A veritable Catalina landmark has been slowly disappearing before people’s eyes over the past week in the form of the demolition of the old Catherine Hotel.
The property, located at 708 Crescent Ave., was purchased by the Catalina Island Conservancy two years ago with the intention of building an interpretive center and visitor center on the site.
A veritable Catalina landmark has been slowly disappearing before people’s eyes over the past week in the form of the demolition of the old Catherine Hotel.
The property, located at 708 Crescent Ave., was purchased by the Catalina Island Conservancy two years ago with the intention of building an interpretive center and visitor center on the site.
Although residents have long been expecting the demolition, it wasn’t until a week ago Wednesday that they got their first hint of the destruction to come. On that night, fire engines and crews—including the Avalon Volunteers—swarmed the building for a training session. The training—complete with artificially-generated smoke—was held at the invitation of the Conservancy.
“We put a smoke generator in the building,” said Avalon Fire Chief Mike Krug. “We did a (simulated) rescue and we did forcible entry.”
Chief Krug said he was grateful to the Conservancy. “We really appreciate them letting us use the building,” he said.
Since the Conservancy had informed Krug that “in about three weeks this will be a vacant lot,” this meant a no-holds barred assault on some of the doors, windows and other fixtures in the old structure, all to hone the skills of his crew.
The following day, heavy equipment was brought in along with crews from Jordahl to begin the demolition work.
Lenny Altherr, Director of Construction Management for the Conservancy, said the demolition marks the beginning of the long process to build a replacement. That replacement, said Altherr, will be “The Trailhead,” an environmentally-friendly combination of visitor center, interpretive center and embarkation point for the Conservancy’s interior tours.In keeping with its planned eco-friendliness, the new building will incorporate recycled materials from the old Catherine.
“We’re looking to save some of the materials, rafters and decorative pieces,” he said. “All of the blocks will go up to Jordahl to be crushed and recycled.” He added that the building will feature a bar and restaurant—possibly operated by a third party—as well as a limited number of “flex rooms” that will be able to accommodate Conservancy-related personnel for short stays.
The original structure now known as the Catherine Hotel dates back to the 1890s. Due to the lack of accurate records from that era, it is not known exactly what year the building was built. However photographs as old as 1898 already show the original core structure in place at that time.
Originally called Sunset House because of its west-facing configuration—unique for a hotel on Crescent Avenue—the building soon became a boarding house named the Sunset Apartments, a name it held for many years.
In the 1950s, former Avalon Police Chief Don Davies took over the property and after major renovation work opened the building as a hotel, bar and restaurant called the Jade Pagoda. The cinderblock front of the building dates back to this time.
In 1967, the hotel changed hands once more when it was purchased by Catherine Pettit. The establishment was renamed the Catherine Hotel at that time, a name it has had ever since.
Because of the building’s historical value, demolition wasn’t the first choice the Conservancy had, according to Altherr. “We looked at trying to save it,” he said. “But this poor girl has seen her day.”
