John's Island Cafe, Santa Catalina 1940s/50s Menu Art by Dorothy & Otis Shepard
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William Wrigley Jnr, of Wrigley chewing gum fame, developed the little town of Avalon on Catalina Island as a tourist destination in the 1920s. Ever since this vacation paradise, lying some 20 miles off the Southern California coast, has been a haven for pleasure seekers who enjoy its unique beauty.
We think John’s Island Café was established in the 1920s to cater to this new wave of tourists – we’re still researching the exact date.
However, this wonderful menu cover with its striking blue, brown and orange colors is probably dated in or around the early 1950s, judging from the prices of the food.
The image of yachts sailing closer to the island, as well as the attractive fonts, are a great example of mid-century design.
This is one of a series of menu illustrations created by the visionary graphic designers Dorothy and Otis ‘Shep’ Shepard. From 1934 to 1938, the talented couple designed every element of the nascent vacation paradise including signage, typography and menus to give Catalina a cohesive image.
On the back of the menu, there’s a note that says John’s Island Café has been ‘on the ocean front for 25 years.’
It matches another vintage Catalina menu illustration in our collection that has a colorful portrait of a winking chef – presumably John the owner. That menu is simply called John’s Café and is dated from the 1930s.
In 1975, the chewing gum entrepreneur’s son Philip deeded 42,135 acres of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, giving the non-profit control of about 90 per cent of the island, thus ensuring that the entity protects and preserves this beautiful part of California.
Each print is accompanied by a copy of the interior menu or cover.
