the 1890s. Shown in the bay are an arriving passenger steamship, most likely one of the Wilmington Transportation ships out of Long Beach. Among the other various craft and numerous glass bottomed boats for underwater viewing is the most prominent of these ships, the Sidewheeler CLEOPATRA. In all, the island's population was estimated to be about 500 in the winter, and 8,000 during the summer, and they all traveled by ship.
The lithograph presents the town from a bird's-eye-view. The sharply colored image is in a complete matte border to present the title fully, while another edition of this print was later done in color accents with a border. This image is pictured in the book California on Stone by Peters on page 41 and as number 56 in Views & Viewmakers of Urban America by reps. This original print is one of only five we have seen to date of either version.
Image measures 17" x 23", with Title block 19" x 25" - Framed size is: 31" x 37"
