USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 23
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So early as 15 we find parties prospecting for cont throughout las Angeles county, fost always without result until 1865 9. when a deposit was discovered on the extreme I northerly end of the Lomas de Santiago Ranch. The operations of prospectors were, however, interrupted by the owners of the land, and these mines yet renin nadeveloped
BLACK STAR COM1. MIISh.
In 1977 cal was discovered in the Canon de los logue Indian Phùon . by August Witte. In December Following the "Black Star Coal Mining Company " was incorporated, and purchased one hundred and sixty- eight neves of land fran James Irvine, owner of the ranch
This mine is located about sixteen miley custerly From the town of Anaheim, and about the same distance from Santa Ana. Three main tunnels have been run, aggregating some nine hundred feet, also numerous side drifts extending there from. The company have erected comfortable buildings for superintendent's residence, also a boarding house for the men. Ilere also are tramways, coal bunkers, and all other appliances for the proper working of the mine.
Two veins of coal have been messered, showing faces of thirty two and fifty-four inches respectively. This coal is of a hard, brittle quality, and of the bituminons variety, similar to that found in the Santa Clara mine. The " Black Star " mine is not at present being worked. Mr. B. F. Seilart, of Anaheim. is president of the company.
SANTA CLARA 6031, MISE.
This mine was discovered in February, 1878, by a Mexican named Roman Mesqueta, who disclosed it to Henry Cassidy, J. K. Smith, William Curry, and W. O. Grewell. These live
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
duly located three hundred and twenty acres of land, and formed a company. From that tiun out it has been alinost constantly worked.
The mine is situated in the foot-hills of the Santa Ana mountains, about twenty miles from Anaheim, and about the watne distance from Santa Ann The present owners are : Henry Cassidy, William Curry, J. K. Smith, J G Kimball, and William Newkirk. Mr. Cassidy acts as superintendent.
"Two main gangways and wveral side drifts have been run, aggregating some four Imudred feet; and eleven men are kendt constantly at work getting ont coal, for which there is a ready sale. It is of the bituminons variety and a good quality. At the mine it sells for three and a half dollars per ton; in Los Angeles for seven to seven dollars and twenty-five cents per ton. The rouds leading to the mine are excellent, and six-horse tenis commonly haul from four to five tons at a lond. The supply is supposed to le practically inexhaustible.
SAI.T.
The following account of the Los Angeles Salt Works is extracted from the Star of September 26, 1856 :
Situated about sixteen miles south-west from the city of lor An. geles, in a unlt lake or pond, from which is manufactured salt of first- rute quality. The lake is nearly two hundred yards wide by abont six hundred lang, und is supplied by springs upon its western bank. It is about two hundred yards distant from the orean, above which it is elevated six ar ten fert. It would appear at first sight, that it was supplied from the ocean, but such is not the fact, as has been proved by frequent experiments, The existence of this Inke Ima long been known to the mutives of the country, and Trenu it they were, formerly, in the habit of drawing their supply of salt by shoveling it up from the bottom. The missionaries who first settled here niso knew of its existence and claimed its proprietor- ship, hut made no attempt to improve the natural resources of the Inke,
Some years since this valuable property emme into the possession of two gentlemen of this city - Mexers. Johnson and Allanson-who have expended a large amount of capital in the erection of the necessary works for the manufacture of salt, by artificial as well as solar evaporation.
The water is drawn from the lake through an iron pipe by means of n force piuap, and is conducted iuto a reservoir, from which it is led by a wooden pipe into the kettles in the boiling lanse. This building is about eighty feet long, and contains forty-eight kettles, which are kept constantly heated. . 1s the salt Forms in the kettles it is removed, and water added iu pro- portion to the evaporation. The salt on being removed from the kettle is ready for market, only requiring time to dry. The process is very simple, and the production of salt abundant, from the intensely saline quality of the waters of the lake. In regard to the amount of fuel consumed, it is estimated that each cord of wood produces n ton of salt. By solar evaporation the salt is produced at the cost of tho tanks aud attendance. There are five tanks in operation: they were cleaned up this week for the first time, and found to have answered all the expectations of the proprietors. That one in which the water was of least depth, proved most productive.
The daily average product of the kettles is five tons. They require to be cooled down for cleaning once in ten days. Each tank or vat, yields about a ton of salt, in a crystalized form. The salt is at present all hauled to the lauding at San Pedro, at a large expense.
