USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
There are no salaried officers in their church. They claim that to take pay for ministerial duty is unscriptural.
The Mormon children attend the public schools. The society has no separate school.
ORANGE.
We are indebted to Messrs, R. L. Crowder and Patterson Bowers for the following information regarding the Orange settlement :-
In 1870 Messrs. Chapman & Glassell purchased here a tract of several thousand acres from the Yorba family. The follow- ing year they divided this land into small parcels, which they sold out to actual settlers. Thus the town site was estab- lished.
Eight ten-acre blocks were divided into town lots fifty by one hundred and fifty feet cach. Outside of these, len-acre farm lots were surveyed, and again, outside of the latter, forty- acre lots were laid off.
At intervals of half a mile throughout the whole tract, is a sixty-foot road, running east and west, crossed by a like road running north and south. The town (as a town) dates from abont 1874. Oranges, lemons and limes are the main crop throughout this settlement, and the following are the principal orchards of these fruits :-
25 acres.
Patterson Bowers
120
Comstock & Huntingdon
40)
Lotspeich & Brother
Joel Parker . . 25
60
D. C. Hayward.
+0)
C. B. Wright
20
Misses Martin and Babcock .
20
James Cates
20
=
A. B. Clark
40
Dr. Beach .
30
Joseph Beach
Charles Beach
In addition to the above there are fully one hundred other ten and twenty-acre farms under citrus fruits.
The oldest orange trees in the valley are owned by Patterson Bowers, and are nine years old from the seed. They have been seven years in orchard and commenced bearing in 1879. In 1880 he sold one hundred and sixty boxes from one hundred
and twenty trees, at two dollars and forty cents per box net cash at the ranch. At this time there are still probably fifty or sixty boxes left on these trees. Most of the orchards are inuch younger, and not yet bearing.
WALNUTS.
Dr. J. N. Trues fall has ten acres under walnuts, and this is the only orchard devoted to this fruit alone, though almost every settler has a few trees.
Dr. Truesdall's trees are nine years old. and just beginning to bear. le harvested over one thousand pounds of walnuts in 1879. They brought him eleven cents per pound. The average price is ten to fifteen cents per pound.
ALMONDS, ETC.
Mr. Bowers has ten acres under one thousand anl eighty almond trees, which are now eight years old and very healthy and handsome, but so far have not borne a paying crop. (. 1. Wright, Chapman & Glassell, and several others have small orchards, but so far none have made thew pay. The general impression seems to be that the trees are not yet oll enough.
Apples thrive well, also peaches. It is claimed that the apples grown here are equal to those of Oregon.
GRAPES.
MePherson Brothers have thirty acres under vines now six years old. In 1879 they soll some five hundred boxes of rai- sins therefrom at one dollar and seventy-five cents to two and a half dollars per box.
Stampson Sons have forty-five acres muler vines three years old. In 1879, from twenty acres they sold forty-seven tons at seventeen dollars per ton.
Adam Herman has about twenty acres under Mission vines. He manufactures wine therefrom.
Joseph and George Young have about twenty acres under Mission grapes, and mannfacture wine.
There are abont twenty ten-acre vineyards, principally of raisin grapes.
GRAIN CROPS, ETC.
The principal grain crops are barley, corn and potatoes, raised for home consumption only ; also all kinds of garden veg- etables.
Tobacco grows well. C'astor- beans are a good paying crop. but ruin the land, and for this reason have been nearly given up.
Mr. Albert B. Clark, of the Yale Orange Grove, at Orange, tells us that lemons are not here considered so profitable as oranges, for the reason that the markets therefor are not so well assured. Also, the high winds (known locally as “Santa Ana winds," or "northers") break the lemon trees the wood
being very brittle , and bruise the fruit ba Ily. necessitating the use of frequent windbreaks.
For the past few winters, there have been severe frosts at this point, yet no damage. Walnuts are not yet old enough to be sure of the future but almonds he regards as an utter failure Bananas do well enough for home use, but are not profitable ns a crop for market, the climate lwing senreely worin enough to mature them so rapidly as is desirable, nor is the season quite long enough for this fruit.
That lingering affection which every college-bread man feels for alma mater has inspired Mr Clark to name his lovely home " Yale Orange Grove" Here he divides his time between manual labor and study : and while in his rough working suit, with high-topped boots, he might pass for a rustic. his speech at once reveals the gentleman and scholar Hle has adopted the plan of wrapping all the oranges he sends to market in a handsome printed tissue-paper wrapping, mivel the result of this new departure may be seen from the following extrnet, clipped from the Los Angeles Jouend of March 2, 1550, mul which he informs us is correct, giving a l'air average .
