This beautiful Moroccan-style chime tower houses the Deagan Tubular Bell Carillon situated above the City of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. The Cap’n and I hiked up to the top of Chimes Tower Road to get photos of the chime tower and of Avalon Harbor. The chimes sound periodically, as well as can be played manually or with piano rolls on special occasions.
About the CHIMES TOWER:
Built in 1925, the Chimes Tower was presented as a gift to the town of Avalon by Mrs. Ada Wrigley. Located up and across from the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel, the chimes have been tolling on the quarter of the hour between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM since 1925. On holidays and special occasions the chimes are played manually and can be heard throughout Avalon.
About John C. DEAGAN:
Deagan was founder, and for many years president, of the Deagan Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of percussion instruments. He was an orchestra leader at Niblo’s Garden and at Tony Pastor’s in New York and was director of the orchestra at the Opera House in St. Louis. He became director of the Catalina Island Band in 1893 and while there was interested in perfecting percussion instruments. Deagan died at the Surf and Sand Club at Hermosa Beach, Calif., April 28, 1934 and was buried in the family vault in Chicago.