Exclusive Tour of Catalina Island - The Avalon Casino, Chimes Tower, and Wrigley Memorial

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Over a million people visit Catalina Island per year. Whether they’re visiting for the fine foods, the scenic accommodations, or to explore the rugged back country, there’s a unique draw to the Island that captures the imagination of all who’ve set foot here. While everyone’s adventure here is different, there’s one thing everyone can agree on - this island has style.
We’ve been invited on an exclusive and extensive behind the scenes tour of three of the most iconic structures on Catalina Island in California.
These buildings feature unique architecture, building methods, and perfectly preserved antique machinery that we will explore up close and personal. First, we’re visiting the Catalina Island Casino, the largest building on the island and one of the most iconic waterfront structures on the West Coast. Then, we’re climbing up to the Avalon Chime Tower to play the mechanism for ourselves. Lastly, it’s off to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens to end our day and our adventure.
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This is a huge deviation from the type of videos I usually make on my channel, but this was a commissioned project. In 2022, I was brought out to Catalina Island, California, to document some of the island's 1920's and 1930's iconic landmarks, getting access to some of the deepest parts to uncover the history and really dive into the architectural elements of these buildings. If you enjoy classic architecture, you'll enjoy this one.

[@hobbyfarmer62]

A shining example of the wriggly families willingness to spend money for the benefit of the public. Which if you ask me is just how the very wealthy should behave, and show clear sense of community mindedness. Also love they found a use for the first casinos steel frame instead of just destroying it. Thank you for allowing us a chance to explore an iconic location. Read a book some years ago and thd author talked about how as a kid his (very middle class) family would sail their little sail boat to the island in the 30s in hopes of seeing some of then Hollywood royalty.

[@NicholasBaldwin-om9xv]

One of the bigger half wooden looking boats in the harbor from the "olden days" that you saw a couple times on the video was John Wayne's boat.

[@jetsons101]

The Casino, Chime Tower and Wrigley Memorial are perfect examples of "Do it right the first time."

[@GoodOldGamer]

I miss just how long things were built to last back in the day. True quality.

[@allentoyokawa9068]

In Japan they still do

[@pigoff123]

Absolutely. That is why we buy used as much as possible.

[@luxuriousfir]

Founded.

[@ManWhoLovesTheMary]

When you realize how little you know about places you thought you studied. I've had the privilege of visiting Catalina Island three different times and each time it's been something very special. The last time, I booked the extensive tour for myself and my travel companion, but it was cancelled due to some issues they had to take care of. Just another incentive to go again! I also had the privilege of my own self-guided tour late 2021 on a 4-day Carnival Miracle cruise. And I wasn't the only one. You could still feel the pandemic in the air and they had all the doors open. When I inquired, they said it was no problem. The island was pretty empty and I suppose bringing some life into the cherished space was wanting. What an experience of the practically intact history. That balcony/terrace/promenade is like no other and really showcases the scale of the building; and being whimsically cantilevered added to the intimidating height. What a prize it was to get to see the powder rooms, which felt straight outta the '20s. I'm so happy they've kept so much of this place intact. It truly is the focal pointed treasure of the island and I can't wait to experience it again soon. This video helped to really prepare for the experience.

[@davefox7516]

The hat racks underneath the chairs was a brilliant idea for a bygone era. In the dance area, having the doors open for the seabreeze, and the hidden fan on the ceiling (much like today's whole house fans) was just so clever and brilliant for the era. The casino was just so unbelievably designed! I'm so happy I got to visit the casino. It's magnificent.

[@RobDeHaven]

I know all generations face their own set of challenges and unique opportunities and I think that is why I'm so fascinated by learning the history of all sorts of things. However, the roaring twenties must have been a special time to be alive. They certainly understood how to build and make things that would last for generations to enjoy. Tom, I know this isn't your normal genre of historical documentation but I for one really enjoyed this one! Thanks to your many supporters for allowing you to make projects like this possible so they don't depend on the success of views from KZbin. And with that, I just joined those supporters.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you- I’m glad you enjoyed it and welcome aboard!

[@tomt5922]

It’s the Catalina Wine Mixer!

[@MasterShake300]

You beat me to it!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@kieranfitz]

POW POW

[@GhostJusticeCrew]

Fkn Catalina Wine Mixer.

[@fibergran9]

It's the fucking Catalina wine mixer!!

