USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume I > Part 57
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Duarte, two miles to the east of Monrovia, is one of the small but enterprising and quite wealthy places within the noted San Gabriel valley, where rural values and charming scenery obtain to a large extent. It stands at an elevation of about 600 feet and thrives perforce of the excellent fruits produced in such great abundance in and surrounding it. Both Monrovia and Duarte obtain a water supply from the mountain streams and from wells. The community owns these water sources and each user only pays actual cost for the amount used on his land. Bearing orchards sell from $1,200 to $3,500 per acre. One visiting this place in 1914 might have seen nearly 1,000 acres in a bearing orange orchard grove, and 150 acres in lemons, the products of which after passing through the near-by packing plant, filled 550 cars of luscious oranges and lemons.
The population is less than 1,000, but great wealth is possessed in the town and neighboring country. The place takes its name from Andres Duarte, a Mexican military officer, who received as a grant from Mexico 4,000 acres of land upon which he settled sometime in the '40s. There in the green glad solitude he built him a good adobe house, planted a small vineyard and some fruit trees, dug a well and later excavated a water ditch to the mouth of the San Gabriel River and canyon. It was not long before it became known that in that region could be grown the finest of fruits and that the water supply was never failing. The property changed hands many times. With the passing years many orchards were set out and the name "Duarte" attached to boxes gave one the assurance of good quality. About 1888 reports of shipments show that over one hundred carloads of oranges were shipped to far-away markets of the world, besides the large amount held for local use. The first general mercantile store of the place was opened, in 1877, by A. Bronson, who with others, in 1888-89, made much money out of the 7,500 tons of apricots marketed from this point.
CHAPTER L DOWNEY, COMPTON, WATTS, AND EL MONTE
Downey is situated thirteen miles south of Los Angeles, elevation 111 feet above sea-level, and population about 2,000. It is a progressive com- munity, with retail business well represented, and has a Board of Trade and local newspaper. There are also excellent public schools and library, with several churches. The place is supported largely by the citrus and deciduous fruits, nuts, berries, vegetables and poultry yards. Thirty years ago the neighborhood was known emphatically as "the corn country." It is a part of a 30,000 acre ranch owned by Don Antonio Maria Lugo, to whom it was granted in 1838. In 1860 it was subdivided into smaller tracts. The first deed of public record was dated 1865 and was to David Ward. But as early as 1836 there was a settlement there of over 200 people; later it was disturbed and many left for other parts. Downey Township was divided in 1907 and from its territory a part of Norwalk Township was created. Downey Township now has about 5,700 population.
Compton is ten miles to the south of the city of Los Angeles. It is only 66 feet above the level of the Pacific ocean. Its population is about 4,300. It is situated in Compton Township, which was taken from Gardena Town- ship in 1905. Compton was platted into town lots in 1869 and derived its name from G. D. Compton, then sole resident. It is on the Wilmington branch of the Southern Pacific railroad. Of this locality it was written a third of century ago: "The distinctive industry is butter and cheese making. Deciduous fruits and berries of all kinds are also successfully raised, though it is not considered a first-class region for the culture of citrus fruits." Today Compton has come to be a lively, well ordered little corporation, its business interests are looked after by an active Chamber of Commerce, and, as a rule, the citizens "pull together" in harmony for the betterment of the community. Compton became a city of the sixth class in the month of May, 1888. The early records are misplaced ; hence the names of the first board cannot here be given. The list of presidents of the board since 1911 have been : 1911, E. E. Elliott ; 1913, W. B. McKee ;. 1917, C. E. Wood; since 1921, W. L. Peck. The 1922 (present) city officials are: Trustees, W. L. Peck (president), T. W. Swank, H. F. Hann, J. O. Burris and J. E. Dyer ; city clerk, A. C. Cooney ; treasurer, J. O. McDonald ; recorder, Nelson Ward ; attorney, A. C. Cooney ; marshal, B. A. Presley ; engineer, Ed. M. Lynch ; street superintendent, B. A. Presley. The city is bonded for $77,500, the same being issued for sewers, parks and roads. The city park contains four acres which have only been partly improved. Water is furnished Compton by a private company. There is a Chamber of Commerce here having 150 members. There are two local weekly newspapers, the Enterprise and the Tribune. The churches are represented by the following denominations : Methodist Episcopal, Baptist,
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Roman Catholic, Christian Science and Congregational. Masonic lodges include the Eastern Star auxiliary, and the Odd Fellows and Rebekah degree of that order, as well as the various beneficiary insurance orders. The principal industries of Compton are: The Sampson Tire & Rubber Company ; Midway Glass Company, makers of large quantities of milk and prescription bottles ; the Heintz Packing Company and other packers, who ship 450 carloads of vegetables annually.