A NEW I'L.AN. Mr. A. B. Clark, of Orange, has adopted a plan of wrapping his oranges in a new paper wrapgeer with hin printed guar- antee thereon. The neighbors told him it would not pay to go to the expense of two dollars und fitty cents u thousand for these wrap. pers; yet when he made a shipment to San Francisco of ten Inever of wrapped fruit with ten boxes of nawrapped, those with wrappers brought six dollars a box and the others tour dollars and fifty cents. Priuter's ink and wrappers pay the orange growers.
Mr. N. D. Harwood, the postmaster at. Orange, kindly seuls us the following:
" On April 1, 1872, we settled at this point. At that. line the land was in a state of transition, from grazing to ugrienl- ture. No crops of any kil had yet been grown. A water ditch, to bring water from the Santa Aua river to whint way then known as the Richland tract, hul just been completed. lu April I planted five hundred white musent of Alexandria grape vines, the first that were planted in the settlement. In May of the same year I planted the first orange trees, paying there. for (two years oldl) one dollar each in goll coin.
" In the spring of 1573 many uew settlers came, and ummer- ous orchards and vineyards were planted, a post office wus established, and was named Orange, Nathan D. Hurwood, postinaster. A school-house was also built this year.
" In 1874 many more settlers arrived, being principally Kast- ern people, having some means, and brimful of euergy. These engagel largely in the planting of citrus fruits. In this year a Methodist Church, costing about three thousand five hundred dollar, was erected, also three stores, a hotel, aml a saloon. All but the latter lived and prosperel, Int that starved to deatlı.
" During 1873-6-7, the settlement was at a stand-till numer- ically, but some improvements were male. The water ditch
168
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
built by Mr. A. B. Chapman was now found too small to sup- ply the needs of the settlement.
" In the fall of 1878, a new ditch company was formed, and the stock being taken hy the settlers of Orange and vicinity, the control was kept in the hands of those most interested. The new ditch was completed during the winter of 1878-9. and cost some sixty thousand dollars; its capacity was sutti- cient to supply every stockholder with an abundance of water. " Early in the spring of 1879 the orange and lemou trees throughout the settlement were counted by Colonel Amos Travis. The result of his investigation showed eighty thou- sand orange trees and sixteen thousand lemon trees then in orchard. During 1879, and so far in 1880, about twenty thou- sand orange trees and four thousand lemon trees have been planted out, making a total of say one hundred thousand prange trees and twenty thousand lemon trees, now in orchard in Orange settlement."
The town of Orange has the following buiklings and business places: Two school-houses (primary and grammar school) hay- ing an average aggregate attendance of one hundred, a Methi- odist Episcopal Church, erected in 1874 -5, present pastor, Rev. J. B. Green, three stores, two blacksmith and wagon shops, one hotel, post-office aud express office.
The Anaheim branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad passes about a mile and three-quarters from the town, No station has yet been erected, but trains stop regularly for passengers.
We clip the following from the Los Angeles Journal of June 12, 1880 :-
The people of Orange have organized a Fruit (rowers' Association and elected the following officers: President, Dr. E. M. Joslin; First Vice-President, D. W. C. Dimmock; Second Vice-President, P. Ains- worth; Recording Secretary, W. 1I. H. Clayton; Assistant Recording Heeretary, Mr. Collins; Corresponding Secretary, H. F. Gardner; Assistant Corresponding Secretary, G. J. Moshangh; Treasurer, L. M. Riley; Directors, Dr. Trnesdell, W. E. Sibley, W. Blasdale, The asso- ciation will meet ou the first Saturday in each month for the discus- sion of pertinent topics.
NEWPORT.
W'e copy the following description of this landing from the Pacific Rural. Press of March 6, 1880 :-
Newport Landing ahove San Diego was established by McFadden Bros,, about five or six years ago, and they having considerable interest in the vicinity built the steamer Newport to run there, carrying lum- her From Sauta Cruz and westeru ports, aud taking away grain.
This husiness alone being found unprofitable, they hegan to stop at other points along the coast, and carried on a lively opposition to Good- all, Perkins & Co, who finally bought the steamer and the landing, and are now operating hoth. The County Supervisors have just granted them a franchise at Newport, after a great deal of opposition from Mr. Irvine, wbo owns the Sau Joaquin Ranch, and who desired to own the landing and the ontlet to that section of the country, the chute being on his land. There used to be cousiderable lumber sold tbere, hut not so much now.