[@PumaPete]

I grew up over on the island from 1976 to the mid 80s spending my entire summers. I’ve been through the casino and the memorial gardens many times but never to the depth shown here. The chime tower will forever be in my memories. I heard it every day. We’ve since sold our home over there. Enjoyed this video a lot. Thank you.

[@briancisco1176]

As a young teen, I travelled to Avalon in 1960 aboard the SS Catalina on a day trip. Great memories!

[@died4us590]

This was very interesting, seeing all the functioning parts that make up this old casino. Quality has gone out of fashion, but it's good to know that there are lasting, usable features of this place that people can come and see for themselves. Nice job documenting everything, well done. G-d bless.

[@jakemj03]

The best, most detailed tour! Thank you!!! You can't get anything close to this on TV.

[@Bluetree0502]

I used to go hiking on Catalina every year on my birthday, but the ferry discontinued their free birthday rides a few years ago. It was great while it lasted!

[@drjeniweis4977]

My family recently found your channel. We love the wrecks, ghost towns, historical pieces you do and adventures. Excellent quality, family friendly, and we love the humor you throw in. Very high production quality and we love the detailed information you always share. The Catalina tour was our favorite so far and truly fascinating. Wholesome, interesting, and love your quips. You have a new family of subscribers!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you for the lovely comment and I’m glad you’re all enjoying the videos!

[@scampbell3363]

Hey from Memphis. Every day is a school day. My goodness you poured so much information into this video. Thank you Professor Explorer.

[@jetsons101]

Great watch, we've been there a million times. I could almost live there. Thanks for your time, work and posting.

[@shariberry3123]

My parents and I sailed frequently to Catalina, back in the '60's and '70's. I am age 60 now, I can just imagine all the incredible antiques and early vintage items available to purchase there, second hand, back then. We would stay in a very old style stucco hotel, and I remember as a child, seeing the Wrigley mansion during a long walk.

[@rikspector]

Tom, Charles seems so young at heart. He was a great host with his knowledge of this piece of living history history. Wrigley was a man of the people along with His descendants.. Many of the undersides of desks I sat in in school back in the forties and fifties were a tribute to Wrigley's success:) Your videos and your narratives are first rate! Cheers, Rik Spector

[@pookatim]

That guy serving as the curator has the coolest job ever.

[@wrldvw1836]

Such beautiful craftsmanship and artistic style. Just gorgeous

[@kimboswell8063]

What a gorgeous location! Thank you for making such a thorough video of your visit, brilliant 😁

[@E-63836]

It’s a nice change of pace compared to the heart splitting content you normally feature, I’m here for all of it!

[@jeroberts7228]

That was a fascinating tour - every bit of it! Thanks to Charles for having the idea for this wonderful tour, and for being your very knowledgeable tour guide! Very, very enjoyable, Tom.

[@jeffreyoldham55]

What a fantastic tour. Thank you Tom and Charles!

[@reneejones7807]

Charles is in amazing shape! I was exhausted just watching him climb all over the place. Excellent video of a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for the behind the scenes look.

[@douglasreynolds8842]

This was excellent, as was your presentation and attention to detail. I stumbled across you as we spent our honeymoon in Avalon in 1978, returned in '79, and again in 2018 for our 40th anniversary. In '78, the bungalows in which Wrigley housed his Cubs players were available to rent like hotel rooms. In 2018 we were told that they had been converted to island employee residences. Amazingly, for our 40th we ate dinner at a seafood restaurant overlooking the bay and our waiter, perhaps the restaurant owner, was not only the one who told us about the history of the bungalows but also that he was most likely the one who drove the golf cart to pick us up when we arrived in 1978! He was a pool boy for the resort at the time. Thanks much for this video - it was very special for both of us.

[@louiseoakey]

Engrossing from start to finish. Love your documentaries

[@jasoncollins1702]

Your voice is so relaxing 😌

[@dezertraider]

OUTSTANDING!YOU REALLY DO A EXCELLENT JOB ON YOUR STORIES.I THANK YOU ,I WISH YOU MANY MORE..

[@PeppieP]

What a amazingly information and well filmed documentary that you have given us. I so enjoyed this, thank you so so much. x. Thank you to all involved in this.

[@Dakiraun]

Incredibly in depth tour; LOVE all the old tech still working.

