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M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01067 5632
memorial · and · Biographical · History OF THE
Coast Counties
Central California.
. . . ILLUSTRATED . ..
Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent Citizens of To-day.
HENRY D. BARROWS, Editor of the Historical Department.
LUTHER A, INGERSOLL, Editor of the Biographical Department.
"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."-Macaulay.
CHICAGO : THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1893.
S
.
KGW
1213869
PREFATORY.
THE GENERAL HISTORY.
N presenting the result of their labors to the readers of this volume, the editors desire to say that they are fully aware of the truth that the merit of a picture of any past epoch depends not a little on the manner in which it is presented. The historian, that is, the picturer of the present or the past, like the painter, should be, though he often, alas! falls short of being, an artist. He should also be an idealist and a philosopher. It is not enough for him to give mere dull descriptions of humdrum events, which in themselves alone are often, however faithfully reproduced, but the dry bones of a cadaver. He.must see something of the significance of the events he describes, the wondrous and often vital rela- tions that exist between them, if he would bring an epoch vividly before the living present.
He who spiritualizes and idealizes may indeed write the truest history. When George Eliot gave, in after years, idealized pictures of the scenes and localities of her yonth, her neighbors, though seeing with different eyes, had no difficulty in recognizing the fidelity of her descriptions. So, coming nearer home, Mrs. Helen Jackson's idealized pictures in Ramona of California scenes and characters,-of the hot, dusty, sheep-shearing times so familiar to old Californians,-are not only faithful pictures, but they are also made all the more attractive by her idealized artistic mode of presentation.
In telling the story of the central coast section of California, or, perhaps it would be better to say, in summarizing that story within the briefest limits, we have endeavored to give the primary facts with fidelity. But whether we have rightly grasped the signifi- cance of the events we have described,-the wondrous and often vital relations which exist between them,-is a matter, of course, which is left for the reader and the critic to decide.
We must confess that the study of California's early history, and especially of the early history of Monterey and vicinity, -- which, in manners, customs and language, were but a section of Spain translated to this then far distant region bordering on the South Seas,-has greatly interested ns. We can only hope that we may be able to awaken in our readers, in some slight degree, a like interest in the same study.
H. D. BARROWS.
-09$
PREFATORY.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
The publishers believe they have materially added to the value of this work by supple- inenting the general historical chapters with a somewhat extensive list of biographical sketches and personal mention, so called, of citizens of more or less local prominence. With the incorporation of these sketches, brief as some of them are, a two-fold purpose is served. First, it secures to the work a class of significant historical facts that cannot so appropri- ately find a place in any other portion of the history; secondly, to the general interest of the volume it adds a personal worth to a class of people who would like to see such a work in print, and leave it to their posterity.
In gathering the facts for these articles, serious difficulties have been encountered. Some people have shown a reluctance to furnish us the desired data; others have over- stocked us with material; while still others have declined to furnish us with any informa- tion at all. The first two embarrassments were, with patience, in a measure, overcome; but the last mentioned was insurmountable; and thus it is that the biographies of some most worthy subjects are brief, and others are not here at all. All possible caution has been taken to record these statements in harmony with the facts, aiming in each case to give a faithful pen picture of each subject, as the artist would bring out the beauties of a land- scape picture in colors harmonious and true to Nature. The ills of life and imperfections in character are neither pleasant nor profitable to contemplate. Therefore, we have not aimed to perpetuate them in history.
To insure accuracy, these biographical sketches have been type-written and then sub- mitted by mail or otherwise to the parties from whom the information was obtained. Some have been kind enough to return them to us as requested in corrected form, and in a few cases, where they were not so returned, we are not quite certain of their accuracy, and do not feel responsible for possible errors.
The writing and final incorporation of these articles in this work have not been made in all cases contingent upon a subscription for a history. No pioneer has intentionally been omitted because he could not see his way clear to order one of our books, and the sketches of many appear who could not afford to pay for the work. It may also be stated that some have ordered the work who, for reasons purely their own, desired their life's record not to be included in the list of biographies.
