An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 72

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 72
USA > California > San Diego County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 72
USA > California > Orange County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 72
USA > California > San Bernardino County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 72

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

There was no railway nearer than Spadra, some forty miles distant, and this extended only to the small lighterage port of San Pedro, through Los Angeles, then a comparatively small and unimportant town. By this route, and over forty miles of rough and sandy roads must be brought everything that was required for the use of the colony; and to all appearances, the only outlet for the products of their fruit farms would for some years be over the same route.

It required nearly a year'e time and the expenditure of some 850,000 before the waters of the Santa Ana were conveyed through the new channels to the original town plat of River- sidej and no planting of trees or vines to any considerable extent could be safely done until there should be sufficient water available for permanent use.

The first plantings were made in the northern portion of the city as now incorporated, that part being now the principal business center, in which are built the hotels, churches, postoffice, schools and business blocks, whose rapidly increasing number is fast displacing the bean- tiful groves of orange trees that surrounded the earlier homes of the pioneer settlers.

The growth of the settlement was quite limited up to, and inclusive of, the year 1874,

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

at whose end only some 1,500 acres had been brought under cultivation. This, however, was enough to prove the undertaking feasible and practicable, and by the success thus far others were encouraged to locate here and unite with those already on the ground.

When the village plat of Riverside was sur- veyed in 1870-'71, the lands adjoining the village were placed on the market at $20 and $25 per acre for the choicest locations. Some of these same lands, with water facilities and improvements, consisting mainly of orchards "and vineyards, have recently been sold for as high as $1,600 per acre. Village blocks of two- and-a-half acres, which sold in 1871 for from $100 to $200 each, are now in the business district, and worth, according to location, from $7,000 to $15,000 each.

These are the lands for which, it is said, Rubidoux received $2.50 per acre; and a con- temporary of this prior owner relates how, the two being then members of the board of super- visors, early in the '60's, Rubidoux said he would pay no more taxes on that portion of his rancho south and east of the Santa Ana river (now embracing all of Riverside), because it was "ntterly worthless," and he cansed it to be stricken off the assessor's roll, but after some years re-claimed it.

During the years of 1875 and 1876 was formed the Riverside Land and Irrigating Com- pany, which purchased all the lands and the water rights of the original corporation, the Southern California Colony Association. It also purchased some 3,500 acres trom Messrs. W. T. Sayward and S. C. Evans, who then owned the Hartshorn tract, now Arlington. The same number of acres was purchased from the Tin Company tract, and these purchases procured the consolidation of all the contiguous landed interests in a territory nearly fifteen miles long and three miles wide, including all the rights to water that had been appropriated from the Santa Ana river for these lands, for domestic use, irrigation, and manufacturing purposes. This company expended, during

these and the immediately succeeding years, some $200,000 in enlarging and extending the first canal, and in constructing the lower canal and the ditches and structures required for such an extended system of irrigation, at that time the largest and most comprehensive in Cali- fornia.

The new territory was subdivided into ten- acre lots, conveniently located upon broad avenues, which are intersected at distances of half a mile by cross-streets. The chief of these, Magnolia Avenue, together with its northern extension, Brockton Avenne, is twenty miles in length, extending from the business center of Riverside in a sonthwesterly direction to the base of the Coast Range of mountains, and through South Riverside. Of this distance, seventeen miles is an air line; that part of the avenue running through this portion is 132 feet wide, divided by rows of handsome ever- green trees into two roadways and two sidewalks. During these years of astonishing progress, large areas of land were planted to the orange and lemon, and to the raisin grape; also many other varieties of plants and trees, fruit-bearing und ornamental, evergreen and decidnous, were planted, but no vineyards were ever planted here to the grapes used in the making of wine.

As the growth of the settlement steadily in. creased, constant additions were required to the systems of water supply; and during the years 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1888, large expenditures were made for water, both for irrigating and domestic purposes.

