USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 38
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1863.
During the carly portion of this year small-pox continued its ravages in Sonora town. Nearly every house had out a yellow flag. Gradually it was brought under control. Seces- sion remained about as formerly.
April 29th the steamer Adu Hancock exploded in the har- bor at Wilmington, and many residents of the city were killed or injured. (See preceding chapters for full account of this catastrophe.)
In May the Mexican population held a grand celebration over the defeat of the French forces at Puebla, Mexico. July 4th was again treated with silent contempt. The anniversary of the birth of Napoleon I. was celebrated by the Freuch citizens August 15th.
September 15th a promenade ball was given by the ladies of Los Angeles at Stearns' Hall. About one hundred couples attended. In December, trade with Salt Lake was good.
1864.
There was little of local importance to record this year that has not already been treated of in preceding chapters. Union medicine was, however, beginning to work beneficially upon the budy politic, if we can judge from the following :-
" The Mexican population of Los Angeles celebrated the anni- versary of the Independence of Mexico on Friday, September 16th, in an appropriate manner. In the afternoon a large audience assembled at the Los Angeles Gardens, where speeches
RESIDENCE @ ORANGE ORCHARD OF P.J. SHAFFER, ORANGE, LOS ANGELES C9 CAL.
109
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
were delivered in the English and Spanish languages, and patriotic tunes discoursed by the fine band from Drunt Bar- racks. In the evening a vast concourse assembled in front of the Lafayette Hotel and were entertained by varions speakers until a late hour. Good Union sentiments were uttered and warmly responded to by the assemblage."
1865,
January 10th we read :-
But a few months since Commercial street was looked upon #x nearly abandoned; but few stores were occupied, and everyone looked upon that fact as a bad omen to the future business of Los Angeles. Now it is different ; business prospects are brightening, every door on both sides of Commercial street is now open, and business is again look ing up.
Sore throat and typhoid fever carried off many children during the summer. Improvements were added rapidly dur- ing the year. Under date December 14th we read :-
IMPROVEMENTS AROUND LOS ANGELES,-Vineyards are being im- proved and enlarged, fine orchards planted in every direction, farnis Irave beeu and are now being made for miles around the city, where two years ago nothing grew but elover and wild mustard.
Although the quantity of land under cultivation bas been doubled in a few years and the city has been furnished with water for domestic purposes in pipes, and much more water is being used for irrigating ornamental gardens, ete., there is still such an abundance of water that a number of farms outside the limits of the city are supplied from the city zanja.
lu many parts of the city handsome brick cottages are being built. l'opulation of Los Angeles gradually increasing.
During the winter of 1865-6 the Castillo Dramatie Troupe wintered in the city, and gave representations of Spanish drama.
1866.
The real estate market was quite active during this spring. March 30th we read :-
Over one hundred thousand dollars' worth of real estate has changed hands in Los Angeles and vicinity within the last few days.
May 11th Hon. J. R. Getehell, United States District Attor- ney for the Southern District of California, died in Los Angeles.
Many improvements were reported throughout this year, a great number of really substantial buildings being erected. The population of the city was estimated at five thousand.
1867.
Mr. B. C. Truman gives this not very flattering picture of Los Angeles in 1867 :-
Crooked, ungraded. unpaved streets; laud, lean; rickety, adobe houses, with Hat asphaltum roofs; and here and there au indolent native hugging the inside of a blanket or burying his bend in a gigantic water-melon, were the then most notable features of this quondani Mexican town.
January 11th an editorial in the Los Angelos New's speaks of the lack of publie spirit and enterprise of the citizens of Los Angeles. Mentions the bad condition of the plaza, streets, etc. Says that the town is asleep, and trade passing away.
Yet, under date February 22d, the same paper continues
IMPROVEMENTS .- Los Angeles is progressing slowly but, neverthe- less, surely. Improvements meet the eye in every direction: Alameda street is now the scene of active operations. Feveral dwetlings are in conrxe of erection.
In May the subscriptions of citizens to the Southern Relief FumIare reported to have been very liberal. At a Ladies' Fair, held for this ohjeet, one thousand five hundred aml nine dollars aml five cents was realized.
In July a brass band was organized. Many improvements were made. P. Beandry petitioned the Council to offer for sale the hill lands lying west of the city.