[@Kobytraphouse]

Been to Catalina 2017 , just graduated high school . it was amazing

[@johnmcanulty7341]

It, is an iconic structure of all of California on the same level as the Golden Gate Bridge. Great job showing the interstitial spaces. These are the most interesting. I figured much more concrete was used. I wonder wow, all the dances with all the harmonic loading hasn't collapsed the structure. Could it be chewing gum?

[@adenunzio2000]

This is a great video. Thanks so much for your efforts on this. I love it

[@Theospeak1]

Amazing video, thanks so much for making this! Probably the best documentary (I think the only documentary) I've seen on the casino building. A couple hundred years from now almost everything on KZbin will be forgotten, but this video will probably still be considered relevant history.

[@gridley]

Not just old-time Catalina/SoCal, there are also very old-time sections of the Mediterranean, particularly around Italy, containing structures built in the 1700s, 1800s, etc, that are design & engineering marvels. The work invested in various properties through the generations by skilled, talented, resourceful humans never ceases to amaze me. Of course, there are structures like the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall of China or the ancient pyramids of Egypt.

[@zztop4996]

This is an AMAZING video. Every single element is exceptional, from the videography, to the narrative, to the music, and your period costumes were perfect. The historical info. and "behind the scenes" tour were fascinating! I had no idea Catalina was this interesting, and I used to live in Southern California! It's a return trip I may have to take someday just to see the island. Many, MANY thanks to you, Emma, and crew! (For those who know what I'm talking about... the Old World architecture here is phenomenal. Interesting "construction" photos, to say the least. I can only imagine what additional gorgeous buildings and lower portions of buildings are yet to be excavated. Clearly, some of these are from the 4th Era, but some, like the Casino, look to be massive mechanical parts from the 2nd or 3rd.)

[@donaldpetersen2382]

New PTX oh heck yes!

[@talesfromanoldmanpatoneal6372]

Well I must say I think I have a new favorite video. Just an amazing tour of the island. I don't think I'll make it there in my lifetime so this was certainly the next best thing. Charles is such an amazing and delightful man. Thank you again sir for a wonderful channel. Just the perfect way to see amazing places.

[@katherinehoffman9865]

A lovely pice of history. Thank you for taking us along.

[@rikspector]

Tom, I live in Ferndale, WA now, but spent most of my life down the Jersey shore, having driven ,Hiked Boated and photographed it until 2013. I worked in Toms River and knew many boaters as well as the Captains like the Bogans from Brielle. I even ran the Jersey Shore Marathon many years ago. WE have a wonderful diverse state and the coast with it's harbors, wildlife and boardwalks is a treasure. It's beautiful out here in Bellingham, but Jersey will always remain in my heart. Cheers, Frederick "Rik" Spector

[@michaelaltig5519]

This is awesome, I haven't been to Catalina since I was four!

[@robertsolomielke5134]

TY. Just love the 1930's preserved . This jewel is excellent.

[@patbowman6723]

Thank you for the great description of the island and all that went into making it what it is. It's absolutely beautiful. I love your shirt it goes with the topic.

[@user-lv2ud3zp5i]

Very very interesting. I've got to go see this place myself. I'm now retired and I'm making plans as I tex! 😁👍 . . . San Antonio, Texas.

[@roadweary5252]

A beautiful place! Nicely done, everyone!

[@jamesleyda365]

These places are absolutely awesome🤙I love history & architecture, especially American history, architecture....and culture 🤘🏴‍☠️

[@th3l0nerang3rs]

Absolutely love this episode. Thank you for the education.

[@MrCorvairGuy]

The theater section held particular interest for me since my first job was as a projectionist at my home town's theater. We still used (1940's vintage?) Ballantyne projectors with carbon arc lamps as late as 1997 when the owner made the switch to xenon arc. The projectors themselves had a pendulum and bell mechanism on the top spindle which would start ringing to let you know when the reel was getting close to the end. That's when you would start your arc lamp. Then you watched the top right of the screen for the first mark ("cigarette burn" according to Tyler Durden) which is when you would start the motor for the projector. When the second mark appeared, you would flip the dowser and switch the sound input for the amplifier. The dowser is a block off plate for the lamp light and the two projectors were connected via a pulley system so that when you opened one dowser, the other would be shut, thus completing the changeover. You would then put the finished reel on the rewind table and then back into the numbered storage locker. It's interesting that you mention projectionists lighting smokes off of the carbon lamp because the old style nitrate film was very flammable. You'd think anyone worth their salt would want to minimize any chance of a fire risk (Yet, I know that it absolutely did happen and was probably the cause of several theater fires back in the day.) For those who don't know, the old nitrate film stock not only burned easily but produced its own oxygen as it did so. You literally can't put it out once it's on fire. Modern acetate or polyester based film stock will melt for one or two frames but not burn.

