USA > California > Los Angeles County > An historical sketch of Los Angeles county, California. From the Spanish occupancy, by the founding of the mission San Gabriel Archangel, September 8, 1771, to July 4, 1876 > Part 12
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY
acres in the flourishing settlements of Orange, Tustin City and Santa Ana. In January of this year the "Los Angeles Medical Asssociation" was organ- ized, the first medical society ever established in the county. It still retains its organization, and is in a flourishing condition. In February was issued the first number of the "Los Angeles Daily Evening Express."
In the year 1872 improvements were commenced in the hills West of Los Angeles city. These hills, although offering delightful sites for residen- ces, from lack of water and difficulty of access, had not shared in the pros- perity of the city, but had remained comparatively valueless and neglected. To the energy and perseverance, more especially of two men, Mr. P. Beau- dry and Mr. J. W. Potts, is due the change that has taken place. Mr. Potts has, since 1872, expended in grading, principally upon the lines of Temple and Second streets, upwards of $30,000. "Mr. Beaudry has in like manner expended upwards of $50,000. The work with which Mr. Beau- dry's name has been more especially linked is the furnishing of an abundant supply of water to these hill lands. Mr. Beandry has had excavated a large basin amid the springs lying along upper Alameda street, from which, with a sixty horse power engine running a Hooker pump of the capacity of 40,000 gallons per hour, water is forced to an elevation of 240 feet, where it is received by two reservoirs with a storage capacity of 3,500,000 gallons, and thence distributed through eleven miles of iron pipes over the tops of the highest hills. These works have cost $95,000. This year was founded the "Temple and Workman Bank." By firemen it will be remembered as the year in which the first fire-engine was brought to Los Angeles-a 2d class steamer, made by the Amoskeag Co. "La Cronica" issued its first number August 4th.
Eighteen hundred and seventy-three is memorable as the year in which Los Angeles county, by formal vote of the people, determined to go on in the work of perfecting a system of railroads; this, too, at a time when else- where over the country the war upon railroads was bitter and wide-spread. The county voted to the Southern Pacific R. R. Co. its bonds in the San Pedro railroad, and an additional amount sufficient to make up about 500,- 000, upon the conditions that the main trunk line of S. P. R. R., on its way to connect with any southern trans-continental line, should pass through the Los Angeles valley ; that the Company should within eighteen months have constructed fifty miles of railroad within the county, and within two years thereafter should also connect Los Angeles and Anaheim by rail, and that a connecting line through to San Francisco should be finished within three years. The city of Los Angeles also voted her interest in the San Pedro road, amounting to $75,000, upon condition that the main trunk line should pass through the city, and within certain specified limits. The Southern Pacific R. R. Co. has more than kept faith with the people of Los Angeles. Not only has it completed the 70 miles contemplated in the contract, but it has gone on building until Los Angeles is now the center of a system of more than 200 miles of road, and the work of extending the lines goes act- ively on. The construction of these roads has added millions to the wealth of the county, and is rendering possible other changes of still greater mno- ment in the near future. This year iron pipes were first extensively used, in- stead of open ditches, in conducting water for irrigating purposes. The "Orange Grove Association," often called the "Indiana Colony," having pur- chased a portion of the San Pasqual rancho, piped the water out to their res- ervoir and thence by distributing pipes over the lands. Previous to this time, however, Mr. L. H. Titus, of San Gabriel, had demonstrated upon a smaller scale at his orchards the economy of such a system. Dr. Griffin and Gover- nor Downey, at a heavy personal expense, laid water pipes over what is now East Los Angeles, and put the lands upon the market. During this sum- mer the high school building upon the hill was erected, and under the efficient supervision of Dr. Lucky, as Superintendent, a thorough system of grading was adopted in the schools, which speedily gained an enviable repu- tation among the educational institutions of the State. No small share of credit in the erection of the high school building, and in the previous devel- opment of the schools from a chaotic condition, is due to Dr. T. H. Rose, a man of singular merit as an educator, who resigned from his connection
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
with the schools in the summer of this year. In January the "Los Angeles Public Library" opened its doors; an institution supported by private mem- bership, but to the rooms of which all are made welcome. Among the influ- ences at work refining, elevating, ennobling public sentiment in community, the power of this library has not been least, though its work has ever been quiet and unobtrusive. From its first opening to the present it has remained in charge of Mr. J.C.Littlefield as Librarian. In April was organized the oldest fire company now existing in Los Angeles, the "Thirty-Eights, Fire Co. No. 1;" so called from the number of chartered members. In the summer
was laid the corner stone of the Synagogue B'nai-Brith, by the Hebrew Soci- ety, under the pastorate of Rabbi A. W. Edelman. In the autumn was built, by Barnard Bros., the first woolen mill. In August the "Los Angeles Cham- ber of Commerce" was incorporated ; an organization which has done, and is yet doing, a valuable work in the industrial and commercial development of Los Angeles County. October 2d was issued the first number of the "Daily Herald." In the previous January publication was commenced of the "Weekly Mirror."
