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

Channel Crossing

— Hole 3 —

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 7, 2022

1. Channel Crossing Marker

Inscription. On May 10, 1912, aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin was the first person to successfully cross the Catalina Channel by air. Martin equipped an ordinary land plane with pontoons and departed from Newport Beach. He arrived in Avalon Bay less than an hour later. You can find a plaque commemorating his flight on the serpentine wall near the Pavilion Lodge on Crescent Avenue.

Erected by Santa Catalina Island Company.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1912.

Location. 33° 20.558′ N, 118° 19.592′ W. Marker is in Avalon, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from Sumner Avenue south of 3rd Street, on the left when traveling south. Located in Golf Gardens, at hole 3. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Avalon CA 90704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Flight - Newport to Catalina (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Legacy of Blanche W (about 600 feet away); Avalon Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Tuna Club of Avalon (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Leaping Tuna (approx. ¼ mile away); Wrigley Field in Los Angeles

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Catalina Island Yacht Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wrigley Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Avalon.

Regarding Channel Crossing. This was the fastest and longest flight over water at that time.

The Pavilion Lodge on Crescent Avenue is now called the Pavilion Hotel.

The Glenn L. Martin Company was an aircraft manufacturer originally founded in 1912. In 1961, the Martin Company merged with American-Marietta Corporation, forming the Martin Marietta corporation. In 1995 Martin Marietta merged with Lockheed Corporation to form today’s Lockheed Martin corporation.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — The plaque commemorating his flight, on the serpentine wall near the Pavilion Hotel on Crescent Avenue.

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 7, 2022

2. Channel Crossing Marker

Glenn L. Martin at Avalon image. Click for full size.

courtesy Catalina Island Museum

3. Glenn L. Martin at Avalon

This photo is on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.