|
||
|
|
|
|
This circa 1895 photograph depicts Avalon on Catalina Island, viewed from Sugar Loaf. The tranquil harbor is dotted with small boats and a large moored vessel near the central pier. Prominent structures include the multi-story Hotel Metropole (built in 1888), surrounded by smaller Victorian-style homes and buildings, as well as a pavilion or rotunda structure on the left, likely used for gatherings or entertainment. The backdrop showcases the rugged hillsides framing the picturesque town, highlighting Avalon as a quaint, burgeoning seaside resort of the early 20th century.
The four additional original photographs on the verso of the mount depict a group of young men and women on a beach excursion, possibly on Catalina Island or elsewhere in Southern California. In one of the photos three of the men carry musical instruments, including a guitar, a banjo and a mandolin. Another shows a group posing on the beach in 1890s swimsuits.
Park & Co.
Frank L. Park was a landscape photographer active in Los Angeles and Catalina Island during the early 20th-century.
