The new retaining wall is now complete with white stucco, inlayed Catalina tiles, a car port, and a metal railing and gate enclosing the terraced yard with a beautiful Catalina Tile fountain and bench.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
History of the House
1915 - A fire started in the bakery of the Hotel Metropole (built by the Banning brothers) and destroyed the whole Northwest side of Avalon. Every building on our side of town was burned. The museum has a picture of a charred hill, with the arches of our foundation from the original house still standing.
1918 - Steve Brodie (money from L. A. White King Soap Co.) built our present house on the old foundation.
1934 - Bud Upton added the Ratskeller, doing the mural, woodcarvings, and chairs (originally covered in red Catalina goat skin). Brodie entertained lavishly.
1945 - Brodie, in failing health, sold the house to Mattson, who had the Avalon Drug Store.
1960 - Mattson died on Catalina and the house went to his daughter Norma Sims. (His other daughter Alva Reed inherited the drug store.)
1960 to 1962 - Jerry Goldsmith rented the house from Sims. He composed the music for the "The Prize" and "Lilies of the Field" on the piano in the Ratskeller.
1918 - Steve Brodie (money from L. A. White King Soap Co.) built our present house on the old foundation.
1934 - Bud Upton added the Ratskeller, doing the mural, woodcarvings, and chairs (originally covered in red Catalina goat skin). Brodie entertained lavishly.
1945 - Brodie, in failing health, sold the house to Mattson, who had the Avalon Drug Store.
1960 - Mattson died on Catalina and the house went to his daughter Norma Sims. (His other daughter Alva Reed inherited the drug store.)
1960 to 1962 - Jerry Goldsmith rented the house from Sims. He composed the music for the "The Prize" and "Lilies of the Field" on the piano in the Ratskeller.
Sept 20, 1964 – Dr. Staff and Family purchased the home from the Sims.
October 21, 2001 - Dr. and Mrs. Staff pass away in tragic fire in the home.
2001 - 2003 - House is fully remodeled and improved with 6 bedrooms and bonus room.
August 21, 2008 - Family matriarch and docent providing most of the above history passes away.
Catalina Trivia
Questions:
How much did the Bannings pay for Catalina in 1894?
What was the name of the Chinese Junk that sunk in Cat Harbor in the early 1900’s and continued to show for over 50 years?
When was the golf course built?
How many people visited Avalon in 1930 and what were the two steamships?
Who said “Do you want to go to the dance tonight?” and here did the roof for the main aviary at the Bird Park come from?
Who greeted the SS Catalina? When did the SS Catalina arrive and when did it leave?
What airline company serviced the Airport-in-the-Sky in the 50’s?
What 2-engine seaplane serviced the Island for over 20 years? What was the name of the 4-engine seaplane from the early 60’s? Can you name a pilot of the Avalon seaplanes?
What night was “Islander Night” at the Casino?
What used to be where the dive park is now off the Casino?
What did they race through the interior in the 50’s?
What luxury hotel was located where the Beach Club is today?
What annual festival included men with beards, a beauty contest, and people thrown off the Steamer pier?
Who used to do a swan dive off the front of the SS Catalina and looked like Mr. Clean?
Where did the Cubs have spring training and when?
What famous Dodger had a summer baseball camp for boys?
Why do locals refer to their phone numbers with 4 numbers or less?
What is the tallest mountain in Catalina? What is the second tallest peak? What President resembles a rock formation from “China Wall”?
Are there surfing spots on Catalina?
Who is buried in the Wrigley Mausoleum?
Answers:
$128,749
The Ning Pu
Actually the course started with 3 holes before 1900, grew to 7, then 9 in 1920, then 18 in the 30's and is auguably the oldest course west of the Mississippi. The course went back to 9 during WW2 and may soon be 18 again.
750,000, the SS Catalina and SS Avalon
The mina birds at the Bird Park and the old roof from the original Casino.
Mariachis, Mexican street dancers, and coin divers ”Throw a coin” and noon and 4:00 pm.
United Air Lines flew DC-3’s.
Grumman Goose, the Mother Goose, and Bob Hanley
Tuesday
A diving bell. It was an elevator at the end of a pier that would take you about three floors under water.
Antique racing cars and motor cycles
The Saint Catherine – You can still see the remains of the semi-natural outdoor swimming pool.
Buccaneer Days
The Duke of Catalina
Where the new City Hall is being built adjacent to the #1 fairway. 1921-1951 Jimmy Lefebvre
All Avalon phone numbers start with the same prefix (310-510) and direct dialing did not start until the late 60’s. Many of us remember…”Number please”
Orizaba (the flat topped peak), Blackjack, and Kennedy Rock
Yes…Shark Harbor and Ben Westin
Nobody…Catalina tiles
See the Catalina Museum at the Casino for more historical information and www.ecatalina.com/museum.asp
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