This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
Photograph was edited for publication purposes In 1928 William Wrigley, Jr. built the Santa Catalina Bird Park in the Avalon Canyon, which covered eight full acres of land. The "world's largest birdcage" was constructed from the steel structure of the Sugarloaf dance pavilion, that had previously been torn down to make way for the famous Catalina Casino. Over 500 cages of varying sizes housed over 8,000 different species of rare and exotic birds from all over the world, making the Bird Park the Island's most popular attraction. During WWII the Bird Park was significantly scaled back because visitation to the Island was limited, and the Park never regained its pre-war vitality. After dazzling visitors and bird lovers for over thirty-five years, the Bird Park was forced to close its doors in 1966; the birds were transferred to the Los Angeles Zoo. What was once the "world's largest birdcage" is now a playground for Avalon Preschool. Photograph caption dated April 8, 1947 reads, "Papa Emu, the cross word puzzle bird at Santa Catalina Bird park, has the duty of hatching out the family. Once the eggs are laid by Mrs. Emu, mama goes gallivanting; papa, by coercion of the missus, sets on the eggs for a 38-day incubation period. Believed to be the first time Emus have attempted to raise a family in captivity, ornithologists are anxiously awaiting the blessed event--and Papa Emu looks very unhappy."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Emus--California--Santa Catalina Island Birds--California--Santa Catalina Island Birds--Eggs--California--Santa Catalina Island Aviaries--California--Santa Catalina Island Captive wild animals--California--Santa Catalina Island Parks--California--Santa Catalina Island Islands--California, Southern Santa Catalina Bird Park (Avalon, Calif.) Santa Catalina Island (Calif.) Avalon (Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
