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

The Leaping Tuna

— Thunnus Thynnus or Bluefin Tuna —

Photographed by Wyndfire, November 15, 2011

1. The Leaping Tuna Marker

Inscription. The sport of big game fishing originated in Avalon when Charles Frederick Holder caught a 183 pound Blue Fin Tuna with sport fish tackle on June 1, 1898. This angling milestone inspired him to form the Tuna Club of Santa Catalina Island, an organization dedicated to promoting conservation of our marine recourses and good sportsmanship among anglers. It was once common for vast schools of tuna to arrive in early summer within view of the island, often amazing onlookers with their ability to make spectacular leaps after flying fish. This bronze is titled “Leaping Tuna”, to honor the great game fish and to commemorate the Tuna Club’s “Centennial Years”. The base is in the outline of Santa Catalina Island, with a stripped Marlin on the upper portion in recognition of it being caught here first in 1903, and the Broadbill Swordfish below it symbolizes the worlds earliest sportfishing capture of that species in 1913.

Erected 1998 by artist Joseph Quillan.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1898.

Location. 33° 20.747′ N, 118° 19.626′ W.

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Marker is in Avalon, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Saint Catherine Way north of Crescent Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 St Catherine Way, 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,

in 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 walking distance of this marker: The Tuna Club of Avalon (a few steps from this marker); Catalina Island Yacht Club (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Legacy of Blanche W (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Flight - Newport to Catalina (approx. ¼ mile away); Channel Crossing (approx. ¼ mile away); Independence Day - Catalina Island (approx. ¼ mile away); Avalon Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Avalon

The Leaping Tuna image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wyndfire, November 15, 2011

2. The Leaping Tuna

Bronze statue outside of the Tuna Club, dedicated to the club's founder.

(approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Avalon.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2011, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. This page has been viewed 1,699 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 20, 2011, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.