Among events of the year 1874 may be mentioned the following: Don Benito D. Wilson and Mr. J. De Barth Shorb commenced piping water out to several large reservoirs, which they had constructed upon the plains near the Mission San Gabriel, thus supplying water for the "Alhambra" tract, which, from its choice location, is rapidly becoming the home of wealthy and refined families. Hon. Chas. Maclay purchased the San Fernando rancho, and founded the town of the same name. The first fruit-drying factory was built in Los Angeles by Mr. G. B. Davis. Prospecting and boring for petro- leum was commenced in the mountains about San Fernando. The First Presbyterian Church was organized in. Los Angeles city under the pastorate of Dr. A. F. White. "Trinity" M. E. Church South was erected under the pastorate of Rev. A. M. Campbell. In the Summer of this year was built, mainly through the personal efforts of Judge R. M. Widney, President of the Company, the first street railroad in Los Angeles, the "Spring and Sixth St .. " some two and one-half miles in length. Since then have been built the Main street road, the East Los Angeles road, the San Pedro street road, work has been commenced upon the Aliso street road, and a road has been char- tered upon Spring street. The "Los Angeles Savings Bank" was opened this year, capital $300,000; and the "Confidence Fire Co. No. 2" organized with another steamer, of the Amoskeag 2d class pattern. July 25th the first num- ber of the "Sued Californische Post" appeared. It is a noteworthy fact in the history of the year that Los Angeles was, so far as known, the only city in the State, except one, in which a full compliance with the requirements of the "Sunday Law," passed by the preceding Legislature, was enforced. Bus- iness houses were closed, and from that time the Sabbath has been kept by the community as a day of rest.
In the Spring of 1875 the "Forest Grove Association" planted the first extensive. tract of the Eucalyptus or blue gum, for timber. With this year was commenced the construction of another railroad. Senator John P. Jones, selecting Santa Monica roadstead as the ocean terminus, and running a substantial wharf out half a mile to deep water, built at a total outlay of some $375,000, a railroad to Los Angeles city. This section is intended as only the first portion of a road to be extended on through the Cajon Pass to Independence, and ultimately to be connected with the Union Pacific. With the building of this road has grown up a prosperous sea-side town at Sant: Monica, much frequented as a watering place. During the Summer the Po- mona and Artesia Companies placed upon the market several large tracts of land, subdivided into small farms. In the Southern part of the county the canals about Analicim, and upon the west side of the Santa Ana, were rapid- ly extended for the irrigation of a number of thousands of acres of land be- fore uncultivated. Anaheim, Westminster, Richland, Los Nietos, El Monte, Compton, Florence, and numerous other settlements over the county, were all the while rapidly increasing in wealth and population. Newport, south of the Santa Ana river, began to build up a direct trade with San Francisco. a steam schooner, owned by MeFadden Bros., making regular trips. In March was first published the "Los Nietos Valley Courier;" in April, "El
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Monte Observer;" in September, the "Santa Monica Outlook." The financial crash which swept over the State during this year did not spare Los Angeles. The three banks closed their doors for a short time. Two re-opened with strength unimpaired; the third, after struggling for a while, finally suc- cumbed and made an assignment. Under the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Camp- bell, the new edifice of the "Fort street M. E. Church" was erected, but dedi- cated in the autumn, in the ensuing Conference year, during the pastorate of the Rev. G. S. Hickey. The Cathedral of "Sancta Vibiana" was reared by the Rt. Rev. Thadeus Amat, but not opened to public service until the Spring of 1876. The steady development of an enlightened public sentiment is shown by the general approbation expressed at the strong stand taken by His Honor, P. Beaudry, Mayor of the city of Los Angeles, in his message upon the questions of a liberal support of the public school system, the im- portance of a well sustained department of public health, and the duty of the city in checking the vice of intemperance by restrictions upon the sale of intoxicating liquors.