In after years these biographies, called sketches, will have a value, because they are anthoritive records of primary facts in the lives of persons who took a more or less active part in making the history related in this volume; and as years vanish their significance will be more apparent and their value increase,
L. A. INGERSOLL.
NTS.
MONTEREY COUNTY.
CHAPTER.
PAGE.
I .- Physical Features-Location, Topography, Min-
eralogy, etc.
9
Coal 13
II .- Indigenous Plants and Animals
14
III .- Historic and Pre-Historic California
16
Early Discoveries
17
Vizcaino's Letters.
18
IV .- Commencement of the Mission Era
22
The New World Colonized on a Politico-Re-
ligious Basis
25
Partial Failure of the Mission System 26
Pueblos
27
Spanish Governors
27
Mexican Governors
28
V .- Founding of the First Missions
28
VI .- From 1800 to close of Mission Era
34
VII .- Secularization
37
California Becoming Known to the World. 39 The Episode of 1842. 40
VIII .- Premonition of Impending Change. 41 Later Views of Castañares. 41 IX .- The Change from Spanish to Anglo-American. 45 X .- Raising of American flag at Monterey 50 XI .- Discovery of Gold. 58
Effects of the Great Gold Discoveries. 59 Radical Economic Changes 59 XII .- Constitutional Convention 61
XIII .- The State Organized 70
Suppression of Disorder 71
XIV .- Monterey under American Rule.
73
XV .- Pioneer Reminiscences-The Ord Brothers in California. 74
A Curious Incident 75 Fort Halleck. 77 Reminiscences of Mrs. Little 78 Reminiscences of Mrs. Abrego 79
XVI .- Churches, Societies, etc ..
80
The Junipero Serra Monument
81
XVII .- Municipal .
82
Monterey City Schools 83
XVIII .- Whaling at Monterey
...
84
XIX .- Climate of Monterey-The Dry, Cool Air ..
85
Temperatures
XX .- The County.
88
85
Monterey County Public Schools
88
Salinas Valley
90
91
Lighthouses
92
XXI .- Salinas City
97
Newspapers
97
Other Business Establishments
98
Salinas City Schools.
XXII .- Pacific Grove
98
Pacific Grove Schools
101
Donations
101
California Conference.
102
Mayflower Congregational Church.
103
Monterey cypress.
104
XXIII .- Other Towns-Castroville
104
105
Gonzales
King City
106
XXIV .- Pacific Improvement Company.
106
Hotel del Monte
107
Town of Pacific Grove
111
Carmel Water Works.
113
XXV .- Concerning one of the Earliest American
Settlers in California.
113
SAN BENITO COUNTY.
I .- Physical Characteristics-Location and Topog-
118
raphy
118
Geology
II .- Mineralogy
121
Quicksilver-New Idria.
122
Antimony
124
Coal
124
Petroleum
125
Lime
126
III .- Early History
127
IV .- Decadence of the Missions
132
Mexican Land Grants
133
V .-- Change of Government
133
VI .-- American Settlement of San Benito Valley
134
iv
CONTENTS.
County division. 135
VII .- San Benito County in 1892
136
County Schools 137
VIII .- Resources of San Benito County
139
Hollister bay
139
IX .- Hollister 140
Schools
141
Churches
142
Societies
143
Newspapers
144
Fire Department ..
145
Grangers' Union
146
Water Works
146
147
Light and Power Company.
Banks
147
X .- San Juan and other Settlements
148
Cienega Lime Kilns
150
Priest Valley Hall Association .151
XI .- Eucalyptus
151
XII .- Twelve years' railroad traffic 153
XIII .- Vasquez, the bandit. 153
XIV .- Panoche Grande
.157
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
I .- Natural Features, Location, Topography and Mineralogy 164
Mineral resources 165
II .- History.