The steamer Newport makes two trips a month, but the entrance is so shallow and narrow that a large steamer could uot enter. It is only at certain stages of the tide, about twice a month, that the steamer can enter.
In the Los Angeles Express of a late date we find this ex- tract :-
The Santa Ana Herald has heen furnished the figures of the exports from Newport for the past year. Among the shipments were five mil- lion four hundred and thirty-seven thousand seven hundred and seventy-three pounds corn, thirty-six thousand seven buudred and sixty-eight pounds barley, forty two thousand seven hundred and ser- enty-five pounds wool, sixty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty- eight pounds dried fruit, one hundred and fourteen bead of hogs, thirty-six thousand four bundred and seven pounds alfalfa seed, twen- ty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three pounds castor-beans, thirty-four thousand three hundred and forty-five pounds heans, fifty thousand four hundred and eleven pounds honey,
The following account of a serious disaster at this point is condensed from the Los Angeles Herald of April 20, 1878 :-
NEWPORT DISASTER.
Ahout daylight Thursday morning, April 18th, tbe Newport dropped anchor about a mile off the breakers at the landing, the roughness of the water preventing a near approach. The first boat, a large wooden one, was tben put out manned hy the mate. It was the rule of the owners to prohihit the sailors from crossing the breakers or attempting to do so, as they had surf-men employed ou the lighter, who were adepts in this dangerous undertaking. The eustom was, when the steamer appeared to tie a line to a large wooden fender and set it adrift of the lighter. The tide being at ehb, would earry this fender out over the har, a hoat's crew sent out from the vessel would catch it. It was in the performance of this service, that the small bont capsized. Captain Pierce, upon witnessing the disaster, manned the metalic life-boat with himself, the fireman, and Mr. Cash, the clerk, and started to the rescue, when the Captain's boat approached to where the mate's boat capsized, his hoat met the same fate-resulting in the drowning of Captain Pieree and tbree sailors,
CHAPTER XLV.
SAN JUAN TOWNSHIP.
List of Ranches in the Township-Description of the Several Ranches and their Topography-Stock-The Hot Springs-Bee Ranches-Crops-The Embarcadero-Descriptions of the Port by Early Navigators-San Juan Capistrano- Buried Treasure-Present Condition of the Village -- The Ruined Mission.
FOR our information regarding this township, we are indebted principally to the courtesy of Mr. Richard Eagan of San Juan Capistrano.
The following is a list of the Mexican grants comprised within the limits of San Juan township :-
NAME.
ACRES.
TO WHOM CONFIRMED.
Rancho Trahuco.
22,184.47
Juan Forster.
Potreros of ( Los Pinos
San Juan - El Casiso.
1,167,76
=
Capistrano | De La Cienega
Mission Vieja or La Paz
46,432.65
Cauada De Los Aliso. Nignel Rancho.
46,072
M. de Jesus Garcia, et al. Emidio Vejar,
44.56 |Church.
Mission San Juan Capistrano. Santa Margarita (part only) ..
3,616
Juan Forster.
The land lying in the extreme south-castern corner of the
township, between the boundary of the Boca De La Playa Rancho, and the boundary of San Diego county, was at one time the subject of a grant from the Mexican Government to Don Felipe Carrillo. To all the rights of the Don, Juan Forster succeeded, but when the American Commission sat to pass upon these old Mexican claims, this especial grant. was never presented or confirmed. luau Forster still hobls possession of the land, having located the greater portion of it with agricul- tural serip. This whole tract is composed of high rolling hills, wholly destitute of water, and is classed by the surveyors as third-class pasture land. There are from live to six thou- sand acres in the tract, and it pastures about four thousand sheep during some three months of the year, but owing to lack of water is worthless during the dry season.
The rancho Boca de La Playa contains six thousand six hundred and seyen acres of land, which is principally low roll- ing hills, intermixed with dry mesa land. The western portion is well watered by the Sau Juau river. The eastern portion is watered by the Disecho creek, which, however, dries up in the summer. The San Juan valley for about one and a half miles intersects the western portion, and is under cultivation. The remainder is used for sheep pasturage only, and carries some six thousand head of sheep. It classes as first-class pas- ture land. It belongs to the estate of Paul Pryor (deceased) who derived it by purchase. The original grantee was Emidio Vejar.
The rancho Mission Vieja, or La Paz, contains forty-six thousand four hundred and thirty-two and sixty-live one-hun- dredths acres, principally low hills interspersed with mesa land and fertile valleys. The San Juan and Trammeo valleys inter- sect it, and both are well timbered and watered. The whole ranch is used ouly for sheep pasturage and carries on an aver- age fifteen thousand head.
