1- Warm Welcome
Ahoy Matey!Welcome to Catalina Island!My name is Captain Dane and along with the creators of Catalina Compass,We thank you for joining us today!Before we dive in, make sure the app is fully downloaded and your phone is charged.Ear phones are definitely helpful, Avalon can be a noisy little town!Our app uses your phone's location to play the tour automatically, just follow my voice to each stop. Our adventure will last about an hour. **We’re here for a good time, not a long time!**Now, let me set the scene for you… Catalina Island stretches 21 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point. Avalon, the quaint little town before you, is just 1 square mile and home to about 4,000 year around residents.I do have to say, this place is quirky! We have a casino with no gambling, a 3rd street but no 1st or 2nd street, a bird park with no birds, and fish that fly!Today we’ll begin our tour at Old Ben Park. Check out the beautiful bronze statue of Ben,the famed sea lion who called Avalon Bay his home in the late 1800’s.He welcomed visitors, delighted locals, and playfully pestered fishermen for a bite of fish over the course of many years. Today, just like Old Ben, we welcome you to Avalon.Alrighty then, Anchors Away!Let’s stroll along the bay towards the Green Pier.As you walk, look ahead, to the right and you’ll notice the cream colored wall with the spiraled ends, this is the serpentine wall.Let’s follow it as it snakes its way along Crescent Avenue.Our first stop is the colorful tiled building at the corner on the left. Once there, we’ll uncover the fascinating stories behind the vibrant tiles that add so much character to our charming town.
2- Tile Trivia
CAPTAIN DANE"As we pause in front of this dazzling, tile-covered gem, let’s hear from Robin Cassidy, our local tile expert. Robin has personally replicated and replaced much of the Catalina tile you will see on our tour today..ROBINThank you Captain Dane! Hey friends!Let’s take a moment to admire the face of this colorful building. It is covered with a full display of original island made tile.The Catalina Pottery Company, Founded in 1927, produced brick, tile, tableware and decorative pottery using the island’s very own clay.Once you start looking, you'll spot the decorative tiles everywhere around town. They brighten up walls and splash magic on fountains.Can you find some of the unique gems on this building?Check out the two very small marlin tiles on each side of the entrance; these rare pieces have withstood the test of time. Look up! See the lion heads at the top of the tiled columns? These one of a kind pieces are definitely hidden in plain sight!Isn’t it amazing that the same clay used to create the decorative tile you see in front of you is the same that lined the old streets of Avalon and also produced the roof tiles atop many of the buildings in Avalon?Here’s a fun fact: It’s said the roof tiles around town were shaped by draping the slabs of clay over the legs of the factory workers!Avalon’s history is so interesting! Back to you Captain, I'll catch up with you again later.CAPTAIN DANEThank you Robin, that was fascinating!Let's continue walking, following the serpentine wall toward the pier.Now that you know a bit of Catalina tile history, be on the lookout for tile as we walk through town.We’ll meet at the foot of the green pier and share a little secret about this unique curved wall we have been following.