166
III .- Founding of Pueblos. 169
IV .- Annals of the Pueblo and Mission from 1800
to 1822
171
V .- Independence of Mexico-1822 to 1846.
176
VI .- Santa Cruz under American Rule 179
VII .- Resources of Santa Cruz County.
180
Vineyards
182
VIII .- County Officers and Institutions
182
County Valuations 182
Schools 183
Societies
183
Churches
183
Railways
183
IX .- City of Santa Cruz
184
Santa Cruz Weather 185
X .- Other Towns-Watsonville, etc.
186
Along the Shore Line
187
SAN MATEO COUNTY.
I .- Physical Features-Topography, etc.
.190
Mineralogy ,190
II .- Early History
192
Spanish Grants
192
San Mateo under American Rule.
193
A Pioneer's Reminiscences
193
Rafting Timber.
194
Adventures of other Pioneers.
196
III .- The Redwood Forests
197
Arcadian life
198
Redwood and its Characteristics.
199
IV .- Sau Mateo of To-day-County Officers
200
Assessments
201
Public Schools.
201
Belmont, Oak Grove and St. Matthew's
Schools
202-204
A Telescope
.204
V .- Redwood City.
205
Schools
205
Newspapers
206
Tanneries
206
Churches.
206
Fraternal Societies
207
Bank of San Mateo County
207
Fire Department.
20S
VI .- Miscellaneous-San Mateo (Town).
208
A Picturesque County
.209
Halfmoon Bay
209
La Honda
210
Lighthouses
211
VII .- Climatic Peculiarities of the Coast.
.211
Causes of the Wet and Dry Seasons
.212
Topography as Affecting Climate
213
VIII .- Suburban Homes-Possibilities.
214
Land and Live-stock
215
IX .- Stanford University
217
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Assembly Hall and Church at Pacific Grove. 102
Bolado, Joaquin
345
Castro, J. B
433
Cuartel and Customhouse (old) at Monterey.
50
Flint, Thomas.
313
Flint, Mrs. Mary A.
318
Forest Stream in Santa Cruz County.
164
Jacks, David.
241
Jacks, Mrs. Mary C.
246
Malarin, Juan
393
San Benito County Courthouse, at Hollister.
136
San Carlos Mission
28
San Juan Mission, San Benito County
132
V
CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
A
Abbe, Andrew.
352
Alexander, J. K.
364
Allen, A. E .. 878
Allen, George,. 377
Anderson, W. A. 240
Anzer, P. E. G.
437
Archer, S. M ..
418
Armstrong, J. G.
380
Asher, W. C. 235
Austin, R. C.
287
Ayers,
343
B
Bacon, Mrs. E. L.
219
Baldwin, T. L ..
350
Ball, H. L ..
405
Bardin, Charles
399
Bardin, Henry.
240
Bardin, James.
403
Bardin, Jesse
403
Bardin, William
302 409
Bassett, Abner ..
347
Bassett, C .. .
348
Berg, Mrs. F
279
Bernhart, J. P.
420
Black, Samuel. 251
Black, S. M .. 233 Copley, A. J
Black, Victor D. 339
Blackie, F.
278
Blakie, George
291
Blessing, J. A .. 283
Blohm, Enno. 401
Blomquist, A. 276
Blosser, W. H. 281
Bodfish, G. F. 293
Bolado, J.
345
Boronda, O .. 385
Boronda, M. S. 388
Bordges, J. S. 415
Bowie, Joseph.
282
Boyd, A. P.
348
Bradford, H. L. 332
Bralee, Thomas 324
Bramers, T. 340
Brannagan, A ... 363
Breen, Mrs, E. J 425
Breen, John. 425
Breen, Patrick. 426
Briggs, N. C. 376
Briggs, H. W. 294
Brinson, Daniel. 252
Bromfield, D
446
Brown, George
229
Brown, Gustav 321
Brown, Henderson
352
Brown, J. C ..
