February marks 100th anniversary of purchase of Catalina
The year 2019 marks a significant milestone in the history of Santa Catalina Island: The 100-year anniversary of William Wrigley Jr.’s purchase of Santa Catalina Island. Beginning February 16, the Catalina Island Museum will revisit 1919 and the following transformational decade creating a year-round playground during its special exhibition Wrigley’s Catalina: A Centennial Celebration. The opening reception for the exhibit will be held Saturday, Feb. 16.
Wrigley, an innovative businessman who turned a modest soap factory into a multi-million-dollar chewing gum empire, transformed Catalina Island into a world-class resort destination in just ten years. The incredible impact of that decade is still evident today.
Invited by other businessmen to invest in an island out in the Pacific, Wrigley essentially purchased it sight unseen for $2 million dollars. Following the purchase, he visited Catalina Island for the first time in February of 1919 and was stunned by the island’s beauty and potential for development. Inspired and brimming with imaginative ideas he quickly purchased controlling interest, vowing to never let the island pass out of his hands.
On Feb. 18, 1919, the Catalina Islander reported: “Although it was his first trip to the ‘Magic Isle,’ Mr. William Wrigley Jr. expressed his great delight at finding Avalon and Santa Catalina Island far beyond all his expectations in scenic beauty, charm and pleasure resort possibilities.”
The special exhibition, Wrigley’s Catalina, commemorates Wrigley and the execution of his vision for the island by highlighting many of his improvement projects, especially during that first year of ownership. From selling parcels of land to residents, building new homes, shops, hotels, infrastructure and utilities, to improving industry such as mining, production of furniture and building supplies to ocean transportation, the addition of a professional sports team (the Chicago Cubs), the iconic Avalon Casino and more, Wrigley’s achievements can still be experienced by the 1 million visitors to the island today and exemplify his devotion to Catalina Island.
His remarkable and ambitious plan will be revealed through a wide variety of objects, many of which are being displayed for the first time, including photographs, artworks, letters, original documents, plans, blueprints, maps, steamship artifacts, advertisements, tools and objects relating to the various projects and industries. The exhibition also offers patrons a rare angle from the inside of the operation, infused with Wrigley’s energy, integrity, and unique jovial spirit. In addition to Wrigley’s own quoted declarations and explanations of his goals for the island, the museum will exhibit several of his personal belongings and excerpts of recently digitized historic audio recordings that captured Wrigley’s family and several close associates as they recalled stories surrounding his work on the island.
“I am putting money into Catalina because I am happy and I want others to be happy. The development of Catalina Island will be one of the greatest pleasures of my life.”—William Wrigley Jr., February 1919, after visiting the island for the first time.
The exhibition is open to the public from Feb. 16, 2019 – Jan. 19, 2020. Admission to the museum is free for its members, $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, military and students with a valid I.D. Children, age 15 and under are free every day with a paid adult admission.
Opening reception
starts at 3 p.m., Feb. 16
The opening reception of Wrigley’s Catalina: A Centennial Celebration will be held 3-7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16. Step back in time to meet “William Wrigley Jr.” Join participants at the Cabrillo Mole to welcome him back to the island as he arrives on the Catalina Express boat (approx. 3:10 p.m.). Then accompany him from the boat to the museum with photo ops along the way. During that time, the entire community will be treated to a special concert by Jani Eisenhut from the Chimes Tower. At 4 p.m. join Mr. Wrigley at the museum. Attendees will view the exhibition, have a vintage photo op with Mr. Wrigley and enjoy a flag ceremony with the Avalon Boy Scouts. The event will also include root beer floats made with 1919 Root Beer, cake, and champagne.
The opening reception is free for members of the museum and regular admission for non-members.
Members of the museum’s Patrons Society are invited to the museum at 3 p.m. for a ribbon cutting to open the exhibition and be the first to view it, mingle with distinguished guests and the museum’s Board of Trustees while sipping complimentary champagne.
The Catalina Island Museum offers the best in art and history exhibitions, music and dance performances, lectures by guest speakers from all over the world, and the finest in silent, documentary and international film. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The new Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building is located in the heart of Avalon at 217 Metropole Ave. For more information, cal 310-510-2414 or visit CatalinaMuseum.org.
