HOLDER, Charles Frederick

From Islapedia
Charlers F. Holder (1851-1915)
Charlers F. Holder and boatman, James Gardner
Santa Catalina Island, June 1, 1898
Charles Frederick Holder's tuna rod in action,
Santa Catalina Island, c. 1910
Charles Frederick Holder in the library of his Pasadena home. The rectangular photo above the bookcase is of Catalina Island; the man in the framed photo above the mantel is Charles Darwin, one of his heroes.
C.F. Holder (l), Gifford Pinchot (holding eagle),
George Pardee (r),San Clemente Island, 1909
Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, California
Captain Jim Gardner with Charles F. Holder
183 pound tuna, Santa Catalina Island, CA
The Haunts of the Black Sea Bass,
Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, 1891


HOLDER, Charles Frederick (1851-1915), Massachusetts born naturalist born to a wealthy Quaker family, Holder was an explorer, college professor, philanthropist, conservationist, sportsman, master swordsman and author. He loved the great outdoors and all things nature-related. Holder became assistant curator of zoology at the American Museum of Natural History (1871-1875) where his father, Dr. Joseph Holder, was the curator of invertebrate zoology. Diagnosed with a lung condition, Holder and his wife, Sarah, moved to Pasadena in 1885 at age 34. In Pasadena he became co-founder of the valley Hunt Club in 1888, and was the originator of the Tournament of Roses. Holder, a prolific writer, penned biographies of Charles Darwin (1891) and Louis Agassiz (1893) before writing his many books relating to fishes and fishing.

In 1898 Holder founded the Tuna Club, now a century old tradition on Santa Catalina Island. Its founding was prompted by Holder’s June 1, 1898 historic catch by rod and reel of a 183-pound bluefin tuna. With his catch, the public became familiar with the concept of capturing these fish with rod and reel. On June 1st, 1898 the Associated Press telegraphed the news around the world that none other than Charles Frederick Holder had been successful in capturing an 183 pound leaping tuna, dubbed by his angling companions as the first "very large one". Together with his boatman Jim Gardner, they battled the fish for three hours and 45 minutes, during which time their boat was towed over 10 miles in spite of Gardner's vain attempt to slow the fish by keeping his oars in the water. Holder was so inspired over his catch that he would later write, "It was this capture and the unsportsmanlike conditions of fishing the Island (handliners) which caused me to suggest the organization of the Tuna Club."

In 1910, Holder published The Channel Islands of California, the first book devoted to the subject. A memorial plaque at the north end of Avalon Harbor, Santa Catalina Island reads: “This tablet is placed here by friends of the naturalist who devoted himself to the preservation of wild game and sea life; who awakened the public conscience to the rights of birds and beast and fish, and whose work won at once the approval of sportsmen and the tributes of nations.”

“Charles Frederick Holder was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, August 5, 1851, and received his early education in the Friends' school at Providence, Rhode Island, and in Allen's preparatory school at West Newton, Massachusetts, as well as from private tutors; later on he developed an inclination toward naval life, and in 1869 he entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, but did not pursue the course there upon graduation. From his boyhood he showed the taste for hunting and fishing, and at the same time for the study of the habits of birds and fish, that was destined to grow with his growth and become the aim and pleasure of his life. In 1871, though but twenty years old, he became assistant curator of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and held this position until 1875... His marriage to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Ufford, of Brooklyn, took place November 8, 1879...” (Science, December 10, 1915)

Charles Frederick Holder was the only child of Joseph Bassett Holder (1824-1888) and Emily Augusta Gove (1829-1918), married in 1849. He died in Pasadena on October 11, 1915 as a result of an automobile accident when he was 64 years old. Holder is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California, next to his wife, Sarah Ufford Holder (1852-1925).