The water of the lake is so strongly impregnated with the saline constitueuts, that a stick placed in it will be coated, in teu days, an
inch thick with crystalized cubes. We saw some of them which were very beautiful.
It is a singular fact, that within twenty yardsof the lake, good fresh water is obtained, within fifteen feet of the surface. Two wells, about this depth, and about twenty feet apart, supply fresh water to the workmen.
Meurs, Johnson & Allanson intend sending specimens of their salt, packed in satin haga, to the State Fair.
Since that time the works have passed through a variety of bands. They are, at present, owned by Mr. Trudell, widow of the late proprietor. The salt is extracted by solar evapora- tion, simply, and two crops are taken oll' each season, the yield for 1879 being four hundred and fifty tons. In a ernde state it brings from nine to thirteen dollars per ton, but when ground, it sells from eighteen to twenty-four dollars per ton. Mrs. Trudell owns a salt-mill in Los Angeles, where it is ground.
BITUMEN.
Extensive deposits of bitumen, or mineral pitch (Sp. Brea.), extend throughout all the southern counties of California. According to littell ( Resources of California, sixth edition, page 314 :-
Bituminous springs are numerous near the coast, from the northern line of Monterey county 10 San Diego. They throw up a dark, pitch- like fluid, of a strong odor, which on exposure to the air grows thick and finally solid. It collects in great masses about the springs, and in some places covers several neres of ground. After being exposed to the nir for some time, it is called " asphaltum," which is very hard in coldl weather, but grows soft at about seventy five degrees, and becomes liquid at eighty five degrees. Some springs of it rise iu the sea, near San Diego, and others near Santa Barbara; and masses of the asphal- tum are seen floating many miles from shore. The air at sea is even scented with it, and on several occasions frights on ship-board have been caused by its odor, which was supposed to come from some hidden fire.
There are two principal deposits of bitumen in Los Angeles county. The most important so far (because most developed), is that on the Brea Ranch, lying alinost midway between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The second is found in the Cañada de la Brea, aud throughout the northerly portions of Anaheim and Santa Ana townships. There are many other known deposits within the limits of the county, but of minor impor- tance.
In 1854 Dr. Trask (Mineralogist, declared this to be the most valuable of all the mineral productions of southern California. He estimated that at that time not less than four thousand tons lay exposed upon the surface of the ground in Los Angeles aud San Bernardino counties. Its market value in San Francisco (for the manufacture of gas) being sixteen dollars per ton, here was a total of sixty four thousand dollars in sight.
The mission fathers were familiar with these springs, and used their product to cover the roofs of dwellings. Thus for very many years, the roofs in Los Angeles were all covered with
"brev," taken from the spring, west of the town, nor is its use in this manner yet wholly discontinued.
It is a matter of tradition, that in 1830, by some means this «lepasit caught fire and burned with such fearful intensity, that all the Indians from all the neighboring missions were employed for weeks in smothering the thames with earth.
Asphaltum is manufactured from the crude bitumen hay boiling. The refuse constitutes about one-third of the whok, and serves for fuel. This asphaltum differs from that of innst. localities, in that it is very free from earth-matter, so pure in fact, that when broken in small pieces upon a roof, it will spread itself by the hent of the sun alone. The ranch has been owned by Major Henry Hancock and brother since 1865, and during the past fifteen years they have shipped ou an average about one thousand tous per anum. Major Hancock believes the deposit to extend over some eighty acres of the ranch, and the depth is wholly unknown. The principal tur- ket for the asphaltum is San Francisco, where it brings from fifteen to twenty dollars per ton when refined.
The deposit in the Canada de la Brea was worked some years ago, and for a time the Gas Light Company of Los Angeles obtained their supply at this point. In 1868, a New York company bored here for oil without result, and the abandoned shafts are now filled with liquid bitmnen of the consistence of coal-tur.
PETROLEUM.
it is a popular belief that bitumen and petroleum, if not actually oue and the same thing, are at least very nearly allied. This, Mr. James Feore, agent and superintendent of the oil-works at Newhall, denies in toto. He claims that they are separate and distinct mineral products. Having stated that this difference of opinion exists upon the subject, we will leave the reader to form his own judgment.