[@NicholasBaldwin-om9xv]

I remember it being almost a trope of how flammable old film was. Seen several "fade out / in" shots from burning film stalk.

[@BrandonNevermind]

I'm going here in September, and have been deep in planning mode for that trip; this video couldn't have come at a better time!

[@NicholasBaldwin-om9xv]

I think they chose the right person to do this, despite it being, as you said "Not your wheelhouse". I say its right in it. Id watch another one of these from you no problem. Keep up the awesome work!

[@kabbrewer5974]

Awesome documentary! We knew nothing about Catalina Island, it's history or the history of Wrigley Jrs. accomplishments. He went above and beyond in everything he did. Thanks for sharing this on KZbin! I wonder who will continue to care for these structures when Charles Cambi can no longer do it?

[@djvt574]

man you are really getting good at this. what a nicely done video! i love the intro

[@taxirob2248]

8:28 if you visit San Diego you'll find the same knots in the faces of the museums there. They were built for the Panama-California Exposition and were originally temporary structures without foundations. They were completely rebuilt mostly out of poured concrete, and 20 years later they hosted the California-Pacific Exposition.

[@Drew_TheRoadLessTraveled]

That was friggin awesome.. Heaps of great info presented with true interest in the subject.

[@OliverMartin-xk6rd]

Can't wait to go with my parents!

[@fhwolthuis]

Amazing to see all the original details ❤

[@tobias4918]

Wow what a building 👌👍 Its good for a guy from Sweden to se and learn som thing😁 Thamks for the video Tom and crew

[@Coltbreath]

Thank You! All the more reason to take a trip!

[@davidj5718]

Another great video your content is off the hook

[@daveweiss5647]

I had no idea! This is absolutely amazing! The architecture, craftsmanship and fortitude of all the buildings are spectacular... the civic minded dedication is truely inspiring... if only the billionaires of today had the same outlook for their cities as the Wrigleys did for Catalina!

[@timothycoyne5874]

Great video! Also, it was very cool seeing a photo of the Count Basie Orchestra performing at the Casino at 38:22!! :-)

[@Idrinklight44]

Stayed at Zane Grey's house!!! Pretty neat little island!

[@23232323399]

simply fantastic

[@Whateverold]

Lovely work as always! As a sad counterpart now the sad story of SS Catalina should be told.

[@LoveCatalinaIsland]

Exceptional documentary!

[@winterburden]

Very cool.

[@donl1410]

Very interesting and informative. Thanks.

[@user-zt5xz5fz4q]

We ❤ your KZbin channel. Allah bless you.

[@yoptastic8463]

Thank you very much for this video Tom and all involved especially Charles whose proud and intricate knowledge really made this documentary complete. I love that astonishingly beautiful Casino but wonder why it was called Casino when it wasn't a real Casino? Where I live on the Yorkshire Coast UK, we have a similar building called The Spa, not quite as big but beautiful in it's own way with still a running theatre and what was the ballroom back in the day but is now a concert hall and there's a lot of history around the building as it's been around since the 1880s. I loved the Chime Tower, just the idea was a lovely gift to all but that wonderful sound calling out across the bay sounds heavenly and I like the construction and shape. The monuments tiles were so decorative and colourful but I think the whole building could look so much brighter and cleaner if it had a bit of a pressure wash and rejuvenate it, then it would stand out marvellously. 😊❤

[@LoveCatalinaIsland]

The Catalina Casino was built before casinos were widely known as places where you gamble. "Casino" means "a place of gathering" in Italian, and that's what its purpose was. The first gambling halls opened in Las Vegas in 1931 and became popular in the 1950s. The Catalina Casino opened in 1929.

[@user-pp3ui7pt4s]

Great job!