  • Charles Frederick Holder = [November 8, 1879] Sarah Elizabeth Ufford

1. Emily Eaton Holder (1884-1885)



  • Youtube-2.jpg Dr. Charles F. Holder





ISLAND BOOKS BY CHARLES FREDERICK HOLDER:

  • 1901. Holder, C. F. An Isle of Summer, Santa Catalina: It's History, Climate, Sports and Antiquities




ADDITIONAL BOOKS BY CHARLES FREDERICK HOLDER:


ARTICLES BY CHARLES FREDERICK HOLDER:

  • 1890. Holder, Charles Frederick. Jack and Jill Reynard St. Nicholas: Illustrated Magazines for Young Folks. New York: The Century Co. 18(Part 1): 55-57, November 1890.
[original in SCIF archives]
[original in SCIF archives]
  • 1892. Holder, Charles Frederick. An Isle of Summer, Santa Catalina Island. Los Angeles: Southern California Railway Co.,(1893). 14 pages, wrappers. 9 x 5 3/4 inches. Reprinted from The Californian, December, 1892. Fold-out map of Santa Catalina Island dated 1893 tipped to inside front cover.
[original in SCIF archives; ex-lib. M. D. Daily] [filed with Holder]
[original in SCIF archives; ex-lib. M. D. Daily] [filed with Holder]
  • 1897. Holder, C. F. Chinese Slavery in America North American Review 165(490):288-294, 1897
  • 1899. Holder, C. F. 'Game of Southern California Hotel Gazette and Outing News, January 1899.
[original in SCIF archives; ex-lib MDD]
  • 1899. Holder, C. F. The Bird Giants Scientific American 80:22, 1899
  • 1899. Holder, C. F. The Wind-swept Island of San Nicolas Scientific American 81:233-234, 1899
  • 1899. Holder Charles Frederick. A California Aquarium and Zoological Station [Catalina Island] Land of Sunshine 11(2):77-84, July 1899
[original in SCIF archives]
  • 1900. Holder, C. F. Diving for Zoological Specimens Scientific American 82:25, 1900.
  • 1900. Holder, C. F. Fighting Fire with Wine Scientific American 83:22, 1900
  • 1900. Holder, C. F. Some Curious Sculpins Scientific American 83:26, 1900
  • 1900. Holder, C. F. A California Cycleway Scientific American 83:2, 1900
  • 1900. Holder, C. F. How a Forest Fire Was Extinguished With Wine Wide World Magazine 5:28 (338-422), August [1]
  • 1900. Holder, C. F. The Chinese Slave Woman New York Times, September 23, p. 26
[original in SCIF archives]
[original in SCIF archives]
  • 1901. Holder, C. F. Ten-armed Game"' (hunting octopus) Outing Magazine, July 1901
  • 1901. Holder, C. F. Famous Basaltic Columns Scientific American 84:5, 1901
  • 1901. Holder, C. F. Running Down Whales Scientific American 84:8, 1901
  • 1901. Holder, C. F. Wild Animals in Winter Scientific American 84:21, 1901
  • 1901. Holder, C. F. The Turtles of Galapagos Scientific American 85:9, 1901
  • 1901. Holder, C. F. A Curious Means of Defense Scientific American 85:12, 1901
  • 1901. Holder, C. F. Some Trees and Forests of California Scientific American 86:5, 1901
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. A Pigeon Ranch Scientific American 86:7, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Tameness of Wild Animals Scientific American 86:19, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Buttes and their Formation Scientific American 86:20, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. The Utilization of Pampas Grass Scientific American 86:23
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Some Active and Extinct Volcanoes Scientific American 86:23, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Some California Lizards Scientific American 87:1, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Remarkable Engineering Feats in Railroad Work Scientific American 87:9, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Town Making a Science Scientific American 87:13, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. The Chinese Press in America Scientific American 87:15, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. A Curious Use for Elkhorn Scientific American 87:19, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Vocal Sounds of Fishes Scientific American 87:20, 1902
  • 1902. Holder, C. F. Interesting Facts about Pelicans Scientific American 88:26, 1902
  • 1903. Holder, C. F. Where Olives Grow Scientific American 88:12, 1903
  • 1903. Holder, C. F. The Ribbon Fish and the Sea Serpent Scientific American 89:6, 1903
  • 1903. Holder, C. F. Indian Granaries Scientific American 89:15, 1903
  • 1903. Holder, C. F. Trapping Big Game of the Sea Scientific American 89:22, 1903
  • 1904. Holder, C. F. Meteorites and Their Collectors Scientific American 90:1, 1904
  • 1904. Holder, C. F. Deap-Sea Sunfish Scientific American 90:2, 1904
  • 1904. Holder, C. F. The Windows of the Sea Scientific American 90:5, 1904
  • 1904. Holder, C. F. Natural Moments Scientific American 90:7, 1904
  • 1905. Holder, C. F. Scientific Disposition of Sewage Scientific American 91:17, 1905
  • 1905. Holder, C. F. Photographing Leaping Fishes Scientific American 92:17, 1905
  • 1905. Holder, C. F. An Interesting Shark Scientific American 93:13, 1905
  • 1906. Holder, C. F. Remarkable Phosphorescent Animals Scientific American 94:6, 1906
  • 1906. Holder, C. F. Through a Window of the Sea Scientific American 94:22, 1906
  • 1906. Holder, C. F. The Tameness of Wild Animals Scientific American 95:1, 1906
  • 1906. Holder, C. F. Photographing a Devil-Fish Scientific American 95:16, 1906
[original in SCIF archives]
  • 1907. Holder, C. F. A New Fish for America Scientific American 96:9, 1907
  • 1908. Holder, C. F. California Fishing Southern Pacific, 81 pages. Wraps.
[original in SCIF archives]
  • 1908. Holder, C. F. A Method of Transporting Live Fishes Paper presented before the Fourth International Fishery Congress held at Washington, D.C. September 22-26, 1908. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries 28:105-107, April 1910
  • 1909. Holder, C. F. The Flying Gurnards Scientific American 100:21, 1909
  • 1909. Holder, C. F. A Tame Nautilus Scientific American 101:16, 1909
  • 1910. Holder, C. F. The Esperanza Stone Scientific American 103(11):196, 1910