Away back in the fifties, we find parties boring for oil in different parts of the county. Not far from Los Angeles City, Mr. B. Dreyfus, Judge Dryden, the " Pioneer Petroleum C'om- pany," Gilbert & Company, and others, prospected and sank wells with more or less success. In San Fernando mountains, the " Philadelphia and California Petroleum Company," struck a flowing well in 1859, and from that time on, for several years, everbody had "oil on the brain." Many wells were sunk, and many hundreds of thousands of dollars likewise. Some good oil was manufactured, and much good money was wasted. Gradually the smaller and weaker companies died out, and those which remained, profiting by past experience, restricted their operations to the regions where repeated experi- ment had fully proved that oil existed in paying quantities. The present scene of operations is in the neighborhood of New- hall Station, in the San Fernando mountains. Here three
BOWLING ALLEY.
AHBORG IN CITY GARDEN
187
CITY GARDEN
PAVIL
JOHN E. EBERLE. F.X. EBERLE.
PROPRIETORS.
CITY GARDEN, OF EBERLE BROS SAN PEDRO & KOHLER STS LOS ANGELES, CAL.
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WEST
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
companies are at work, but all allied in interest and having the same officers: President. C. N Fulton, Auditor, D) ( Sco- field; Secretary, I. D) Fisk; Agent, Jamies For re.
The "San Francisco Petroleum Company " has territory aljoining Pieo canon, and is sinking a well, which is already down one thousand two hnudre I feet, and will be carried down two thousand foot, if necessary.
The " Pacific Coast Oil Company " are putting down as well, nbont tive miles south of Pico canon, and had reached a depth of about one hundred and twenty feet, July Ist. They are pre. pared to sink one thousand five hundred or two thousand foot if necessary.
The "Californin Star Oil Works Company " Imve four pro diming walls, situated in lico canon, about zeven miles south of Newhall Station. These wells range in depth from seven hundred to one thousand one hundred feet. One is n flowing well, the others are pumpe l by steam power, and the total pro. Inetion is about one hundred and twenty barrels of ernde oil per day. The oldest well was snuk four years ago, nud still yields twenty-five barrels daily. Natural gas from the wells furnishes ull needl'ad Fuel. The refinery is located at Newhall Station, seven miles away, and at an altitude six hundred feet lower than that of the wells.
The crude oil (gravity forty-three) is conducted this distance in two-inch iron pipes, und paswes into a maunnoth receiving tank, having a capacity of five hundred barrels. (The total storage capacity of the works is three thousand three hundred barrels in bulk.) From here it passes by pipes into the stills, four in mnuber, capacity two hundred and twenty-five, one hundred and twenty, tifty, und eighteen barrels, respectively.
These stills ure heated by refuse tar burned underneath them, this being fed from n tar-still having a capacity of twenty five barrels, Kach still is enensed in an outer jacket of sheet -- irou, to retain und economize the heat.
'The finer portions of the oil, Iwing speedily freed by the heat, pass upward through vapor pipes into condensing pipes, and through these into a coudeuser. This condenser is about four hundred feet in length, and hobels six hundre ! barrels of water, which, being supplied from a flowing artesinn well, is kept constantly fresh and cool. The vapors, passing in submerged iron pipes through the whole length of this con- denser, speedily assume a liquid form, and are drawn off' nt the " tailpipe house" through faucets, and distributed according to quality.
The first vapors raised from the crude oil are very light and highly inflammable. These are napthas, and are classed- No. 1. Gasoline. . .74
No. 2. Benzine. . ... G3
After theso come two illuminating distillates, from which are made kerosene oil. Fire tests, 150' and 110.
Next comes a distillate from which is ma le a light lubricat- ing oil. gravity 2+
After this a dark Ihricator, gravity 19
Next comes tar which is well for fuel and other purposes
Last of all is cake which is burn . I under the bikers along with gas. collecte I from the tailpipe house
The napthay and finer dil are now conveyed by pipes to the agitators, of which there are two, having a total capacity of three hundred and fifteen barrels Here they are treate I with acids. and then pass into a bleacher,' having a capa ity of five hundred barrels, in which they are exposed to the action of the sun. After bleaching they are ready for market.
By pipes extending from the " bleacher," the oils are carried to the iron bulk cars stan ling upon the railway track near hy. These are owned by the Continental Oil and Transportation Company, of California, and cach car has a capacity of from eighty to ninety barrels. Two enrs are loaded at one time, the operation taking just one hour and thirty-five minutes. This is the last operation until the net proceeds from each car are banked in the form of gold coin.
CHAPTER XXII. MANUFACTURES.
(1771-1820).)
