From Norma Jeane to Maryilyn Monroe

Norma Jeane Mortenson was born June 1, 1926 and was baptized Norma Jeane Baker three months later.  Norma Jeane was the otherwise non-descript third child of Gladys Baker who struggled with mental heath issues and reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown in 1934 which meant a life of orphanages and foster homes for her child.  Although her mother, Gladys did her best to provide for Norma Jeane which included bringing her to Catalina Island and visiting the Catalina Casino as a child.

During her lifetime and prior to becoming Marilyn Monroe she lived on Catalina Island as a 16 year old teenage bride.  Her husband, Jimmie Dougherty, a Merchant Marine once said they had an apartment that "looked straight across at the mansion on Mt. Ada built by one of the Wrigley heirs".

Norma Jeane Dougherty 

with the Catalina Casino in the Background

built by William Wrigley, Jr. 

While there is no definitive proof, the apartment at 310 Metropole Avenue is visited annually by hordes of tourists who to this day believe Jimmie and Norma Jeane lived at Catalina Island address.  Today, 310 Metropole Avenue is a 1,720 square foot multi-family home on a 1,926 square foot lot with 7 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.  The home is currently off the market and based on Avalon data the estimated value is $1,066,164.00. I suspect the price is due to many believing Norma Jean lived here during her short-lived married life to Jimmie Dougherty on Catalina Island.

According to Catalina Island Museum spokesperson, Gail Fornasiere, anexhaustive search was performed in an attempt to locate the actual residence, but historians could only find a post office box where the couple received their mail.  The museum has nevertheless accumulated a tremendous amount of information about Norma Jeane's life on the island and even gained national attention for an exhibit entitled Before She was Marilyn held during the summer of 2011 .. August 6 through October 31.

As years passed Dougherty wrote a book entitled To Norma Jeane, with Love.  If the book can be believed, their life on Catalina was at least enjoyable and his antidotes provide the reader with a glimpse into the life of the woman who later became one of the most famous women in the world. He did admit he did not entirely know the woman he married .. "I never knew Marilyn Monroe, I knew and loved Norma Jeane". 

After Dougherty shipped out, Norma Jeane moved back to the San Fernando Valley, got a job with a defense contractor at the Radioplane Munitions Factory, was discovered by a photographer, began modeling and we all know .. the rest of the story! 

The famous picture of Marilyn Monroe laughing as her skirt is blown up by the blast from a subway vent was shot on September 15, 1954 during the filming

of The Seven Year Itch

Marilyn's co-star in the movie was Tom Ewell 

The iconic subway grate dress sold at auction for $4.6 million.