A singular geographical coincident is that Compton is exactly ten miles from Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Pedro and Redondo Beach.
Watts is an incorporated city of the sixth class, located seven miles south of Los Angeles on the Pacific Electric railroad. At that point the track system diverges into three separate lines-one to Long Beach and the Los Angeles Harbor at San Pedro, another to Santa Ana and the third to Redondo Beach. Watts is styled the Midland City. Over five hundred suburban trains stop or pass through it daily. Nineteen minutes lands passengers to and from the Sixth and Main street depot in the city of Los Angeles. In Watts one finds excellent schools, being taught by fifty-two instructors. As to the banking business, reference is made to the separate chapter on Banks and Banking. The churches include the Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Roman Cath- olic and Christian Scientist. The secret fraternities are inclusive of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. The press is represented by the Advertiser and Suburban Home.
The date of the incorporation of Watts was May 21, 1907, when it became a city of the sixth class. Its population, in 1910, was 1,922; in 1920, had grown to 4,529, and at present it is safely estimated at 6,000. The Board of Trustees have had the following presidents: 1907, J. F. Donohue ; 1908-12, W. H. Turner ; 1912-13, Charles H. Dodd ; 1914, C. W. Sanders; 1916, John S. Lange; 1918, Z. A. Towne; 1920, M. T. Manus ; Hugh Gove is the present incumbent.
The total amount of city improvements since the place was incorporated has been $418,869.48. A city hall was erected about 1909, at a cost of $10,000 ; now valued at $16,000. A $10,000 public library building was the gift of Andrew Carnegie. The bonded indebtedness of Watts is $33,750. The present city officials are: Hugh Gove, president of board ; Charles E. Wagniere, Walter B. Weiss, M. T. Manus and Kate C. Prentice, trustees ; city clerk, Sarah A. Smith; city treasurer, T. J. Neal; attorney, George A. Hart; street superintendent, David L. Coat; city marshal, L. G. Ramie.
It appears from a memorandum in the clerk's office that the first president of the Board under the first incorporation was R. Sherer, and the first city clerk, L. C. Walter.
El Monte, at an elevation of 294 feet and situated about nine miles south of Los Angeles, has an approximate population of 1,000. In and around the place are hundreds of acres of land devoted to fruits, nuts, berries, vegetables, corn, melons, alfalfa and sugar beets and lots exclu- sively devoted to the poultry industry. The water supply comes from the San Gabriel River and also from wells, community owned. At El Monte one finds all of the smaller business lines well represented. Schools, churches, Board of Trade and weekly newspapers, have all been important
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factors in the development of the place. Many years since, for convenience sake, the County Horticultural Commissioner linked the fruit acreage with that of Alhambra. As early as 1912, there were three canneries employing nearly 300 persons in putting out over $100,000 worth of canned goods annually. Ample facilities are provided for handling 800 carloads of citrus fruits and walnuts.