The growth of the colony from its foundation to the present time is best shown by the follow- ing summary of the population and the wealth of the place: population, 6,000; acreage under cultivation, 10,000; number of citrus fruit trees, 650,000; number of raisin grape-vines, 1,350,- 000; number of acres of alfalfa, 600; number of deciduous fruit trees, 200,000; assessed value of property for taxation, $4,000,000; annnal value of farm and orchard products, $1,100,750; length of main canals, fifty miles; length of distributing canals, 125 miles; length of pipe

VIEW OF MAGNOLIA AVENUE, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

465

HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

lines of all sizes, forty-two miles; length of streets and avenues, 175 miles; length of street railways, fifteen miles; cost of water system, over $1,000,000; cost of street railways, 873,- 000; cost of gas works, $30,000; cost of church property, $100,000; cost of school property, $125,000. Incomes from fruit farms for past year: citrus fruits, $630,000; raisins, $357,000; deciduous fruits dried, $80,000; hay, nursery stock, etc., $33,750.

FIRST CHURORES.

Few towns of its size have so many denomi- nations represented as has Riverside. There are thirteen different organizations, and ten church edifices.

The first church here was the Congregational, which was organized in 1872. The first church built for its use, on the corner of Vine and Sixth streets, was sold to the Disciples of Christ, when the older organization in 1887 occupied its fine new building near the center-the largest church in the city, which, with its parsonage, is worth $25,000. It contains a fine pipe organ. There are some 200 members and a flourishing Sun- day-school. Rev. T. C. Hunt is pastor.

The Methodists organized a few months after the Congregationalists, and the church had a steady growth, the chapel originally built for its use giving way in 1881 to a fine modern building. This property, including a $2,000 parsonage, is now very valuable. The church membership has more than donbled during the past few years. Rev. W. M. Sterling is the · pastor.

The third church organized here was the Bap- tist. Notwithstanding this congregation had a struggle for existence during its first few years, it is now one of the most prosperous in the city. It has very valuable property on one of the principal business streets, the seating capacity of the church being about 400. The Women's Christian Temperance Union have occupied the parlors of this church for several years. There is a church membership of over 225, and one of the strongest Sunday-schools in the city. Rev.

Charles Button was for many years the pastor, and the prosperity is largely dne to his efforts. He resigned last spring, and Rev. Charles Win- bigler is the present pastor.

The Universalists organized in Riverside in 1881, holding services for two years in public halls. They then built a neat chapel on a prin- cipal business corner. This will probably be replaced shortly by a larger church in a quieter location. Rev. Dr. George II. Deere is the in- cumbent.

The Roman Catholics organized in 1886, and immediately began the erection of a brick church, costing $5,000. It has been sufficiently finished to make it available for the holding of services. When completed, it will be one of the largest and finest church edifices in the county. Father Stockman is the incumbent.

Since 1885 the Church of the United Breth- ren has had an organization here, and it has a neat church building, erected in 1887, at a cost of abont $3,000. Rev. M. S. Bovey is pastor.

A new church (Swedenborgian) organization was effected in Riverside in 1885, with twenty- five members. The congregation owns a church building, and holds regular services. Rev. B. Edmiston is pastor.

All Saints' Church (Episcopalian) is a beau- titul edifice, with a parsonage attached. Among the features of the interior is a font of pure California onyx. A large surpliced choir fur- nishes excellent music, and many prosperous organizations are connected with the parish. The congregation is large and steadily increas- ing. Rev. B. W. R. Taylor is the rector.

A Second Presbyterian Church (Calvary) was organized in the city proper in 1887, be- ginning with over forty members. Services are held in the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation Hall. The membership is steadily in- creasing, and within a short time a fine church building will be erected. Rev. R. H. Hartley is pastor.

There are also Swedish and German Lutheran church organizations.

The Arlington Presbyterian Church is located

466

HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

on Magnolia avenue, three miles from the busi- ness center. It has a beautiful property amidst luxurious orange groves, and is in a prosperons condition. This church was organized in 1879. Rev. H. B. Gage is the pastor.

The following is a list of the

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

of Riverside: F. & A. M., Evergreen Lodge, No. 259; R. A. M., Riverside Chapter, No. 67; K. T., Riverside Commandery, No. 28; K. P. Sunnyside Lodge, No. 112; U. R. K. P .; I. (). (). F., Riverside Lodge, No. 282; I. O. O. F., Star Encampment, No. 73; I. O. O. F., Canton Sherman, No. 25, P. M .; G. A. R., Riverside Post, No. 118; W. R. C., Post No. 34; River- side Rifles, Company C, Ninth Regiment, Captain J. N. Keith, organized 1890; W. C. T. U .; Orange Growers' Association; Society of Christian Endeavor.

