USA > California > Napa County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 33
USA > California > Lake County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 33
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 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
296
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
The next thing brought to our notice is a large shed for the reception of the teams of transient visitors. It is open to the north, but closed at the west, south and east, so that the horses may be thoroughly protected from the winds and sun. Strong iron rods extend from the posts downward, and are anchored to large rocks at a depth of twenty feet. Next in order comes a stone building, containing three very large rooms which are furnished with elegant suits of furniture. They each have a fire-place, and the walls are adorned with handsome paintings. The next building contains the kitchen and dining-room on the lower floor, which is on a level with the road on the west side of the buildings. We ascend an iron stair-way and reach a green- sward terrace, from which the upper rooms are entered. They consist of a dining-room, reading-room, etc. On the west side of this building there is a veranda, from which one of the most beautiful landscape views in Cali- fornia may be had. The lower story of the next adjacent building is used for bottling purposes. As the water comes from the springs it is passed under a gasometer, and the gas is retained in that while the water passes on into a reservoir. A hydraulic engine operates a compound pump, which forces the gas and water together again, one suction pipe leading to the gasometer and the other to the reservoir. The union is effected just beyond the pump, and the associated mass is led into two copper cylinders each with a steam gange to indicate the pressure of the gas, and a water gauge to show the amount of water. The gas remains so thoroughly incorporated with the water that no agitator is necessary in the cylinder, as is often the case when mineral is being bottled. From the cylinders the water is conducted to the bottling machine, where, "by a simple twist of the wrist," a bottle is filled, corked and fastened with the patent wire cork-fastener, and the amount that may be bottled in a day is wholly dependent upon the skill and celerity of the operator. In the upper story of the building, reached from the terrace mentioned above, is a pleasant suite of rooms.
To the north of this building, and within a few yards, are two of the soda springs from which drinking water is obtained. A neat brick awning is erected over each of them, surmounted with a dome-shaped ventilator. Between the last building and the first spring a wide stone stairway leads to the garden, in which will be found almost everything that grows in a semi-tropical climate. Oranges and lemons thrive well, indeed, as is evinced by the fruit-laden trees to be seen there now. The delicate rhododendron or oleander grows to be a handsome tree, while a Japanese persimmon is as thrifty as if to the manor born. Oak, fir and other native woods are stand- ing just as Nature planted them, to which have been added eucalyptus, Monterey cypress and pride of China trees. In the garden there is a spring that comes up through a fissure in the rock, just as Nature has left it. A basin has been scooped out as a receptacle for the water, and the rock ledge
297
Napa Township.
has been hewn away so as to leave a raised block of solid stone containing the basin.
The grounds are artistically arranged, and flowers and shrubs grow in profusion. In the forks of a great oak there is a platform with seats and railing around it, which is known as " Lovers' Retreat." It is reached by a stairway, and is an acoustic curiosity from the fact that the slightest sound about the place can be heard in it. If it were vice versa it probably would not deserve the name of Retreat. In the cosiest places seats have been placed, from some of which the prospect is most beautiful, comprehending in one view the foot-hills just below, the wide expanse of Napa's most lovely valley, then the mountains beyond, and the vista finally ending with the lofty proportions of Mt. Tamalpais piercing the sky, like a giant sentinel on some grand old Titan fortress on the outer bulwarks of creation.