Historians tell us that it was here that the first efforts were made to successfully make Los Angeles a county of agricultural and horticultural importance. With the arrival of the first sturdy immigrants there was at once set in motion an influence to make the soil bring forth that for which the Creator ordained it. Generally speaking this soil does not especially need regular irrigation. The band of settlers in 1851 were principally these: Ira W. Thompson, Samuel M. Heath, Dr. Obed Macy and son, Oscar Macy, F. W. Gibson, Nicholas Smith, J. Coburn, J. Sheldon and Mrs. John Rowland. Fifty and more families came in 1852-53. A large number of the first to locate at what is now El Monte came from the Southern states, and generally engaged in raising corn, hogs and cattle.
CHAPTER LI
THE CITY OF POMONA
"One star differeth from another in glory" as also do the cities of Southern California, including those within Los Angeles County. This chapter will treat especially of Pomona, one of the larger and more flour- ishing municipalities. The city is situated thirty-three miles east of Los Angeles, near the county line. In altitude, above sea-level, it is 860 feet. The great mountain chains on the east and north combine to protect this section of the county from the harsh winds and desert sands. The valley at that point is about twenty-seven miles wide. The two great railway systems, the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe routes, pass through Pomona near the shadows of the mountains. Without exaggeration, it may be stated that for richness and productiveness this soil is unequalled.
The origin of the city is credited to certain operations of the defunct corporation, known in 1874 as the Los Angeles Immigration Land Co- operative Association. It had a capital of $250,000, divided into 2,500 shares and its directors were: Thomas A. Garey, president; C. E. White, vice president; L. M. Holt, secretary; Milton Thomas, manager; R. M. Town, assistant manager, and H. G. Crow, treasurer. About 2,700 acres of a tract, known as the Rancho San Jose, was obtained by this association, the Pomona tract being included. At that time this tract was largely a sheep ranch with some herds of cattle upon it. There was not a dwelling house upon the land where now stands the sprightly city. The first sale made on the new town site was in June, 1875, to J. H. Hamilton, who purchased a ten-acre tract near the railroad depot. By 1890, Pomona had a popula- tion of 6,000, and in 1915 it was placed at 15,000. Its present (1923) popu- lation is 16,500.
The city was incorporated on December 31, 1887. The first Board of Trustees consisted of Charles French (chairman), C. E. White, James Harvey, Robert Cuzner and John Johnson. The marshal was T. N. Short ; city attorney, W. A. Bell; city clerk, Arza Crabb; recorder, C. E. Sumner ; assessor, W. W. Soper ; superintendent of roads, J. L. Stewart; treasurer, Stoddard Jess. After the election of that board all the saloons of the place were closed by ordinances passed by the body named.
The Pomona Land and Water Company was the pioneer in furnishing the place with pure water from both the mountains and from deep artesian wells. In 1889, it was reported to the state authorities that there were, near Pomona, seventy artesian wells, with an average flow of 200,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. Half of the water supply was diverted to the region of Ontario, it not being needed in Pomona.
The Pomona Library Association was organized in 1887. The history of Pomona banking is treated in the special chapter on Banks and Banking in this work. The Peoples Bank commenced business in 1887. The
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Pomona Register was established in March, 1889, John Symes being editor. (See Press chapter, elsewhere.)
One industry which may have about passed forever, if the Prohibition Amendment to the United States Constitution remains in force, is that of wine making. Thirty years ago-1892-it was written of this industry in Pomona as follows: "The Pomona Wine Company-This is the largest and most extensive industry in Pomona, located on the corner of Ellen and Libbie streets. The principal building is a large brick structure, with double walls, and was erected in the spring and summer of 1887 at a cost of $50,000. The engine is of eighteen horse-power and the boiler forty. The number of gallons of wine manufactured since this company began
GREEK THEATRE, POMONA
operations is over 3,000,000, and at present they have 100,000 gallons stored in warehouses. The different qualities made are the sweet, dry claret and white wines, and they are now making preparations to manu- facture the sherry wine. It is one of the most interesting sights in Pomona to watch during the wine-making season, the great loads of grapes waiting to be delivered at the elevator. As many as fifty wagons have been counted at one time, standing in line. The wine interest of this section is very great. The Pomona Wine Company is incorporated and the list of its officers include the following well known citizens: G. W. McClary, president ; Fred J. Smith, secretary ; C. Seaver, treasurer, and directors as follows: J. A. Packard, Stoddard Jess, C. Seaver, Fred J. Smith and W. G. McClary."
