People have been living on Catalina Island for over 7,000 years.  The island is only only 22 miles long and 8 miles wide.  From the mainland, it is a 20 mile journey across the Pacific Ocean.  The island was originally inhabited by Native Americans who called the island “Pimungna” or “Pimu.”  They sustained themselves mostly by fishing because plants were really difficult to grow.  Sometimes they would trade sea products with the main land.

In 1542, the explorer, Juan Cabrillo, first came to Catalina and claimed the land for Spain.  He brought the Catholic religion to the Native Americans and also built missions.  The native people were colonized and forced to leave their traditional ways of life.  Spaniards also brought disease which caused many Native Americans to die out.  Foreigners were not allowed on the island, however, Spain did not have enough ships to guard the perimeter.  Hunters from Russia could easily hunt otters and then sell their pelts for lots of money.

The island was good for smuggling.  This is because there were so many coves and it was very close to the mainland.  You could even find pirates there.  Chinese immigrants were also smuggled in through the coves.  Today, you can still find “China Point” on the south-west end of Catalina.

In the mid 1800s, gold was discovered on the Island.  Many people moved to the island in hopes of striking it rich.  However, there was very little gold to be found.  One man, Samuel Prentiss, who was Catalina’s fist non-native permanent resident, spent thirty years looking for gold without luck.  In 1864, the United States stopped mining for good and told everyone to get off the island.  They wanted to use Catalina to house Union troops during the Civil War.

By the late 1800s, very few people lived on the island except for a few cattle herders.  However, Los Angeles was only 20 miles away and had a growing population.  It was decided that the island would be developed into a “vacation destination.”  Many hotels and buildings were constructed.

Catalina Island was closed during World War II for military training.  Military camps were set up all over.  The Coast Guard, the Army and the Navy all did underwater training.

On February 15, 1975, 90% of the island was handed over to the Catalina Island Conservancy.  Today, you can visit the island and learn all about its history and even attend 6th grade camp!