The year 1876, the Centennial of American Independence, and the 105th since the first Mission was founded in. the county, at San Gabriel, has so far been marked by no striking events. The "Commercial Bank of Los Ange- les" opened its doors in January. The 10th of the same month, publication of the "Evening Republican" was commenced. A plenteous and well dis- tributed rainfall has insured an abundant harvest; the area of land under cultivation is much larger than ever before; no blight has come upon the broad fields ; the promise has held good, "Seed time and harvest" have not failed ; while the hand of God has been in our midst, and there have been tears, and aching hearts, even as alway, yet, the shadow of no pestilence has rested upon our homes. And all the while the sun has not forgotten to shine, nor the morning to come again ; and the land has had peace; and rest and plenty have reigned within our borders. It is meet and proper, therefore, as recommended by our Chief Magistrate, that each one should, after the man- ner of his own faith, return thanks to the one God of us all; meet and proper that old hatreds, old enmities, should be buried with the dead century, to be remembered no more through all the years, and that, over the graves of our dead, hands should clasp with only one word, Peace !
APPENDIX.
THE FIRST CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
BY THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
AT THE
CITY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
JULY FOURTH, 1876.
T A MEETING OF CITIZENS, on Saturday evening, April 29th, 1876, Mr. James J. Ayers, having been chosen President, stated that the object of the meeting was to consider the matter of the due celebration of the approaching Centennial Anni- versary of the Independence of the United States. Messrs. Chas. E. Miles, . John R. Brierly, and Elijah H. Workman were appointed a committee to pre- pare and report a plan for the proper celebration of the coming event. The meeting then adjourned for one week.
The proceedings of the adjourned meeting, which was held May Gtli, and published in the papers of the next morning, were as follows:
The largest meeting of the kind ever held in this city took place last night at the County Court room. At a quarter past eight it was called to order by President J. J. Ayers, who stated that the meeting was an adjourned one, and it was ready to receive the report of the committee appointed on Thursday night last.
Mr. Brierly, from the Committee of Three, read a preliminary report, which was adopted.
The following is the report :
We recommend for the celebration a grand procession of all the citizens of Los Angeles County.
In addition to the usual literary exercises, we favor a historical sketch of Los Angeles County.
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY
We consider the following committees should be appointed, and recom- mend the citizens we name for the various committees :
Executive Committee-C. C. Lips, Samuel Meyer, E. H. Workman, Wm. Ferguson, I. A. Dunsmoor, L. Polaski, Chas. Prager, A. J. Johnston, E. E. Hewitt, J. U. Crawford, Los Angeles; Gen. George Stoneman, San Gabriel; Gen. Phineas Banning, Newport; George Hinds, Esq., Wilmington; S. C. Hough, Esq., Santa Monica; James McFadden, Esq., Santa Ana; Judge Holloway, Los Nietos; Edward Evey, Esq., Anaheim.
Literary Committee-Hon. Y. Sepulveda, A. James, E. M. Ross, J. Graves, H. T. Hazard, J. P. Widney, M. J. Newmark, Los Angeles; J. M. Guinn, Anaheim ; T. A. Saxon, La Ballona.
Finance Committee-John Milner, C. W. Gould, M. Kremer, Charles R. Johnsen, W. J. Brodrick, Horace Burdick, M. Teed.
Fireworks and Decorations Committee-C. E. Miles, Constant Meyer, T E. Rowan, Peter Thompson, C. E. Huber, F. B. Fanning, C. E. Judd, Mr. Koster.
Collection Committee-Jos. Coblentz, John Kuhrts, Joseph Huber, John J. Carrillo, G. E. Gard, Aaron Smith, A. H. Denker, J. S. Tam, Louis Wolf- skill, Geo. Furman.
Commissary Committee-Gabriel Allen, A. C. Chauvin, J. H. Seymour, Los Angeles; O. H. Burke, Los Nietos; J. Cohen, Anaheim; Geo. Carson, Compton ; B. S. Eaton, San Gabriel; W. W. Rubotom, Spadra.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. MILES, JOHN R. BRIERLY, E. H. WORKMAN.
Mr. J. J. Ayers was then elected Permanent President, and Mr. B. C. Truman was selected as Permanent Secretary.
Mr. Miles, from the Committee of Three, asked for further time to elab- orate and perfect their report, which was granted, provided that it was com- pleted by the next meeting.
Mr. Hubbel thought it would be a good thing to send circulars to the prominent men in the county, and he made a motion to that effect.
Mr. Hubbell's resolution was adopted.