The Club House, lately completed, and is a paragon of perfection. The building is of hewn rustic stone, which gives it a beautiful outward appearance. It stands on an elevation commanding a view of the entire grounds. The approach consists of wide steps leading up to an open tower which serves the double purpose of entry and portico. The outer corners are supported by stone pillars, and the inner surfaces are all curvilinear. The hallway is capacious, and extends entirely through the building. On the left of the hall at the entrance is the bar-room. Back of this is a raised dais and a bowling alley eighty feet long. The stairs pass up from the rear end of the main hall; and on the newel post there is a figure holding a flambeau, which, when the gas is lighted, proves a verity. At the rear of the main stairs is a ladies' private entrance from the dais leading to the room in the south-east corner of the building on the lower floor. This is exclu- sively a ladies' room, and has a bagatelle table in it. Between this room and the front room on the right of the main hall is a folding door, which, when occasion demands, will permit of the two rooms being thrown into one. This front room is used as a gentlemen's billiard room. Ascending the stairs we find five handsome rooms for the accommodation of guests which have all the modern conveniences, and are furnished in excellent style. There is a main hall up stairs which is the counterpart of the one below. The front opens out upon a verandah. All the appointments about this building are as perfect as mechanical ingenuity can make them, and the sewerage is complete. Bath-houses are provided for the accommodation of the guests. The climate is most excellent here; being elevated, the air is light, pure and revivifying. We have said already that the scenery is lovely, but it must be seen to be appreciated, and new prospects are pre- sented from every vantage ground. The feebler people can find abundance of level ground for exercise, while the more robust can find mountains to climb to their hearts' content, and for rambling just for the pleasure of the
298
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
thing, there is an ample and excellent field. Mr. L. Kelley of the Palace Hotel, is the present lessee of the Springs.
The analysis of the waters of these springs is as follows :
Temperature, degrees 68
Grains.
Residue from the evaporation of a gallon
68.76
Bicarbonate of soda.
13.12
Carbonate of magnesia
26.12
Carbonate of lime
10.83
Chloride of sodium.
5.20
Subcarbonate of iron
7.84
Sulphate of soda
1.84
Silicious acid
.62
Alumina
.60
The following splendid description of this property was published first in the California Horticulturist :
" These springs are located at the head of a cañon in the mountains which form the eastern boundary of the Napa Valley, six miles northward from Napa City. From this point, and about eight hundred feet above the level of the valley beneath, the artists Keith and Virgil Williams trans- ferred to their canvas the natural beauties of a landscape so rich in tower- ing peaks and green-enameled vale, sinuous creeks and open bay, russet- brown hill-side and grain-veneered field, that their pictures form the most pleasing gems in some of our best art collections. The valley below, for twenty-five miles, with its rectangular fields of varigated crops, looking like an elongated chess-board ; the bay, reflecting from its sun-lit waters the white-winged sails of the world's commerce; and the mountains in Contra Costa County, with Tamalpais, King of the Coast Range, presenting in con- trast his graceful outline to Diablo's heavier front, form together a series of contrasting beauties which may well claim to be unmatched for sublimity. And, as if to leave no doubt upon this point, there arises over and beyond all these, the great sea view, which gives the final and a kingly grace to this country-seat, thus ocean-bound. Such daily sights as these made Alexan- der Smith a poet, and tend to dispel all narrowness from the soul of the spectator. This illimitable stretch of vision, which allows no earthly ob- ject to stay it, but at the horizon blends with the spacious heavens, where the setting sun seems to bathe himself in the deep ere he rainbows the Orient with his pathway of fire, truly "lends enchantment to the view," and gives additional zest to rural enjoyment and the life Arcadian.
" Looking to the local pictures which make the place attractive, we find groves of patriarchal trees, the live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and the black
299
Napa Township.
oak (Quercus Sonomensis), with boughs gracefully festooned with the gray Spanish moss or the 'dark druidical mistletoe,' and which command respect for their stately pre-eminence, dignity of strength, and inviting fullness of shade, constituting them elders amid the modern growths-a barrier to the tempest and a solace from the sunburst.
' Not a prince
In all that proud old world beyond the deep E'er wore his crown as loftily as these Wear the green coronal of leaves with which His grace has crowned them.'
" Other trees of lesser growth, with tops as wide-spread as those that grace the English lawns, some having arms gnarled and shaggy, and others with boughs that droop as gracefully as willows or the Eastern elm, adorn the open grounds.
" The Eucalyptus (Australian gum) towers high above its neighbor, the mountain pinc, in its graceful aspiring. The Italian cypress adds an exotic charm to the natural scenery, and the palm tree, the almond, the olive and the orange (growing from seeds here sown), give variety to the view, and testify at once to the semi-tropical mildness of the climate and the generous fertility of the soil.
