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 8
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He drove through the team of Col.John Ward and James Douglass from Chihuahua to Los Angeles. Smith and Diggs, the first born in New York, the second in the District of Colum bia, both served on the ship Columbus, Commodore Biddle and Capt. Self- ridge. Green was born in North Carolina, 1827; was a seaman on the Ports- mouth, Captain John B. Montgomery; and in the navy nine years and eight months, on the store ship Erie, Cyane, Constitution, Pennsylvania and Ver- mont.
In 1850 the Bella Union was the only hotel. This was the official resi- dence of Gov. Pio Pico, at the taking of the city by Commodore Stockton, in August, 1846; and continued to be occupied by the United States, for sol- diers' quarters, till May, 1849. It had come into the hands of Mr. B. D. Wilson. It served as a species of hotel until after the county organization, when it was rented for a Court House. October 4th, 1851, it was reopened by Gibson & Hodges, in opposition to the "Eagle Hotel," Bailey & Overstreet, which had been started January 3d. Winston & Hodges then conducted it awhile, and sold out, March 5th, 1853, to Dr. Obed Macey, of El Monte ..
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July 22d, 1854, it was in the hand of Ross & Crockett. April 7th, 1855, Robert S. Hereford was proprietor. April 19th, 1856, it was transferred to Flashner & Hammell. Considerable improvements were commenced in October, 1858, and finished May, 1859, at a cost of $22,000, by Flashner & Winston. Marcus Flashner died June 29th, 1859. In 1800, John King was proprietor; in 1861, J. B. Winston & Co .; from 1860 to 1873, Gustavus H. Matfield. John King died December 20th, 1871. Through this series of years it is deeply associated with the recollection of our citizens. It is now the St. Charles; under Messrs. Salari & Whitney. The United States was built on property belonging to Don Juan N. Padilla-a name that recalls one of the most tragic events of the war of 1846, in California. May 31st, 1856, Joseph Waivel was proprietor; then, successively, H. Stasford, Webber & Hass, Lonis Mesmer, Adams & Grey, Mesmer & Bremmerman, Hammel & Bremmerman. Mr. Mesmer, owner, has converted it into a massive, elegant brick structure. June 1st, 1868, Hammel & Dencker took possession, under .a lease, and still conduct it. The Pico House, of recent structure, stands upon the premises once owned by Don Jose Antonio Carrillo-in his day very distinguished among his countryman-a member of the Mexican Con- gress and Judge of the Departmental Supreme Court. It was then a com- modious adobe dwelling, with a red tiled roof. The proprietors are Don Antonio Cuyas & Co., under a lease. The Lafayette covers the site of the residence of Don Eulogio de Celis, an estimable and wealthy gentleman, native of Spain, who had been long on this coast, and in 1850 had retired from commercial pursuits. September 11th, 1859, Eberhard & Koll were proprietors, and there is reason to believe not withont very considerable profit. January 1st, 1862, the firm was composed of Frederick W. Koll, Henry Dockweiler, and C. Fluhr. This last gentleman became sole proprie- tor in 1864. The business is conducted by Fluhr & Gerson. This vast building has been entirely reconstructed within the past two years. Don Eulogio de Celis died at Bilbao, Spain, January 27th, 1869.
In the Spring of 1850, the resident population of the city scarcely cx- ceeded twenty-five hundred; augmented by January, 1853, to about 3,000, including 300 from the United States, and among these a large proportion of families. In those days of disorder the peaceful slumbers of the citizens were guarded by the Voluntary Police, of one hundred men, under Dr. A. W. Hope, as Chief, Among the lieutenants, or privates, we recognize, July, 1851, Messrs. Alexander, Olvera, S. C. Foster, Ogier, Brent, Joseph Yancey, Wheeler, J. G. Downey, Nichols, F. L. Guirado, Juan Sepulveda, Keller, Hayes. Often later were the streets enlivened by the martial tread of the military companies required, from time to time, in our wild circumstances. The 22d day of February, 1855, was celebrated by the City Guards, Captain W. W. Twist, and their first anniversary ball given in May. Ringgold's Light Artillery organized June 7th, of that year. The Los Angeles Rangers was older. The Legislature of 1854 appropriated $4,000 for their equipment; they celebrated their first anniversary August 6th, of that year. They had proved always efficient. March 26th, 1857, a rifle company was formed, under Captain Twist; and May 9th, the French infantry. corps, 105 strong, Captain C. A. Faralle. The Rifleros de Los Angeles, Pantaleon Zavaleta, Captain, were established March, 1873; the Los Angeles Guard, September 8th, 1874-Captain, James Bartlett; First Lieutenant, Thomas Bowlin; Sec- ond Lieutenant, Charles Hagan.