Riverside has an excellent daily and weekly newspaper, the Press, edited by Hon. E. W. Holmes, and also another good weekly, the Phænix.

The Riverside cemetery is on the southern side of the settlement.

THE RIVERSIDE WATER COMPANY.

The 14,000 acres of irrigable land embraced in the Riverside colony are under the system of ditches constructed and owned by this water company. The owner of each acre of land en- titled to water from this company's system has two shares of the company's stock attached to the land, and transferable only with that land, so that the company is composed entirely of users of water.

There are about thirty miles of main canals, and nearly eighty miles of laterals. The amount of water now running in the canals is about 3,500 inches. On the upper canal, soine three miles above Riverside, there is a drop of about forty feet, giving a water-power equal to about 300-horse-power, which is ntilized by the Elec- tric Light Company.

The domestic system is separate in its work-

ing from the irrigating system, while it is owned and managed by the same company. The water is piped from the wells in a seventcen-inch main, and delivered under a pressure of 170 feet. The carrying capacity of the pipe is 225 inches, or about 3,200,000 gallons per diem. The main is laid below the town for over seven miles down the valley, thus bringing pure artesian water to the doors of most of the citizens, from the source of supply, which is fifteen artesian wells, eight miles above the town. The water is remarkably pure and soft. The domestic water system cost about $250,000, and the irrigating system over $600,000. The officers of this company are: Joseph Jarvis, M. D., President; J. Frost, Vice-President; G. O. Newman, Engineer; D. Corvell, Secretary.

RAILROADS AND HORSE-CAR LINES.

Riverside is located on the main line of the Santa Fé between San Diego and the East, by which road all points on their system in Southern California, as well as those in the Eastern States, are readily accessible. The city is also con- nected with the county seat and other principal towns of the county, by a standard-gauge steam Inotor line which starts from the heart of the city. It makes close connection with the Southern Pacific at Colton, whence the traveler can reach Los Angeles, San Francisco, or all points at the East. This motor line runs almost hourly trains and brings the residents of the county to the east and north of the city within a few minutes of town. The Riverside & Arlington street-car line is standard-gauge, and as it extends seven · or eight miles down the valley it affords a cheap and easy mode of reaching any part of the beautiful Maguolia or Brockton avennes, and the delightful orange orchards along them. A trip over this road in reality affords a view of the garden spot of California. Since its es- tablishment abont two years since, this line has been a paying one. Hall's addition railway connects Park avenue, about two miles distant, with the center of the city, and it is aiding materially in the development of one of the

467

HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

most promising suburbs. The Riverside rail- way is something over three miles long. It cost over $25,000, having been built to connect the East Side and Santa Fé depot with the principal hotels and the business section. It will be extended ultimately to accommodate a large and growing settlement toward the Box Spring hills.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING.

Riverside has reason to be proud of the building her generous citizens have erected for the use of the Young Mens' Christian Associ- ation. The lot was donated by F. A. Miller. The front of the building is principally of pressed brick and Colton marble. The height from the sidewalk to the top of the tower is sixty feet. The building contains an assembly- roo:n seating 325, with aisles and rostrum, read- ing-rooms, library, gymnasium, lavatories, etc., besides rooms designed for renting for stores, offices, or lodgings. The property is worth over $20,000. The officers for the present year are: president, J. H. Goodhue; vice-presidents, G. F. Herrick and Dr. J. M. McLean; recording secretary, R. J. Pierson; general secretary, Moore Hesketh; treasurer, C. H. Scott.

RIVERSIDE BANKING COMPANY,

at the head of the banking firms in Riverside, is the oldest bank in the city, and can boast the largest capital-$200,000-of all banks in San Bernardino County. Its officers are: A. Keith, President; Dr. J. A. Brenneman, Vice President; O. T. Dyer, Manager; E. C. Dyer, Cashier, and J. H. Goodhue, Assistant Cashier. Directors-W. H. Dyer, A. Keith, Orrin Backus, O. T. Dyer, J. A. Brenneman, E. C. Dyer, C. J. Gill.

The gentlemen named above constitute a part of the wealthiest and most esteemed and reputable portion of the citizens of the county.

