Two Harbors in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Site of U.S. Army Barracks
1864
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 24, 2010
1. U.S. Army Barracks Marker
Site of U.S. Army barracks during Civil War period.
One remaining building now Isthmus Yacht Club.
Dedicated October 28, 1989, Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, Andrew A. Quaglia, Grand President.
Erected 1989 by Native Sons of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 33° 26.371′ N, 118° 29.961′ W. Marker is in Two Harbors, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from the intersection of West Banning House Road and Two Harbors Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Avalon CA 90704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Union Army Barracks (here, next to this marker); Catalina Island Yacht Club (approx. 11.8 miles away); The Leaping Tuna (approx. 11.9 miles away); The Tuna Club of Avalon (approx. 11.9 miles away); The Legacy of Blanche W (approx. 11.9 miles away); Wrigley Field in Los Angeles (approx. 12 miles away); Channel Crossing (approx. 12 miles away); First Flight - Newport to Catalina (approx. 12.1 miles away).
Regarding Site of U.S. Army Barracks. This is the oldest building on Catalina Island. The Union Army occupied the island for only nine months in 1864. There is no record of why they were here. Some historians think it was to prevent Confederate troops from occupying the island and attacking Union shipping routes off the Southern California coast. Others say it was to establish an Indian reservation for militant Native Americans.
During the 1920s and 30s, Hollywood film crews used the barracks as housing while filming movies
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 24, 2010
2. Barracks Building
The building is now the Isthmus Yacht Club.
Isthmus Yacht Club was established here in 1951. It is a private yacht club that leases the historic barracks from the Santa Catalina Island Company. There are 26 membership couples - each get a private room. In addition, there are four guest rooms, shared bathrooms, and an adjacent galley kitchen.
Also see . . . Podcast: Memorializing the West. Huntington-USC series about historical plaques includes a half-hour discussion on this historic site. (Submitted on May 1, 2024.)
3. Barracks Building and Markers
courtesy USC Libraries
4. Barracks at Isthmus - circa 1887
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 5, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on January 5, 2022. 4. submitted on May 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
