Avalon’s beloved Chimes Tower will soon mark a milestone that few landmarks ever reach: its centennial. The Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation has announced a year of celebrations in 2025 to honor the tower’s 100 years of ringing across the town and harbor, a sound woven deeply into Avalon’s cultural identity.
Originally commissioned in 1925 by William Wrigley Jr. and his wife Ada, the Chimes Tower was built to house a set of Deagan Westminster chimes that have played their melodic tones every hour, quarter hour, half hour, and three-quarter hour for nearly a century. For Ada Elizabeth Wrigley, the chimes were not simply music but a gift meant to bring joy to Avalon’s residents and visitors, a tradition that has endured for generations.
“The Chimes Tower is an enduring symbol of Avalon’s cultural heritage,” said Alison Wrigley Rusack, co-founder and board chair of the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation. “We are proud to honor the vision of my great-grandparents while preserving the joy and character the chimes have brought to Catalina Island for a century.”
In preparation for the centennial, the foundation has spent the past decade carefully restoring both the tower and the historic instrument inside. Current efforts include final mechanical refurbishments, landscaping, and the addition of a new viewing terrace designed to give visitors panoramic views of Avalon while offering greater public access to the landmark. These enhancements ensure that the tower remains a vital part of Catalina’s skyline and an enduring part of the visitor experience.
To support the work, the foundation has introduced new ways for the community to contribute. Through the Chimes Club, members can make one-time or recurring donations and, for an annual fee of $300, receive a vintage “Chimes Club” ball cap and recognition on the foundation’s website. Contributions are now easier than ever with platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo available, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to sustaining the tower for another century.
Formed in 2013 by the Santa Catalina Island Company, the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation has led the restoration and beautification of the landmark with support from local residents and visiting donors alike. With the centennial celebration approaching, the ringing of the chimes continues to serve as both a connection to Avalon’s history and a promise of its future.
For more information or to contribute to the ongoing restoration, visit CatalinaChimes.org.