TUNA CLUB PLAQUE, SANTA CATALINA ISLAND: Bronze by artist Joseph Quillan 1998.

The sport of big game fishing originated in Avalon when Charles Frederick Holder caught a 188 :pound blue fin tuna wit sport fishing tackle on June 1, 1898. This angling milestone inspired him :to form the Tuna Club of Santa Catalina Island, an organization dedicated to promoting :conservation of our marine resources and good sportsmanship among anglers. It was once common for :vast schools of tuna to arrive in early summer within view of the island, often amazing onlookers :with their ability to make spectacular leaps after flying fish. THIS BRONZE IS TITLED LEAPING TUNA: To honor the great game fish and to commemorate the Tuna Clubs ‘Centennial Year.’

The base is in the outline of Santa Catalina Island, with a stripped marlin on the upper portion in recognition of it being caught here first in 1908, and the broadbill swordfish below it symbolizes the worlds earliest sportfishing capture of that species in 1918.

The Tuna Club of Avalon marks the birthplace of Modern Big Game sport fishing in 1898. Led by Dr. Charles Frederick Holder, the Club’s founding members adopted the rules of conduct stressing conservationist ethics and sporting behavior. Today their work remains the basis for the sport’s internationally accepted principles. California registered historical landmark #997. Plaque placed by the State Dept. of Parks + Recreation in cooperation with the Tuna club of Avalon June 8, 1991.

Tuna Club: placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.



In the News~

June 23, 1889 [LAT]: “Santa Monica. Abbott Kinney, C. F. Holder of Pasadena and Senator Jones spent the morning together…[designing] a proposition to establish here an aquarium here on the scale of those at Brighton, England and Naples, Italy… Mr. Holder is probably better posted on the subject than anyone on this coast…”


July 14, 1893 [SBDI]: “A very neat little pamphlet entitled An Isle of Summer — Santa Catalina by Charles Frederick Holder, descriptive of the mid-summer charms of that capital resort—Santa Catalina, is at hand. Persons desiring a copy can obtain one by calling in at the Santa Fe office.”