[@CabbageTown33]

Another great video

[@msbkay]

yall did exceptional w this. what a reflection of history and passion. i always think of the movie Step Brothers when i hear Catalina. i had no idea it was a real place! =/ thx for sharing. i hope to visit some day.

[@banana_junior_9000]

41:48 This is called a "cupola". A few other terms. The lobby ceiling is called a "barrel vault" and the circular perimeter windows are called "portals". I like to have my time at university be helpful now and then.

[@JamesDaffyBenderDonald]

I live in Ensenada and was fortunate enough to see the SS Catalina up close before she was scrapped.

[@ManWhoLovesTheMary]

I was saddened when I heard it was scrapped. I also was fortunate enough to see it on a 4-day cruise aboard the Carnival Paradise back in 2005. She was rusting away, but that funnel still stood proud.

[@richatom71]

Wonderful .

[@robbicu]

The JC Deagan company of Chicago made much more than chimes, that being but a tiny sum of their output which consisted mostly of tuned percussion instruments such as xylophones, marimbas, bells, glockenspiels, chimes, and other similarly struck tuned bars or tubes. The tuned percussions in the theatre organ likely contain bars made by Deagan.

[@pigoff123]

Charles is amazing

[@curtis.strange]

"Foyer" noooo 😄great video though, love the level of detail and ambiance

[@rccharles6772]

Dude your awsome at explaining everything you yourself makes this good how you tell it

[@jonzaremba]

We couldn't build anything like these today.

[@artistsingerwriterproducer8288]

We have beauty in Monte Carlo too

[@dirkhartman9572]

You should also investigate dutch east indies art deco

[@patrickmcsherry6038]

Excellent tour! Maybe you could provide us with video history/story of the SS Catalina and the SS Avalon.

[@kainesalvo]

Wonder if Tom Servo's Creepy Girl is still there?

[@philipdeluca4957]

Missing one bit of this islands colorful history and characters: The Duke of Catalina -Duke Fishman- served as the unofficial greater of Avalon up until his death in the 1970s.

[@MadelineRose-ep7fj]

We just don't do up the things as was done in the past. The style, dress, courtesy, tradition and more are vague memories that grow dimmer with the passing of each generation.😊

[@abnurtharn2927]

According to the web, the use of 3 digit phone numbers end in the USA in December 1920.

[@ChrisYarbrough-ts9cv]

In 40's the merchant marine trained at the casino.my dad was there

[@Someguy1785]

29:23 A little correction on Wrigley Field: It was built in 1914, designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, and funded by Charles Weeghman, owner of the Federal League Chicago Whales. The league folded after 2 seasons, so Weeghman bought the National League Chicago Cubs and moved them into Weeghman Park in 1916. In 1918, William Wrigley purchased a controlling interest in the club and stadium, took complete ownership in 1921, then renamed it Wrigley Field in 1926. It makes perfect sense he'd follow the same design philosophy of concrete and steel.

[@RoderickFernandez-ps5ci]

Was a Catalina famous for its wild goats but I heard nothing mentioned about them

[@CarsandCats]

The reason that there is no rust whatsoever on the steel beams is because they used a high-lead content paint. That's why it is orange.

[@puterboy2]

What is the status on Lusitania: The Greyhound’s Wake?

[@daniellawson1587]

How's lusitania coming its the 7th

[@carsonwilkins2971]

Is looking at old building like these you have to think we really lost passion for consting beautiful building, now everything is just cost cutting and simplicity, seems every generation just kept getting greeder, now everything cost more and last not even half as long. Oh how we have fallen.

[@lightspeed4596]

Well said.

[@johncaldwell-wq1hp]

Over the years,I have stepped in plenty of Wrigley's Chewing-Gum!!--from my "Bronzed-Baby-shoes"-to my "Old-Geezer"-plimsoles,-have been spattered,with that gooey mess,-It plugged a hole in the Submarine=U.S.S-Gumshoe,-it's only saving grace.

[@debpatriot9557]

Old World building the Casino, from a previous civilization for sure! We did NOT build that masterpiece!

[@joeylantis22]

Absolute shame that they budozed "Big Sugar Loaf" rock. There's no way enviormentalists wuld allow destruction of such a beautiful natrual feature now a days.

[@Smartzenegger]

Oh, he doesn't know how to use the three seashells...

[@fondajames]

Those nice natural formations were totally destroyed...

[@jillatherton4660]

5* stuff, as usual.