Bird Park Santa Catalina Island Tour Bus Real Photo Postcard Island Photo
$ 10.56
Description
Bird Park Santa Catalina Island Tour Bus Real Photo Postcard Island Photo. A periodtour bus marked “Santa Catalina” is prominently displayed in front of the entrance, reflecting the island’s early tourism culture. Bird Park on Santa Catalina Island was a celebrated tourist attraction built in1928 by William Wrigley Jr., the chewing gum magnate who developed much of Catalina’s tourism infrastructure after purchasing the island in 1919. Description Offered here is a vintage real photo postcard featuring Bird Park on Santa Catalina Island , showing the distinctive Spanish-style entrance building with a Catalina Island tour bus parked in front . The image is captioned at the bottom: “Bird Park – Santa Catalina” “Island Photo – 16” The photograph captures the Mediterranean Revival architecture of the park entrance, surrounded by Catalina’s rugged hillside landscape and tall eucalyptus trees. A period tour bus marked “Santa Catalina” is prominently displayed in front of the entrance, reflecting the island’s early tourism culture. This is an excellent historical image of one of Catalina Island’s once-famous attractions. Historical Context Bird Park on Santa Catalina Island was a celebrated tourist attraction built in 1928 by William Wrigley Jr. , the chewing gum magnate who developed much of Catalina’s tourism infrastructure after purchasing the island in 1919. The park was designed to house an extraordinary collection of exotic birds from around the world , reportedly including more than 800 birds representing over 300 species . Visitors arriving in Avalon often took guided tours by bus to see the park, making scenes like this a familiar part of the Catalina travel experience. The building itself was constructed in a Spanish/Mediterranean Revival style , reflecting the architectural aesthetic popular in Southern California resort destinations during the 1920s and 1930s. Bird Park remained one of Catalina Island’s signature attractions until World War II , when the birds were relocated and the park eventually closed. Postcard Details Title on Card: Bird Park – Santa Catalina Publisher: Island Photo Series Number: 16 Location: Santa Catalina Island, California Card Type: Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) Printing Method: Silver gelatin photographic print Back Type: Divided back Stamp Box: Stylized “Place Stamp Here” box (mid-20th century style) Estimated Date: circa 1930s–1940s Postal Status: Unused Printing Origin: United States Unlike lithographed cards, real photo postcards were produced directly from photographic negatives , giving them greater detail and tonal depth. Why Collectors Value This Card This postcard is particularly appealing to collectors of: Santa Catalina Island history Southern California tourism Early Avalon attractions Transportation and tour buses Real Photo Postcards (RPPC) Historic amusement parks and zoological collections Bird Park was one of the island’s most unique attractions, and photographs of it—especially with period Catalina tour vehicles —are increasingly sought after by collectors of California resort history. Condition Vintage postcard in very good antique condition . Condition details: Light corner and edge wear consistent with age Minor surface wear and faint age toning Reverse shows a light pencil notation “c.1938” and small inventory number No stamp or postmark (unused) Please review all photos carefully for condition details. A wonderful historic Catalina Island real photo postcard showing the famous Bird Park entrance and Catalina tour bus , perfect for collectors of California resort history, Catalina Island memorabilia, and vintage travel photography.