Pomona is made attractive and comfortable by its half dozen parks, all well developed and improved. There are daily and weekly newspapers, churches, schools, theaters, as well as lodges, and a very active Chamber of Commerce. The present water supply comes from San Antonio Canyon and from pumping plants and wells. As far back as 1915, there were tributary to Pomona 5,000 acres of citrus groves and twenty-five fruit
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packing houses which employed a thousand persons in season. The normal annual output was, at that period, 4,500 cars of oranges and 750 cars of lemons. One cannery employing machinery and giving work to three hundred persons, turned out 2,000,000 cans of fruit per season. The English walnut and dried fruit packing houses in the vicinity also have large pay-rolls.
POMONA OF TODAY
Pomona was incorporated thirty-five years ago and during all these years a good city government has been usually obtained. "Build for the future as well as for the day" has been the motto of the men in charge of public affairs. The present (1922) officials are these: T. R. Ovington, mayor ; councilmen, Lloyd R. Clark, Holmes G. Brown and C. B. Affler-
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING, POMONA
baugh; attorney, J. A. Allard; treasurer and collector, Joseph Mullen ; auditor and clerk, T. R. Trotter ; police judge, H. H. Mason ; engineer and street superintendent, F. C. Froehde; chief of police, A. W. Lyter; building inspector, L. W. Cowles.
The property now owned by the city includes: Public library and lands, $31,000; old City Hall and site, $21,000; new City Hall property, $55,000; sewer farm, $32,000; high school and grounds, $180,000; grade schools and lands, $246,750; parks and improvements, $163,500; fire hall and jail sites, $8,500; city stables and land, $9,000. The total hold- ings of the city in 1922 amounted to $764,850. The total receipts of the city, in 1922, equaled $235,019.89. The new City Hall cost $30,000; it was built in 1911. The present bonded indebtedness is $442,925. The library was established in 1887 and made a "Free Library" in 1902. The serving librarian is S. M. Jacobus. The cost of the library was $25,000, the building being a gift from Andrew Carnegie. The present number of books is 4,600. The total valuation of all property in Pomona is $11,320,188. The tax rate is $1.75, and the amount of taxes collected last year, $196,750.22. The present form of charter government was adopted on March 10, 1911.
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The city now contains a fraction over twelve square miles. Its population in 1888 was 2,500 ; in 1910, 10,207, and in 1920 the United States census placed it at 13,505, while the Chamber of Commerce and city officials esti- mate it between 16,000 and 17,000.
Beginning in 1887, when first incorporated, the presidents and mayors of Pomona have been as follows: Charles French, 1887; John Johnson, C. E. White and W. M. Woody, 1889; S. J. Rolph, 1891; G. A. Gallup, 1893; E. H. Hutchinson, 1895-97 ; C. P. Patterson, 1897-99; E. Hinman, 1899-1900; W. H. Poston, 1901-05 ; Mel Campbell, 1905 ; Lee R. Matthews, 1907; Frank P. Firey, 1908; Lee R. Matthews, 1911; Lee R. Matthews, 1912; W. A. Vandegrift, 1913-15. The place was incorporated as a city of the fifth class in 1888, but charted under its present form of govern- ment on May 1, 1911. W. A. Vandegrift was the first mayor under the new system and held the position until the close of 1920.