August 10th and EIth the Mexican population celebrated the conclusion of the Mexican war and surrender of the city of Mexico into the hands of the Liberals hy speech-making, proces- sions with music, firing of camion, etc. The Mexican, Chilian and American Hags appeared in the procession, and the enthu- siasin was unbounded.
1868.
January 20th D. Marchessault, Mayor of the city, committed suicide by shooting himself' in his office.
The third survey of Los Angeles City was made by George Hansen in this year. This survey covered that portion of the city lying cast of Los Angeles river, aml was of thirty - tive acre lots, for sale by the city.
The real growth of the city is said to date from ISGS. Bon- jamin Hayes writes :-
At this time, the fall of 1868, there was no three-story buibling in the town, while the only two-story business houses were the old Lafayette, the older portion of the Bella Union, with the stores of Burrows and Childs upon Los Angeles street, Stearns' Block. Bell's Block. a portion of the Lanfranco building, the older portion of the I'nited States Hotel, Allen's corner, the Court House with the part of Temple Block facing it, and a two-story adobe where Temple's Bank now stands. The portion of Downey Block facing toward the Temple Bank had a few one-story adobe rooms, with a wide gateway in the middle opening into a corral. This gateway had connected with it somewhat of a tragic history, as, upon the cross-har above, five despera- does were hanged at one time by the Vigilance Committee. The Roundhouse was then upon the outskirts of the town. Captain Clark's house was fairly in the country, but little of the property around being even fenced in. The hills above town and across the river, now dotted with houses, were then bleak and hare. East Los Angeles had not yet even heen dreamed of.
1869. January 16th we read ;-
A hundred houses could be rented in this city [Los Angeles] in twenty-four hours; upon every street, in every hotel, in fact, wherever you go, the words greet you, Are there any houses to reut in this city? Houses for residences, honses for business, for hotels and boarding- honses, in fact, honses of every description are in demand: where one is huilt a dozen are wanted. Strangers can neither hny nor rent. and a large number of the people who arrive here by every steamer and every stage, are forced to return for want of places in which to make themselves and families comfortable, until they can select and build bouses, Rents are high, and those requiring honses would gladly pay aIntost any rent.
party of men at work putting up honses and fences npon some hereto tire unoccupied city lots near the Episcopal Church in Los Angeles). It i- the intention of the parties who are bribling to become actual settlers therean, and after making a given amount of improvements, apply to the city authorities for a title, under the ordinances and cus- toms heretofore regulating the donating of city lands to actual settlers.
At the first session of the Common Council in February the following report and recommendation was made:
The committee having under consideration the fencing of streets, smatting upon city property, and indemmification to owners of prop. erty occupied by streets, recommend that an amicable adjustment hes made of the different rights of the parties.
On motion, a special committee of three were appointed to confer with the interested parties and settle the different. ques- tions, and report their action to the Council for their approval. February 12th wr read :---
The unprecedented advance of real estate in Los Angeles during the past year has given an impetus to enterprise that is fost making it a very active city. The demand for lots is grent and the prices paid are high. Recent enterprises have placed a large number of lots, situated upon First, Aliso, Fansevaine, and other streets, on sale. That pro- ductive vines fifty years old or upwards shoubl be taken up, wine cel- lars removed, and bearing orange trees in considerable numbers he uprooted for the purpose of making room for those who must have houses to live in, and lots upon which to build them, is an evidence that enterprise, so long slumbering in Los Angeles, is now awake, and determined to keep pace with the demand of the timex.
And again :-
MARCH 5th-There are more than thirty. five houses being built in Los Angeles at the present time, all near the business portion of the city. Prominent among the brick buildings wow going up is the elegant twostory residence of Ex.Governor Downey on Main street, which is of a chaste and yet imposing style of architecture.
Maren 6th-Building lots are ling sold in Los Angelesat metion. Lots sixty feet front by one hundred and sixty-tive fort deep sell at prices ranging from thirty three to six hundred dollars. But few luts are purchasedl for speculation, the greater portion of them being pur- ebased by mcchamies and others, with a view of improving them for residences and hontestends.