We crave a thought for all who, in art or literature, have adorned this home of their choice. Friendship has a tear for some. Edward J. C Kewen, in 1860, charmed by his eloquence. INA (Colbraith) was here then. Mrs. Caroline Hartman has left memorials of her taste in painting (portraits of Don Santiago Arguello, General John A. Sutter),and of ours(often she sweetly treats of California) was the fame of her writings in Atlantic periodicals. Mrs. Hartman died February 28th, 1861.
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An important step toward public improvement was the establishment of the "Star," May 17th, 1851, a newspaper that has always exercised a salutary influence. The first number appeared of that date, with Jolin A. Lewis and John McElroy, publishers ; subscription, $10 per annum; in English and
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Spanish. In July, Win. II. Rand became associated with those gentlemen, as the firm of Lewis, McElroy, and Rand. November 4th, McElroy sold out to Lewis & Rand. October 19th, 1854, McElroy again became interested ; the business to be hereafter conducted by J. S. Waite & Co. It was then Democratic in politics. December 15th, 1855, J. S. Waite was sole publisher and proprietor. By this time its Spanish advertisements had been trans- ferred to the "Clamor Publico." April 12th, 1856, Waite sold to William A. Wallace, who, on June 7th following, sold to Henry Hamilton. Before this time the "Star" had given to light the letters of Hugh Reid, upon the Los Angeles Indians; some good original poems, in Spanish, of Don Manuel Clemente Rojo; had republished the life of Father Junipero Serra, founder of California civilization ; and in a thousand ways had brought out full information upon the resources of this section. It was most ably conducted by Mr. Hamilton, through a trying period. Mr. Wallace deserves mention also for his contributions to the botany, especially of this county, through the year 1854, when he had means and leisure for explorations. James S. Waite is a well-to-do farmer in Santa Cruz. Henry Hamilton reposes at his olive garden of San Gabriel Mission-place of beauty which "Shenstone may have envied."
The "Clamor Publico," wholly in Spanish, was well edited, by Don Francisco P. Ramirez, from its birth, June 19th, 1855, until its death, Decem- ber 31st, 1859. Don Pancho was born in this city. In 1860, 1861, and part of 1862, he was State Printer and editor of Official Journal of the State of Sonora. He returned here in 1862, and during part of that year and in 1863 he was Register of the U. S. Land Office, Los Angeles. From 1864 to 1868, he was one of the editors of " El Voz del Nuevo Mundo," San Francisco; and in 1865 State Translator for California, in the Spanish language. Awhile he was connected with " La Cronica," Los Angeles, whose publication was begun May 4th, 1872, E. F. Teodoli & Co., proprietors; writers, Don Eulogio F. de Celis and brothers. For the past three years or more he has devoted himself to the practice of law.
July 20th, 1854, appeared the "Southern Californian," published by Butts, Richards & Co., Wm. Butts editor. October 31st, 1855, the editors were William Bntts and John O. Wheeler; November 10th it was suspended ; January, 9th, 1856, John P. Prodie was the publisher. It contained essays in Spanish, by Don Juan Bandini, on the Land Question. Its press and materials were transferred to publish the "Southern Vineyard," the first number of which appeared March 20th, 1858, by John J. Warner; becoming semi-weekly December 10th of that year, and closing June 8th, 1860. Both offices, and that also of the "Clamor Publico," were merged in the "Los Angeles News." In 1865, Conway sold his interest to A. J. King. It was then conducted by King & Waite; in 1868, Waite sold to R. II. Offat, when the firm became King & Offat, who continued it for a year. Waite then entered again. January, 1872, Charles E. Beane bought out the whole inter- est of King, and it was conducted under Beane, Waite & Co. In the Fall of that year Beane succeeded to the whole interest. December 1st, its publica- tion was finally discontinued, and materials, etc., transferred to the MIRROR. From 1854 to 1860, Alonzo Waite had been a printer in the Star office. It is believed that some of the ablest pens-among them that of Colonel James G. Howard-are recognized in the News, particularly in articles affecting the material interests of this county.
