USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 39
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pipes, etc., and planting out many young fruit trees. During the summer the Spring and Sixth street horse railroad was completed. The Sunday law began to be enforced, and drunkenness was less frequent. In June. Professor Falderi. Madame Fabbri and Company gave two concerts at Tura- Verein Hall, which were well attended. It was estimated that at least three hundred thousand dollars were spent in the free- tion of business houses this year.
1875.
The population of the city this year was estimated at thir- teen thousand, and the city sute of September was two than- sand tive hundred and forty-nine.
The Main and Aliso street railroad was incorporated this year. The Los Angeles Homestead Association was formed and a tract of seventy acres purchased in Washington street. This was divided into lots and auctioned to the member- on the premium plan su auch for choice. Some forty lots were thus located. to be paid for in monthly installments.
The following notice of city improvements in this year is from the " Herakl Pamphlet " of 1576 (pages 22, 23 :
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOS ANGELES AND VICINITY.
Owing to the immense influx of population to this city and county. the demand for residences und business hauses has lumen mujeer. dented. In Las Angeles a house is generally rented before the plane are in the hands of the contractor, and at the present writing f Decem. ber 31stı it is impossible to get a vacant storehouse in the city. Minst of these improvements are of a beautiful as well as substantial style, and will compare favorably with like buildings in San Fran- cisco, A visit among our architects and contractors has convinced u- that the number of buildings erected in Los Angeles is much larger than generally supposed, and the aggregate amount at least twice as great as the most sanguine citizen would estimate.
Messrs. Kysor & Mathews, architects, curner uf Los Aa_ les and Commercial streets, have done considerable work, auing wlockerr i c following. with their estimated cust :-
Catholic cathedral
119.000
Fort-street M. E. church
20,0000
Mr. Laventhal's residence
G. Dalton's 1.200
Mr. Ililler's 3 500
Mr. Grant's 1.500
Mr. Hellman's
James Bell's
G. Lehman's brick building. 2,500
Rowan & Benner's Bluck
Charles Brode's
7.000
P. Kern's
Lafayette Hotel extension. 32.000
Downey & Child's warehouse 2,200
Total finished work $175,700 -
The following work is partially completed under Kysor & Mathews' supervision :-
W'm. H. Perry's residence. $ 9.000
Cardaun Block 36,000
P. Beandry (re-building, 1.300
Aoaheim Hotel 45.000
Total partially completed 891.300
The following improvements have been planned by Kyser & Mathew-, and work has been commenced on part of them :-
McDonald's Three-story brick building, iron frunt . . . . . $30,000 Ferrer Titany's block
H. M. Jobusion's dwelling W. Wimals ch's
.Freph Mn lally's
1. Milloer's
Mr. Butler's 3.700
T. D. Molt's
3. Fatter's 2,700
C. Pneumoum's hall, changes in upper stories
3,000
sixteen cottages erected by a prominent real estate Han france not to be published .... 27,000
A two-story brick sture on Main strert, near First, by a prominent business Man .. 5.000
Total plomed and partly commeaced .8102,70)
This makes a grand total for this one firm of finished and partially completed holdings, of the current sun nf three hundred and sixty- Dine thousand seven hurghad dollars.
In a visit to the alice of E. F. Weston, architect, Temple |Buck, we aserrinmed that the following buildings had been errered under bis plans and supervision :-
Post office Black 816.1000
Edward's & Hun's residence
Dunble house, Brundry Terrace
l'ottage,
Regnena Black. .
1. . f. Mollns' cottage
:3,000
I. V. & I. R. R. depot, San Pedro street. Santa Monica ..
F. Miller's residence
1.000
Mrs. C'lange's
1,000
Beaudry's reservair raof
1.200
Tutal completed
The following is the work planned by Mr. Weston and partially let :-
l'itty small cottages fur a well-knowncapitalist. ... $35,000
Two. Pants, 112 feet spain, for upper mal lower reservoir. 3,000 Market Im Ming for A. 1. Untekinan, Esq. to cost 35,000
Exterior to freight house, I. A. & 1. R. R. depot, ane looalred Fort lung. 3,000
Free tion uf central portion ut facade of' L. A. & I. P. R. dejud. Wulfskill Lane 5,000
Colonel C'rawford's residence, Santa Monica 2,000
Various bid dings commenced or contracted fur, the owners of which do not wish mentioned 28,000
Total projected.
