Little Harbor, Santa Catalina Island
Little Harbor, Santa Catalina Island is the location of “One of the Best Campgrounds in the West” according to Sunset Magazine. It is located about seven miles east of Two Harbors and 16 miles from Avalon on the seaward side of the island. Little Harbor is a sandy, beachfront campground with various opportunities for recreation. Amenities include picnic tables, BBQ and fire ring, showers, fresh water, chemical toilets, lockers and kayak rentals. This is the only campground on the remote “backside” of Catalina. There is a 10-day maximum stay.
The Little Harbor Inn was constructed by Dr. O. T. Fellows, as a stagecoach stop along the Bannings' newly constructed road from the isthmus. He began construction on August 12, 1894. The Inn provided meals and overnight accommodations. Water was brought from Middle Ranch or from a spring at the north end of Cottonwood Creek. By 1899 Fellows had moved to Pasadena, where he served as secretary to the Community Players of the Community Playhouse, a non-professional group interested in designing, acting, stagecraft, costuming, etc. He was also interested in writing.
Between March 26 and April 1, 1962, an episode of the television show, Route 66, called "There I am - There I always am" (starring Martin Milner, George Maharis and Joanna Moore) was filmed at various locations on Catalina, including Avalon and Little Harbor.
- 1959. Meighan, Clement W. The Little Harbor Site, Catalina Island: An example of Ecological Interpretation in Archaeology American Antiquity 24(4):Pt. 1, 383-405, 1959
- [original in SCIF archives]
In the News~
1876. White Bluff, Santa Catalina Island , California, Stehman Forney, 1876.—On the edge of the sea bluff about two miles east of Catalina Harbor and about a half mile west of a small harbor known as Little Harbor, where there is an old house and sheep corral. (Note 20, p. 617.) [Annual Report of the Director, U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey, 1904]
August 25, 1894 [LAH]: “The Little Harbor Inn is going a good business, having a number of guests, while all the excursionists around the island stop there. Arrangements are being made by which the innkeeper is to be notified. Thus, when a big party starts off in the morning to go around the island, a pigeon will be sent to Little Harbor with a message to prepare dinner for so many. In this way communication will be kept up all over the island.”
February 27, 1895 [LAH]: “The season begins and the mountain road is traveled. Avalon, Feb. 25. — The event of last week was the opening for the season of the stage road from the isthmus to Little Harbor. The road was in operation for a short time last summer, but those who enjoyed the drive then can form little idea of the grandeur of the trip in the months of winter and spring. Catalina has not in many years been so luxuriantly attired in the “mantle of green” and the drive up one of the finest mountain roads in the country, over the crests of the mountains, which rise nearly 2,000 feet above the sea, arouses the enthusiasm of all lovers of the picturesque. The road will eventually traverse two-thirds of the island, a distance of nearly forty mikes, and $50,000 will be expended in its construction. The following party, at the invitation of Judge Banning, made the initial trip: Frank W. Peacock, Mrs. George Farnsworth, Jose Connardo, Elwin Stanton, Mrs. C. R. Whiting, Mrs. M. H. Glen ie [?] and C. D. Rockwood. Luncheon was served at the Little Harbor Inn.”
March 8, 1895 [LAH]: “...The Little Harbor Inn under the management of O. T. Fellows is an attractive resort for coaching and yachting parties as well as for those who go over the mountain trails.”
March 19, 1895 [LAH]: “Late arrivals at the Little Harbor Inn include A. C. Roscoe, Visalia; S. W. Brown, Winona, Minn.; Richard C. Beebe, Stafford, Conn.;C. F. Wymond, Indianapolis, Ind.; Emmet V. Sullivan, Frank J. Sullivan, San Francisco; Henry Nichols, St. Paul; T. N. Van Doren, Omaha.”
April 7, 1895 [LAH]: “Mr. and Mrs. James D. Raymond and family of Chicago are spending a few days at Little Harbor Inn.”
April 20, 1895 [LAH]: “Recent arrivals at the Little Harbor Inn include T. J. Preussner, Mr. and Mrs. D. Price, Chicago; Samuel C. Gill, Pittsburgh; Paul C. Ransom, Buffalo; Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Langelere, San Francisco; Oliver O. App, Denver. Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Crossman, Lynn, Mass.; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Power, Los Angeles.”
May 19, 1895 [LAH]: “Among the arrivals at Little Harbor Inn are: Mrs. O.P. Wyland, Harlan, Ia.; Mrs. J. S. Wallace, Mendon, Ill.; Mrs. A. M. Pond, Rochester, N.Y.; W. H. Gabert and family, Telluride, Col.; Mrs. D. C. Higbee, Long Beach; William Henderson, University; Mrs. D. Bruton, Alameda; Monroe Hutchins, Los Angeles.”
June 1, 1895 [LAH]: “The Little Harbor Inn, open all the year round. G. T. Fellows, Proprietor. Pleasant accommodations, charming surroundings. Illustrated pamphlets mailed to any address. For full information apply to the Wilmington Transportation Co., 222 South Spring St., Los Angeles, Cal. Hancock Banning, Gen. Frt. and Pass. Sgt.; F. H. Lowe, Asst. Frt. and Pass. Agt.”