With all the business bustle and enterprise, "with brains and muscle all in tune," the people of Pomona do not forget the higher things of life such as their church duties. Denominationally, their religious organizations are thus represented: Presbyterian, Christian Science, Congregational, Church of God, Methodist Episcopal, English Lutheran, Calvary Baptist, Church of the Nazarene, Episcopal, Trinity Methodist and St. Paul's Lutheran. To be the possessor of a home within the limits of so goodly a city as Pomona, is to be highly favored.
INDUSTRIAL
Pomona has for its chief industries the growing of grapes, oranges, lemons, peaches, plums, apricots, sugar beets, walnuts, small fruit, grain and alfalfa (which yields eight cuttings a year). The manufacturing plants include these: The largest deep well pump factory in the world ; Golden State and Sunset Fruit Canneries, shipping 10,000,000 cans of fruit annually ; Pomona Brick Company ; two planing mills, Pomona Valley Ice Company, Pomona Sheet Metal Company, B. F. Caldwell Visible Gas Furnace, Baker Shirt Works, A. M. Fowkes Sweater Factory, Millner Bottling Works and the Vortex Manufacturing Company. The products within a ten mile radius amount annually to about $35,000,000. Four strong banks and two building and loan companies have assets of $12,000,- 000. In 1922 the improvements within Pomona proper will exceed $2,000,000.
CHAPTER LII MISCELLANEOUS CORPORATIONS
Huntington Park is another one of the fine, well built and rapidly grow- ing incorporated cities within Los Angeles County. It has an elevation of 170 feet and in July, 1922, had an estimated population of 6,500. It has fine business blocks, churches, lodges, schools and excellent street paving, with a creditable city hall which was built in 1914, and cost about $20,000. The city is now liquidating, as fast as due, a bonded indebtedness of $280,000. About two years previous to August, 1906, the Board of Trade (now Chamber of Commerce) took decisive action in the matter of securing an incorporation. This was finally effected in August, 1906, and the first men who had to do with this comprised a committee of the Board of Trade just named, which consisted of A. A. Weber, Professor George Garlan and Frank H. Tate. An election was called which resulted : For incorporation, 77 votes, and against, 17. The first meeting of the board was held at the residence of Dr. Louis Weber. The first city officers were: Trustees, Messrs. Weber, Glass, Salisbury and Johnson. The treasurer was Mr. North, the secretary or clerk, E. R. Allen; marshal, Mr. Cramer. The subjoined is a list of the several presidents of the Board of Trustees since the date of the city's organization: 1906 to 1910, Louis Weber ; 1910, W. H. Clarke ; 1911, S. F. Campbell ; 1912, G. W. Dudderar ; 1914, O. W. Leonard; 1916-20, William T. Salvin; 1920, J. E. Scott; 1920-22, N. O. Fleming ; 1922, William T. Salvin, present incumbent.
The 1922 city officials include : President, William T. Salvin ; trustees, O. Fleming, Jerome V. Scofield, Frank T. Thomas and F. A. McClung ; Harry H. Hunter, city clerk ; W. H. Boss, treasurer.
The city enjoys municipal water, secured from three deep driven wells, which furnish a superior supply. The city has its own public library and a beautiful two-story red brick city building. The churches of Huntington Park include: Friends, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Christian Science and Christian. The lodges embrace the Masonic, with the Chapter of the Eastern Star; the Odd Fellows and their Rebekahs; the Knights of Pythias, with their auxiliary, the Pythian Sisters, and the Elks.
Huntington Park is five miles from the heart of Los Angeles; had, in 1921, an assessed valuation of $2,595,805, with building permits issued that year amounting to more than $1,000,000. To show the rapid growth of the place it may be stated that in 1910 it only had 1,299; in 1916, it had 3,150; in 1920, 5,500, and now claims close to the 6,500 mark. The industrial districts to the north and east of the city employ 6,500 men, with a weekly pay-roll of $200,000. Here one finds three banking houses ; common and high schools, the last named having as its campus twenty-three acres of
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beautiful land and many large appropriate buildings erected thereon. This city is also the home of the Jewish Orphan's Home, a $150,000 institution. The Society of Friends has a Training School for Christian workers. There is a handsome motion picture theatre costing $100,000, which seats a thousand persons and has a $15,000 pipe organ.
