Neighborhood Spotlight: Catalina Island

"For more than 7,000 years, humans have been enjoying the cool breezes, clear blue water and great fishing of Santa Catalina Island, one of the eight rocky islands that wreath the coast of Southern California from Santa Barbara to La Jolla."

"The Pimungan group of the Gabrielino people were the first Southern Californians to undertake the 22-mile journey from the mainland to the island, and for thousands of years made their home there, trading fish and soapstone with other groups throughout the region."

"European diseases and the mission system had devastating effects on the Pimungans, and by the mid-1880s they had largely disappeared from the island. It was now mostly home to ranchers and passing fishermen, but the land boom on the mainland soon had speculators eyeing Catalina as a potential resort location."

Santa Catalina Island, one of eight rocky islands off Southern California's coast, has supported human habitation for more than 7,000 years. The Pimungan group of the Gabrielino people were the first inhabitants, sustaining themselves through fishing and soapstone trading with mainland groups. Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo's arrival in 1542 initiated European contact, followed by Sebastian Viscaino's rediscovery and naming of the island as Santa Catalina. European diseases and the mission system devastated the indigenous population, which largely disappeared by the mid-1880s. The island subsequently attracted ranchers, fishermen, and eventually mainland speculators seeking resort development. George Shatto pioneered Avalon's establishment as a vacation destination before selling to the Banning family, who modernized the area.

Read at Los Angeles Times