.$111,000
This makes a grand total for Mr. Weston ofone hundred and seventy. seven thousand four hundred dollars. These buildings speak for themselves. The post-office Black, Requena Block, the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad depot, and numerous residences stand #4 monuments af Mr. We-tan's taste and skill. The market-house pro. jected is tu be built on Main street, between First and Second, will have fifty-twu stalls, will be built of brick, two stories high, well venti- laicd and lighted hy sky-lights, and with fronts on Main and spring street4. It will be an ornament to the city and supply a want long felt.
Mr. W. J. Graham, architect, in Temple Block, has made some plans, anding them General Longstreet's residence, twelve thousand dollars, and Johnson's club house at Santa Monica, three thousand dol- lars. Thi- and other plan- will aggregate about forty thousand dollars. We understand Mr. Grabam has inade no special effort. as he is about quitting business.
Mr. Lacy, now in the Commercial Bank, planned the beautiful bank building, costing about eighteen thousand tive hundred dollars.
Mr. C. W. Davis, comparatively a new-comer, is a reputable archi- tect, with an office in Downey Block. Mr. Davis was formerly a San Francisco contractor, and built Star King's church, the Jewish Syna-
112
gogne, the shot Tower, Tucker's jewelry store and Robert Watt's block, on Kearny street, which will long stand as monuments of his ability as a builder. In Santa Cruz Mr. Davis was the architect of F. A. Hihn's residence, costing sixty thousand dollars, Odd Fellows' Hall, St. Charles Hotel, Elhert Austin's residence, and other buildings. Wc luvrely mention this in justice to Mr. Davis, as his limited acquaint- auce here has not given him patronage commensurate with his skill. Among his work since his advent in this city arc the following :-
$15,000
T. A. Garey's residence
7,000
Mr. Vnil's
5,000
Mr. Slanson's
Santa Monica 7,000
Mr. Lucas'
5,000
Sewell Andrews' : Santa Ana.
9,000
P. Davis, six honses at Anaheim
8,000
6,000 Hotel, East Los Angeles.
A re- modeling of Governor Downey's residence, ou the French roof, villa plan ....
5,000
Plans for sundry small houses.
Mr. Baker's residence, Santa Monica. 2,000
Pavillion and refreshment booths at Washington Gar-
6,000
dens.
$85,000
Total
The following are the estimates of contractors' work, outside of architects' plans :
.$50,000
Mr. Buchanan, 35 buildings, valued at.
25,000
Mr. Skinner,
..
20,000
Mr. Chisholm, 20
12,000
Mr. Fickett, 10
10,000
Mr. Shannon, 8
7,000
Mr. Ilunt, .
7,500
Mr. Davis,
14,500
Bell & Sanger, 15
15,000
Chus. MeLain, 11
8,000
M. Tecd, 7
Thirty small dwellings in East Los Angeles, not esti- mated in the above ..
16,000 Fifty linildings ut Santa Monica, outside of above esti- imatcs ..
25,000
Estimate of farm houses, railrond station houses, and residences at new stations on the railroads, seventy- 35,000
five buildings in this vicinity, not in above ...
Trinity Church, M. E. South, built by a San Francisco 15,000 contructor
Tot:1l
RECAPITI'LATION.
We have gathered all the building statistics possible to get, and it is short of the renlity. Few places have had the wonderful growth of Los Angeles, and these figures show that fact. The grand total makes a respectable showing of nine hundred and fifty thousand six hundred dollars as the value of buildings erected or improve- ments under contract in Los Angeles and immediate vieinity for 1×75. Anch an exhibit shows the wonderful growth of our city, and must be flattering to every citizen. Next year will show more won- derful progress, and we confidently believe that the building opera- tions of the Centennial year will be hetween one million five bun- dred thousand and two million dollars.