Mr. O. T. Dyer founded the establishment in 1880, under the firm name of Dyer Brothers, with a capital of $30,000. His brother, W. H. Dyer, and sisters, Misses A. J. and E. C. Dyer

-the latter of whom is still cashier-were partners with him in the venture.

In 1885, the increasing demands of the pros- perous and growing town of Riverside rendered an enlargement of facilities advisable, and the Riverside Banking Company was incorporated, with a capital of $200,000, as above mentioned.

The institution as a whole has done much for Riverside. It has facilitated the bulk of the prominent enterprises for the welfare of the community, and rendered practicable many of the projects and improvements by furnishing the funds for the undertaking, this being its most important branch. Although it carries on a regular banking business in all its depart- ments of foreign and domestic exchange, col- lections, discounts, etc., the majority of its business is derived from loaning money for de- positors, Eastern and foreign capitalists, and of its own funds. Its correspondents are the Na- tional Bank, New York; Merchants' National Bank, Chicago; Pacific Bank, San Francisco; First National Bank, Los Angeles, and Con- solidated National, of San Diego.

MUNCIPAL, ETC.

The incorporation covers the whole territory of the Riverside tract, or some fifty-six square miles, of which two square miles, being the old village of Riverside with its recent additions, form the business center of the city. Of this tract, thirty-three square miles are divided into tracts for small fruit farms of five, ten, twenty, and forty acres; twenty-one square miles are still used for grazing purposes, being above any system of irrigation existing at present, although it can be watered from the upper tributaries of the Santa Ana river.

At the time of incorporation in 1884, the assessed valuation of property in the city proper was $1,099,041; it was $3,589,783 in 1887; $3, 982,899 in 1888; and $4,391.460 in 1889. This shows that the growth of the place was neither sensibly accelerated by the " boom," nor checked by the cessation of that abnormal im- pulse. The city has no debt. The rate of tax-

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

ation for 1889 was only .55 on $100 for municipal uses.

As an incorporated city, Riverside ranks only as of the sixth class, but her increase in popu- lation is sure to give her, and that right speed- ily, place in the fourth class.

The government consists of a board of five trutees, city clerk, recorder, marshal, superin- tendent of streets, and city engineer.

There is a fire department, and a military company, ete.

There are three banks; two daily newspapers; five good hotels; ten large packing-houses for the handling of citrus and other fruits; one cold storage and ice works; one lemon-curing establishment; one fruit cannery; eight dry- goods, clothing, and shoe stores; ten grocery stores; one music store; three inillinery stores; two stationery and book stores; four jewelry stores; four drug stores; four hardware, tin, and plumbing establishments; three large livery stables; two harness stores; two furniture stores; five tobacconists; two bakeries; two plauing mills; three lumber yards; five large boarding- houses; three restaurants; two large carriage shops; erockery stores; carpenter shops; black- smith shops; laundries, etc., etc.

The medical and legal professions are both well and largely represented by a number of firms and individuals; and the interests of the real estate and insurance business are espe- cially cared for by representative firms in those branches.

In January, 1879, was formed the nucleus of a free public library, which now circulates about 1,500 volumes.

In the Loring Opera House, Riverside boasts a little gem of a theater, second only to the New California of San Francisco in its appointments. Its interior finish is exquisite; chairs of the most improved style, beautiful draperies, lights by both gas and electricity, make this house a thing of beauty. Its scenery, stage appoint- ments and fittings generally are all that could be desired. A feature especially to be com- mended, is the supplying of the stage with an

asbestos fire-proof curtain and steel-clad doors, and the provision of several roomy exits, to guard against loss of life by fire. The seating capacity approximates 1,000. This theater is situated on the ground-floor of the Loring block, a three-story edifice owned and built in 1889 by a stock company. The cost was $80,000.

On the first floor of this building are the apartments which the city occupies for the transaction of municipal business, on a ten- years' lease. On this floor are the offices of the city clerk, board of health, and a large court- room with a jury-room adjoining, also the River- side Free Library and Reading Room. On the second floor is a large room destined for the inectings of the city trustees, with sınaller rooms for the city engineer, superintendent of streets, etc. On the ground floor is the city marshal's office, also the quarters of the fire department; and in the basement is the jail, with fine equip- ments. including six steel cells. Each floor has a fire-proof vault for the safe- keeping of records.

