USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 18
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During this spring there was considerable rain, and the inountains were completely covered with snow to within a few hundred feet of the valley. On the night of April 224, there was vivid lightning-a rather rare occurrence in Los Angeles valley. On December 25th a thunder-storin, accom- panied by hail, swept over the city, and a few days later came a violent rain-storm, more water falling, in about thirty-six hours, than in the three years preceding. This was followed by bright sunshine, and the result was a fine crop of grass.
The winter of 1857-8 was throughout extremely mild, with much rain. On June 7, 1858, a smart rain was experienced, being noted as a rather uncommon occurrence at that season. In September and October there were several violent rain- storms, and much corn was blown down and ruined. In Decem-
læer rain came just in time to save the grass, and there was great rejoicing in consequence
From this out there was but little rain, and fears of a total failure of crops were entertained until about February 1, 1859, when the heavens opened, and a generous fall of about three and one-half inches occurred. There were severe frosts in April, destroying many tender plants, and some quite heavy rains in that and the following month On May 4th, thunder was heard. September and October were both marked by extreme heat. In the former month the thermometer on one occasion registered 1044 in the shade; and in the latter, for about ten days, the maximumin renched HO" in the shade, and on one occasion showed 80' at sunrise.
Early in December, an extra heavy fall of rain occurred. estimated at one foot of water within twenty-four hours. The ground was wetter throughout the county than before in five or six years, The Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers were so swollen as to be impassable. The former stream overflowed a great deal of land about towu, carrying off fences, in some cases tearing up hedges by the roots, covering immense tracty of bottom-land with sand and loam sediment fin some places a foot deep), and in one instance carrying off' part of a vineyard, washing the vines clear out of the ground. A portion of the dam works, where the water was taken out of the river to sup- ply the main sunjas of the city, was carried off by the freshet. For some days after the water subsided, the river was difficult of' approach, owing to the mud deposit upon the adjoining flats.
Large numbers of sheep died during the storm. One man, out of a flock of four thousand, is said to have lost over one thousand. Other parties lost each from one hundred to right hundred head. Both cattle and sheep were so poor, and the rain continued so long, that they became chilled through, and, as a consequence, many died.
1860. January 27th, two considerable shocks of earth- quake were experienced. Rain fett this spring as follows: Jau- uary 6th and 230; February 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th; March 4th, 28th and 29th; April 20. This closed the rainy season. May was very cokl, and frost killed the potato tops in many places. June (in the carly portion) "now resemble December," with cokl, wet weather. The hny crop was slightly damaged. July was "cold and disagreable," with frequent showers coming at the most inopportune times. " Taken all in all, this was the queerest season ever experienced by the most ancient resident." The early part of Angust was marked by extreme heat, the thermometer ranging fromn 97º shade to 105° in the sunshine. This was attributed to the fires raging in the surrounding mountains. The latter part was extremely cold, with one severe shower of rain, accompanied by heavy thunder, with vivid flashes of lightning. November was cold,
54
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
with severe frosts for several mornings. On December 10th came a heavy rain, much needed
1861 This year opened with heavy rains, which caused all the rivers to overllow their banks, and occasiond consider- able damage. By the middle of January the earth was so cour- pletely soaked, that furmers Felt quite independent of the weather. There was thervalter no very heavy fall until the latter part of March, when abundant rains wore again had. In July mountain lires caused deuse clouds of smoke and heated air to setthe over the valley. The thermometer ranged for days from 80º to 100° in the shade, and on the 24th recorded 1124 in the shade. Stock suffered much, and several work animils died in harness. September wus also very warm. In October the wrather was damp and warm, whil. November brought line rains and hoar frost to the valley, with an abundance of snow on the mountains.
1862. May 27th a slight shock of emthquake was expe- rieneed, the oscillation Fwing from south to north.
June 7, at ghont Il F. M., u severe shock was felt in all parts of the city, urcompanied by an explosive somnl, the vilen- tion lasting abont u minute und a quarter. The movement was from the south-east.
The yenr opened up with two weeks continuous rain, which was succeeded by very great heat during the sinminer. This was the commencement of a Three-years' drought.
(SG3. In Jammury the want of rain began to be severely Telt, and throughout the year the enttle, like shadows, stalked the plains, picking a scanty sustenance und barely supporting life. On November 21st and 23d heavy frosts occurred; there was one shower of rain in this month.
