Good reading, history on Santa Catalina.
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Curiosity Correspondent <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: December 23, 2021 at 12:32:34 PM PST
To: cfrench1366@xxxxxxx
Subject: 98. Christmas Greetings
Reply-To: Curiosity Correspondent <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Christmas Greetings from Santa Catalina Island. [SCIF Archives]
98.CHRISTMAS AT SANTA CATALINA ISLAND ~
WHAT’S ON THE MENU IN 1942?
Hotel St. Catherine (1918-1966)
The Hotel Saint Catherine on Santa Catalina Island (1918-1966) was built on
the site of the Banning home in Descanso Canyon in the aftermath of the
November 29, 1915 fire, which destroyed a large portion of Avalon, including
the Metropole and many other hotels, the Tuna Club, Pilgrim Club, main
bathhouse, waterfront shops, and all other city structures within its path.
Faced with enormous financial losses, the Bannings took a trust deed for
$850,000 to pay off debts and build a major new and grand tourist hotel — the
Saint Catherine. The hotel opened its doors on June 28, 1918.
The following year, William Wrigley purchased the island, adding additional
improvements to the popular Hotel St. Catherine. For the next 23 years, it
served as an elegant vacation spot for visitors to Santa Catalina Island,
from regular tourists to Hollywood stars, foreign dignitaries, presidents,
princes and generals.
By World War II, mature landscaping surrounded the Hotel St. Catherine. [SCIF
Archives]
Then came the war, and in 1941 Santa Catalina Island went dark. During World
War II, the island provided the location for a U.S. Maritime Commission
training school for merchant seamen. Trainees were accommodated in the St.
Catherine Hotel for their living quarters. Its dining room could feed 1200
diners. Troops used the million-dollar Avalon Casino for their classroom work
and the Cubs’ ballpark for training exercises.
Christmas Day Menu, December 25, 1942
[Haffey Family Collection]
Croutons Souffles? Souffles were simple to make, with only milk, eggs,
cornstarch, sugar, leftover bread and margarine as the ingredients.
Lyonnaise Sauce? Butter, onions, garlic, white wine, and ham juice sauteed
and strained.
Chiffonade Dressing? Beets, hard-boiled eggs, minced onion, white wine
vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and chives.
Following the war, the Hotel Saint Catherine was not immediately reopened for
the tourist trade. Guest rooms were converted into 53 two-and three-bedroom
apartments for employee housing, and in 1947 the back kitchen was removed.
The hotel eventually re-opened for visitors in 1952 as a suite-hotel. After a
decade of declining occupancy, the decision was made by the Santa Catalina
Island Company to tear down the hotel. Demolition began at noon on Saturday,
February 12, 1966 and the days of the once elegant Hotel St. Catherine were
resigned to history.
What’s on your Christmas menu?
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
THE CALIFORNIA ISLANDS—
SAVING THEIR HISTORY, TELLING THEIR STORIES.
Respectfully submitted by,
Your Faithful California Islands Curiosity Correspondent
NEWS FLASH: The brand-new Chrisman California Islands Center now has several
named-endowment and fund opportunities that will support particular programs
and initiatives. Many of these endowments are established through bequests.
Donations can be made to support any existing fund or endowment. To discuss
creating or contributing to a named endowment or fund contact Marla at the
CCIC [marla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx].
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