My knowledge of the history and background of Catalina is pretty limited. Information off the web is confusing because two versions exist. Version "one" credits Italy for the island discovery. Version "two" credits Spain. My e-mail queries to the Catalina historical foundation have gone unanswered. What follows is my own very "lose" version so please take it for what it is.

I tend to believe the Spanish were the original "old world" arrivals on Catalina. First in 1542 and again in 1602. The island was inhabited by a tribe of  indain people known as Tonguo. What became of these people isn't well documented so their collective fates are unclear. Nor do I recall any real indications, such as old missions or churches, to mark the Spanish presense on the island. Many buildings on Catalina exhibit Spanish traits but they were built in the eary twentyth century.

Catalina is the largest of several islands that are located in the San Pedro straights. Catalina was purchased from Mexico in the early 1890's. The idea was to make it into a retreat for the wealthy. The notion proved only moderately successful because the "spartan" accomodations. Tents and sleeping bags didn't sit well with the "Knob Hill" elite. The original buyer lost alot of money on his endeavor and had to sell the island. A second buyer, the Banning family, used a different approach. They would create a "little Rivera", an entire town with all the comforts of home for the tourist. There is a conflict in sources. One claims the Banning family were the first owners. Another version claims a person named Winslow owned the island first. Never the less the Banning family is credited with the first major construction projects leading to the existance of Avalon as a full service tourist attraction.  

The city and island proved to be a success. That success was sort lived because the Avalon, like San Francisco, was totally leveled by fire in 1915 (approx. date)  

In 1919 William Wrigley Jr. bought out the Banning family. Wrigley rebuilt Avalon. The Wrigley family established the Catalina Island Company and played a major role in the way the island evolved into it's present form. The Wrigley family ceded all control of the island to the Catalina conservatory group in 1971.  

It's my understanding that the Wrigleys did not actuall own Catalina but in fact held a 99 year lease. The island shows the Wrigley influence even today. The landmark Avalon Casino was their creation as was the steamship which they commissioned and paid for. The island golf course, two ranches, a hospital and power generating plant were all Wrigley projects. Lastly was the baseball field. Wrigley owned the Chicago Cubs. Unlike other major leauge teams, the Cubs came to Catalina for spring training.

Thus you have my brief accounting of Catalina and Avalons history. As I stated earlier, my version is general so it may stray a bit.