Spook's Cave, Santa Catalina Island

Spook's Cave, Santa Catalina Island [aka Spook Cave], is in the vicinity of Long Point, the widest point of the island.

In the News~

June 21, 1919 [LAH]: “Spook Cave on Catalina Island is soon to divulge its weird mysteries to the world. Engineer A. B. Waddingham has a crew of workmen at Long Point, seven miles north of Avalon, with power and dynamite, prying into the secrets of nature, for centuries hidden from the curious eyes of man. Capt. Joseph McAfee, after some 10 years of exploring the rugged coast of Catalina, contends that visitors to the isle of enchantment have in reality been able to see only a small portion of its natural beauties and has therefore contracted with Engineer Waddingham to make Long Point and its four deep caves accessible to visitors. The plans of Capt. McAfee include a resort at Button Beach, which will be the landing for Long Point. Here will be built a pavilion for dancing, a dining room and rest rooms. Wails from Spook Cave. A few hundred feet from Button Beach is Spook Cave, an immense hollow with some 20 feet of water. The surface is a placid pool, but from its depths emanate terrific roars and wails. Scientists attribute the cause to the peculiar air pressure caused by the water rushing over the rocks. The Indians who formerly inhabited the island believed that a terrible monster, chained in the cave, was straining to tear itself loose, and no Indian ventured near. Cabrillo's men thought that the ghosts of former explorers inhabited the cave. Connecting with Spook Cave are three other caves with waters rushing through them, and three natural aquariums at their base are filled with fish of every description. Varied Cliffs. Perpendicular cliffs running to a height of more than 100 feet overhang the caves. These are of varigated colors. Huge slabs of deep maroon and bright cobalt blue form picturesque contrasts. Vivid green quartz and white marble ribbons intermingle. According to plans drawn by Engineer Waddingham, a causeway, just wide enough for one person, will be built around the cliffs and across the gaps. A stairway will lead to the top of Long Point. The summit of this jagged cliff will form a remarkable observation point from which one can look down into the submarine gardens at the base and out over the open sea. The causeway will give sightseers the opportunity of entering the caves and looking out, while the rustic bridges across yawning chasms and around the rims of overhanging cliffs will give thrills in plenty for the most venturesome. ”