Tuna Club of Avalon
Also known as: Tuna Club
Why it's listed
Perched on pilings over Avalon Bay on Catalina Island, this two-story wood frame clubhouse at 100 St. Catherine Way was completed in 1916 for the Tuna Club. It replaced an earlier clubhouse that burned in 1915. The building shows Craftsman elements: a hipped roof, horizontal siding below and shingles above, a tripartite arrangement with a tower section at each end, and low dormers. Boats can reach the rear of the building. The only notable alteration came in 1946-47, when the seaward deck was enlarged and a small Ladies Annex was added. The club was founded in 1898 by Dr. Charles Frederick Holder and associates, who drew up what are described as the first rules for sporting take of fish and early rules for ocean conservation. These rules were later adopted by angling clubs worldwide. Between 1916 and the early 1940s the club was the most prominent big game fishing club in the world, and it is still used as a clubhouse.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its Craftsman architecture, as the city's major example of that styling on a non-residential building, and as one of Avalon's oldest non-residential buildings. It is also the home of the Tuna Club, founded in 1898, which wrote the first rules for sporting take of fish and early ocean conservation rules. From 1916 into the early 1940s the club was the most prominent big game fishing club in the world.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 91000338, listed April 2, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100 St. Catherine Way, Catalina Island, Avalon |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | April 2, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000338 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1916-1939 |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Conservation, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a clubhouse; pilings, underpinnings and subfloors were replaced in 1989 with no change in appearance. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.34568, -118.32721 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 91000338.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16902060
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.