421
Bruno, Manuel. 360
Bryant, C. P ..
353
Buck, George H
344
Bundeson, M
401
Burns, Robert.
227
Butterfield, G. M. 413
Butterfield, James.
444
Butterfield, Thomas
442
C
Cambridge, S.
416
Canfield, R. W.
397
Carpenter, W. L
328
Casey, Patrick.
389
Castro, J. B.
433
Castro, Stephen
237
Chalmers. G
420
Chambers, Henry
370
Chambre, R. M ...
423
Churchill, Z .. 349
Clark, R. H
415
Clausen, J. 363
Collins, Patrick. 409
Conkling, T. J
408
Conley, John.
366
Conrad, Peter.
417
Cooper, J. B. R.
Corey, Hiram.
371
Conlan, John, .
387
Creamer, J. H 360
Crepin, E. A. 239
Crow, Marion 289
Crow, W. J
267
Crowe, W. H.
267
Cullen, Patrick
372
D
Davis, H. L 310
Day, F. R.
286
Decarli, A.
385
De La Torre, E.
320
De La Torre, J.
320
Dooling, Daniel. 408
Dorn, N. A. 357
Doud, Francis 423
Doud, Thomas. 423
Duckworth, S. J
424
Duncan, W. T. 299
E
Eaton, Alex.
274
Etcheverry, Juan
412
Edwards, T. C.
311
Ellis, W. R.
422
Escobar, J. M.
381
Espenosa, Josefa.
370
F
Few, C. R ..
234
Field, T. J.
309
Finch, J. M.
327
Finch, M. F.
373
Flint, Thomas.
318
Forster, Allen .
322
Francis, Miss L. E ..
264
G
Gable, S. A ..
422
Gallanar, Mrs. A.
261
Garber, J. H.
294
Garman, William H.
231
Garner, A. T.
415
Gigling, A.
402
Gilbert, S. B.
343
Gomez, F. N.
255
Gomez, Joseph 2.24
Goncalves, M. M 404
Gordon, George W. 359
Gordon, S. B. 384
349
230
Gordon, S. B., Jr.
403
Gould, Horace.
223
Graves, George.
303
Greene, H. A.
270
Gregg, J. W.
263
Gunzendorfer, F
330
H
Hall, N. D.
296
Hames, John.
395
Haney, O. J 286
Hardin, A. M. 392
Hardwick, N. G
251
Harney, John
351
Harris, E. F.
386
Hart, Patrick 269
Hartnell, U. 355
Hatton, William 341
Haver, William
304
Hawkins, J. W
284
Hawkins, T. S
263
Hames, B. F. 395
Hebert, Z. 382
Hickey, C.
410
Hilby, F. M
333
Hill, J W.
441
Barry, Michael.
Anthony, E ...
298
Burt, J. J
353
CONTENTS.
Hitchcock, B. 401
Hodges, J. I .. 312
Hohnan, R. L. 290
Horton, J. A ..
341
Houghton, D. J.
280
Hubbard, T. B 232
Hubler, J. N. 361
I
Indart, Juan.
412
Ingram, E. 380 Mckinnon, D 328
Irelan, L ... 413
Iverson, J. B.
367
J
Jacks, David. 241
Jacks, P. M. . 398
Jarvis, G. J. 372
Jenkins, L. B. 277
Jensen, C. 378
Johnson, C. 402
Johnson, J. O. 288
Jones, J. M. 320
Jordan, P. 382
Josselyn, E. S 237
K
Kapman, F. 365
Keleber, J. M. 385
Kent, H. E.
396
Kent, J. H.
353
Kerr, J. S
363
King, Philip.
375
King, William 375
L
Lacey, C. F 405
Lacquer, A. 296
Lambert, T. G 259
Lathrop, L. B. 326
Laughlin, S. N. 224
Lawrey, Mrs. M. E. 358
Leese, David. 281
Leese, J. R.