"Along the ravines and gulches, and overshadowing the walks, are the Buckeye (Æsculus Californica), redolent of perfume; the brilliant laurel (Areodaphne Californica), a fine evergreen, with fragrant leaves; the ash (Fraxinus Oregana); the large-leaved maple (Acer macrophylla), and, most magnificent of all, the madroña (Arbutus Menziesii), with bright green waxen leaves; these, with the flesh-tinted manzanita, constitute the forest scenery of these mountain sides.
" Of the beautiful flowering shrubs are the Ceanothus (California lilac); the Spirca; the sweet-scented and favorite Calycanthus, with color of a deep claret; the dog-wood (Cornus), conspicuous for its snowy white flowers; the snowberry (Symphoricarpus); the Azalea Occidentalis, having deliciously sweet-scented white and yellow flowers in profuse abundance ; the chestnut (Castanea Chrysophylla), and the wild rose.
" Of climbers, among many others, we only name the wild California grape (Vitis Californica), forming natural and most graceful bowers, as con- tinuous and shady as those of the far-famed banyan tree ; the virgin's bower (Clematis), and the honeysuckle.
" California bulbs grow here in great abundance and rich variety. Of the finest are the Cyclobothra, the Calochortus, the lily, the brodidas, the iris, and others of truly charming colors.
" Most attractive of all the flowering plants are the columbine (Aqui- legia), the ever-pleasing red larkspur (Delphinium nudicaule), the Cali-
300
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
fornia poppy (Eschscholtzia), the lupin, the evening primrose (Œnothera), and the monkey flower (Mimulus glutinosus).
" Along the shady hill-side the ground is literally covered with our fine California ferns, such as the Polypodium, the Adiantum, the Pellœa, the Gymnogramme, the graceful Woodwardia, and the Aspidium. Over a wide extent of wall, on fences and house-sides, the slow-growing ivy and climbing roses extend themselves. The lemon verbena-not a flower-pot plant as in the East, but here a bush six feet high-emits the fullness of its grateful fragrance ; the loquat invites by the immaculate purity of its white blossoms ; and the scarlet berries of the madrona dotting hill and roadside, engage the sight by the conspicuous brilliancy of their coloring.
" Numerous living springs of fresh water burst from the mountain sides at such an elevation as to send the natural flow over the entire six hundred and forty acres which constitute the Springs property ; and throughout the year this water is as cold as though it flowed over subterranean beds of ice. Indian relics found here in abundance indicate that these were chosen spots by the aboriginees; and doubtless, countless times the western Leather- Stocking has here brushed aside the leaves, and quaffed the sparkling cur- rent at its fountain.
" Along one side of the property a mountain brook gathers the hill-side offerings of congenial springs, as it curvets and frets itself through cañon passes-now loitering to gather fresh strength against a temporary embargo, and then dashing away in a white gush of waterfall-now with swift current dancing about the beds and eddies of sycamore-guarded banks, and again filling the deep rock-encircled pool (where the speckled trout coyly display their beauties, and anon hide themselves away,) whose crystal waters temptingly invite to a grateful bath. On the other boundary a rocky gorge resounds with the ripple of numerous streamlets, until the swelling torrent's of winter's rain sends the combined waters raging over a perpendicular fall ninety feet in height, a miniature Niagara.
" Inviting paths, miles in extent, lead with gentle grade to the various points of interest ; now to a grottoed cave and anon to a mountain grove ; here to a vine-covered bower, and there across a rustic bridge, beneath which living waters leap and sparkle, and terminate at last at the summit of Castle Peak, beneath whose outlook rolls the whole broad panorama of Napa Valley. Reservoirs dug from their rocky beds, holding each two hundred thousand gallons, gather the waters for domestic use, and the stone quarried from the spot supplied the material for the buildings that adorn the premises. An orchard in full bearing furnishes varied and abundant fruit, and the vineyard, of choicest selection, has proved its merit by the numerous premiums from our State fairs that already indorse its wine.