The San Juan Hot Springs are located in the extreme north- castern portion, and are a place of considerable resort for inva- lids. The waters are considered a specific in rheumatic and syphilitic discases. There are over a dozen of these springs spread over about an acre of ground, and there is also another known as McKnight's Spring, about half a mile away. There has been no correct analysis made of any of these springs, but sulphur seems to be a principal ingre lient in most of them. Cold-water springs also abond in this viciuity, some of them being contiguous to the hot springs. The hottest spring gives a temperature of 135º Fahrenheit,
There are no accommodations, and while at times there are from two hundred to two hundred and fifty visitors present, all have to provide themselves with tents, or buikl brush houses. The water is used both for drinking and bathing. There are no bathing houses, but cach scoops out a hole in the soft woud for himself or herself, boards it up roughly, and thus
=
10,568.81
Jose Serrano.
Boea de La Playa Rancho.
6,607
FARM 3 RESIDENCE OF H. H. WAKEHAM, 5 MILES S.W. OF SANTA ANA, LOS ANGELES C.º CAL.
PUBLISHED BY THEIMPSON & WEST
169
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
improvises a bath-tub. These springs are situated about twelve miles from San Juan Capistrano, which is the supply depot for visitors. There is a good road between the two places. This ranch belongs to the estate of F. L. A. Pioche (deceased,, who procured it by purchase from Juan Forster, who was the origi- nal grantve from the Mexican Government.
The Mission Vieja de San Juan (Old Mission of San Juan) was located on this ranch, abont five miles north-east from the site of the present town of San Juan Capistrano, on the bank of an arroyo bearing the same name. When the carly padres arrived here they determined to erect the mission at that. point, and did considerable work in excavating foundations, making water ditches, etc., but the following year they removed to the present site. There is no settlement at the Mission Vieja now, except an old ranch house, built some thir- ty-five years ago.
The Rancho Trabuco contains twenty-two thousand one hun- dred and eighty-four and forty-seven one-hundredths acres, and also belongs to the estate of F. L. A. Pioche (deceased), who procured it by purchase from Juan Forster, who was the original grantee from the Mexican Government. This rauch is principally low hills, interspersed with mesa land. There are also some small valleys, through one of which runs the Trabuco creek, which is considerably timbered. The C'añada del Oso creek also runs through this ranch. The land is used only for sheep pasturage, and supports about twelve thousand head. It is classed as first and second grade pasture land, in about equal proportions.
The Niguel Rancho contains three square leagnes, and is owned by Cyrus B. Rawson, who procured the title from Juan Avila, who was the original grantee .* This land is principally rolling hills, used only for sheep pasturage. It supports abont twelve thousand head. This is classed as first, second and third grade pasture land, in abont equal proportions.
The Cañada de los Alisos Rancho contains ten thousand five hundred and sixty-eight and eighty-one one-hundredths acres, and is owned by the heirs of José Serrano, who was the origi- nal grantee. This ranch consists of low hills and mesa land. It is classed as second and third grade pasture land, and is used for sheep pasturage only. It supports about four thousand heal of sheep. It is watered by the Toro and Aliso erceks.
Between the ranchos Trabuco and the C'añada de los Alisos, on the east, and the Niguel rancho on the west, there is a tract of six thousand acres, which was formerly Government land. not granted. This was taken up in 1878-9. partly by actual set-
tlers, and partly by the owners of the Niguel Rancho. The Southern Pacific Railroad also owns about six hundred acres of this tract. This is all pasture land of second quality. Part of it is suitable for raising small grain in ordinary wet years. In character it is principally low, rolling hills and mesa land West of the Niguel Rancho, and lying between it and the San Joaquin Rancho, on the coast, is a tract of about three thou- sand acres of rough and hilly Government land. A portion of this (lying along Laguna Canon, which runs through the tract is occupied by pre-emptors. This tract has some twenty-five or thirty familes, a school-house and school.
North-east of the ranchos Tralmen and Mission Vieja, along the foot of the Santa Ana rauge of mountains, are a number of woodri cations, occupied by settlers extensively engaged in be business, There are probably over thirty such rauches. These are all unsurveyed Government land. This country extends along the foot of The mountains for fifteen or twenty miles, and i- peenliarly adapted to the bee business. The district has a good school-house and a flourishing school, lately established.
The following estimate of the bee interest of this township is from the Santa Ana Times of April 3, 1879: -
BEE RANCHES.