June 30, 1894 [LAH]: “Prof. Holder, formerly of the California Magazine, will spend the summer at this [Santa Catalina Island] resort.”


August 6, 1896 [LAH]: “Mr. W. H. Burnham [yacht San Diego] will have as a guest to San Nicolas Island Charles Frederick Holder of Pasadena.”


January 30, 1897 [LAT/P]: “The Pasadena Academy of Sciences was duly organized this evening at Throop Hall. The business meeting was preceded by some discussion of scientific subjects. Professor C. F. Holder gave an interesting address upon ‘Deep Sea Life’…He also touched upon the discoveries made at San Clemente Island and showed a number of skulls and utensils exhumed from an Indian grave.”


June 23, 1898 [LAT/SCat]: “Charles Holder described the black sea bass fishing at Santa Catalina. Dodd, Mead & Co., of New York publish a book this fall by the same author, entitled The Trip of a Submarine Boat to the Deep Sea, in which Santa Catalina figures prominently.”


September 17, 1898 [LAT/SCat]: “The San Diego, the handsome private yacht of Captain Burnham, left this morning with the captain and his family on board for San Pedro… Captain Burnham will return to Avalon Monday, and will leave the same day for San Nicolas Island, accompanied by Prof. C. F. Holder and Charles F. Lummis.”


September 18, 1898 [LAT/SCat]: “Perhaps the most interesting feature in the history of the Southern California islands is the story of the ‘Lost Woman of San Nicolas Island,’ who was deserted and recovered years later. Her cave and place of residence have never been found. During the coming week an attempt is to be made to find it, but the principal object of the expedition is to survey the big Indian mound on the island. It represents the accumulation of centuries. Commodore Burnham of the yacht, San Diego, is to make the trip, and he will have as his guests C. F. Holder and Sidney Smith of Pasadena, and E. L. Doran of Los Angeles. The yacht will leave Avalon Monday and will be gone a week or so.”


September 23, 1898 [LAT/SCat]: “Mrs. C. F. Holder, whose home is at the Metropole, has gone to Pasadena to spend a few days with relatives and friends.”


September 25, 1898 [LAST/SCat]: “San Diego party returned from San Nicolas Island… Landing in the surf was difficult and dangerous, and the party did not land at Corral Harbor, owing to the heavy sea… C. F. Holder, who has located fifty town sites on Santa Catalina, and who was with the party, stated that there was a continuous stretch of shell deposit left by Indians all along the shore… The party included C. F. Holder, E. L. Doran, Dr. G. Roscoe Thomas, Ralph Burnam, Sidney Smith and Commodore W. H. Burnham.”


October 6, 1899 [LAT]: “Prof. C. F. Holder and wife have again taken up their residence in Pasadena, after having spent two years at the Hotel Metropole.” [!]


March 1, 1901 [SBDI]: “Whales in channel. Sporting ground for them about the islands. Whales’ graveyard on Santa Rosa Island. Charles Frederick Holder tells an interesting story in the current number of Scientific American about the running down of whales in the Santa Barbara channel by steamers and points some of the supposed dangers to navigation from collision with the sea monsters… During the summer of 1900 the steamer Hermosa killed a whale off San Pedro, which was at least 80 feet in length… A curious incident may be related regarding the actions of a school of whales at the island of Santa Rosa… It was believed by those on the island that the whales became demoralized, as they deliberately ran ashore, and the remarkable sight of five or six large whales was observed helpless on the sands. Their bones remained for a long time on what became known as the whales’ graveyard.”