June 30, 1895 [LAH]: “...Now comes a gentle descent into a narrow canyon which opens gradually into a broad green valley surrounded by sloping verdure-covered knolls. Acres of wild flowers, comprising Mariposa lilies, eschscholzias, spring beauties, the Indian paint brush, wild hyacinth and heliotrope, pansies and shooting stars and many more delight the senses on every side. Sometimes our route lies among fields of yellow blooming cacti and then we are rolling along through miniature forests of pin oak, tallon and manzanita. Hundreds of mountain quail and doves, red foxes, lizards and the ubiquitous ground squirrels as well as thousands of sheep and occasional bands of mountain goats add their quota of interest to the drive. At the top of another ascent, far down the undulating hills below us, a first glimpse of Little Harbor is attained—its emerald waters sparkling in the sunlight and the foaming surf dashing high upon the snow-white beach. There is a halt of a few moments and from the top of a pole erected at this point a white flag is flung in the breeze. This signal announces to the proprietor of the inn that a horde of hungry travelers are about to bear down upon him and the simple rite suddenly becomes vested with a weighty personal significance. In another moment we are plunging down the grade and after an exhilarating drive around numerous hair-pin curves we draw rein in front of the Little Harbor Inn. The inn is perched on an eminence several hundred feet above the sea and is a favorite resort for those who prefer old ocean in its grandeur and more soul-stiring mods. Rugged walls torn asunder by storm-tossed seas, masses of giant boulders and rocks of every shape and almost every hue abound on all sides and o'er a weird and startling contrast to the peaceful, wind-sheltered shores of Avalon. A curious shelving peninsula, studded with deposits of glittering minerals and crystals, juts out from the shore and divides the harbor into two coves, one of which is perpetually wind and tempest tossed while the other is as calm and unruffled as a lily-pad pool in New England. Boating, fishing, bathing, hunting and driving are the staple amusements at Little Harbor and the day is not far distant when this picturesque portion of Catalina will rival Avalon itself. After a hearty luncheon prepared by Manager Fellows of the inn the return to Avalon is made over the same route...”
September 8, 1895 [SFCall]: “...By and by Little Harbor comes into view, and a glimpse of the surf dashing on the rocks is caught. A halt is made, and the signal flag that announces to the proprietor of the Little Harbor Inn that he will have company for dinner is duly hoisted...”
September 15, 1895 [LAH]: “Capt. G. A. Greely, the crack whip and proprietor of the stage line from the isthmus to Little Harbor inn, was at the Metropole.”
June 24, 1896 [LAH]: “Avalon, June 23. — Monday was a lively day for excursion parties, the largest being a party who visited the Isthmus on the speedy yacht La Paloma, and from there by stage eight miles to Little Harbor hotel, on the opposite side of the island.”
July 1, 1896 [LAH]: “...The jolly party visited the Little Harbor Inn over the stage line of eight miles from the isthmus, and to the isthmus by boat, a trip of fifteen miles from Avalon, on the beautiful fast power launch La Paloma...”
July 4, 1896 [LAH]: “The fast power yacht La Paloma sailed away from Avalon yesterday morning for the isthmus, which lies fifteen miles distant. From there they took the stage coach, with six horses attached, the ribbons being held by that chief of California stage drivers, George Greeley, for the Little Harbor Inn, which lies eight miles away, on the opposite side of the island. The highest point to which the stage ascends overlooks the ocean on both sides, with the deep blue sea 1200 feet below, a good view of San Clemente twenty-eight miles to the south, Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and the mainland could be had. The trip was enjoyed by Mrs. Emma Northrup of Milwaukee, Miss Sarah Ping of Burlington, In., Miss G. E. Eggleston of Upper Sandusky, O., Mrs. M. E. Jenkins and Miss Grace Jenkins of Lincoln, Ill., W. E. Waddell and Robert C. Root of Ontario, Cal., Henry G. Hill of Allegheny, Pa., Dr. W. G. Schlosser, Captain and Mrs. Sennett and Mrs. Kuhl of Santa Clara, Cal., John L. Haller of New Orleans, La., W. B. Flower was the photographer of the party and made some fine views. Several whales were encountered and Mr. George Schaffer, assistant cashier of the First National Bank, hauled in some fine barracuda while trolling.”
July 13, 1896 [LAH]: “The following took the six-in-hand coaching trip from the Isthmus over the mountains to Little Harbor Inn, which is located on a cliff overlooking the ocean on the opposite side of the island. They were: H. C. Larew, the genial conductor of the A.P.R.R., with his home in Winslow, Ariz., C. F. Pickering, Fred Mannel, H. M. Prichard, Chicago, Miss M. E. Peteler and F. M. Darling.”
September 3, 1896 [LAH]: “A goodly number of people continue to arrive daily on the Hermosa, though travel is not so heavy as it was in August. It is hard to account for this, as September is always the hottest and most sultry month of the year in Los Angeles... The trip to the isthmus by water on the beautiful power yacht La Paloma and from the isthmus to Little Harbor hotel, located on the opposite side of the island on a bluff, where one can hear the breakers roar and see the spray of the waves, which dash themselves against the rocks below, is a favorite amusement of many guests.”
September 9, 1896 [LAH]: “Those taking the trip to the isthmus on the fast steam yacht La Paloma and stage trip to the Little Harbor hotel were Miss Nellie Platt, Miss A. Dorr, Los Angeles; Mrs. C. G. Lopez, San Gabriel; A. F. Moreno, Miss D. Dorr, C. W. Jargstorff, Dr. J. C. Parr, C. W. Chase, Mrs. J. Parr, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hutchins, R. Edgar, Los Angeles; V. C. Harvey, New York; Carmecita Lopez, C. R. Pierce, Pasadena.”
June 13, 1897 [LAH]: “...finally reaching the summit and crossing the island to Little Harbor Inn, from there extending to the isthmus, giving the visitor a variety of scenery — sea and mountain — and an experience in coaching seldom found...”