Soap-Carriage and Wagon factories-Brick Making-Tanneries-Breweries Castor-that-Woolen Miffs-Pork Packing-AArtniciat Stope-Brownt- Frait Canning -Matches-Papier l'atp-Atten Drying Works-Whating Gias Manufactore -Beet Sogar Asbestive Soh-trrigation Company.
THE manufactures of Los Angeles county date back to the establishment of the early missions. These as we have before noticed conducted factories of various kinds upon the prem- ises, mid thus supplied their Indian dependents with most of the necessaries of life. Later mannfactures have not been very numerous in the county, but we will briefly review such as have been.
SOAP.
Soap making is, probably, the oldest industry in the county. About. 1834a Mr. Carpenter located on the west side of the San Gabriel river, at a point a mile or two below the P'aso de Bartolo, and engaged in this manufacture. In 1859 Alessrs. Dodson & Wallace put into operation a factory with a capac- ity of turning out thirty thousand pounds of soap per week. The only soap factory in the city at present, is located at Nos. 23, 25 and 27 Banning street. operated by the Los Angeles Soup Company
CARRIAGE AND WAGON FACTORIES.
Mr. John Goller was the pioneer wagon-maker of the
county le arrived in Los Angeles in Is49 with the immi- grauts by the Salt Lake route The first wagyu he mann- facture I was considered I a curiosity among the natives, who looked upon it with distrust, an l continued to use their car. can Few carriage were made for the first six or eight Var EL. Scott & O's manufacture | earrings in 1555. in Ifit Is Lichtenberger established the carriage and wagon factory which is now beat . Jat Now Bian I Hi Main street Is high as three hundred wagons and carriages have been turned out at this factors in one year There are several other smaller establishments in the city
ARHA MAKING
The first bricks were made by Cyan deve D Inter in 1852. He barnt his next kiln in 1833. From the first kilu was lmult the house at the corner of Third and Main streety in 1833. from the second, in the same year, the brick jail March I ESSt. Joseph Mullally and Samuel yere located in Los Angeles, and embarked in brick- making the next month. In August, David Porter arrived
The tirmu then was, Mullally, Porter & Ayers. In 1858 they sold two millions of brick for the proposed improvements of 1859 Mr Mullally is yet in the brick business in los Angeles.
TANNERIES.
In 1834 the first tannery was estaldished by two French- men on the corner of Aliso and Alameda streets ; they con- dacted the business for a few years and then gave it up. Another small tannery was located on the west bank of the Los Angeles river, Int had a short life. Mowers. Kulisher & Wartenberg's tanuery was built in ISGS, and was quite un extensive establishment. In 1870 they turued out one thon- sand one hundred sides of sole and harness leather, four ban. dred sides of alum leather, four hundred and twenty sheep. skins, besides manufacturing a quantity of the tiver grades. In 1872 the building, with its entire contents, was destroyed by fire, and has never been rebuilt. Ony of the great draw . backs to tanning in Los Angeles county has been the wearcity of bark and the expense in procuring it.
BREWERIES.
Lager beer was not manufactured in Los Angeles until the latter part of 1554, when one Christopher Kuhn established a brewery. Since that time several senall breweries have been starte I, but all had short lives. There are now three breweries that supply the wants of southern California and Arizona; viz .: United States Brewery, Frel Binder, proprietor ; New York Brewery, Philip Lauth, proprietor; and the Philadelphia Brewery, conducted by D. Mahlstedt.
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
CASTOR-ON1 ..
In 1867 Messes. Allen & Temple created a mill on Spring street for the purpose of pressing castor. beans. Mr. Allen being the practical man, had charge of the mill. They con tinned to manufacture oil for about two years, when the enter- prise was given np.
LOS ANGELES WOOLES MIL.1.5,
Which are located on Pearl street, in the south-western part of the city, were built in 1872 by Messrs. Bernard Bros. The building is of brick and covers an area of one hundred by thirty-seven and a half feet.
The machinery is driven by a twelve-inch turbine wheel of thirty- horse power-the water being brought from the hills by means of ditches. Since the mills were established several parties have attempted to manage them, but without success.
The present proprietors, Messrs. Forr & Horner, employ twelve men, and turn out six pairs of blankets and one hun- dred and twenty yards of flannel per day. They also mann- facture a line of cassimeres and gentlemen's flannel ander- wear. The bulk of their prodnet is shipped to San Francisco.
PORK PACKING.