The following are the present officers of the city:

Board of Trustees-E. W. Holmes, president; M. Hoover, W. P. Russell, W. A. Hayt, H. E. Allatt.

Library Trustees-Rev. Dr. George H. Deere, Prof. N. C. Twining, E. W. Holmes, A. S. White, C. J. Gill.

Board of Health-E. W. Holines, president; C. C. Sherman, secretary; W. J. Mclntyre. Bradford Morse, J. W. Johnson.

City Clerk and Assessor, Ad. S. Alkire; Marshal, Bradford Morse; Treasurer, J. M. Drake; Recorder, W. W. Noland; City Attor- ney, W. J. McIntyre; Superintendent of Streets, C. W. Finch; City Engineer, J. W. Johnson; Health Officer. C. C. Sherman; Chief of Fire Department, J. N. Keith.

If it is the proud boast of San Bernardino County that she possesses more school property in proportion to assessed valuation than does any other county of the State, Riverside unay claim double eminence in this regard, since she leads by a great deal the rest of the county in the

469

HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

value and class of school property. The new High and Grammar-school building at River- side is justly ranked among the very best schvol- honses in California. It is a magnificent struct- ure, massive, substantial, and admirably arranged for school nses, combining the greatest solidity and the best arrangement of rooms with the finest architectural results. It contains four rooms for high-school nse, with capacity for 100 students. There are at present somne seventy students, a number of whom are non-residents, under three teachers in this department. More- over, five grammar classes have quarters in this building, with another soon to be organized, on account of the increased attendance. Besides the roomy vestibules and halls, there are rooms for the library, the office of the superintendent, a tenement for the janitor, and the necessary ante-rooms. A two-story brick addition will contain lavatories, closets, etc., to be supplied with artesian water from the city mains, and to have main sewer connections. Although this building is deemed almost fire-proof, it is pro vided with apparatus to fight fires, with suffi- cient pressure to throw water over any part of the building. This building cost about $65,000.

The Sixth street school is a four-100m wooden building, with a principal and three assistants, in charge of the primary grades.

The Arlington district school is a handsome wooden building, containing grammar, inter- mediate, and primary grades.

The Magnolia school is a mixed class, and there are two other primary schools in the city.

The minor school-houses of Riverside repre- sent an aggregate.cost of some $10,000.

Ontside of the incorporated limits of the city are the following schools: the Sonth Riverside district, having a beautiful two-story brick building, which cost over $20,000; the fine new building at East Riverside, which cost $15,000; and fine new buildings at Rincon district and South Riverside.

There are twenty teachers employed in the Riverside schools.

INDUSTRIES.

Riverside has 6,300 acres of land under culti- vation. Of this acreage a considerable propor- tion is used for grain, hay and vegetables, and another large portion is planted to trees not yet bearing. By a conservative estimate, this land in five years from the present will produce double the amount, in money value, of the present yield. This year's harvest has bronght: for oranges, $675,000; raisins, $350,000; dried fruits, $75,000; or a total of $1,000,000. Be- sides this there have been produced large quan- tities of green fruit, alfalfa, barley and vegeta- bles, which will increase the crop to fully $1,250,000, or about $200 to the acre. As high as $350 per acre was obtained from a four-year- old budded grove the past season, and there are abont forty orchards in the county which paid ten per cent. net, on valuation of $2,000 and upwards per acre the last crop.

The first car-load of the State's shipment of the crop for that season was sent from River- side, December 9, 1888.

It is more than superfluous to cite here the world-wide fame of Riverside fruits, whose su- periority is everywhere conceded. Yet it may be pertinent to recapitulate the prizes awarded to the fruit-growers of Riverside at the World's Exposition in New Orleans, in March, 1885, as follows:

Gold medal for the best twenty varieties of oranges grown in California.

Gold medal, for the best twenty varieties of oranges grown in the United States.

Gold medal for the best twenty varieties of oranges grown in world.

Silver medal (the highest preminm offered in this department) for the best display of lemons, from any part of the world.

In this competition were met oranges and lemons from various districts of California, from Sonora and other Mexican States, from Louisi- ana, Florida, the West Indies, and various places along the Mediterranean.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038