A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California, Part 1

Author: Barrows, Henry D; Ingersoll, Luther A
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 494


USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55



Gc 979.4 B27m 1243869


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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