In the 1850s and 1860s, Catalina was also home to gold miners as the result of a minor gold rush, though evidence that gold was ever on the island is inconclusive. Pirates, of all countries, including Spain, also found that the island's abundance of hidden coves, as well as its short distance to the mainland and its small population, made it suitable for smuggling activities. Russian hunters from the Aleutian Islands, and America set up camps on Santa Catalina and the surrounding Channel Islands to hunt otters and seals around the island for their pelts. It lacked the ships to enforce this prohibition also, many inhabitants of the colonies wanted to trade with other European powers by themselves, and the island served as home or base of operation for many visitors. While Spain maintained its claim on Catalina Island, foreigners were forbidden to trade with colonies. įranciscan friars considered building a mission on Catalina, but abandoned the idea because of the lack of fresh water on the island. By the 1830s, the island's entire native population had been forced to the mainland on the Spanish missions or to work as ranch hands for the many private land owners. The colonization of California by the Spanish greatly contributed to the decline of the Pimugnans because of diseases brought by the Spanish from Europe. Vizcaino renamed the island in the saint's honor. Over half a century later, another Spanish explorer, Sebastián Vizcaíno, arrived at the island on the eve of Saint Catherine's day (November 24) in 1602. On October 7, 1542, he claimed the island for Spain and named it San Salvador after his ship. The first European to set foot on the island was the explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who sailed in the name of the Spanish crown. The island was valued for its natural resources, but was also respected by the Tongva as an important "ceremonial center" with connections to the village of Povuu'nga, located in present-day Long Beach. This material was in great demand and was traded along the California coast. The Pimugnans were renowned for their mining, working and trade of soapstone which was found in great quantities and varieties on the island. The Pimugnans had settlements all over the island at one time or another, with their biggest villages being at the Isthmus and at present-day Avalon, Shark/Little Harbor, and Emerald Bay. The Tongva called the island Pimu or Pimugna and referred to themselves as the Pimugnans or Pimuvit. Prior to the modern era, the island was inhabited by the Tongva, who, having had villages Chowigna ( San Pedro) and Guashna ( Playa del Rey), regularly traveled back and forth to Catalina for trade. Īrcheological evidence shows Native American settlement beginning in 7000 BC. Main article: History of Santa Catalina Island (California) Ti'at are plank boats still constructed by the Tongva to travel from the mainland to Pimu (Santa Catalina Island) similar to the Chumash tomol (pictured). The remaining population is scattered over the island between the two population centers. Development also occurs at the smaller settlements of Rancho Escondido and Middle Ranch. The second center of population is the unincorporated village of Two Harbors at the island's isthmus. Its total population in the 2010 census was 4,096 people, 90 percent of whom live in the island's only incorporated city, Avalon. Since the 1970s, most of the island has been administered by the Catalina Island Conservancy. During this time, the island was sporadically used for smuggling, otter hunting, and gold digging, before successfully being developed into a tourist destination by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. Over the years, territorial claims to the island transferred it to Mexico and then to the United States. The first Europeans to arrive on Catalina claimed it for the Spanish Empire. Most of the land on the island is unincorporated and is thus governed by the county.Ĭatalina was originally inhabited and used by many different Southern California Tribes, including the Tongva, who called the island Pimuu'nga or Pimu and referred to themselves as Pimugnans or Pimuvit. Politically, Catalina Island is part of Los Angeles County in District 4. Geologically, Santa Catalina is part of the Channel Islands of California archipelago and is the easternmost of the Channel Islands. The highest point on the island is Mount Orizaba (2,097 ft or 639 m). The island is located about 29 mi (47 km) south-southwest of Long Beach, California. The island is 22 mi (35 km) long and 8 mi (13 km) across at its greatest width. Santa Catalina Island ( Tongva: Pimuu'nga or Pimu Spanish: Isla Santa Catalina often shortened to Catalina Island or just Catalina) is a rocky island off the coast of Southern California in the Gulf of Santa Catalina.
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