1876.
In this Centennial year we find six street railroads either in operation, or process of construction, and many publie improve- ments under way. During the year, a bill was passed by the Legislature authorizing the formation of a Board of Public Works, to consist of three members, appointed by the Governor. Messi's. Johnson, Woodworth and Roeder were appointed, but
a question as to the constitutionality of the Act being decided a Iversely in the courts, they never acted.
In May the Fabbri opera troupe gave a series of concerts at Turn-Verein Hall; andI in the same month Colonel Wood's new opera house was opened. During June, anti-Chinese meetings were the order of the day. June 21, Charles W. Gould, County Auditor, died. His death was universally regretted.
July 4th was celebrated with ten times more pomp and noise than usual. As every city and town throughout the United States strove, upon this occasion, to outdo all others, and as we have before given some notice of the pageant, suffice it here that on that day the Angel City displayed all her well-known charms, attired in all the colors of the rainbow; that the spectacle was as imposing as military pomp could make it, and that the babel of distracting noises was simply infernal. At least so say those who witnessed the celebration.
In the autumn some cases of sinall-pox and diphtheria were reported.
1877.
In May Frank Leslie and party visited the city. December Sth C. A. Longstreet, a well-known wealthy resident, died.
There were no other events of importance not heretofore noticed.
1878.
January 23d the lease between the Post-office Department at Washington, D. C., and the Odd Fellows' Building Associa- tion of Los Angeles for the new post-office, was placed on record in the County Recorder's office.
February 1st the I. O. O. F. Hall was duly dedicated. A ball was given in the evening.
August 24th the death of Captain Charles E. Bean (a prom- inent citizen, and formerly editor of the News), is announced. August 28th, we find the following statement of building throughout the city, published in the Express :-
Baker Block $130,000
County Hospital.
9,000
East Los Angeles School-house
3,000
Rivara & Sanguinetti Block
10,000
Hellman & Mascarel
Nand's warchouse 35,000
6,000
D. Scheick's hnilding
6,000
Horticultural Pavilion ..
7,500
Samuel Ilellman's residence.
Downey's building 14,000
Residence (name withheld )
4,000
Good Templar Hall .. 12,000
Addition to St. Charles Hotel. 2,500
Other buildings (estimated). 7,500
Total value of buildings in progress or soon to be com- menced
8283,500
Under date of August 30th, we find the following amusing account of a Chinese funeral, in the Express :-
I.EE PAI-THE IMPOSING CEREMONIES ATTENDING THE INTERMENT OF THE DEAD CHINESE POET -CHINATOWN MOVED FROM CENTER TO CIRCUMFERENCE.