In societies for benevolence, or social and personal improvement, Los Angeles has always abounded. Los Angeles Lodge, No. 42, F .. and A .. M ... , worked under dispensation from December 17th, 1853, and was chartered May 6th, 1854. Its first officers were: Master, II. P. Dorsey ; Senior Warden, J. Elias; Junior Warden, Thos. Foster; Treasurer, J. R. Barton; Secretary, Timothy Foster; Senior Deacon, J. Rich; Tyler, W. A. Smith. Los An- geles Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 29th, 1855, by General Ezra Drown. Its charter members were: E. Drown, L. C. Goodwin, Alex- ander Crabb, Morris L. Goodman, William O. Ardinger, ML. M. Davis, E. Wilson High.
The Hebrew Benevolent Society of Los Angeles was organized in the year 1834. Its President is Samuel Meyer; Secretary, L. Leon. The French
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Benevolent Society ( now President, F. V. C. de Mondran ), bears date of March 1st, 1860. October 29th, 1859, the vice-consular flag of France was raised in this city by the estimable vice-consul, Mr. Jacob A. Moerenhout, amid the firing of cannon and fervid congratulations of his own countrymen, participated in by many other citizens. The last estimate of the French in this city made about 600 men, of whom one-half are believed to be married ; with their families there might be two thousand. M. Mocrenhout was born at Antwerp, Belgium, March 6th, 1797. He was appointed Consul of France to the Mexican Government at Monterey in the year 1845, and arrived at that city on a French man-of-war in 1846. Although that Consulate was sus- pended in 1848, he remained there in the discharge of its functions until 1850, when he went to France. In 1852 he returned to Monterey with the title of consul honoraire and as vice-Consul of France; he remained there until 1859, when he was appointed in the same capacity to the city of Los Angeles. The Teutonia-concordia was formed December 31st, 1859, with thirty-eight members: President, C. II. Classen; Vice-President, H. lam- mel; Secretary, H. Hensche; Treasurer, Lorenzo Leck. It held its anniver- saries and no doubt was joyous, as Germans always are; but ultimately merged itself in the Turnverein Germania June 19, 1871. President now, George Reinecker; Vice-President, B. Marxen; Treasurer, C. Brode; Secre- tary, Henry Glass. The Germans with their wives and children are not less than two thousand. The Irish, including their families, are over one thou- sand in this city and county. They have a branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which has about a hundred members; instituted here August 16th, 1875, with officers as follows: County Delegate, Daniel Douherty ; President Martin Golden ; Vice-President, B. J. Flynn; Financial Secretary, Peter Lunny; Recording Secretary, William Farley; Treasurer, Richard Malony. Its officers remain the same except President, who is Daniel Me Carthy, and Martin Golden succeeds Mr. Flynn as Vice President. There are Temperance and other societies for benevolent objects, of recent dates, Order of Red Meu, Knights of Pythias, etc.
The Merrill Lodge No. 299, I. O. G. T., was organized December 28th, 1867. Its officers are, July 4th, 1876: Jesse Yarnell, W. C. T., Marion Cays- tile, W. V. T., Del. Condit, W. R. HI. S., Mary Whitehorn, W. L. II. S., Wm. L. Todd, W. S., Ed. Stump, W. A. S., F. A Gibson, W. F. S., J. R. Brierly, W. T., C. Stamps, W. M., Katie Caystile, W. D. M., T. J. Caystile, W. I. G., P. W. Dooner, W. O. G., J. J. Ayers, P. W. C. T., Tom B. Wade, W. C. The Catholic Abstinence Society has as President Patrick Connelly; Viee Presi- dent, John P. Moran, jr. ; Secretary, David Weldt; Chaplain, Rev. Peter Ver- daguer. At an carlier day were Sons of Temperance and other organizations maintained with considerable enthusiasm. The Mechanics' Institute be- longed to the year: 1858-'60, before which, Dr. Thomas J. White, J. R. Scott, Esq., and other gentlemen, delivered able lectures. July 1st, 1859, the doors of the Library Association were opened to the public. An Agricultural So-
ciety was matured in December, 1859. The Spanish-American Benevolent Society came June 1st, 1875, D. Garcia President ; preceded in 1863 by the JJu- rez Political Club, L. Benavides now President.