368
Leonard, A.
222
Libby, J. S. 345
Little, D. S.
420
Little, Milton T. 227
Little, W. C. 400 Lloyd, D. W. 329
Long, F. H. 389
Lovie, G. W 277
Luce, Allen L
358
Lyna, T. MI
383
M
Macdonald, Philip. 384 Malarin, Juan 393 Malarin, M. 230 Mankins, G. W 267
Maxfield, Frank
391
McCarthy, D. M 431
R
Raggio, Luis, 429
Renison, Thomas 262
Reynolds, John. 221
Richardson, J. A. 254
Rico, Francisco 410
Riordan, M. 303
Riordan, T. J. 437
Roadhouse, G. W 414
Roberts, G. M. 275
Roberts, J. L. D. 280
Robinson, J. H. 292
Robinson, Wm. 445
Robson, William 398
Roche, J. H. 342
Messec, I. G.
220
Meyer, F. R.
416
Miller, J. C .. 268
Montgomery, E. B. 378 Moore, E ... 223
Moore, M. M. 310
Moore, G. A.
275
Morrisy, T ..
395
Morrison, C. 226
Munras, C. M. de 335
Mylar, Enoch 226
Mylar, Israel. 226
Mylar, Isaac. 356
Mylar, J. L.
429
Santos, J. J.
343
Sargent, B. V., Jr. 379
Sargent, J. P. . 387
Schmidt, William 279
Scholefield, J. A. 249
257
Seaside, . 280
370
Sexton, Jobn
283
Shaw, R.
232
Shaw, William
304
Nason, F. P. 438 Shearer, S. M. 319
Nichols, W. P. 371 Shepherd, W. A. 340
Sherwood, Milton, 362
Shore, R. E .. 221
Skelton, Henrietta. 297
Slaven. T. H. 256
Small, R. H
273
Smith, J. L ... 332
Smith, E. L. B. 282
Snibley, Jacob. 337
Snibley, William. 411
Snively, J. B. 258
Soberanes, Abel 321
Soberanes, B. A. 323
Soberanes, M. G. 336
Steinbeck, J. A. 392
Stice, Richmond 289
Pearce, E. F 292 Stirling, Duncan, 262
Peck, N. R .. 285 Stirling, Robert. 394
Pomber, Juan. 307 Stirling, William 239
Stone, W. H. 419
Prewett, J. T
254
Swank, J. S.
225
McCrosky, B. B. 305
McCrosky, J. A 228
McCuue, Alex 276
McDougall, James 306
McDougall, J. H. 290
McFadden, Charles 414
McIlroy, R. H. 301
McIntyre, Charles 268
McMichaels, E. 281
Meek, A. L. 322
Melendy, H 222
Menke, J. H ..
430
Merritt, M. R.
265
Roderick, David. 266
Rodriguez, J. 235
Rohrback, W. 266
Romie, C. T 382
Root, J. F. 356
Roth, Hiram 312
Rowe, J. S.
362
Rubell, C. F.
272
Rudolph, C. 369
S
N
Nash, F. O. 236
Nash, G. S. 238
Nash, P. L. 234
Nash, Shaw. 238
Nash, V. B. 425
Norton, A.
291
Norton, R. G. 344 Shields, John 289
O
O'Hara, P.
361
Oliver, William H.
334
Oyer, Philip
253
Smith, S. H ..
225
P
Palmer, F. L .. 366
Palmer, Samuel. 394 Sorrentini, C. 228
Palmtag, William 307 Stedman, S. W 259
Parker, W. M. R 252
Patton, J. W .. 279
Porter, Robert.
387
McCollum, A. J. 274
McCray, Daniel. 399
Lahiff, J. T.
833
Northrop, J
297
Sherman, F. D.
379
Schulte, Joseph.
Selleck, D. M
vii
CONTENTS.