On the authority of Tom Mow we yesterday informed our readers of the extensive funeral demonstrations, which they might look for this afternoon. It came. All Chinatown was out to witness the absorbing event and a pretty full representation of the white population of the city was on hand as well. A tent cover had been pitched in the open court just below the plan for the better accommodation of the crowd in attendance, and also to protect the extensive paraphernalia employed in the ceremonies. At one extremity of the cauopy the coflin of the deceased Lee l'ai was placed, the head of which was overshadowed by a large banner of gauzy brown cumbric. At the other side of the tent a capacious table was spread and literally londed down with edibles; the menn including a pig roasted whole, another pig spitted, but uncouked, and a kid nently dressed, with head and horns intact, except as to hair, resting on its hannches in a wooden tray. There were Chinese confections of all known kinds, cakes, candies, nuts, some plates of apples, and some dishes which would defy the unsophisticated C'ancasian to make out. Tea, served in infinitesimal cups, also figured in the bill of fare. There were tapers on the table burning with a vile fume, and a Josh, securely covered up with red and white paper cambric to shield it from the vulgar gaze. But despite the tempting array of substantials and daintics spread out before the assembled compauy, nobody ate. A master of ceremonies, or priest, arrayed in a long gown of slate-colored cambric, went through some cabalistic cere- monies, a part of which was the chanting of a tune, which sounded like a camp-meeting hymn run mad. Theu the laymen came in by ones and twos. They made obeisance three times, then kuelt upon a mat facing the table and performed three distinct salams, bowing their foreheads nearly to the ground each time. Then the mourn- ers-for such we suppose they were-each took one of the little cups of tea, scattered its contents on the ground, aud held the cup up to be retilled by an attendant and again placed upon the table. After this the mourners were given one of the burning tapers each, which they beld between the palms of their two open hands compressed together ; then more salams, and the tapers were passed up to the head of the table by attendants and implanted in a hed of sand, when they gradually smoldered away. With a rising to the feet and the execution of another ohcisance or two this ceremony was completed, and the perforiners retired to give place to others. After this rite had been going on for sometime, the Chinese orchestra near at hand, struck up a lively tune (save the mark! ), and diverted the general attentiou for a time to themselves. We will not endeavor to describe the excruciating medley of discords-the changing of the cymbals, the thundering of the gongs, the falsetto piping of the wind instruments, aud the clatter of the tum-tomu-they are beyond descrip- tion. But presently this tumult was stilled, and the preliminary ceremonies heing over, the line of march was munde up. First in order was Dobs' hrass-band, heading the procession ; next a hearse drawu by four borses, and escorted hy six pall-bearers arrayed in long white rohes; then a company of ten or twelve women, some of whom (the mourners probably) were also dressed in white, Follow- ing these marched a loug line of Mongols wearing aprons of white cambric, tied with strips of red. each man bearing a banuer of glazed stuff'. Every Variety of color as well as every outlaudish shape con- reivable for each purpose was represented in the banners. "After these came more Chinamen wearing aprons, and the detachment brought up in the rear with the master of ceremonies, bearing the veiled Josb. This column, uo doubt, comprised the Cbiuese Order of Free Masons. The attempt at aprons would at least suggest such an idea. The succeeding marchers wore knots of red and white cloth pinned to their sacks, and no other decoration. They iu Inrn were followed by a carriage hearing the Chinese orchestra in full blast, another carriage filled with women, another with men, and, finally, a "hoss" Celestial with his wife and friend in bis own hired livery rig.
The procession moved around the plaza; down Main to Arcadia: Arcadia to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to Requena; to Main. to Temple, and theuce to the cemetery. At the cemetery some more heatheuish ceremonies were performed, which we have not time and space wo recount to-day.
30,000
W. M. Workman's residence
7,000
$260,000
..
10,000
Ilis own residence on Pearl st., being n Gothic, 2-story
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
6
A CORNER IN WINE VAULT OF THEO REISER .
RESIDENCE OF THEODORE REISER, ANAHEIM, LOS ANGELES CO., CAL.
OUTLISHED BY THOMPSON 4 WEST
113
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
In September over five hundred dollars were raised in the city for the yellow fever sufferers of Memphis.
1879.
January 2.5th a mass-meeting of citizens was held in the Court House, and a committee of five persons-H. D. Barrows, Henry Campbell, John G. Downey, Isaac Kinley, and D. F. O'Leary-were appointed to confer with the Supervisors, and examine into the financial affairs of the city and county, and the sufficiency of official bonds. The impetus of this action appears to have been the successive defaleations of Treasurer Mellus, Treasurer Butler, and Tax Collector Carrillo.
February 1st Mr. H. H. Spencer, who had been employed as an expert to investigate the books and accounts for 1877-78, of J. J. Carrillo, late city tax collector, furnishes an exhibit showing a deficiency for the two years of seventeen thousand one hundred and twenty-nine dollars and forty-eight cents.
Under the same date we find in the Express, an account of a large public meeting, called to take action on these ilefalcations and to provide against their recurrence.