The first hospital, "The Los Angeles Infirmary," for the sick, was opened May 31st, 1858, in the house of Don Cristobal Aguilar, by the Sisters of Charity. These ladies emigrated from their mother house, St. Joseph's, Emmetsburg, Md., and settled at Los Angeles in the year 1855. Subsequent ly they have erected an extensive hospital of brick, with garden and orchard surrounding it, in the upper part of the city.
Contrary to what has been said sometimes, the native Californians were rever indifferent to the education oftheir children, as the acts of the Depart- mental Assembly and Ayuntamcintos prove, by constant efforts from the time of Governor Figueroa and before. It must be borne in mind that their local councils had not faculty to impose a property tax for any purpose, and their annual revenue seldom exceeded one thousand dollars. We very day meet on the street a member of the Ayuntamiento of 1846, Don Luis Jordan. who on January 21st of that year, urging a plan for a primary school, uttered the noble sentiment: "Humanity, family ties, and the oblig; tion of our of- fice in mute voices tell us that we niet not be indifferent to the helplessness
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of youth, lest to-morrow our neglect may bring down upon our own heads odium and execration."
We have before referred to certain measures of the Mexican Supreme Government in 1833-'34 to extend education in California, and to the school of Don Ignacio Coronel at Los Angeles. The first proposition for a college was from Rev. Antonio Jimenes, May 18th, 1850, in his application for a grant of town land to that end. About the same time, Rev. Dr. Wicks, Pres- byterian, seconded by J. G. Nichols, opened the pioneer English.school. As late as January, 1853, we had but four small schools, two of them teaching English. The oldest Public School houses are one on Bath street, the other ou Spring street : both built under the trustees J. G. Nichols and John O. Wheel- er. At San Gabriel, J. F. Burns and Cæsar C. Twitchel were teachers in 1854. Dr. John S. Griffin, June 7th, 1856, was elected Superintendent of Common Schools, with Francis Mellus, Agustin Olvera and Wm. A. Wallace as School Commisssioners. Wm. McKee and Mrs. Thomas Foster taught for some time. Mrs. Hoyt had a school March 7th, 1857, and her daughter, Miss Mary E. Hoyt, November 26th, 1859-these ladies much honored and successful teachers ; and also, Miss Anna McArthur. Among the ladies teaching at different epochs since 1860, were Miss Eliza Madigan. Hattie Scott, Frankie Scott, Maggie Hamilton, Eula P. Bixby, Emma. L. Hawks, Clara M. Jones, E. Bengough ; Messrs. H. A. Saxe and C. H. Kimball, Dr. T. H. Rose and Dr. W. T. Lucky bring up this fair record to the present hour. July 4th, 1875, Los Angeles county had near 8,000 children, according to the school census ; school districts, 48; teachers, 72; Public School houses, 59; to be understood as including grammar, intermediate and primary schools.
The Institute and Orphan Asylum of the Sisters of Charity had com- menced January 5th, 1856. St. Vincent's Catholic College for boys, after two years on the Plaza, was firmly established in 1857, in their present edi- fice. Its President is Rev. Michael Flynn.
Educational systems have been extended and brought nearer perfection within the past seven years. To those patient laborers of our earlier days- in adverse circumstances, often their best recompense was the consciousness of duty well done-society is grateful for the noble gifts of useful men and women whom it owes to their knowledge and faithful care.
The Israelites have always observed their festivals of the Old Law, by closing houses of business and meeting for worship at designated places. "They number six hundred souls.
