This collection includes approximately 40,000 photographs by commercial photographer Ralph Morris, who worked in the Los Angeles area from 1939-1981. His advertising and industrial clients included department stores, restaurants, the automobile and petroleum industries as well as business executives. Also included is the Luckhaus Studio collection of architecture, fashion, the movie industry, sports and street scenes, images which Morris obtained in 1939. Avalon, or Avalon Bay, the only "official" city on Santa Catalina Island, is a rural waterfront town with the usual tourist-oriented businesses and services lining the coastline. Beside Avalon, the only other center of population is the small, unincorporated town of Two Harbors on the island. The S.S. Catalina, known as "The Great White Steamer", was laid down on December 26, 1923, christened on May 3, 1924, completed in 1924, and took its maiden voyage on June 30, 1924. The 301-foot ship, originally built at a cost of $1 million dollars, was in service from 1924 and carried about 25 million passengers between Los Angeles and Avalon Harbor until she was retired on September 14, 1975. The S.S. Catalina has been recognized as a Historic-Cultural Monument, #213, and is a California State Historic Landmark. She was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. View 3: View of the dock, or ferry slip, which is full of passengers that appear to be unloading out of the S.S. Catalina, nicknamed "The Great White Steamer". Dozens of people wait for these travelers, making a pathway for them to walk through. The Post Office and Island Gift Shop can be seen on the left, and several small boats are visible to the right of the wharf.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
S.S. Catalina (Ship) Passenger ships--California--Los Angeles Boats and boating--California--Santa Catalina Island Islands--California--Santa Catalina Island Ferries--California--Santa Catalina Island Streets--California--Santa Catalina Island Piers--California--Santa Catalina Island Ocean travel Santa Catalina Island (Calif.) Avalon (Calif.)
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