Wrigley Memorial

At the far end of the botanic garden on Catalina Island  is this austere tower of stone.  It is a monument to William Wrigley, Jr., but so much more!  It is a love story between a man and a woman.  It is a love story between a man and his island.  The closer we got to this building, the more intriguing it became.  From the distance you cannot make out the details of the building:  the colorful Catalina tile, the blue flagstone, the pink and green marble and oh(!) those fabulous bird friezes.  And, of course, once you climb all those steps, you are rewarded with a spectacular view of the Avalon Harbor.

Ada Wrigley built this beautiful arched tower in memory of her husband.  It was designed by the architectural firm of Bennett, Parsons and Frost of Chicago and completed in 1934.  The designers used as much material from Catalina Island as they could.  The aggregate stone was quarried and crushed on the island, and all the blue flagstone used on the terraces were found locally.    The decorative tiles were from the tile company that Wrigley founded.  Catalina tiles reflect the Spanish influence of California's history. 

The bronze doors leading up to the top were made in Chicago.  The green and pink marble came from Georgia.  The overall effect is absolutely beautiful.

William Wrigley, Jr. bought Catalina Island, sight unseen, in 1919.  When he and Ada finally came out West to see what they had purchased, they fell in love with the place and ultimately made the island their home.    He is attributed to making Catalina the "Playground of the Stars", but he also made it accessible to everyone.  I am impressed by how quaint and lovely the island still is.  Eighty-eight percent of the island is now under a Conservancy program to keep it wild, rugged and natural for future generations.

He was interred at the Memorial until after World War II.  His remains were then moved to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale.  But his spirit resides here.

View from the top