The Isthmus of Catalina Island is a section of land that joins the northwestern portion of Santa Catalina Island to the main part of the island. It lies approximately 22 miles southwest of San Pedro Harbor.

Many Hollywood movies were filmed in the area in the 1920s and 30s because it provided an economical way to film Polynesian and other landscapes. The Isthmus Movie Colony, as it became known, was the setting for classics such as the first Mutiny on the Bounty, Treasure Island, King of Kings, Count of Monte Cristo, Captain’s Courageous and The Ten Commandments.

The herd of bison kept on Catalina today are descended from animals brought to the island in the 1920s for the filming of The Vanishing American, a Western based on Zane Grey’s novel of the same name.

Filming stopped when WWII broke out and the island became a training camp for US armed forces.

This menu cover with its classic design and wonderful fonts was for the Isthmus soda fountain that served cold drinks and sandwiches.

We think this menu is from the 1950s. We will add more information as we receive it.