A motion then prevailed that posters should be put up throughout the county requesting the people to elect delegates on Saturday, the 13th instant, who should meet the Los Angeles people at the Court House on the Saturday following, the 20th instant, at 11 o'clock A. M.
The Executive Committee was directed to have the posters and circular letters printed and sent according to the resolution.
'The meeting then adjourned.
The Literary Committee met in the evening of May 12th, at the cham- bers of Judge Sepulveda, and made the following appointments: General Phineas Banning, President of the Day; Col. James G. Eastman, Orator of the Day; J. J. Avers, Poet; Messrs. J. J. Warner, Judge Benj. Hayes, and J. P. Widney were appointed a committee to prepare a historical sketch of the County of Los Angeles, to be furnished the respective papers (and not to be read) on the morning of the Fourth of July; Thomas A. Saxon, Reader of the Declaration of Independence, and the Revs. Mr. Edelman and Packard Chaplains.
Meeting on May 20th.
The Centennials met May 20th at the County Court House, Mr.J.J.Ayers, President, in the chair, B. C. Truman Secretary, and a large number of gen- tlemen present.
The object of the meeting was to receive the reports of the Committees for the purpose of ratification or rejection, and to meet the delegates from the outside districts.
On motion, Mr. Timms, of Old San Pedro, was added to the Executive Committee; also Messrs. Quinn and Tipton, of El Monte.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
The following report of the Executive Committee was unanimously adopted :
Los ANGELES, May 13th, 1876.
GENTLEMEN .- We submit the following report of our proceedings this day :
For Grand Marshal-Major H. M. Mitchell.
Committee on Invitation-E. E. Hewitt, A. J. Johnson and C. C. Lips. Committee on Music-C. C. Lips, E. Workman and R. Dillon.
The Literary Committee presented the following report to the Executive Committee, which that Committee read to the meeting:
Los ANGELES, May 13th, 1876.
To the Executive Committee for the coming Centennial Celebration :
GENTLEMEN .- At 8 o'clock P. M., Friday, May 12th, 1876, the Committee on Literary Exercises met pursuant to the call of the Chairman.
Present-Hon. Y. Sepulveda, Alfred James, E. M. Ross, J. A. Graves, H. T. Hazard, J. P. Widney, M. J. Newmark and Thos. A. Saxon.
T. A. Saxon was elected as Secretary, and the following gentlemen were -elected as literary officers of the day :
President-Gen. P. Banning.
Orator-Hon. Jas. G. Eastman.
Poet-J. J. Ayers.
Historians-Col J. J. Warner, Judge Benj. Hayes, and Dr. J. P. Widney. The duties of the historians are to furnish a condensed history of Los Angeles city and county for the press on the day of celebration.
Chaplains-Opening prayer, Rev. T. T. Packard; benediction, Rev. A. THOS. A. SAXON, Secretary. By order of the Literary Committee.
W. Edelman.
Centennial Order.
GRAND MARSHAL'S OFFICE, LOS ANGELES, Cal., June 29th 1876.
The procession with which the Fourth of July, 1876, will be celebrated in this city will be composed of four divisions, and will be formed at 9:30 A. M. on that day in the following order :
The First Division will form with its right on Fort street, at the intersec- tion of Fifth.
The Second Division on Fort street at the intersection of Fourthi.
The Third Division on Fort street at the intersection of Third.
The Fourth Division on Fort street at the intersection of Second.
The intersecting streets will be used for assembly, and Marshals of Di- visions, with their aids, will be on duty at the points above indicated on the morning of the Fourth at 9 o'clock, and until 9:30, for the purpose of receiv- ing the participants in the procession assigned in their respective Divisions. The procession will start promptly at 10 o'clock A. M., and will take the fol- lowing route through the city :
From Fort street down Fifth to Spring; up Spring to Main; Main to Commercial; down Commercial to Los Angeles; on Los Angeles to Aliso; down Aliso to the Aliso Mills, where the procession will countermarch and be reviewed by the Grand Marshal; thence up Aliso street to Los Angeles; across Los Angeles and through Arcadia to Main; up Main to and around the Plaza, and returning down Main street to the Round House Gardens, at which place the literary exercises of the day's celebration will be held. At the conclusion of the exercises the procession will not be reformed, each par- ticipant being left at liberty to return to hall or home by any route preferred. The following named Marshals of Divisions have been appointed, cach to ap- point six aids to serve on his staff:
Marshal of the First Division-John F. Godfrey.
Marshal of the Second Division-Otto Von Ploennies.
Marshal of the Third Division-Eugene Meyer.