1864. In his correspondence to the San Francisco Bulletin, February 4, 1864, H D. Harrows says :-
Except one rain, about the middle of last November, we have kod no rain of consequence for nearly a year, nor enough to make a good erop of grass for nearly two years. The hills are almost as dry os in mid summer. Thousands and thousands of cattle have died, and are dying, and those that are left, except in favored localities, stalk about like spectres. The beavens are us brass: the clonds all blow away and bring no rain.
On February 1Ith the long looked-for showers came, and each drop seemed to the weary inhabitants, and the thirsty carth, like a precious pearl. This wus succeeded by sand- storms, short in duration, but extremely disagreeable. May opened with exceedingly warm weather, the thermometer rang- ing from Des to Die in the shade. Later on in the month the city and vicinity were visited by several heavy rain-storms, but these did not extend over the whole county : grass was, how- ever, reported in fair condition. June was marked by several were show-storms at Telachape, and Angust in Los Angeles was very warm. During the first week 98' at sunset was not
mommon. The latter part of November was marked by heavy rain», cansing much rejoicing.
1865. Under date Felonary 7th, we read in the Meir's;
In Friday evening. February 3d, a severe wind-storm swept over this valley. The damage done by the hurricane in this vicinity has been considerable. Many houses were unroofed, and awnings, sign -. etc., blown down. Much damage bas been cansed to the orange orchards in Los Angeles and vicinity. The trees were loaded with fruit at the time, which was blown off and injured beyond sale: the trees are also much damaged, and in many cases entirely ruined. The large barn of Banning & Ce, situated on Fort street was blown entirely down, not a stick astanding. Many were compelled to lash down the roof of their houses to kerp them in place.
However, the inhabitants confidently looked forward to a change, and Jh. Barrows writes March 24th,: " After several seasons of drought and disaster, we look forward with hope that the coming season will be one of bounty and plenty."
Angust 29th the wenther was recorded as " very hot." mer- eury ranging 924 and 93" in the shade.
December was extremely cold. On the evening of the 4th ice Formed npon open vessels. On the morning of the 18th snow fell in such quantities that it could be gathered up with the hand in many parts of the city. Flakes fell throughout the day, and all the inhabitants indulged in the novel pastine of snow-balling. The year closed with abundant rains.
1866. June 3rd a slight shock of earthquake was felt. October was marked by very warm weather for the time of year.
1867. In January there was heavy rain. In February ice formed about the city upon one or two occasions, and the weather was decidedly winterish. In March the rains were so heavy that the in-coming mails were delayed for over two weeks, and severe floods resulted. A slight shock of carth- quake was felt on Sunday, November 17th.the oscillation being from south to north. December 9th a heavy rain-storm, accompanied by thunder and lightning. occurred, and later in the month very heavy rains, and considerable flood. At the half-way house, on the road to San Pedro, four horses were struck by lightning and instantly killed.
1868. We elip the following account of a severe Hood from the Los Angeles Veu's of January 3, INGS ;-
It is almost impossible to give full returns of the disasters in this county occasioned by the late rains, but the following we believe to he substantially correct. as far as heard from:
LOS ANGELES RIVER .- The river commenced rising on Friday night (December 20th) and gradually increased, nutil on Tuesday it was at its maximum. It changed its course, overflowing its banks above the vineyard of Louis Willhardt, destroying several acres of choice vines; thence striking a point at the junction of the lands of Vincent Hoover and Mrs. White, it received the waters of the various sloughs, AArroyo Seco and others, whose united force swept along the entire front of Mrs. White's vineyard. The banks were about ten feet high, but the water would undermine it, and whole sections would fall. carrying away vines of twenty years' growth, and the most valuable trees. The earth caved and washed within a few feet of the beautiful brick residence of that lady. Fortunately the river fell, aud by cutting down the trees near at band, consisting of orange, lemon, walnut, etc., and throwing them
into the river at a particular poiut. thins forming a breastwork, the lumise was saved, but the vineyard is lost forever. Below the vineyard of Messrs. Sansevaine and Wolfskill, whose loss is trifling, it washed away abunt six or seven acres of the vineyard of Mr. Messer, and intlicted some considerable damage to the vineyard of Mr. I. Hoover. Up to the time of going to press, we have not heard of any damage sis- tuined below that point. The damage to the udobe houses in the city has been serions. In San Pedro street, three ndobe honses fell; the families barely removed in time. Many of the cellars were flooded, and all the roads leading into the city were rendered for a time impass. able, thus isolating ns from the outer world.