As a desirable home location, there is no finer in the vicinity of Los Angeles, among the inland places, than Huntington Park.
Inglewood is situated in Inglewood Township to the southwest of Los Angeles city. In 1910, the United States census report gave it 1,536, but it has grown rapidly within the last few years and now has several thousand people. It is reached by electric lines from both Los Angeles and Ocean Park, the latter being the nearest ocean beach. It was incor- porated as a city of the sixth class in February, 1908, having for its original city officials: Trustees, W. H. Kelso (president), John Aerick, L. O. Calkins, H. L. Martin, J. D .- Cronk; treasurer, W. G. Brown; marshal, J. N. Brooke ; clerk, E. D. Morrison. The following have served as presi- dents of the Board of Trustees since date of organization: 1908, W. H. Kelso; 1909, John Aerick; 1910-14, W. H. Kelso; 1914-15, L. B. Hardin ; 1916, W. S. Hudson; 1918-20, John Aerick; 1920-22, S. H. Spafford, present incumbent. The 1922 officers are as follows: Trustees, S. H. Spafford (president), John W. Glasgow, Earl T. Stoops, Charles M. Miller and Robert Haenggi; city clerk, Otto H. Duelke; city treasurer, Frank S. Friend; city recorder, A. F. Monroe; city attorney, Clyde Woodworth ; city engineer, Arthur W. Cory; street and water superintendent, John Aerick; city marshal, C. H. White; health officer, Dr. Frank Rainie.
On July 1, 1922, the bonded indebtedness of the city was $250,200. The city owns its own water supply, which is drawn from deep drivewells, and which has been ample in quantity for all reasonable demands.
The public school buildings, placed in a handsome group of one-story modern structures, are centrally located and across the street is a good public library, all owned by the tax-paying citizens of Inglewood. The religious denominations are represented by church organizations as follows : The Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Christian, Christian Science, Brethren and Roman Catholic. The newspaper press has repre- sentation in the weekly papers-the News and the Telephone. The Masonic, Odd Fellows and other secret orders are quite strong in Ingle- wood. The banking interests, also mentioned in the chapter on Banks and Banking, consist of the First National, the Citizens Savings and the Inglewood Savings Bank.
A Chamber of Commerce has recently reorganized for active work. All of the best business men in the city have united as members and will this season carry on a lively campaign in the interests of their growing city.
The most northerly town in the county is Newhall, thirty miles from Los Angeles, which stands at an elevation of 1,265 feet above the Pacific ocean. The winters are much cooler and the summers much hotter and drier than in the extreme southern portion of the county. So dry is the atmosphere in the locality that quantities of fruit are brought thither by rail to be sun-dried. It was written a third of a century ago: "Grapes are successfully grown throughout this section, and there is little doubt that it will ultimately become a raisin-grape producing country."
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It was also to this immediate vicinity that the great railway king of his day came-Tom Scott of the Pennsylvania system-and commenced the first development of oil wells in 1862. Just over the line in Ventura County a well was sunk eight hundred feet and a flow of black oil was reached. This was the first attempt in California to bring forth kerosene from the depths of the earth. In 1876 operations were begun again and since that date the business of producing and refining petroleum has been conducted in this vicinity. Newhall has never grown to any great extent, but has always had sufficient business places to accommodate the surround- ing communities.
Lancaster is a station on the Southern Pacific Railway, is a flourishing small place, and is supported by a thrifty farming section, where horticulture and poultry afford good profits to the men and women who are thus engaged. A newspaper was established at Lancaster by M. L. Wicks in 1884-85, after which the community grew rapidly and was well advertised through the medium of the local paper.