The first Methodist sermon was preached June, 1850, by Rev. J. W. Bri er, at the adobe residence of J. G. Nichols, where the Court House now stands. Mr. Brier was an emigrant of 1849, on the Salt Lake route. At Death Valley, on the Desert, he had to put his wife and two children on an ox, himself afoot, and so entered Los Angeles. In 1853, Rev. Adam Bland was sent by the California Conference to this, "the Southern California Mis- sion." IIe came "with his wife and little white-haired girl," found inade quate accommodations for his family, and a solitary member, who then lived out of town, Mr. J. W. Potts (still living here). Later in the year Mr P. came to reside in the city; and he and Rev. Mr. Bland constituted the whole membership "at quarterly meeting, and official meeting; except when Dr. M. Whisler and family might come in from "El Monte." This society now numbers 260 members. Rev. J. McHenry Calwell was minister here in 1854, and must have been in part of 1855, for in April of that year preach- ing is advertised for the Court House (present City Hall) signed by him; preachers, Rev. Adam Bland and Rev. R. P. Dunlop, the latter preacher at El Monte, the former Presiding Elder in 1854. At Los Angeles the success- ive preachers thereafter were, in 1855, Rev. N. R. Peck; 1856, Rev. Elijalı Merchant; 1857, Rev. David Tuthill; 1866, Rev. C. Gillett; 1867, Rev. A. P. Hernden; 1868, Rev. A. Coplin ; 1869 and '70, Rev. A. M. Hough ; 1871, Rev. P. Y. Cool; 1872, Rev. S. H. Stump; 1873, Rev. J. W. Campbell; now Rev. Geo. S. Hickey, A. M. It will presently appcar that Mr. Tuthill must have
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
been here in 1859. Rev. Mr. Merchant died in 1856, at the " little parsonage on First street." For some of these facts we are indebted to the Methodist Church Record, kept in this city. The Methodists have church edifices at Santa Monica, Compton and Orange, and propose others at Florence and Lower Santa Ana. Their pastors arc: Rev. M. M. Bovard, A. B., Compton ; Rev. J. D. Crum, Santa Monica; Rev. J. M. Campbell, Orange and Anaheim; Rev. C. Shelling, Florence and Indiana Colony; Rev. I. N. Leihy, Westmin- ster and Artesia; Rev. Adam Bland, Santa Ana and Tustin.
To go back a little: Rev. James Woods, Presbyterian, and Rev. James G. Johnson were among the carliest preachers. Rev. J. W. Ellis died at El Monte, February 29th, 1856. In August following, Rev. I. N. Davis left, for want of support. Los Angeles then was without any Protestant misister. As late as May, 1857, there was no Episcopal pastor. On that day, Dr. Matthew Carter announces himself as a lay reader, authorized only to administer burial rites. Rev. Elias Birdsall staid here a year, from the Spring of 1865, about which time Bishop Wm. Ingraham Kip made his first visit. Rev. Henry Hayes Messenger came to this city July 19th, 1866. He had been a missionary on the west coast of Africa, near Cape Palmas, from 1858 to 1862. His health impaired, he returned to Ohio; after four years, concluded to try California. He lives at Orange, in this county, sometimes preaching, but a good deal devoted to horticultural pursuits, especially the banana, pine-apple and other tropical plants. After Mr. Messenger, came Rev. J. B. Gray, Rev. J. J. Talbot, Rev. Robert Burton, and now Rev. William H. Hill. At Ana- heim, is Rev. J. M. Hubbard, Episcopal. In 1859, El Monte had Rev. R. C. Fryer and Rev. John A. Freeman. On May 4th, of the same year, an organ- ization was formed by Rev. Wm. E. Bourdman (the author), under the title of the First Protestant Society, with a Constitution declaring that its mem- bers "unite for the purpose of supporting Protestant worship here;" signed by Isaac S. K. Ogier, Wm. McKee, A. J. King, C. Sims, Charles S. Adams, Wm. S. Morrow, D. McLaren, Thos. Foster, Wm. H. Shore, N. A. Potter. The corner-stone of St. Athanasius Church-that on the hillside below the High School-was laid in 1864. The following ladies constituted its choir : Mrs. Caroline Hartman, Mrs. Nancy Wheeler, Mrs. Gen. W. S. Hancock, Mrs. Major S. P. Hentzelman, Mrs. G. W. Mix, Mrs. Adeline E. Morgan, who is now in Florida, and widow of Mr. Osias Morgan, Miss Mary E. Hoyt, Mrs. Julia Wheeler, Miss Maria Schotchler, who married Mr. H. N. Alexan- der, and died soon afterward, Mrs. W. E. Boardman and niece, Miss Abbie Green. The lot was conveyed, by Francis Mellus, for the first Protestant Church that might be built, of which the Presbyterians availing themselves built this edifice, and transferred it to the Episcopalians. It was built under the direction of Rev. Mr Boardman. The Baptists have a church at Downey City. The present Congregationalist Church on New High street was built by Rev. Alexander Parker; he was follow by Rev. J. T. Wills; the minister now is Rev. D. T. Packard. The Presbyterians have Rev. Dr. A. F. Wliite.