July 11, 1901 [SBDI]: “It was long ago Channel Islands were once mountains… Such is the conclusion of Charles F. Holder, stated in an article in the current Scientific American, on the subject of the Pacific coast islands…”


January 15, 1902 [LAT]: “Sardines and their protection constituted a subject of deep inquiry before the Board of Supervisors yesterday… The occasion was the hearing of a yard-long petition signed by the county’s leading sportsmen, two or three hundred in number, asking the board to pass an ordinance prohibiting pursenet fishing in the Pacific Ocean within a mile of the coast line... The Tuna Club, with piscatorial headquarters at Santa Catalina, is heading the protection campaign… The first witness was Professor C. F. Holder of Pasadena, founder of the Tuna Club and a biological specialist. It was his opinion that the fish are now needing protection—both the sardines and the game fish…”


June 12, 1904 [ACG]: “The Angler’s Tournament, by C. F. Holder, describing with pictures the curious and interesting fishing contests for prizes at Santa Catalina Island…”


June 11, 1907 [LAT/SCat]: “Avalon. Commodore Sinclair, with the yacht Lurline, also spent Sunday here, Professor C. F. Holder on board as guest of honor. They remained until this morning, then taking G. F. McConnell of Scotland, they sailed for San Clemente Island, accompanied by Mexican Joe and his launch, for a few days’ outing and fishing there.”


September 19, 1907 [LAT]: “Park at sea. Charles Frederick Holder writes to friends in this city that he expects to induce Gifford Pinchot, chief forester of the Agricultural Department, to undertake the reforestation of San Clemente Island and the creation of a great public park on one of the most beautiful Channel Islands on the coast…”


September 19, 1907 [LAH]: “Pasadena, September 18. To plant a forest on San Clemente and establish a free public fishing ground off the only island on the Southern California coast still belonging to the government is the project of Dr. Charles Frederic Holder, the well-known author, whose home is in this city. Dr. Holder recently submitted a plan to Gifford Pinchot, chief United States forester, and the two intend to spend three weeks on San Clemente Island in an effort to determine whether the project is feasible.”


October 15, 1907 [LAH]: “Professor Charles Frederick Holder has returned from an eastern trip and has left for a flying trip to San Clemente Island with Gifford Pinchot, the government forestry expert. The trip was taken with the idea of learning the possibility of reforesting the island for the benefit of fishermen and sheep herders.”


October 28, 1907 [LAT]: “Professor Pinchot visits island. The recent trip of Gifford Pinchot, superintendent of the Forestry Division of the Agricultural Department, to San Clemente Island, and the significant statements attributed to him as to the intention of the government to create a forest reserve of the islands of Catalina, Clemente and San Nicolas, has created some discussion here as to the attitude of the Bannings with regard to the proposition. It is the opinion of some that they will oppose it to the bitter end… Professor Pinchot, together with Professor Charles F. Holder, returned from a week’s outing at Clemente Island yesterday afternoon, and departed at once for Los Angeles on the Hermes…”


October 30, 1907 [LAH]: “Professor Charles F. Holder, who recently returned from San Clemente Island suffering from a severe cold, is now reported confined to his home and it is doubtful if he will be able to go to New York to attend the convention of sportsmen.”


July 5, 1908 [LAH]: “Gifford Pinchot, head of the United States forestry bureau, arrived in Los Angeles Friday night sand left early yesterday morning in company with George W. Woodruff, assistant attorney general of the interior department. He registered at the Van Nuys, while Mr. Woodruff stopped at the Angelus. In company with Senator Flint, Prof. Charles F. Holder and Secretary Garfield of the department of commerce and labor, who is now on his way from Honolulu and expects to arrive in Los Angeles Monday, Mr. Pinchot will take a two weeks’ vacation fishing in the neighborhood of San Clemente Island.”


July 19, 1908 [LAH]: “Assistant Attorney General George W. Woodruff, who has been enjoying a two weeks’ outing at San Clemente Island with Gifford Pinchot of the forestry service, Senator Frank Flint, Dr. H. L. Houghton of Boston and Prof. Charles F. Holder, left last night for Denver, where he will look after some land suits in the interest of the government…”