MRUn 12th-The large store on Los Angeles street, occupied by 11. Ifeinsch as a saddle and harres depot is now bring demolished to make roont for the extension of Commercial street in in rasterly direc- tion to Alameda street. The extension is a valuable improvement to that portion of the city.
May 22d -There are over thirty new honses in course of erection in the southern part of the city [Los Angeles].
October 24thr the corner-stone of their proposed Hospital was laid by the French Benevolent Society, with appropriate ecre- monies. The following document was placed in the cavity of the stone :-
This 24th day of October, 1869, the year the cornerstone of this building was laid by the President of the French Mutual Benevolent Society, who destine this buibling for a hospital for the benefit of their sick members. As we are beginning this work Napoleon Itl. is Emperor of the French: U. S. Grant is President of the United States of North America; H. II. Haight is Governor of the State of California; Joel II. Turner is Mayor of the city of Los Angeles; und Auga t Bonelle is President of the above named Society. Greeting to all who at some future day will rewol this document; let themt follow our exam. ple, let them unite tu suecor and relieve the distressed.
It was accompanied by coins of various countries, and copies
JANUARY 23d -Some excitement was created yesterday by a | of the News, Stur, Republican, and Chronik, of Los Angeles.
110
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
The ceremonies at the ground closed with an address from M. de Mandran.
In the early part of the year, small-pox ragel in Sonora town, and sixty deaths were reported. Imt it gradually dird away toward fall.
1870.
I'mder date January 12th, we find the following editorial in the Los Angeles Daily News :-
ABREST OF MAYOR AND CRUNCH .. - The arrest of the Mayor and members of the all Conneil was yesterday the topic of animated dis. onasjon. The thousand-and-one rumors afloat we do not for obvious reasons, give a pdaer in onr culums, The disgrace consequent njum the present condition of affairs, i- keenly felt by all those who care for the honor or reputation of our city. The gentlemen composing the city government declare themselves able to show that nothing of criminality mitaches to their garments. They insist that this move. ment hath a signification, not visible nuog the ontside. The popular mind is excited upon this tique, and nothing but the fullest and most comjdete investigation will be accepted. This the arrested parties claim to canrt, and it is not onr province to condemn them unheard, and in the absence of any tangible proofs upon which to hase our con- chisione.
It would appear that these gentlemen had been arrested for unlawfully issning city scrip. It is to be presumed the charge was wit iont, foundation, as they were soon after discharged. The indebtedness of the city " on account of the cash fund." was stated at this time to be eighty thousand dollars.
In February the buildings in the business portion were or- dered numbered. in order to facilitate the compilation of a city directory.
March 10th we read :--
Mr. Temple owner of the block bearing his name is now building a new brick building in the rear of the present block, fronting on Main street.
St. l'atrick's day was duly celebrated by the Irish citizens. In this month we find the question of street railways being , church. agitated.
During the summer months drunkenness appears to have been fairly rampant. The notices of arrests constantly recur. Under date of July 20, we read in the Newx :-
Night after night, persons living in the vicinity of the plaza are annoyed by a gang of drunken Indians, who make night hideous with their howlings. The ringing of pistol sbots may he heard at almost every hour from dark until daylight. This state of affairs has lasted for months.
Again, on August 24th, we find the following editorial in the same paper :-
HAUNT OF VICE AND CRIME -- OUR "BARBARY COAST."
