10 Fascinating Old Photos of Catalina Island, California

Winston Churchill

1929. “A distinguished Briton lands a big one. Winston Churchill, former British chancellor of the exchequer (in yachting cap), with 180 pound marlin swordfish which he landed off Catalina Island, Calif.”

Oscar Junior

1931. “It’s an old custom of Catalina Island. Oscar, jr., the sea lion, can be lured from the water almost any hour of the day with a tempting fish or two.”

Oscar, Again

1935. “Oscar keeps his dinner date. The well-mannered sea lion of Catalina Island waters rises to the occasion of a proffered herring. He never thinks of grabbing a leg by mistake.”

Two Boys and a Dog

1925. “Why the boys did not show up for lunch. Phil Conrad, the dog, Pal, and Donald Buddy with their morning catch, two albacore, at Catalina Island.”

Flying Fish at Night

1931, “Catching flying fish by searchlight. It’s the latest sport at Catalina Island, Calif. The light brings thousands into the air and they are easily snared with hand nets.”

Homemade Helmets

1933. “Off for a stroll on the bottom of the sea. It’s a new thrill for bathers at Catalina Island, off the California coast. Diving helmets, most of them homemade, are connected by hose with an air compressor ashore, permitting the wearers to explore the bottom at leisure.”

President Coolidge

1930. “A macaw is no respecter of persons. This one is taking a few liberties with Mr. Coolidge’s hat during the former President’s visit at the William Wrigley, jr., estate on Catalina Island. Mrs. Coolidge is an amused witness.”

Travel by Blimp

1920. “All aboard for Catalina! The Goodyear Rubber Company inaugurates America’s first dirigible passenger service – weekend trips between Los Angeles and Catalina Island, an oversea voyage of but a half hour’s duration. Our photo shows the pony blimp alighting on the water off Catalina to receive and discharge passengers and mail via a speedy motorboat.”

More Flying Fish

1932. “Caught in her net. The poor fish in this case is one of the flying variety which furnish novel sport for visitors to Catalina Island. They are snared in the air in this fashion from motorboats.”

Archery

1930. “Archery on the wing! Bathing girls trying to score bull’s eyes with the bow from fast moving aquaplanes. It’s the latest water sport at Catalina Island, where this was taken.”

Author: StrangeAgo