Los, DY CITY DAM .- This dam, which furnished the city with water, and was repaired at the expense of some three thousand dollars. was entirely swept away, and nutil it is repaired, will necessitate the revival of the water-cort system, which, a few years ago, was our only source of supply.
OID Mission .- At this point six houses were washed away. The owners are constructing temporary huts to live in from branches of trees and the debris that have floated down the river. Here were lost fine fruit trees, vines, ete,, and as the owners were Californians, it was almost their sole dependence. The soit is entirely washed away.
Las NIRIus .- At this settlement the losses were severe. Mr. E. II. Boyd lost one hundred neres; Mr. Parsons fifty acres; Gov. Downey about two hundred acres; Mr. Murphy, out of one hundred and lil'ty acres, lost one Inudred acres: Don Pio Pico lost about two hundred neres, the river forming a new channel at thut įdace ; some Californian4 lost about one hundred acres. On Monday evening, when the river commeneed rising, Mr. Murphy and family, finding the water rising to the floor, undertook to wade to high land. Mr. Murphy and three children got to the place of safety, but Mrs. Murphy and daughter and Mrs. Casserly were caught, but succeeded in reaching a drift, where they remained from four o'clock in the afternoon till midnight, when they were relieved by a boat built for the exigency. Next morning Messrs. Sharp and Baker undertook to cross the river io the boot, but were swamped, but they snceceded in reaching a sycamore tree, where they remained until a new boat was built -some eight hours. Several houses were washed away, among them that of Mr. Murphy, with all its contents.
A Frenchman from Anaheim, attempting to crow the river at that place, came to grief. Finding his menles likely to drown, he cat them loose, when they swam ashore. The wagon drifted a few miles down the river, and was afterwards dug out, but the harness and contents of the wayon were lost.
FAX FRANCISCO CANYON .- On Friday last the Clear Creek stage undertook to resume its regular trips, but was compelled to return, find. ing it impossible to pass through the San Francisco Canyon, the wasb having rendered it impassable, The damage has been severe. Mrasts. Sparles & Yates had their store, dwelling, stables, corral, huy, etc .. washed away, with a les of about two thousand dollars. Dona Nevins' ranch is wasked away; and the runch at the mouth of the canyon uearly destroyed. At the head of the canyon, a portion of the dwelling, stable and blacksmith shop of Major Cordon was destroyed. One Board of Supervisors should see that the road he repaired through the canyon forthwith, as a large amount of trade from this city to Clear ('reek. Kelso valley, Owens river. Tebachape valley, Fort. Trjon, etc., pass thươngh that canyon.
Ks, MONTE .- - The San Gabriel, or a portion of it, ran through the Monte, and besides washing away many fences, and covering many farins with sand aud gravel, we learn kas washed away a considerable portion of' arable land in that neighborhood.
May 4th, a severe snow-storm visited Tebachape valley. August 2d, at 9 A. M., Los Angeles experienced an earthquake shock, lasting abont two seconds, the oscillation being east and west. We find the following in the Nous :-
On Friday night. August 14th, the tide commenced rising at its nsual time, until it was six feet above the usual water mark. It receded within fifteen minutes, as suddenly as it rose, and it con- tinued until next day-every fifteen minutes rising and falling five or six feet, apparently in great tidal waves that covered the entire beach at San Pedro.
FASHION LIVERY STABLES
- ليه ج
VIEW OF FASHION LIVERY STABLES, MAIN ST FRONTING ARCADE. G.R. BUTLER, SUPT, LOS ANGELES, CAL .
PUBLISHER UT THOMPSON . WAS ,
55
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
1869. The year opened with very cool weather, ice formning a quarter of an inch thick; there was also an abundance of rain. In July the merenry reached 95 in the shade, but September 27th was the hottest day of the season thus far, the record being, shade 100°, sun 104. October 31 brought the merenry to the grand height of 107° in the shade. Up to the end of December but little rain had fallen.
1870. Jannary was still dry, and the want of rain began to be seriously felt. Herders were discussing the advisability of removing cattle and sheep to the mountains, when the rains of April obviated the necessity of so doing. There was some Trost in November at El Monte, and throughout that fall rain was ngain badly needed all over the county.
