The Tuna Club

Founded in 1898 by Charles Frederick Holder, the Tuna Club is the oldest fishing club in the United States. The founding of the club came about after Holder’s historic rod and reel catch of a 183-pound bluefin tuna. The club’s main goals were to elevate the sport of fishing to its highest possible standard, and for the protection of southern California game fish.

Many notable dignitaries and personalities have been members of the Tuna Club, including three U.S. Presidents; William McKinley, Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt, along with Winston Churchill, Cecil B. DeMille, Charlie Chaplin, and Bing Crosby.

The club’s first clubhouse was a gift from the Banning brothers, owners and founders of the Santa Catalina Island Company. The brothers looked favorably on the Tuna Club as they believed it promoted tourism to the island. Located on the edge of Avalon Bay, the Tuna Club is a California Historical Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.