Marshal of the Fourth Division-Francisco Guirado.
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY
The insignia to be worn by Marshals and aids are : Grand Marshal, red sash, star on left breast, black feather in hat, and baton. Aids, red, white and
blue sash and black feather.
Marshals of Division : Blue sash, tri-color rosette on left breast, black feather and baton. Aids, red, white and blue sash and black feather.
Positions in the procession will be assigned on Saturday the 30th inst. H. M. MITCHELL, Grand Marshal.
The Celebration of the Centennial.
From the newspapers of the day following the celebration, the report of the proceedings has been compiled. The patriotism of the people of Los Angeles found a most fitting expression in the ceremonies. Preparations for the celebration of the Centennial anniversary of the Declaration of Ameri- can Independence had been going on for some time, but it was not until the long line of the procession was formed that our citizens knew how complete they had been, or how perfectly success had characterized the efforts of the various committees. The public spirit of the citizens was made manifest by the beauty of the
PRIVATE DECORATIONS
Of stores, hotels and residences. To enumerate all the buildings which attracted attention by the profuse and tasty display of bunting, would be to give a catalogue of two-thirds of the houses in town. From one end of Main street to the other the display was very noticeable.
The Pico House led the van in the extent and elegance of adornment. In front of the building the proprietors had erected a columnn about feet high, surmounted by a flag-staff bearing a liberty cap. On the four sides of the column were the following legends: "1776. 1876. Now for 1976." "To the patrons of the Pico House, may you live 100 years." " No North, no South, no East, no West. A Fourth of July for all." "Independence Day. A welcome to all our guests." The entire front of the building was most gracefully festooned with wreaths of evergreens and long lines of miniature flags of the Union and of all nations. Directly opposite the Pico, the Ori- ental buildings were noticeable for their fine display, as were also the Fashion Stables.
Col. Wood's Opera House, attracted much attention by the tasty arrange- ments which its enterprising proprietors had made to show their full sympa- thy with the occasion,
Abbott's Theatre did the honors without stint, and displayed an unusual amount of bunting.
The Grand Central Hotel, by the unique and exceedingly attractive man- ner in which Messrs. Goss & Stackpole had arranged their contribution to the beautiful picture which the city presented, showed conclusively that they knew something else besides " how to keep a hotel." Thousands of flags streamed and fluttered on the front of the building, while from the roof of the building to the ground depended a number of ropes wrapped with the national colors, which had the appearance of storm stays and made the whole edifice look like a splendid ship crowding the waters under a press of' parti-colored canvass.
Messrs. Salari & Whitney, of the St. Charles Hotel, spared neither pains nor expense in decorating their popular hostelrie. Starry banners waved profuse all over the building, and were arranged in squares and triangles, and other fanciful form, with such exceeding good taste that one could wish the handsome picture could remain a permanent institution.
The decorations of the Lafayette were confined principally to the bal- cony. A life-size portrait of Washington was encircled by flags and ever- greens, and these were supplemented by other appliances of the decorative art in such a way as to produce a very pleasing effect.
TheFarmers and Merchants' Bank did due honors to the occasion.
CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
The City of Paris Dry Goods Store was noticeable for its tasty decorations. Pete Thompson's retreat was fronted by a patriotic arch and evergreen embellishments.
The Fashion Saloon was embowered in a perfect wealth of evergreens, while a very pleasing effect was produced by innumerable flags and lanterns flashing and glowing among the verdure.
Ducommun's Block, one of the handsomest buildings in town, presented a very fine appearance.
The County Bank paid duc regard to the anniversary.
The Commercial Bank building, especially the upper part of it in which are the offices of Goodall, Nelson & Perkins' line of steamships, Mr. C. Mc- Clellan, agent, presented a very attractive exterior.
Lanfranco Block was handsomely decorated, as were the stores and offi- ces in the building.
Satter & Bayer exhibited admirable tact in their decorations, and the frontage to Congress Hall was picturesque with evergreens.
The United States Hotel, under the liberal hand of Messrs. Hammel and Denker, seemed transformed for the nonce into a suburban picnic ground. Two or three hundred forest trees, more or less, had been levied upon, by way of contribution, and these, adorned with flags and streamers, made up a cool, refreshing picture, which was by no means the least noticeable part of the general display.
The handsome residence and beautiful grounds of Mr. Morenhaut, the French Counsel, presented a delightful picture. The tri-color of France and stars and stripes of America were placed in harmonious juxtaposition, and over the door of the residence was the pleasant legend, "Friends since one hundred years."
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