1871. On the night of January 12th ice formed in Los Angeles a quarter of an inch thick. There was some rain (much needed) in May; uml a threatened drought was averted by a copiona rain-fall toward the end of Dreember.
1872. On the morning of March 26th, at about twenty minutes past three o'clock, the most severe shock of earth- quakr since 1857, was felt in Los Angeles, The vibration had an apparent course of due north and south, and lasted about twenty seconds. Several clocks were stopped, but no chumage done. The atmosphere at the time is describedl to have had a most peculiar hazy appearance, It was afterwards learned that the full force of this shock was expemled in the Owens river country, where the towns of Independence, Lone Pine, and Swaneea were ahnost entirely destroyed by it. In Los Angeles the motion was described as a "a swell." A slight shock was also felt on the morning of April 11th.
April 20 was marked by a fearful saml-storm, which raged with uncontrolled fury throughout the entire day ; the atmos- phere being so impregnated with the flying saud as almost to obsenre the sun's light. Considerable rain fell during the autumn.
1873. There was but little rain throughout the carly part of the year; the total amount for the season 1872-3 reaching only twelve and a half inches. "The fall rains began on November 18th and were quite, abundant.
1874. The total rain-fall of 1873-4 was nearly twenty-four inches,
1875. A sharp rarthquake shock was felt on the afternoon of November 15th, causing some timorons persons to fly their honses. It was described as "ta sharp, vertical shock, with a movement from north to south."
The following record is clipped from the Herald pamphlet of 187G :-
THE TEMPERATI'RE AT LOS ANGELES DURING THE YEAR 18;5.
Ilighest.
Lowe-t.
Mean,
January
.30
4:41,
February
.35
March
.80
.34
. . 33511
April.
31
621
May
103
411
June.
95
92.
August .
103.
september
.93
41
October
102
LAN1;
November.
.8114
.42.
2
December
84
1876. Early in May occurred a severestorm, lasting forty-eight hours, and doing much damage to the railroad. There were shocks of earthquake felt at various points in the county throughout the year. The most notable were those of Feb- ruary 20th, March 8th, July 12th, and July 26th. All were slight and no damage was done.
1877. Slight shocks of earthquake were reported July 10th, September 19th, and November 11th. November and Decem- ber brought heavy rains.
1878. The night of June 11th was favored by a temblor. which startled the good people of Los Angeles not a little. About It o'clock P. M., when all honest people were asleep, one of the mighty giants-who, according to Indian legends, uphold the earth-must have sought a fresh grip upon his burden, for then and there occurred a rumbling and upheaval, which caused the whole population to rush screaming into the street, sans everything but scanty night gear. For a time the "Angel ('ity" looked as though it had been invaded by Tam O'Shanter's witches, or that Ascension day had come, and the people had all turned Millerites. As all were barefooted, the supposition is that they were scared out of their boots, and what with the babel of cries, prayers, and lamentations con- stantly ascending in every conceivable key, a hundred camp- meetings could scarcely have been heard, and the World's ju- bilce would have been nowhere. There were three succeedling shocks, hut these were of less violence. Finally the trembling inhabitants returned to their houses to investigate damages. These footed up as follows : one vase broken by falling from the mantel-piece; one nose incommoded by "a smell of sulphur in the air; " 15,000 people badly scared; no other casualties reported.
July 17th two slight shocks were reported at Santa Monica, and ou the 25th a tremble was felt at Los Angeles, San Ber- nardino, and Riverside.
January of this year was remarkable for almost unprece- dented cold. We read of ice in water buckets one inch and five-eighths in thickness, and all the ponds and small lakes were covered with a thick coating of ice. There was plenty of rain also toward the end of the month. September 13th
the mercury reached 103º in the shade, while in December the weather was " colder than in thirty years before;" but worse than all, there had fallen but one shower up to December 21st. The Signal Service reported for the year ending October 81, 1978, amount of rain-fall 205 6 inches.
1579. During the afternoon of August 10th n slight shock of earthquake was felt at los Angeles mid Santa Monica. There was luit little rain duringthis year. The Signal Servire reporting ouly 12.14 inches for the twelve months ending October 31st.
1×80. This year opened up with considerable snow on the mountains, and an abundance of rain in the valley Shower following shower at short intervals throughout the spring. speedily insured not only a good crop of grass, but also in cereal yield of imprecedented plenty. The cold weather of the early spring was nupropitions for southern fruits, but on the whole there was little to complain of. Hot winds occurred just before harvest, blighting a portion of the crop while in the milk.
