About the Banning Family

Information about the Banning family of Catalina Island. See about the Banning Brothers and other People in Catalina's History.

In 1894 (some sources say 1892 and some sources say 1891) three sons of Phineas Banning (William, Joseph and Hancock) purchased Catalina Island for $128,740. They formed the Santa Catalina Island Company to develop the island as a resort, they provided steamship transportation to Catalina, and they began operating a tour service for visitors to the island.

They developed the city of Avalon, they built the Banning House Lodge, they operated stagecoach tours of the interior, and they made today's beach areas at Casino Point, Descanso Beach, and Lover's Cove more accessible. They built the Green Pleasure Pier 1909.

A 1915 fire burned down half of the buildings in the town of Avalon. Fire losses and other issues forced the Banning Brothers to sell Catalina Island to William Wrigley, Jr. in 1919.

Resources

- California for Visitors "Banning Brothers" Profiles
- Banning Museum in Wilmington California
- Catalina Island Company "Banning House Lodge History" Article

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People in the History of Catalina Island

Catalina Island Travel Guide

California for Visitors

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