Rev. Dr. Pierce and Rev. T C. Barton officiated here before 1859, and in that year Rev. W. E. Boardman, Presbyterian, Rev. D. Tuthill, M. E., and Rev. Mr. Newton, M. E. South. Referring to the three gentlemen last named as being located here October 22, 1859, the Star says: "With this force of pious and talented clergymen, we have no doubt the spiritual interest of the various Protestant denominations will be duly attended to. We did not mention, in the foregoing, the Reverend Dean and clergy of the Catholic Church, because every one knows they are the pastors of the Church of the great mass of our citizens,-indeed, the founders of our city itself; and that the doors of the Church stand open for divine service all day and nearly all hours."
Rt. Rev. Thaddeus Amat, of Barcelona, Spain, was consecrated Bishop of Monterey in 1854. In 1859 he received the title of Bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles, and established his Sec in this city. Rev. Blas Raho had preceded him in 1856, as parish Priest, at whose death Rev. Francis Mora came, in 1863, as Rector of the Cathedral and Vicar General. August 3d, 1873, Rev. Francis Mora was consecrated Bishop Co-adjutor. Rev. Peter Verdaguer is Parish Priest, Rev. Miguel Duran, Assistant. The Catholic Church on the Plaza was built in the year 1821; a new roof put on in 1841 4
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by Rev. Fr. Sanchez. It was improved to its present state by Rev. B. Raho. The Cathedral on Main street, which is the largest Church edifice perhaps in this State, was commenced May 1st, 1871, and consecrated April 30th, 1876. At Santa Ana (of the Yorbas) is a Church built at the expense of Don Ber- nardo Yorba, many years ago. In August, 1869, Rev. Peter Verdaguer, then pastor of San Gabriel built a Church at Anaheim, upon a lot granted to him
on condition of improvement. Its pastor is Rev. Victor Fouron.
Small
tracts belong to the Catholic Church at each of the old Missions of San Fer- nando, San Gabriel and San Juan Capistrano, acquired by confirmation of the U. S. Courts. The grazing lands surrounding those places were in gener- al granted by the Mexican Government to private individuals,-as at San Fernando, 121,619 acres to Don Eulogio de Celis; at San Juan, various fine ranchos to John Foster. San Fernando has no Priest; its Church is out of
repair. Famed in 1854 for its olives, it is now the cynosure of all railway expectations. The first through train from San Fernando to Spadra bears date April 15th, 1874. The great tunnel of the Southern Pacific Company was commenced in April, 1875; its completion is predicted confidently by Superintendent E. E. Hewitt on September 20th, 1876. The Spadra trunk passes alongside of the weather-beaten adobe walls of San Gabriel. A new and solid roof was put upon its Church in 1863, by Rev. Cipriano Rubiou. Its present pastors are Rev. Joaquin Bot and Rev. Ilugh McNamee. Its bells, celebrated in song for their sweet tones, date far back into the last cen - tury. The Priest of San Juan Capistrano is Rev. Joseph Mut. Since the earthquake of 1812, divine service has always been held in a large room fronting on the Court. An effort was made some years ago to repair the old Church, which failed for want of means. When Commodore Stockton passed, January 5th, 1846, it is described as "evidently once a handsome building ; well finished with cut stone arches over the doors, windows, etc .; the cornice of the same; the rest of the building of stone, covered with? ce- ment and stucco work. Many families then were at the Mission, and Mr. John Foster resided there. Extensive dams were standing that had been used for irrigation, and the valley appeared to have been formerly kept in a high state of cultivation. The Church is now, or has been, used for a stable."
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