Upon Sunday morning, March 26th, at 6:20 o'clock, n slight shock of earthquake occurred, but occasioned no damage.
WATER AND IRRIGATION.
lu all tropical and semi-tropical climates the question of water supply is one of paramount importance : for unless this br adequate and constant the country minst soon become barren; alike void of verdure and bloom ; alike deserted by man and beast. The primary sources of water supply are this same in all portions of the world, and are three in member, viz. ;
Ist: Moisture from the air.
2d. Natural springs, and the streams flowing therefrom. 31. Artificial wells.
IAIN- FAI.I ..
The rain-falt in Los Angeles county has (until within the past few years been but seblom recorded, and never save unofficially, and, in all probability, inaccurately. The follow- ing table gives such data on the subject as we have been able to glean from all sources of information ; and while this table is not, perhaps, absolutely correct, it is at least as reliable as any that can be prepared from existing records.
ANNUAL RAIN-FALL IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
Taken at Anaheim, 1860-1861.
7 inches.
.. 1801-1862
13
:
1802-1863
4
4. 1863-1×64
4
=
1864-1865 ..
10
15
:
1866-1867.
17
=
1807-1868
11
44
1868-1889.
10
1869-1870
4
1870-1871.
7
1871-1872 13
1865-1866.
4.31
July
56
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
Say an average fall of ten inches annually, during twelve years ( fractions not counted).
Taken at Los Angeles, 1872-1873.
12 inches.
1873-1874.
1874 - 1875 ...
..
1875-1876
..
1876-1877
11
..
1878-1870
11
1879-1880.
Say an average fall of eighteen inches annually. during eight years fractions not connted ;.
In his report for 1880, the State Engineer gives the average yearly rain-fall of the county as follows :--
Spring 2.5 inches.
Somuer.
.11.0
Autumn
2.0
=
Winter
10,5
..
Totul average for the year.
15.0 inches.
NATURAL STREAMS.
There are three principal rivers rising in the great mountain ranges east of Los Angeles county, and traversing the Los Angeles valley on their way to the Pacific ocean. These are- The Los Angeles river, the San Gabriel river, and the Santa Ana river. A fourth-the Santa Clara river, rises in the northern portion of the county, but immediately passing there- out, need not be considered here.
A " River " in the Californian sense means something very different to what that term implies in the Eastern States, where water is more abundant, and therefore less valuable. To the Eastern man the term recalls to mind the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Hudson, the Ohio, and a score of other streams of great volume. But to the Californian such mighty streams as these are unknown, and the value of the commodity being governed by its scarcity, creeks rank here as rivers, and brook- lets are dignified as creeks. Even worse than this-a shadow, a memory, are at times compelled to do duty for the reality, and the thirsty traveler, crossing a dry bed of bleaching sand -guileless of even the suspicion of moisture, is gravely informed by the native~that " this is a river." At some time withiu the scope of far- reaching tradition, this sand has been moistened by a tiny stream. That is enough, the memory of those blessed drops defies the centuries, and, like Tantalus, the wayfarer may perish of thirst, lying prone in the main bed of " a river."
LOS ANGELES RIVER.
The " Los Angeles" was formerly known as the " Porci- uncula " river-an Iulian name. Prior to the establishment of Los Angeles City, it ran easterly of its present course, and followed the foot of the table-land whereon is now situated East Los Angeles. It afterward changed its bed, and ran where Alameda street now is. Still later-about 1825-it
changed to it- present general course, which it has ever since retained, though working gradually westward.
In 1×25, the rivers of this county were so swollen that their beds, their bank4, and the adjoining lands were greatly changed. At the date of the settlement of Los Angeles City, a large portion of the country, from the central part of the city to the tide- water of the sea, through and over which the Los Angeles river now limls its way to the mean, was largely covered with a forest, interspersed with tracts of marsh. From that time until 1825, it was seldom, if in any year. that the river discharged, even during the rainy season, its waters into the sea. Instead of having a river-way to the sen, the waters spread over the country, filling the depressions in the surface, and forming lakos. ponds, and marshes. The river water, if any, that reached the ocean, drained off from the land in so many places, and in such small volumes, that no channel existed until the flood of 1825, which, by entting a river-way to tide-water, drained the marsh land and caused the forests to disappear .- (Historical Sketch of Los Angeles County.)
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