Two Harbors in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Union Army Barracks

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 24, 2010

1. Union Army Barracks Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1864 as quarters for Company C, Fourth California Volunteer Infantry, which maintained order among the miners, discouraged smuggling of Chinese, prevented use of Isthmus Harbors by Confederate privateers and kept the island and its miners secure. The garrison, commanded by Captain R.B. West, was in place from January to December, 1864.

Erected 1978 by Platrix Chapter No. 2 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1864.

Location. 33° 26.37′ N, 118° 29.959′ 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,

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on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of U.S. 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 Union 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

Union Army Barracks building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 24, 2010

2. Union Army Barracks building

The building is now the Isthmus Yacht Club.

the 1920s and 30s, Hollywood film crews used the barracks as housing while filming movies such as Mutiny on the Bounty and other ‘South Pacific’ films. During World War II, the U.S. Coast Guard used the barracks as a training station for new recruits.

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 13, 2024.)

Barracks at Isthmus - circa 1887 image. Click for full size.

courtesy USC Libraries

3. Barracks at Isthmus - circa 1887

Barracks Building and Markers image. Click for full size.

4. Barracks Building and Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 6, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on May 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on January 5, 2022. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.