ALISO CANYON. STANDS.
11. Clinton. .
.250
LIVE OAK CANYON.
J. R. Matthews.
.200
Mr. Howard
.. 40
P. W. Straw
.. 150
R. R. Staples
.. 100
TRABUCO CANYON.
STANUH.
J. F. Pullee .
40
Mr. Rowell
A. S. Hamiltou
150
Mr. Woods.
75
Mr. Weekly.
120
Mr. Fry.
Mr. Williams
.. 115
Griffith & Cooper.
100
J. H. Oderlan. .
60
Mr. Brooks.
75
M. Medlin
BELL CANYON.
STANDY.
Mr. Joplin
70
Mr. Miller
210
Mr. Browu
32
In the southern portion of San Juan township. upon the coast, and lying between the ranchos Mission Vieja, Niguel and Boca De La Playa, is a tract of land comprising some fourteen thousand acres, in the center of which is located the Old Mission and new town site of San Juan Capistrano. This was formerly Government land, but is now all held by
settlers and sheep-raisers in tracts ranging from forty to two thousand acres. A large proportion of this land is lirst quality, rolling hill pasture land. and is used for sheep pas- turage Along the San Juan valley, which runs through the tract, there are from two thousand to two thousand five hundred acres of first quality farming land. most of which is capable of being irrigated by waters from the Arroyos creeks), Mission Vieja and Trabuco.
CROPS.
There is but little land cultivated in this township, larely one thousand neres in all. Corn. Irans, whent and birley are raised. Oranges, olives, walnuts and grapes principally Mus- catel, or raisin grapes also thrive. A little sugar-caur is grown by Chinamen. Much of the soul is adapted to the raising of castor beans, but so far these have not been cultivated.
The Los Angeles and San Diego stage road runs through the township some twenty-six or twenty seven miles, and is kept in repair by the county. The township has a popula- tion of from seven hundred to eight hundred, and casts a full vote of about one hundred and twenty-five. Only one tenth of the settlers in this township are Americans, the resh, are about equally divided between French and untive C'ali- forniaus.
THE EMBARCADERO.
The Embarcadero is a rocky cove about six miles south- west from the village of San Juan Capistrano. It has not been used as a landling for the past twenty years. During the past twelve years all cargoes have been discharged at the mouth of the San Juan valley, two and a half mites below the village. In that time some cleven vessels (average capacity two hundred tons) have unloaded at this point- principally lumber.
In 1822 Captain John Hall, of the British Navy, who was examining the several ports and roadsteads on this coast, wrote as follows :--
SAN JUAN .- On the 13th we sailed for San Juan, where we anchored on the following day (it being distant only about thirty mites, in live fathom water. Iu coming into this hay. from the north, care faust he taken to give the bluil' point a wide hertti, as some dangerous rocky lie ofl' it, distaut about a mile or more. llere provisions, fruity, vegetables and tish are plentifut. Good wine can also be procured from the friars, both white wine and red, the latter being of a peculiarly line flavor.
In 1835 Alexander Forbes (Forbes' California, page 168,) wrote concerning this harbor :-
The anchorage of this hay (latitude 33º 33', longitude 117º 52' ) in close under the western Head. Care must be taken in coming to anchor in the night, to round the head, if coming from the north- westward, ahout a mile distant, as there are several very dangerous rocks some distance from it, nearly level with the water. It is ditti- cult landing when the wind blows from the south-east, on account of the high surf : but when the wind is westerly and north westerly, it is quite smooth. The anchorage is good throughout the hay; the ground . a mixture of sand and mud in five fathom4.
"There will be noticed a discrepancy here as to the grantee of this rauch. The table at the head of this chapter is from the Los Angeles Star, which clauned to have copied an original document. The text above is from Mr. Richard Eagan, and is more probably correct he having made these land titles a special study.
A. Staples
STANDS.
150
50
Jackson Bros.
170
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO.
In our former chapters we have reviewed to some extent the history of this old mission. We find the following in Major B. (. Truman's Semi-Tropic California : - -
In 1830 this mission owned or controlled several large tracts of land, over which pastured forty thousand rattle, seventy thousand sheep, five thousand horses, and a large number of mules, oxen and hogs. From the date of its foundation up to this time, there had been four thousand seven hundred and ninety natives converted and baptized; one thousand seven hundred and two marriages, and three thousand nine hundred and forty-seven deaths. In 1831 there were one thon- sand four hundred residents at this mission, including three hundred and fifty young girls and misses in the nonnery.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.