This business is extensively carried on by Messrs. Speedy & Co., the successors of Higgins, Speedy & Co., and they, in turn, of Silas Bennett, who established the business some few years ago. The establishment turns out about forty thousand pounds of ineal per week, and over ten thousand pounds of lard. The greater part of their produet is shipped. About one-half goes north to the markets of San Francisco and various towns in Nevada, the other half to Arizona.
They slaughter seventy five hogs daily, or an aggregate of four hundred and fifty per week. Messrs. Speedy & Co. intend soon enlarging their establishment, which will enable them to handle one hundred and fifty hogs per day.
ARTIFICIAL STONE WORKS.
This industry was introduced into the county by E. M. Hamilton and E. H. Barrett, who commenced the manufacture of artificial stone in December, 1875, Their works were located in East Los Angeles. Mr. Barrett sold his interest to .1. J. Bushard, who, with Mr. Hamilton carried on the business until 187G, when Messrs. L. E. Page, P. E. Gravel, J. H. Me Elroy, 11. T. Hazard, Theodore F'. Barbee and J. J. Bushard became interested, and July 28, 1876, forme la stock company, under the name of the " Asbestine Artificial Stone Manufacturing Company," with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars; H. T. Hazard. President; and J. J. Bushard, Secretary. In June. 1877, 11. T. Hazarl and E. M. Hamilton purchased the prop- erty of the corporation aud conducted the business until January,
1878, when they dissolved, whereupon Mr. Ilazard erected the Pazzola Stone Works on Sansevaine street. Mr. (. W. Earl became associated with him, and their combined efforts have developed the A-destine Sub-Irrigation system, which is meet- ing with great success throughout the county.
BROOMS.
Brooms were first manufactured in Los Angeles, July 15, 1875, by J. P. Woodward, who started a small factory ou Aliso street. He was joined by Captain Clark, and a few monthsafter- wand they moved their factory to the corner of Fourth and Fort streets. In May, 1876, their establishment was destroyed by fire which caused Mr. Clark to retire. Mr. Woodward rebuilt the factory and resumed the business. The broom-makers found it dithenlt at first to procure broom-corn, as there was very little raised, ail that of a poor quality. It is now raised iu large quantities in the vicinity of the city. There are now two factories in Los Angeles, viz. :-- Thomas Duun (.} P. Woodward, manager), San Pedro street, employs from four to seven men, and has capacity for making two hundred and twenty-five dozen brooms per month. Charles Young, Boyle Heights, employs two men, has capacity for making one hun- dred dozen brooms per month. Several other factories have started, but were not long conducted.
FRUIT CANNING.
In 1878 the Home Industrial Aid Association was organized with a capital stock of five thousand dollars, divided into five thousand shares of one dollar cach. They commeneed in a sinall way the business of canning fruits and vegetables, which was continued for about six months, when the enterprise was given up, on account of bad management and general dissatis- faction among the stockholders.
MATCHES.
In 1878 a factory was started for the manufacture of matches in a small buikling on Aliso street, by Mr. O. F. Wash- burn, who continued for about one year, when the business was given up for want of sufficient support.
PAPER PULP MANUFACTURE.
In 1876 a company of Eastern gentlemen erected a mill in the Soledad canon on the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, for the purpose of crushing cactus and turning it into pulp, for the manufacture of paper. The mill was put up at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars. The cactus, which could be pro- enrel in unlimited quautities on the desert, was first stripped of its outside covering and then carried to the mill, where the fiber was crushed and put through various processes, until it was finally eliminated in the shape of pulp, of a very superior
quality. It was then baled and shipped; most of it being sent to Maryland. The mill ran for nearly two years, and sus- pendled owing to financial complications.
ALDEN DRYING WORKS.
These works were established by Messrs. Davis & Co., in 1874. The building erected by them, is of frame, thirty-two by forty feet, and three stories high. The establishment is pro- vided with three Alden evaporators which have a capacity for two thousand pounds of fruits or vegetables. The works have not. been in operation of late years; but are now running to their full capacity. A canning department is also conductedlin connection with the fruit drying establishanent.
WHALING.
This business was quite extensively carried ou in 1860, 6t and '62 in San Pedro bay. In 1862 a whaling company was located on Deadman's Island, off San Pedro. During the sea- son they captured twenty-five whales, which yielded au aggre- gate of over six hundred barrels of oil. A small species of . shark was also taken, which yielded about a gallon of oil each, this being procured from the liver, which was the only part of the careass nsed. At present there is nothing done in the whaling business.
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