Catalina Chimes Tower

William Wrigley and his wife, Ada purchased the Deagan Westminster chimes from the J.C. Deagan Company of Chicago in December 1925 and a Spanish-style structure was built to house the chimes.  The Catalina Chimes Tower was presented as a gift to the town of Avalon by Mrs. Wrigley. 

It was Mrs. Wrigley's hope the unique sound of the melodic chimes would waft across the town for years to come, bringing joy to all who visited Avalon and add even more charm to the magical island that had captivated she and Mr. Wrigley when they arrived six years earlier as the island's new owners.

The chimes test was attended by Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Deagan and Santa Catalina Island Company General Manager, D.M. Renton who stood across Avalon on the front porch of the Wrigley home, Mt. Ada.  The citizens of Avalon stopped in the streets to enjoy the melodic tones.  The chimes have entertained millions of Avalon residents and visitors ever since. However, after 90 years, while the chimes are in good order and continue to ring on a daily basis, the tower surrounding them has deteriorated due to its advanced age.

The chimes operate on a time mechanism and originally rang out every fifteen minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Through the years the chimes were often taken off the timer when Jani Eisenhut stepped into the tower to play special tunes for Christmas, Easter and other events.  Jani was the only Catalina-born islander allowed to play the chimes. Sometimes Jani played for no other reason than for the sheer joy and love of it. 

In 2013, the board of the Santa Catalina Island Company decided to create a non-profit foundation and deeded the chimes and tower to it.  The newly formed Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation has received many gifts from both local residents and island visitors has made great strides in restoration and continues its fundraising efforts to complete the beautification of the iconic structure and its surroundings including a complete refurbishment of the chimes and mechanism.  

"Every moment is delightful on Catalina and now each time you heara the chimes, you may know you have had another fifteen minutes of joy on the Magic Isle."

Visalia Morning Delta article circa 1926

After contacting the CCTF and receiving a reply from the CCTF Treasurer, Catherine K. Stephens I have learned the current status of the tower and its chimes.  Ms. Stephens correspondence is below:

Hi Pat, We received your inquiry.  We are working with a group out of Ohio, Chimes Master, who work closely with some of the few experts on original Deagan Company of Chicago chimes.  We have spent a few years restoring the structure and are now focusing in on the instrument.  Plans include the restoration of the chimes and mechanism including its 20 strikers, tubular bells and dampers as well as the electrical wiring and wood structure itself.  Our website includes a bit more detail on what this will involve.  All of this is made possible by our generous donors. We hope you can join us, either in person or virtually, for our upcoming fundraiser on 10/7/23.  Link below.  Sincerely, Catherine

onecause.com

catalinachimes.org/restoration