August 3, 1908 [LAH]: “Pasadena, August 2. Fish Stories, a book by Prof. Charles F. Holder and President David Starr Jordan of Stanford University, will be published by Henry Holt & Co. in about two months, according to the statement of Prof. Holder this afternoon… Another book which Prof. Holder has in preparation, to be published some time this winter, is The Channel Islands. This will cover a field which has hardly been touched by writers. It is already half written. ‘For the last few years I have been particularly engaged in archaeological researches in these islands,’ said Prof. Holder to The Herald correspondent this afternoon. ‘I have secured hundreds of photographs and much new data. Few people realize that these islands, now many of them entirely unpopulated, were once the homes of thousands of Indians. When I first visited San Nicolas Island, twenty-five years ago, there was a pile of abalone shells ten feet high and at least a mile long, the refuse from the Indians’ cooking operations. The site of the Hotel Metropole at Avalon, when I first saw it, was a black as ink from the fires, which had burned there during generations. Traces can still be seen by crawling under the porches there. All of the islands abound in archaeological remains.’ Prof. Holder states his book on the Channel Islands will be as large and of the style of his last book, Life in the Open, in which the illustrations are a notable feature.’”


September 24, 1908 [SFC]: “Los Angeles, September 23. With the cooperation of Giffort Pinchot, chief of the United States bureau of forestry, and of County Game Warden Morgan of Los Angeles the sportsmen’s clubs of southern California, led by the Tuna Club of Catalina, have started a movement for a national game fish preserve at San Clemente Island, about 60 miles at sea from San Pedro. The island is government property, leased for a number of years for grazing purposes. Most of the record breaking fish that are taken every year come from the vicinity of San Clemente, and it is a desire to protect these fish that congress at its next session will be asked to create the preserve.”


September 2, 1908 [LAT]: “Prof. And Mrs. Charles F. Holder caught a splendid lot of yellowtail, bass and barracuda yesterday. Mrs. Holder played a gamey yellowtail twenty-five minutes before it came to gaff.”


August 31, 1909 [LAH]: “Gifford Pinchot, chief forester and chairman of the national conservation committee, who is now conducting a political campaign in the northern part of the state, is due to reach Avalon September 3, en route for a two weeks’ fishing trip to San Clemente Island. As guests of Mr. Pincot, Prof. C. F. Holder of Pasadena, Senator Flint, Dr. Houghton of Boston and F. W. Fisher of New Haven, Conn., will compose the party. Camp will be pitched at Mosquito Harbor where it is reported that several tuna have been recently taken with handlines.”


August 31, 1909 [LAT/SCat]: “Avalon. Professor Charles Frederick Holder, Mrs. Holder, Mrs. John W. Hugus and Miss Pritchard registered at the Metropole Thursday. Mrs. Holder’s illness has prevented this dean of all Clemente Island, shortly after midnight this morning… For two weeks, the party, which, until last Monday, included Senator Flint and Stewart Edward White, has been exploring, tramping and fishing in and around the island. They have seen spectacular sights…”


August 31, 1909 [LAH]: “Gifford Pinchot, chief forester and chairman of the national conservation committee, who is now conducting a political campaign in the northern part of the state, is due to reach Avalon September 3, en route for a two weeks’ fishing trip to San Clemente Island. As guests of Mr. Pinchot, Prof. C. F. Holder of Pasadena, Senator Flint, Dr. Houghton of Boston, and F. W. Fisher of New Haven, Conn., will compose the party. Camp will be pitched at Mosquito Harbor, where it is reported that several tuna have been recently taken with handlines.”


September 24, 1909 [LAT/SCat]: “Captain William Banning, owner of the palatial craft, El Compañero, called Sunday at Mosquito Harbor, San Clemente Island, and invited Gifford Pinchot, former Governor Pardee and Dr. C. F. Holder to go to San Diego, but they were just leaving for Catalina. On the Compañero were Mr. and Mrs. George Patton, Miss Patton and Miss Banning.”


December 23, 1910 [SBMP]: “When Theodore Roosevelt visits Southern California about the first of March, he will spend at least three days in camp on San Clemente Island, fishing in company with Charles F. Holder and former Governor George C. Pardee. Mr. Holder, who is a close friend of the former president, is the discovered of San Clemente Island as a fisherman’s paradise and makes camp there at least once a year. He has introduced many of his friends to it, and Stewart Edward White, Gifford Pinchot, Frank P. Flint and others have become regular habitués...” [Note: Pardee, a Republican, was 21st governor of California. He served from 1903-1907.]