The following were among other resolutions adopted :-
WHEREAS, We, the people of Los Angeles, having been long suffer- ing and patient, have seen our hard earned money paid as taxes to irresponsible city officials, to be hy them squandered and lost:
WHEREAS, Up to the present time, civil law has been insufficient to give us protection from genteel thieves and plunderers ; therefore, be it
Resolved. That we, the citizens of Los Angeles, spare no means or expense to thoroughly investigate the financial allairs of Los Angeles, including moneys collected as taxes or in any way helonging to the city of Los Angeles, as well as the various public contracts, and dis- posal of city lauds and property : and that we solemnly pledge our- selves that all parties found guilty of public robbery, plunder, default- ing. or public swindling, or cheating Los Angeles out of her real wealth, shall be punished : first, by civil law it possible; but in the event of the failure of civil proceedings, then we stand pledged as men and citizens to use that higher law of self-protection, and bring all such public plunderers to speedy and condign punisbmeut.
February 20th the following schedule was adopted by the Common Council :-
CITY LICENSES.
Banks, capital stock over $300,000, per month $30 00
Banks, capital stock $200,000 to $300.000. 25 00
Banks, capital stock less than $200,000. 20 00
Money brokers .. 5 00
Butcher shops. sales to exceed $400 per month 3 00
Butcher sbops, sales under $400 ..
2 00
Peddling meat witbout stall or shop
10 00
Undertakerx
15 00
Cheap John stands.
25 00
Manufacturing or selling gas.
5 00
Selling water, salcs exceeding $500 and not excecdiug $1,000 .
15 00
Selling water, sales exceeding $1.000.
25 00
Manufacture of ice, sales exceeding $100. 5 00
Foot peddlers, including vegetables 5 00
Home and wagon peddlers. 10 00
Traveling retouchers of pictures. 5 00
GENTLEMEN : We, your committee appointed to investigate China. Book agente. 2 00
town and report on means for putting it in good sanitary condition. heg leave lo report as follows :
We made a thorough examination of that section und fomul it in u much worse condition than we anticipated. The contents of privy raulis, cesspool, and in fact, all of the waste from this densely inhal. ited district goes directly or indirectly into the zanjas. The yards nre in such a condition that in dig new privy vaults und new cesspools would be to simply continue the evil. The hillings are so illy con- structed and dilapiduted that it would br imposible to put them in a condition tit 10 he ovenpied.
To remedy these evils we would respectfully submit two plans that we have considered: First. to condemn the buildings and order them tn be vacated. This plan of procedure is often alopted in Eastern cities, and we believe has been recently tried in San Francisco. The second plan, and the one which we would especially recommend, is the exten- tion of Los Angeles street and u sewer ou Alameda street. If these two steps are taken every adobe hnibling in Chinatown would be toru down and proper sewerage would be practicable.
In conclusion, we wonbl urge npon your Honorable body the impor- tance of adopting one of these, or some other plan that would be effee. tive before the hot season is here. We would also respectfully suggest the advisability of your llonornble hody visiting t'hinutown in order to be thoroughly informed of the importance of taking immediute action. We are
Very respectfully your-, HI. Kısa, Chief of Police. WALTER LINDLEY. Health Officer. JNo. GoloswonTRY, City Surveyor.
Washington's birthday was duly celebrated by the military and fire companies of the city. April 3d a banquet was given in the Horticultural Pavilion in honor of the exempt firemen. The Fourth of July received ilne attention, and was aptly cole- brated.
Angust Ist William Abbott, an old resident, and proprietor of the Merced Theatre, died nt his home in Los Angeles.
December 19th Fred W. Kall, another old resident, died. He was at one time proprietor of the Lafayette llotel.
1880.
Los Angeles is now a handsome city of about twelve thou- saml inhabitants. As a rule, stone, brick and mortar have
1 supplanted the adobes of early days, and many of the business houses and residences will compare favorably in all respects with those of San Francisco and Eastern cities. Sonratown (the native quarter) is still thoroughly Mexican, being entirely built up of adobes, and here native life may be studied in all its primitive simplicity. Orchards and vineyards encompass the city upon every side, and extend within the city limits.