" But the feature which most peculiarly distinguishes this favored spot,
301
Napa Township.
and makes it therefore especially attractive, is its mineral springs, which have been famous for their curative powers. From the hidden treasury of Nature's chemistry in her subterranean laboratories, a perennial flow of about four thousand gallons daily is developed, mingling iron, soda, mag- nesia, lime and muriate of soda with free carbonic acid gas in such happy combination as to impart pleasure, health and physical improvement as the result of their use. From one of these springs is poured forth the article well known in the commercial world as "Napa Soda." The water is bottled and sold just as it flows pure from Nature's laboratory, with all her sparkling freshness still upon it. No adulteration mars its native, health- giving and tonic properties, and its long and continuous use in the market attests its merit. The same elements are held in solution which give to the Carlsbad Springs in Bohemia their rank as the first in the world.
"A hotel is now projected for these springs in place of one destroyed some years since by fire ; and in addition to the natural beauty of the situa- tion, the genial, even mildness of the climate and the attractions of artful ornamentation, one of the greatest, if indeed not the first consideration in the minds of visitors, will be the medicinal qualities of these waters, that strengthen for active life the hand, the heart and the mind."
We can not better close this sketch than by a quotation from the golden letters engraved by Imperial decree above the springs at Carlsbad, and which are also inscribed on a marble tablet and placed over one of the springs at this place :
"To suffering man from Nature's genial breast A boon transcendent ever mayst thou flow. Blest, holy fount, still bid old age to know Reviving vigor ; and if health repressed Fade in the virgin's cheek, renew its glow For love and joy ; and they that in thy wave Confiding trust and thankful lave, Propitious aid, and speed the stranger band, With health and life renewed, unto their native land."
ATLAS PEAK .- Among the charming resorts in Napa County, but few, if any, excel Atlas Peak. From the report of the " Committee on the establishment of a State Hospital for Consumptives," we quote as follows : " This region, situated on the ridge of the Coast Range of mountains, east of Napa Valley, has of late years attracted considerable attention, on account of its equability of temperature, its freedom from fogs, or from harsh winds, the dryness of the atmosphere, and its supposed advantages as a residence for the consumptive. Its elevation is about fifteen hundred feet ; its mean winter temperature is fifty degrees ; its summer temperature seventy-four degrees, and its mean annual relative humidity only forty-five per cent., or fifty-one in winter and thirty-nine in summer. It is within
302
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
twelve miles of the city of Napa, easily accessible from the entire central portion of the State and from the coast, and the soil is well suited to the cultivation of grain, fruit and vegetables. The climate of this ridge is re- markable for its healthfulness ; no malarial diseases are known there; there is an abundance of pure water; the atmosphere, though sometimes warm for a short period at noon, is never oppressive ; the evenings are agreeably cool and invigorating ; the winters are mild, and excellent facilities are afforded for camp life and out-door exercise at all seasons of the year.
" Taking into consideration all the facts presented * and when * other things are equal, the relative accessibility of the different localities visited, the committee feel justified in awarding a preference to Atlas Peak."
Messrs. A. V. Evans and J. W. Harker each have a fine place on Atlas Peak, and the former has grown some of the finest fruits and vegetables to be found in Napa County, while the latter has an excellent young vineyard, and proposes to plant very largely. The soil is very deep and rich, being composed of volcanic matter chiefly. There is an excellent mineral spring near the peak, and others may be developed. The view from the peak is unsurpassed, except, perhaps, from Mount St. Helena. Many have already reaped the benefits of a sojourn at the place, and from year to year the number will increase, and we are sure we are not saying too much when we assert that it is destined to be one of the chief sanitariums of California.
OTHER RESORTS .- There are several other places of resort in Napa Township, but the principal ones are the Hudeman place, and Mount Veeder ; all of which are lovely places and well worth visiting.
303
Yount Township.
YOUNT TOWNSHIP.
