Skip to Content
History

TOPLESS TACOS ~ CATALINA ISLAND PHOTO ESSAY

rsz_freedom.jpg

January 01, 2008

"The nineteenth century was an era of significant change for Santa Catalina Island. The Island was host to Spanish ships, Native Americans, Russian and Aleutian otter hunters, miners, ranchers, and a company of Union soldiers. As the century drew to a close the Island’s history took an interesting turn when the fishermen and sheepherders were joined by entrepreneurs with the foresight and vision to develop the Island into a resort community. " www.ecatalina.com

rsz_cansticker2.jpg
toplesstacos.jpg

"At the time of first European contact, it is thought that the people living on Santa Catalina Island called their island Pimu and themselves Pimungans (or Pimuvit). They were excellent seamen and paddled their plank canoes skillfully across the sometimes treacherous channel to trade. After Spanish colonization, their apparently flourishing population declined drastically with the introduction of new diseases to which they had little immunity. As the mission system altered the economic landscape of Southern California, the Pimungans' trade and social networks were disrupted." www.catalina.com

rsz_spain.jpg

statue.jpg
rsz_phonefirst.jpg

"In the aftermath of this enormous culture shock, their society could no longer sustain itself. By the mid-1820s, the few Pimungans left had migrated or were moved to the mainland. The Pimungans, along with other Native American groups that were in the sphere of influence of Mission San Gabriel, came to be referred to in the European community as Gabrielinos. There are people living in the Southern California area today who have Gabrielinos among their ancestors. Some are actively involved in researching and preserving their traditional culture." www.catalina.com

rsz_pottery.jpg
rsz_10571.jpg
greenhouse.jpg
yellowhouselarge.jpg
cataotherside.jpg
abandonedlarge.jpg
trolley.jpg
truckroute.jpg
largebandit.jpg
wrong.jpg
waterflightlarge.jpg
street.jpg
horses.jpg
hikinglarge.jpg
birdhouses.jpg
islanddj.jpg
pinkcar.jpg
greatantonio.jpg
pierlarge.jpg
goinpeace.jpg
sunset1.jpg
queenmary.jpg

Queen Mary, Long Beach.

frankiely has a blog

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

The Evil Cooks Open Their First Brick-And-Mortar In ‘Hell Sereno’

After being a pop-up taquería since 2018, Evil Cooks' now has a brick and mortar business a few blocks away from their original front yard location, featuring their infamous taco creations like their 'McSatan' and 'Rock Lobster.'

November 13, 2024

Nine L.A. Restaurants That Will Do Thanksgiving For You, From Pupusas to ‘Chinese Turkey’

From 12-hour-roasted brisket in East L.A. to a Thai feast in Atwater and Chinatown’s famous Chinese Turkey, have a stress-free Thanksgiving and buy your dinner this season at these L.A. restaurants.

November 12, 2024

This Weekend: Thai-Salvadoran Sandwiches, Asado Negro Tacos, and New Westside Korean

Plus wild caught Maine lobster rolls, Guatemalan garnachas on a lake, and a favorite for tacos al vapor.

November 8, 2024

L.A.’s First Cochinita Pibil is Legendary and Still Amazing, 52 Years Later

“Cochinita is my fountain of youth,” jokes Marc Burgos, the second-generation owner of this pioneering panaderia. At 50 years old, he is younger than his father’s pioneering Yucatán bakery, the first in L.A. to offer cochinita pibil tacos. 

November 7, 2024

The 24 Best Tacos Al Pastor, Adobada, and Árabes In Los Angeles

Is al pastor L.A.'s official taco? Judging by the sheer amount of crispy-edged trompos dotted around every single corner of this beautiful city, we can certainly make that argument. Here is our vetted list that took us nearly two decades to compile. ¡Provecho!

November 7, 2024
See all posts