T
V-
Wilcox, Sylvester 360
Willey, R. H. 418
Williams, Thomas. 390 Willson, Dan. 400
Wilson, M 407
Wood, James. 409
Wood, Job, Jr
300
Wood, L. S.
391
Wright, E. P.
284
Wright, John
407
Wright, Jonathan
404
Tomasini, M. 351
Toothaker, L. S. 446
Torre, E. de la.
320
Torre, Julio de la 320
Towle, William J. 440
Trimmer, O. S 354
Watson James 444
Tully, E. C .. 431 Watson, S. F. 323
Turner, E. J. 440 Watson, Thomas 256
Tuttle, C. K.
389
Webster, David.
354
Tuttle, Daniel. 279 Westfall, A .. 285
Tuttle, W. D. 301
Whitcher, C. R.
439
Twitchell, J. F
337
Vierra, J. F.
439
Templeton, M. B. 23~
Thexton, Isaac 227
Tholcke, J. W 430
Thompson, James
305
Tibbetts, William 396
Tollett, H. C. 441
Wallace, M.
375.
Tomas, John. 261
Wallace, Walter,
302
Walsh, M. F.
419
Watson, C. H.
366
Watson, D. J.
272
Watson, Hiram.
381
Y
Yoacham, J. S.
311
Young, David.
407
Z
Whitter, C. R 439 Zabala, P.
.... 269
Taix, A 279
Taylor, Nelson .. 339
Villegas, Y. P
254
W
Watson, Jacob
366
MONTEREY COUNTY,
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL FEATURES -- LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY, MINERALOGY, ETC.
HIS county, which derives its name from the city and bay of Monterey, is situated in the central part of Califor- nia, fronting on the Pacific ocean, and is be- tween 35° 45' and 37º north latitude; and a meridian line 121° 30' west from Greenwich would bisect the county into two nearly equal portions. It is bonnded on the north by the bay of Monterey and Santa Cruz county, on the northeast and east by San Benito, Fresno and Tulare counties, on the south by San Luis Obispo county and the Pacific ocean, and on the west by the Pacific ocean.
The salient topographical features of this county are its sea-coast lines: the Monte Diablo and Gabilan range of mountains on its eastern border; the extensive valley of the Salinas river, which debouches into the bay of Monterey; and the Santa Lucia range on the west. These mountain ranges traverse the county nearly its whole length, running par- allel with the sea-shore.
Monterey county has an area of about 3,600 square miles, or something over 2,300,- 000 acres. It is four times as large as the
State of Rhode Island and twice as large as Delaware, and one-fourth larger than both those two States combined, which have a population of over half a million people. But its products are more varied than are the products of either of those States; everything which they can grow, and many more, some of which are vastly more profitable, can be grown on the wonderfully fertile soil, and in the equable, genial climate of Monterey county.
Although the harbor of Monterey is not land-locked, like those of San Francisco and San Diego, yet, as it opens only toward the northwest, from which direction storms never come, it is safe for shipping at nearly all sea- sons of the year.
The Salinas river, the only considerable stream in the county, has its source in the Santa Lucia mountains, in San Luis Obispo county, and, after entering Monterey county, near San Miguel Mission, runs in a north- westerly direction abont 120 miles, through the broad, fertile valley of the same name, emptying into Monterey bay, near the north- erp bonndary of the county. Its width near the mouth is abont 450 feet.
Like many California streams, the Salinas sinks in its sandy, gravelly bottom in sum-
1
10
MONTEREY COUNTY.
mer; in other words, it to a great extent runs under ground, except during the time of winter floods, when it carries a large volume of water from the extensive system of water- sheds which it drains. Its principal tribn- taries are the San Lorenzo, Estrella, San An- tonio, Arroyo Seco and Nacimiento. The Carmel river rises in the Santa Lucia moun- tains, and running through the Carmel valley, empties into the Carmel bay. The Pájaro river forms the boundary line between Monte- rey and Santa Cruz counties, and in the winter or rainy season often carries a large amount of water. Elkhorn creek, in the northern part of the county, runs westerly into the Salinas river. There are numerous other small streams in the southern portion of the county, among which are the San José, El Sur and El Sur Chiquito.
