THE WRIGLEY MEMORIAL
AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
 The
Monument
The Wrigley Memorial honors the memory of William Wrigley Jr., who lived from
1861 to 1932. Although best known as the founder of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company,
largest manufacturer of chewing gum in the world, he also played an instrumental
role in the history of Santa Catalina Island. He truly loved the island, and
with undying enthusiasm and energy, he brought numerous improvements: public
utilities, new steamships, a hotel, the Casino building, and extensive plantings
of trees, shrubs and flowers. William Wrigley Jr.'s greatest legacy was his remarkable
vision and plan for the future of Santa Catalina Island -- that it remain protected
for all generations to enjoy.
With its commanding view of Avalon Bay, the Wrigley Memorial is the centerpiece
of the Botanical Garden. It was built in 1933-34 with the goal of using as much
Catalina materials as possible. Quarried Catalina stones can be seen in the reinforced
concrete construction -- the facade having been sandblasted to hide the cement
and highlight the native crushed stones.
The blue flagstone rock on the ramps and terraces comes from Little Harbor,
on Catalina's "back" side. And the red roof tiles and all the colorful
handmade glazed tiles used for finishings came from the Catalina Pottery plant,
which was in operation from 1927 to 1937. The marble inside the tower was quarried
in Georgia.
 The
Garden
The idea for a garden came from Mr. Wrigley's wife, Ada. In 1935, she supervised
Pasadena horticulturalist Albert Conrad, who planted the original Desert Plant
Collection. Santa Catalina Island's temperate marine climate made it possible
to showcase plants from every corner of the earth.
In 1969, the Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation expanded and revitalized the
garden's 37.85 acres. Along with the new plantings came a new attitude. In the
same way that the Wrigley Memorial uses primarily native building materials,
the Garden places a special emphasis on California island endemic plants. (Plants,
which grow naturally on one or more of the California islands, but nowhere else
in the world.) Many of these plants are extremely rare, and some are on the Endangered
Species list.
The Memorial Garden is particularly concerned with the eight
Catalina endemics - plants which grow naturally only on Santa Catalina Island.
The Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation maintains a special interest in the preservation
of all Catalina endemics, including the rare Catalina Ironwood.
In 1996, the Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation merged with the Catalina Island
Conservancy. This was a natural combining of two important ecological organizations,
both dedicated to the protection and restoration of Santa Catalina Island.
Hours and Directions
Persons with disabilities may arrange for assistance when visiting this facility by calling (310) 510-2897.
Hours
The Garden is open daily from 8a.m to 5p.m., year round.
Admission
Admission is free to Catalina Island Conservancy Members
Adult Admission is $5, Senior Admission (60 and over) is $3.00
Children (under 12) are free
Getting There
The Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden is one and one-half miles up Avalon
Canyon Road. The walk is pleasant, passing the Golf Course, the town's ballpark,
and the Hermit Gulch campground.
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