EAST LOS ANGELES.
This is the principal suburb, and was laid out by Dr. Grillin and Governor Downey in 1873. There is here a handsome frame school-house, completed within the past two years. A graded school of three departments is therein conducted, and the average aggregate attendance is about one hundred and fourteen.
.. under 500 tons
2 50
Soda-water factory.
2 00
Milkmen, per wagon
About this time the following report was presented :-
REPORT ON CHINATOWN.
To tbe Ilonorable, the Council of the City of Los Angeles --
3 00
Steam railroads ..
1) 00
Street car, per aanum
20 00
Bottling and selling heer
2 00
Hack and for carrying passengers.
2 00
Circus and menagerie, per diem
50 00
Sile-show to circus, per diem
10 00
Billiards, each table
2 50
l'in alley ....
Restaurante, 50-cent meals
5 00
less than 50-cent meals
2 00
Drays, wagous, etc ..
1 00
Insurance agent. .
3 00
llutel, $2 per day and upward less than $2. 3 00
5 00
Pawnbroker.
16 00
Distiller
10 00
Livery stable, eight huggies and over. = = four to eight buggies. . 5 00
7 50
less than four buggies
2 50
Wagon feed stable ...
2 50
Laundry
Skating rink
10 00
Photograph gallery
3 50
Planing mill.
3 00
Flouring mill, each run of stones 1 00
Merchandise, including lumber, wood and coal yards;
First class.
15 00
Second class
12 00
Third class.
10 00
Fourth class 7 50
Fifth class 5 00
Sixth class. 2 00
Seventb class.
1 00
Wholesale liquor dealers:
$2,500 or more per month 20 00
$2,000 and less than 82,500 15 00
$750 and less than $2,000. 10 00
Less than $750 5 00
Brewers, sales $500 or over 10 00
= under 8500. 5 00
15 00
Saloon or bar, sales $500 or more , under 8500 10 00
2 00
Common carriers .
5 00
Mnsie, rope, wire, daneing, magic, theatricals, etc., each exhibition .. 3 00
Dance houses, per night 10 00
Carrying passengers for hire on fair days, etc., without other license, per day. 1 (01
Auctioneers:
Sales exceeding $300 per day, each day of sale. 2 00
Sales exceeding $300 per day and not exceeding $1,000 10 00 Sales exceeding §1,000 per day and not exceeding $2.000 25 00
Sales exceeding 82,000 per day 20 00
3 00
Real estate agents.
Selling from stands or wagon ou street.
1 00
Vegetable peddlers. 12 00
5 (0)
Store-honses, 500 tons and over
2 00
Prize picture lottery .
25 00
Selling water, sales not exceeding $500.
3 00
Commission business, selling produce.
1
Some three hundred to four hundred persons reside at this point, all, or nearly all, engaged in business at Los Angeles proper.
-
Stands in streets, merchandise
114
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
BOYLE HEIGHTS.
This suburb of Los Angeles will be found fully described in the biographie sketch of W. H. Workman, Esq. (See Biogra- phics infra).
CITY OFFICERS.
In our chapter on " County Oflicers " we have explained the powers and duties of the Mexican Ayuntamiento, and need not here recapitulate. The minutes of the Ayuntamiento of Los Angeles City commenced in 1832, and are complete until Nov- ember, 1839, when it ceased (in virtue of a law of the Mexican Congress) until 1844. The minutes of 1844 and 1846 are com- plete, 1845 missing. In February, 1847, the Ayuntamiento again acted, and its minutes are complete until December, 1847. In May, 1549, the ayuntamiento again organized, and its minutes are complete until July, 1830, when the Common Council took its place.
With infinite labor and care from imperfect records (Spanish and English) we have compiled the following tables of the various city officers since 1850.
In explanation of these tables we will say here that, under the original charter of Los Angeles City (approved April 4, 1830). the number of councilmen was fixed at seven, and all city officers were elected annually, on the first Monday of May.
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