George Banning, 94; Grandson of the Developer of Catalina Island
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George Hugh Banning, the last surviving grandchild of Gen. Phineas Banning, who developed Santa Catalina Island, Los Angeles Harbor and much of what is now Wilmington, died Sunday in La Jolla.
The journalist, author and former postmaster of South Pasadena was 94.
Born in Los Angeles, George Banning as a youth shipped out to sea, and he later wrote books and articles for pulp magazines on his maritime adventures.
He also wrote a best-selling book of the 1920s, “Six Horses,” about early California stagecoaches.
His grandfather had established a wharf and shipping business in Wilmington and eventually built the Los Angeles & Wilmington Railroad, a link between the water and Los Angeles. Southern Pacific later purchased it.
Phineas Banning and George Banning’s brother, Hancock, who died in 1982, also formed the Santa Catalina Island Co. after purchasing much of the island from George R. Shatto, founder of Avalon.
The Banning family home in Wilmington is now a city museum.
George Banning is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son, Douglas;, a daughter, Marianne; a stepdaughter, Susan Crutchfield, and five grandchildren.
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