In all cities there are particular quarters where the vile, degraded, and criminal herd together. The "Barbary Coast" of San Francisco has, un a small scale, a rival in "Nigger alley," of Los Angeles. Located Alntost in the heart of the business portion of the city, leading from Los Angeles street to the corner of the plaza, this street has become to Los Angeles what the Five Points was to New York. It is the chosen abode of the pariabs of society. The low, adobe buildings are simply hives to hold social outcasts. Here the copper-colored Indian,
the ebony African, yellow Mongol, and degraded Caucasian herd together. The askant glances that greet the respectable citizen who chances to pass through this quarter. cause him to feel instinctively like escaping from a place, the very air of which whispers crime Under the protection of a policeman (and it is needful) one is struck with horrar at what greets the eye. Back-yards are chosen receptacle- for heaps of filth and garbage, from which arise vapors which, in a climate le's pure, would breed a pestilence. Within the building, herded like bea,Is, men, women and children dwell together. ignoring all distinction- of sex, and lilthy tu a degree absolutely appalling. Naisome vapors pervade the air, creating a stench sick- emng to senses unperverted by daily contact with these loathsome marter4. Here, crimes loo luirible to name are undoubtedly mat- ter4 of ordinary and perhaps daily ur nightly occurrence. During the day Negru alley is comparatively omniet. Here and there some blear-eyed harridan sits at an open door way, ready to beckon within the stray passer-by, who may be induced to enter her den. Some habitant of the street occasionally slinks along, casting sidelong glances, and keeping within the shade of the wall-, as if the shadows of his crimes were pursuing him. After myhtfall the day sleepers rulise themselves, the hum of voices is heard, glasses clink, and the sound of rude revelry breaks forth to vex the air, and disturb all adjacent dwellers. One by one the "night birds" why prey upon society slink forth upon their missions of crime, returning to their dens before day-break. The sharp crack of the pistal is often heard, and the gleam of the bowie knife is often seen in this locality. The street is a disgrace to the city, and to our boasted civilization. The police force, small as it is, is powerless. "What shall we do with it ?" is becoming a serions question. The property along the street is owned by some of our most prominent as well as wealthy citizens. The community would be gratified if they could be per- suaded to tear down the rookeries, which cover what might be val- uable property, and erect thereon sultantial structures. Whether anything can be accomplished in the way of breaking up the nest of ontlaws and criminals who gather there, i- a questiou. The fact remains-that Negro alley is a disgrace to Los Angeles.
There were at. this time one hundred and ten houses, by actual count within the city limits, where liquors were retailerl. In August we learn that-
The old frame house adjoining the Pico House is being removed to Alizo street. This is one of the oldest woodeu buildings in Los Ange- les. The frame was made in Boston. Mass .. and shipped around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1849. It was first occupied (supposed to be) by Hon. B. D. Wilson, and was for some time orenpied as a Methodist
SEPTEMBER 27th-Commercial street, between Los Angeles and Alameda, is being rapidly improved. But a few months since, nearly the entire space on both sides within the limits indicated were vacant. Now buildings cover most of the lots.
OCTOBER 19th-The walls of the third story of the new theatre are being rapidly built up.
1871.
Under date January 8th, we find the following notice of the Downey Block :-
DOWNEY'S NEW BLOCK-Curner Temple and Main streets. It is two stories high, of compusite style of architecture, with handsome as well as substantial iron front, and has a frontage of one hundred fret on Main street, by a depth of eighty feet. The entire building is con- structed with an eye to the convenience of the occupants.
This year there were thirty-five practicing lawyers in the city, as shown by the rolls of the County Court.
FEBRUARY 10th-Died, A. A. Boyle, aged fifty-five years. He had long been a citizen of Los Angeles, and at various times held positions of honor and trust in the community. He was founder of the settlement known as "Boyle Heights."
In March an ice machine was put in operation. Price, four cents per pound.
In June, real estate showed an upward tendency. Bucking bronchos and drunken Indians were among the daily street seenes.
September 15th-The Mexicans held a grand celebration of the independence of Mexico.
October 15th-The press of Los Angeles called upon the citizens generally to meet at a stated hour on the evening of October 11th, at the County court room, to do something towards alleviating the suffering of the destitute thousands in Chicago. At. the place of the meeting, instead of a mul- titude, there were but three persons, viz .: Governor Downey. Mr. John Jones, one of the principal merchants of Los Angeles. and a gentleman from Riverside. The Los Angeles Noix says. " Anything more disgraceful than this on the part of the inhabitants, Los Angeles could not have been guilty of. Let her baw her head in shame." At a meeting of the Hebrew Benevolent. Society, on the same evening, two hundred and fifty dollars was raised: about two thousand dollars more was afterwards subscribed by citizens.
October 24th occurred the Chinese massacre, which we have fully described in our chapter on crimes.
The following is from the Los Angeles News of November 10th :---
CITY IMPROVMENTS.
