The Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation recently unveiled a commemorative plaque honoring Jani Sue Eisenhut, recognizing her nearly six decades of devoted service playing the historic Catalina Chimes and carrying on one of Catalina Island’s most cherished traditions.
The dedication comes during the Centennial of the Catalina Westminster Chimes, marking 100 years since the first notes rang from the Chimes Tower in 1926. This year’s celebration, “The Next Century Begins: Let the Bells Ring On,” honors a century of music that has echoed across Avalon while looking ahead to the generations who will continue this beloved tradition.
Since 1967, Jani has faithfully played the Chimes, providing the familiar music that has become woven into daily life on Catalina Island. For residents and visitors alike, the Chimes have welcomed arriving ships, highlighted celebrations, and provided a soundtrack that is uniquely Avalon.
Jani’s roots on Catalina run deep. A lifelong Avalon resident, she grew up inside the iconic Catalina Casino, where her family became affectionately known as “the family of the Casino.” Her father maintained the Casino’s electrical systems, her mother led the Avalon Girl Scouts, and Jani welcomed visitors as an usher in the historic Avalon Theatre before assuming responsibility for playing the Chimes.
Installed on the restored terrace wall of the Chimes Tower, the plaque recognizes Jani’s remarkable service and includes the words of her favorite hymn, Blessed Assurance.
The Foundation also honors the late Charlie Canby, whose commemorative plaque inside the Tower recognizes the many years he devoted to maintaining the Chimes and ensuring their continued operation.
Together, Charlie’s stewardship and Jani’s music preserved one of Catalina Island’s defining customs.
“The Chimes Tower is one of Catalina’s most recognizable and historically significant landmarks,” said Foundation President, Alison Wrigley Rusack. “Its significance lies not only in its architecture, but in the generations of people who have cared for it. Jani and Charlie devoted countless hours to preserving a tradition that has become part of the identity of Avalon.”
As the Catalina Chimes Tower enters its second century, gifts to the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation help preserve the Tower, maintain its historic Westminster Chimes, and share the stories of the remarkable people whose dedication has kept this treasured tradition alive. Learn more or make a tax-deductible contribution at www.catalinachimes.org.
About Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation
The Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation’s mission is to restore and maintain the Chimes Tower and its chimes, a beloved landmark in the town of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, for the community and future generations to enjoy. The Deagan Westminster chimes were purchased in 1925 by William Wrigley Jr. and his wife Ada, who had a tower built to house them in December of that year. The first notes from the Chimes Tower were played in March of 1926, and the chimes have entertained millions of Avalon residents and visitors ever since. In 2013, the board of the Santa Catalina Island Company formed the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation, which took ownership of the building. Since then, the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation board has been restoring and beautifying the iconic structure and its surroundings, an effort supported by gifts from both local residents and visitors from ‘overtown’. For more information, visit catalinachimes.org or contact in**@************es.org.