April 14, 1914 [TI/Avalon]: “Dr. Charles F. Holder of Pasadena and P. V. Reyes spent three days at Middle Ranch. Pete took several illustrations for a new book which is to be published shortly by Dr. Holder, and many new scenes have been taken. The new book will probably be the most artistic and descriptive account of Catalina ever published by this famous writer.”


March 29, 1915 [SBMP]: “The nearest approach to protection of fish was the law enacted two years ago through the activity of Dr. Charles F. Holder, scientist and authority upon all that relates to the Santa Barbara Channel. The law undertook to establish a fish haven within a three-mile radius of Catalina Island, all forms of fishing except angling being forbidden...”


October 12, 1915 [TI/Avalon]: “Charles Frederick Holder, former President and organizer of the Tuna Club, author and naturalist, and for many years one of the most prominent figures of Avalon, died Sunday afternoon at his Pasadena home. He suffered from heart trouble and for the last ten days practically no hope had been held for his recovery. He was 64 years of age. Mrs. Holder was at his bedside when the end came. The funeral will be held from the Pasadena home today. Professor Holder, as he was commonly known to his many Avalon friends, had taken an active part toward the protection of wild life and the preservation of fish and game. He was largely instrumental in securing the legislation that made Catalina Island a State fish preserve last August. Mr. Holder was born at Lynn, Mass. His books are widely read.”


October 13, 1915 [SBMP]: “Dr. Charles Frederick Holder died at his home in Pasadena Sunday afternoon. Dr. Holder’s fame as a naturalist and writer extends beyond the borders of this city and his state. In Pasadena he is especially honored as the founder of the Tournament of Roses. In California distinction came to him through the interest he has taken in fisheries and clean sports. In the nation his writings cause him to be chiefly remembered. His interest in the Santa Barbara Channel Islands was deep and sincere, and he has left us one of the most interesting volumes ever put forth on that entrancing subject. It stands as an authoritative historical and scientific record and contains much valuable information of a general character, relating to the island group. Dr. Holder also produced The Log of the Sea Angler, Big Game at Sea, and other interesting stories of the Pacific.”


February 24, 1916 [LAT]: “A pretentious memorial, in bronze and granite, is to be erected on Catalina Island in honor of the late Dr. Charles Frederick Holder, scientist, naturalist and writer…”



February 1, 1916 [TI/Avalon]: “Books of Dr. Charles Frederick Holder:

  • Elements of Zoology
  • Marvels of Animal Life
  • The Ivory King
  • Living Lights
  • A Strange Company
  • Around Pasadena
  • A Frozen Dragon
  • The Pasadena Highlands
  • Southern California
  • Antiquities of Catalina
  • Louis Agassiz, His Life
  • Life of Charles Darwin
  • Angling
  • Along the Florida Reef
  • The Treasure Divers
  • Stories of Animal Life
  • The Adventures of Torqua
  • The Holders of Holderness, or Pioneer Quakers
  • Big Game Fishing of the United States
  • Resources of Southern California
  • Animals of Forest Reserve
  • Life and Sport in the Open in Southern California
  • The Log of a Sea Angler
  • Big Game at Sea (with David Starr Jordan)
  • Along the Sierra Nevada
  • The Channel Islands
  • The Game Fishes of California


February 12, 1918 [TI/Avalon]: “Catalina has adopted the slogan: ‘Holderize for the conservation of the fishes.’”


February 19, 1918 [TI/Avalon]: “Tribute to memory of Charles F. Holder, written by George C. Pardee, ex-governor of California, for The Islander…”


February 21, 1932 [LAT]: “…The skeleton of an aboriginal musician was unearthed at Avalon some years ago by Professor C. F. Holder. This figure had been buried in a sitting posture surrounded by beautifully fashioned lutes, one made of the leg bone of a deer and decorated with bits of pearl and a rude mosaic of brightly colored shells…”

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