One of the visual attractions of the City of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island is the Wrigley Mansion, sitting on a hill, commanding a view of both Avalon Bay and the Catalina Casino. First time visitors to the Island gaze up at it, wondering what it is. Tour groups pass by its closed gates, learning of the family that once lived there.
William Wrigley Jr. on the cover of Time Magazine.
William Wrigley founded and owned the Wrigley Chewing Gum Company in Chicago. He built this six-bedroom “summer cottage” in Avalon, after he purchased the Santa Catalina Island Company in 1919 from William Banning.
Purchasing the Island Company effectively gave Mr. Wrigley control of almost the entire Santa Catalina Island. With that control came the responsibility for the Island’s future – a responsibility the Wrigley family continues to take very seriously to this day.
William Wrigley Jr. and Ada Elizabeth Foote Wrigley.
Wrigley named the hill on which the Mansion sits, Mount Ada, for his wife Ada Elizabeth Foote Wrigley. The home was constructed in 1921. It is a two story, L shaped building of wood frame construction, incorporating Colonial Revival references, within about 7,000 square feet. There is a main residence, servants quarters, garage and various landscape elements.
Entrance to Wrigley Mansion, now Inn on Mount Ada, flanked by fluted Doric columns.
The chief architect was David M. Renton with Albert Conrad as landscape architect. The property sits approximately 350 feet above the sea and is said to have served as a “Summer White House,” as Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover visited the politically active Wrigley family. Sports figures visited the home as well, since Catalina Island was one of the training grounds for the Chicago Cubs baseball team, owned by Wrigley.
After Mr. Wrigley’s death in 1932, the Catalina Island Company kept the home open for public tours as members of the Wrigley family moved to other homes on the Island. The property was donated to the University of Southern California in 1978 and used as a conference center. In 1985, the University leased the property to Marlene McAdam and Susie Griffin, who opened it to the public as the Bed and Breakfast “Inn On Mount Ada.” Recently, the Santa Catalina Island Company has taken over the lease and now operates the Inn.
The Inn is probably the most expensive hotel on the Island, but the accommodations are one of a kind, reflecting the style of the bygone era in which it was built. But not exactly:
The 1920’s style was darker and heavier than today’s styles and so the “summer cottage” was lightened up a bit for contemporary tastes, while still retaining the flavor of the past.
Comfortable living room for guests of the Inn on Mount Ada.
Some years ago, as a fundraiser for the Catalina Island Museum, one-night guest accommodations were auctioned off. One year, we were fortunate enough to win one of the coveted prizes and slept in Mrs. Wrigley’s bedroom, which has a spectacular view and a cozy fireplace.
Your luncheon table awaits with a spectacular view.
These days, it is not necessary to stay at the Inn in order to enjoy the mood of the Inn. Last year, the Inn opened for lunch. When you arrive, you can visit the public rooms, terraces and gardens to get a taste of history and some wonderful views of Avalon and Avalon Bay. You can see why the Inn has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Luncheon is served from Noon to Two PM daily. The price is $30.00 per person. To make reservations for lunch call (310) 510-2030. To get to the Inn, call a cab (310) 510-0025 or you can walk up from our condo. Turn right at the Bahia Vista Condominiums entrance, walk to the next street, Wrigley Road, and follow the road up to the Wrigley Mansion. It is an uphill walk, but the views you will see along the way are wonderful. You might want to bring your camera.
The “summer cottage” is just another example of the historic features and natural beauty that have kept us fans of the Island for over thirty years.
Here are some photographs we took when we lunched there last fall.
Looking down Wrigley Road and Avalon Canyon.
Looking directly down at Avalon beaches from the Inn on Mount Ada.
A Room with a View.
Happy Mount Ada cat feeling at home.
Slight breeze on a very nice day at the Inn on Mount Ada.
Restored wood exterior moulding.
Fine details and craftsmanship from another era.