Hotel Mac Rae

Family History

Prior to 1840	Mr. and Mrs. John Mac Rae migrated from Scotland to Glengarry, Ontario, Canada.
1841	John Ann Mac Rae was born to John Mac Rae.
1872	Herbert Dewey Mac Rae was born to John A. and Prudence A. Mac Rae in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
1885	Mr. and Mrs. John A. Mac Rae moved their family to California.
1906	Herbert D. Mac Rae moved to Catalina Island where he met his wife Margaret Grant, originally from Pictou, Nova Scotia. Herbert D. Mac Rae became the head accountant for the Banning Brothers, the owners of Catalina Island at that time. Herbert D. Mac Rae also opened the Avalon Branch of the H.D. Mac Rae Curios and Fishing Tackle Shop.
1919	A fire in Avalon engulfed the buildings that occupied the two lots currently occupied by the Hotel Mac Rae. Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Mac Rae purchased these two lots from the Banning Brothers just prior to the sale of Catalina Island to the Wrigley Family in 1919.
1920	Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Mac Rae built the Hotel Mac Rae building out of Catalina Island hollow clay tile to make it the "1st Fire Proof Hotel" in Avalon.

Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Mac Rae had a daughter, our Grandmother Margaret May Mac Rae (Peggy). Peggy grew up in the hotel, attended USC, and then raised 2 children of her own in what are now rooms 211 and 212. She was a resourceful woman and managed to add 8 rooms onto the hotel and furnish all rooms with their own bathroom. The hotel has continued to remain "in the family"since 1920 and the fourth generation"Mac Rae" family now cordially invites you to be our guest at the family owned and operated Hotel Mac Rae.