1914 – BEFORE THE FIRE
This view captures Avalon before the devastating 1915 fire, when much of the waterfront had already begun to take shape as a growing resort destination. The fire that started near the Hotel Metropole would destroy many of the buildings that lined the harbor, forever changing the town's landscape.
1915 – THE 1915 FIRE
In the early morning hours of November 29, 1915, a fire started near the Hotel Metropole. By sunrise, nearly half of Avalon’s buildings and homes were destroyed. The volunteer fire department was no match for the blaze. Avalon lost six hotels that night, along with the Pilgrim Club, Grill Café, Tuna Club, Bath House, and nearly every home between Whitley Avenue and Hill Street.
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The town smoldered for three days. Damage was estimated at more than $2 million, but the community—and the Banning Brothers—were determined to rebuild.
1919 – CRESCENT AVENUE & THE 1919 FIRE
This photo of Crescent Avenue, taken before the 1919 fire, shows H.D. Mac Rae’s shop on the corner of Crescent and Sumner Avenues, where the drug store is today. The H.D. Mac Rae Curios shop advertised a circulating library, Indian baskets, Navajo blankets, wireless telegrams, souvenirs, fishing tackle, stationery, and news. On August 29, 1919, a fire at Lefavors Department Store destroyed the buildings located where the hotel stands today.
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Long before Hotel Mac Rae opened its doors, H.D. Mac Rae was already part of Avalon's growing community. After the 1919 fire destroyed the buildings on the site where Hotel Mac Rae stands today, he purchased the two lots and built the hotel in 1920, beginning the next chapter in the property's history.
1920 – BREAKING GROUND & THE CASINO PAVILION
Mindful of Avalon’s recent fires, H.D. Mac Rae built the hotel using hollow clay tile (seen in this photo). By using clay tile over wood, H.D. Mac Rae promoted the property as Avalon’s “1st Fire Proof Hotel.” In 1920, the large rock point inshore from Sugarloaf was removed, and a 90' wide by 45' high Casino Pavilion was erected.
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The original pavilion remained until 1927, when it was removed to make room for today’s Casino building. Its steel skeleton was moved to Bird Park, becoming part of what was once the world’s largest aviary (housing approximately 6,500 exotic birds from about 1930 to 1966). The Park later closed, and the birds were transferred to the Los Angeles Zoo. The pavilion skeleton remains at Bird Park today, though it is no longer an aviary.
1921 – 4TH OF JULY
Celebrating the 4th of July on the beach in Avalon in 1921. The brand-new Hotel Mac Rae stands proudly in the background, and the H.D. Mac Rae Curios Shop is still on the corner.