The work of erecting new buildings is being carried on with unabated activity. Of the buildings lately completed, Temple Block, fronting anne eighty feet on spring street, and about the same on Main street. having a frontage of about lifty-six feet on the junction of these two «trects. Thi- building has been constructed of brick of home manu- facture, and the castings supporting and adorning its front bave been turned out of the Los Angeles foundry. The building consists of three stories and basement. This building which stands in the most promi. next place in the city, and is itself a model of beauty, has been erected at an estimated outlay of some twenty-five thousand dollars. Opposite this building. on the other side of Main street, is the Ilellman & Downey Block. This building is now receiving its roof. the walls hav. ing been completed. Iron castings, east in San Francisco have been used in this structure. The entire outlay will probably not exceed twenty thousand dollars. Further sonth. but on the same street is the Mluhr Block, cou isting af a couple of stores, and like other blocks is built of home-made brick. This building will probably cost about ten thousand dollars, Shoemaker Block, on the south-west coraer of Los Angeles and New Commercial streets, fronting some ninety odd feet on the former avenue, and about eighty on the latter. is a fine two story brick building, and will cost about twenty-five thousand dollars. The Cohn Block on Commercial street. running back of and around the Heinch Bluck, and fronting again on Los Angeles street. This, with addinonat improvements, will involve an outlay of about thirty thousand dollars. Downey Block has been receiving important improvements, an addi- tional story, etc., which will cost about ten thousand dollars. The foregoing estimate of the cost of the improveweuts in the business portion of the city, alone, gives an aggregate of abont oue hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Besides these business improvments, privale residences are springing up in all directions.
December 20th Mr. John King of the Bella Union Hotel, expired at Tell's Sca-coast Retreat, where he had gone for hi- health. Mr. King was a native of Dundrum, county Down.
PUBLISHED OF THOMPSON & VIEST
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE JOHN ROWLAND, LA PUENTE, LOS ANGELES C .;
CAL.
111
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Ireland, from whence he emigrated to St. Louis in 1847. Allar living in New Orleans and San Francisco, he came to Los Angeles in 1856. Mr. King became proprietor of the Bella Union Hotel in 1800. He was elected in 1867 to represent. the second ward of Los Angeles in the Common Council, and for two years was President of the Council. He was also the fonder, and up to the time of his death, the President of the Irish Benevolent Society. He was buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery.
1872.
January 12th the new hall of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was thrown open for public inspretion. The. following graphic picture, is from the News of February 13th:
SI'XDAY SCENES IX SONORA.
Sonora is inhabited chiefly by the lowest classes of our native Cali- tornian population. Main street, the principal avenne pas-ing through it. is lined on each side by brothels, gamtding dens, and miserable bithard and drinking hells. The game " Keno " seems to be the most popular. At a small table facing the open door- way, a few vigorons shakes of the cylinder are given, and the game commences. A girl of lifteen or sixteen years of age, ntters an exclmoation in Spanish, and after comparing the dice with her card is pronounced the winner of the " put." Indian women congregate in front of the saloon where they have obtained the liquor that has intoxicated them, with disheveled hair, foaming months, disordered and dilapidated garments, they present a disgusting sight, while their discordant voices juining in some Jodian song, grates harshly upon the ear. In front of a row of ermabling adoles, are a number of game-cocks picketed at a regular distance apart. Perchance a hand- to-hand fight with knives will chee the day's orgies. In striking contrast with these scenes of debauchery and degredation, is that of a coupde of Sisters of Charity, proceeding from Que hon-e of poverty to another on their blessed mission of mercy.
In June, the work of indexing and arranging the city archives was completed. The manuscript and loose papers numbering sixteen thousand.
August 5th was celebratedl as a day of lamentation by the Chinese all over the world, for the loss of their country- inen who were lynched in Los Angeles, October 24, 1871. Four priests came down from San Francisco to conduct the services and other sacrifice.
1873.
But few events occurred in this year of strictly local im- portance, and all others have been narrated in former chapters.
May 6th Judge Sackett, an okl resident of Los Angeles, and discoverer of water on the Colorado desert, died at the resi- dence of Dr. Gelich.
July 4th was celebrated with considerable enthusiasm. In October, Madame Anna Bishop gave two concerts. The skat- ing rink was in operation a part of the year.
1874.
In this year the population of the city was estimated at eleven thousand. Mr. P. Beaudry had completed his improve- ment on Beaudry Terrace, laying a complete net-work of water-
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