Saugus is another small hamlet near Newhall, from which is obtained a pleasing view of the famous and rich valley in which it lies. Within twenty years that portion of the county has made rapid strides toward developing its resources. Both steam and electric railroads, and the best of public highways, accommodate this section of the county.
While the Soldiers' Home cannot be called a county institution, yet it has a connection therewith which entitles it to more than passing mention. It is a National institution and its population has long been an important commercial factor at Sawtelle. This soil has furnished fruits, grain and vegetables for the Civil war soldiers ever since 1889, when the Home was first opened. The committee from United States headquarters visited Cali- fornia to locate a National Soldiers' Home in 1887. The board was met by a committee from the Board of Trade in Los Angeles. It was under- stood that a Home was to be built at some suitable point on the Pacific coast and of course any community would naturally desire such an honor- able institution. The Grand Army of the Republic also had a member on the local committee in the person of J. M. Guinn, A. M. Finally a tract of land containing 600 acres was selected four miles eastwardly from Santa Monica. There barracks were built to accommodate 2,000 men and a chapel, hospital and other buildings were erected. Fifty acres were planted to oranges, lemons and walnuts ; also some fig, peach, pear and apple trees were set. With the passage of years many changes and additions have been made about the premises until now the government owns 738 acres, much of which is devoted to pasture and hay raising for the dairy cows of the establishment. The number of veterans is not far from 3,000. The families of many of the inmates of the home reside in the little city surrounding it, known as Sawtelle, which has many business houses and residences. The Home is situated on the Pacific Electric road which carries both freight and passengers.
Sawtelle has a population of about 10,000, and is now a part of the City of Los Angeles, having been so absorbed by an election a few months ago. It was previously within Los Angeles, but contested the case, as the election in 1917 resulted in only a majority of three for annexation, and the matter went into the courts. It had its books taken by force by the
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county authorities, but after much agitation the matter has finally been settled to the good of all interested, and July 17, 1922, there was a ratifica- tion meeting. A long bitter fight has come to an end and Sawtelle is now within Los Angeles, and is not what it once was called, "the place where passengers get off the cars to go to the Soldier's Home." The last vote stood: "For annexation," 1,287, and "Against annexation," 210.
Avalon, Hermosa, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Playa del Rey, etc., are all places of note situated within Los Angeles County.
Avalon is situated in Catalina Township, on the beautiful Island of Catalina, off the coast from Long Beach and San Pedro Harbor, twenty- five miles from either point named. Excursion boats ply between the Island and mainland. The island, correctly speaking, is "Santa Catalina Island" and contains 50,000 acres of land largely devoted to the entertain- ment and pleasure of the public. The gamest fish of the seas inhabit these waters. Trails and mountain drives, golf links, tennis courts, etc., are provided the visitor, and the climate is all that one can desire. Here one finds water sports and a fine bathing beach, and most interesting hours are spent in the glass-bottomed boats floating over the submarine gardens.
Avalon, the only hamlet of the Santa Catalina Island, affords ample hotel accommodations and the shops, stores and resorts furnish all one requires in a seaside place. Boats, including a steamer, ply the waters of the Pacific all along the coast, making complete trips around the Island. While it is a civil township of Los Angeles County, the property mostly belongs to a few individuals, including the Wrigleys, who now have entire control of the enterprises on the island. Not to exceed a thousand people live on it the year 'round, but in the busy season, as a summer resort, there are thousands of visitors every week.
Culver City, known as the White Home City, is midway between Los Angeles and the beach resorts. It is the home of many moving picture studios and factories for making films. It has schools, churches, banks, stores and all that tends to fill the demand of the people who are rapidly settling there, because of its withdrawal from the din and noise of the congested city.
On the coast is Playa del Rey, on the way down the coast from Venice. It has its own pier and pavilion.
El Segundo and the Standard Oil Pipe Line have piers and some little general business.