The Gabilan mountains extend from the Pájaro river at the northern boundary of the county, through the entire length of the county, a distance of some seventy-five miles, and are from twenty to thirty miles in width. From the Pájaro southerly, the first eighteen miles of the range are a system of low mount- ains, covered almost everywhere with grass and an abundance of timber. This portion of the mountains is now mostly occupied by farmers and horticulturists. The next thirty miles of the range, going southiward, is com- posed of high, rough mountains, which ex- tend as far as the San Lorenzo; and from thence to the southerly boundary of the county these inountains are low, rolling hills, forming the foothills of the Coast Range.
In this section are many beautiful little val- leys, nearly all of which possess a rich soil, and have a mild, delightful climate, pecu- liarly adapted to the growth of fruits of both the temperate and semi-tropical zones. The Gabilan mountains contain immense deposits of limestone; and quicksilver, gold and silver have also been found in small quantities, cansing many people to have faith that they will eventually be found in large or paying quantities.
The Santa Lucia mountains extend from Carmel bay, southeasterly along the coast to San Luis Obispo, thence running in an east- erly direction, and merging into the Monte Diablo range. They have an average breadth of about eighteen miles, and at several points reach an elevation of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet above the level of the sea. There are also many small, fertile valleys in this range, which are already settled; and semi-tropical and other fruits do remarkably well wherever planted, many small orchards having beeu put out within the last few years.
The climate of these mountain valleys re- sembles that of the valleys of the Gabilan range. Stock-raising is the principal indus- try, higher up in the mountains; and some fine dairies have been established along the sea-coast. Gold, silver, quicksilver, coal and other minerals are found in the Santa Lucia mountains, though seldom, as yet, in paying quantities.
Monterey bay ranks third among the natural harbors of California; it is over twenty miles wide at the mouth, and ten
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MONTEREY COUNTY.
miles deep inland, and is semi-circular in form; Point Pinos (Point of Pines), on the south, and Point Año Nuevo (New Year), on the north, forming its headlands. Carmel bay is a smaller body of water, partly pro- tected, being about four miles in length and two in width, lying some four miles south of Monterey.
The Salinas valley, lying between the Gabilan mountains on the northeast, and the Santa Lucia range on the southwest, is the largest, and constitutes the most important portion of Monterey county. It extends from Monterey bay on the north, nearly 100 miles toward the southeast, with a width of from six to fifteen miles, and has an area of about 1,000 square miles, or 640,000 acres. It is one of the most fertile valleys, as it is one of the most productive in proportion to its extent, in the State or in the United States.
According to the report of the State Min- eralogist (1888, p.402), "The valley is formed of alluvium derived from the degredation of the granitic, serpentine, chloritic and sand- stone formations, of which the mountains on either side are composed. Above this allu- vium, and intermingled with its upper layers, are the modern detritus and fluviatile addi- tions. How little denudation has taken place of late years, is evidenced by the remains of ancient terraces, both upon the valley surface and the edges of the hills. The lower sixty miles of the valley is a series of low, flat ter- races, which extend in a northerly and south- erly direction."
"The bed of the Salinas river," continues the authority quoted, "is a white, micaceous sandstone, which forms quicksand, rendering fording dangerous. During the summer sea- son this river at Soledad is a broad, sluggish stream. Westward from the Salinas valley, and south from the city of Monterey, the country presents a series of hills and mount- ain ranges almost inaccessible, which have a width of fifteen to twenty miles. This mount- ain is called the Santa Lucia. This is not exactly correct, although the mountain range appears continuous. In the northern part the Carmelo makes a long valley; centrally the Arroyo Seco cuts through to the east, and in the southern part the San Antonio and Nacimiento separate, what there appears, as two distinct chains."
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