Manhattan Beach is a small seaside resort, just above Redondo. It has many neat summer cottages, stores, shops and other business factors demanded at a quiet oceanside resort. The place is materially aided in its business efforts by a well organized Chamber of Commerce. Its presi- dent is at this date, C. Stockwell, and its secretary, C. E. Jenkins. Man- hattan Beach is an incorporated place with present elective officers as follows: E. B. Pentz, president of the Board of Trustees; G. E. Conk- ling, Charles Ashton and C. W. Bull, trustees ; assessor and clerk, Llewellyn Price ; attorney, Frank L. Perry ; engineer and street commissioner, V. H. Stoheli; treasurer and collector, A. C. Conner; water superintendent, R. J. Kuhl. The local paper is the Manhattan Beach News. The place has a population of 1,197.
Hermosa Beach has a population of about 3,000. It has come to be
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
a noted sea-beach, with its hotels, a bank, many stores, shops, theatres, churches, schools, a pavilion, fishing pier, bath houses, a newspaper (the Review), a free library and an active Chamber of Commerce. Its churches include the Brethren, Baptist, Christian Science, Seventh Day Adventist and St. Cross. Hermosa is an incorporated municipality with officers in June, 1922, as follows : Assessor, B. F. Brown; attorney, George R. Wickham; clerk, B. F. Brown; marshal, W. W. Gipson; recorder, B. F. Brown ; treasurer, R. E. Mead. The Chamber of Commerce has these officers : Don Follis, president; W. J. Snyder, secretary ; G. S. Thatcher, treasurer.
Redondo is a very popular beach, just southeast of Hermosa, and has a population of 5,834. A pleasant tent city is located one hundred feet from the beach in a beautiful park of cypress, eucalyptus and pine. Within the place are bath houses, pavilions, places of innocent amusement, many well built business blocks of brick and cement, banks (see chapter on Banks and Banking), public library and churches of the following denomi- nations: Episcopal, Baptist, Christian, Christian Scientist, Congrega- tional, Free Gospel Mission, Methodist Episcopal and St. James Roman Catholic.
The lodges of Redondo Beach are the Elks, Masonic bodies, Odd Fel .. lows, Knights of Pythias ; each order having an organization of lady auxil- iaries. There are two well conducted newspapers published-the Redondo Breeze and the Redondo Reflex. The Chamber of Commerce now has for its president, George F. Orgibet ; F. L. Kern, secretary, and J. J. Hinds, treasurer. The place was incorporated as a city of the sixth class in April, 1892, and had for its original officers: S. P. Reese (president), H. H. Venable, A. V. Trundel, Louis Wagner and J. M. Bracewell, trustees ; E. C. Baker, clerk, and George Cate, treasurer. Then followed presidents as follows : T. B. Whiteside and Isaac Cohen, 1894; F. D. English, 1895- 98; Will J. Hess, 1898-99; M. Thomas, 1899-1900; H. B. Ainsworth, 1900-03 ; L. J. Quint, 1904; J. I. Lechner, 1908; H. B. Ainsworth, 1910-11; Will J. Hess, 1911; J. H. Cavanaugh, 1912; O. M. Tomlinson, 1914-16; Louis Molnar, 1916-18; A. T. Hembree, Harry Brolaski and J. R. Richard- son, 1918; George Cate from 1920 to present time. The bonded indebted- ness July 1, 1921, was $149,850.
The present (1922) city officials include these: George Cate, presi- dent ; Louis Field, T. J. Hoyt, C. J. McCormick, W. N. Redmon, trustees ; Harry Polglase, city clerk; May B. Hopkins, city treasurer; Frank L. Perry, city attorney; George W. Reed, street superintendent; Edwin H. Miller, city recorder ; John V. Henry, city marshal; Dr. A. T. Hembree, health officer; Victor H. Stoheli, city engineer; Nellie Thomas, city stenographer. The present deputy city clerk is Mary M. Eich.
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