GEOGRAPHY .- Yount Township is bounded on the north by Hot Springs and Knox Townships, on the east by Yolo and Solano Counties, on the south by Napa Township, and on the west by Sonoma County. July 17, 1873, the Board of Supervisors established the following boundary lines for this township :
Beginning at a point on the Sonoma County line, described as a begin- ning point of Napa Township; thence northerly along said county line to a point due west from the head of Dry Creek ; thence in a straight line to the middle of the bridge on the county road, across the slough known as Bale Slough, near the residence of Thomas Chopson ; thence in a direct line to the middle of Conn Creek, in front of William Dinning's house; thence up said creek to Chiles Creek ; thence up Chiles Creek to Moores Creek ; thence up Moores Creek to the line of La Jota Rancho; thence along said line northerly to the line of Chiles Rancho; thence along the western and northern line of said rancho to corner number one of said rancho ; thence northerly along the ridge west of Berryessa Valley to the old line between Lake and Napa Counties ; thence easterly along said line to the eastern boundary of Napa County ; thence southerly along said line to the north- west corner of Napa Township; thence along the northern line of said township to the place of beginning.
TOPOGRAPHY .- The topography of the township is varied, as is natural in a mountainous country. The western boundary line is located on the summit of a range of mountains. Passing to the eastward we come to Napa Valley, which is much wider in this township than in the one above. We then come to a range of mountains lying on the east side of the last named valley, and running parallel with it, but in this township it is intersected laterally by Conn Valley. To the east of this range lies Chiles Valley, and then we come to another range of mountains. To the east of this lies the broad and fertile Berryessa Valley, and the eastern boundary line, like the western, lies along the summit of a mountain range.
GEOLOGY .- Much indeed might be written under this head in this township, but only a cursory glance can be given here. Beginning on the. western side, we find the mountains formed of very old rock, some going back as far as the Devonian period. There is also more or less of creta-
304
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
ceous sand and limestone to be found. The mountain range just east of Napa Valley is all of volcanic formation. In Chiles Valley we come to the sandstone formation again, the mountains lying on the east side of it being formed chiefly of it. There are many peculiar formations also, in that vicinity, and a wide field for geological research is opened. Gypsum occurs in greater or less bodies here. In the Berryessa section it is principally limestone and sandstone, of the cretaceous age. The ridge to the east of the valley is all composed of coarse sandstone of that age.
SOIL .-- The soil of this township is generally very good indeed. No better soil for the production of vegetables, fruit or cereals, need be desired, than can be found in the Napa, Chiles and Berryessa Valleys. The soil of the first named valley is better adapted for fruit perhaps than for cereals, but that of the last named is exceedingly well adapted to the production of cereals, as is evidenced by the enormous crops of grain which are annually produced in that section. All the mountain land in this section is of that peculiar formation, which is so well adapted to the growth of the vine, and the time is not far distant when extensive vineyards will cover all those mountain sides.
CLIMATE .- The climate of this township is on a par with the entire county-it is simply grand. In the Napa Valley it is somewhat cooler than in Hot Springs Township, as the trade winds have freer access to the lower end of the valley. In Chiles and Berryessa Valleys, the days are somewhat warmer than in the Napa Valley portion of the township, during the sum- mer season, but the nights are always cool and delightful.
PRODUCTS .- The products of this township are varied, extending through all the grades of fruits, grains and vegetables. The soil is so greatly diversified in the different sections, that almost everything which can be produced in a semi-tropic climate can find a congenial place in which to grow. Vines are as thrifty as there can be any use of being, and the quality of the wine produced by Mr. Groezinger and others is second to none in the county.
TIMBER .- We may virtually say that there is no timber in this town- ship. The common oaks grow to their ordinary size here; firs are small and very far apart, while bull pines are about the most common trees in the woods. Smaller trees flourish, but their are no bodies of timber that will make lumber in the township.
EARLY SETTLEMENT .- To Yount Township belongs the honor of having the first white settler that ever located in Napa County. That grand old pioneer of pioneers, George C. Yount, came into the valley in the
Jelenton Hastings
305
Yount Township.
year 1831, and in 1836 built a small house on the tract of land afterwards granted to him and known as the Caymus Rancho. This was a peculiarly con- structed house, being two stories high, and built of logs. The lower story was about nine feet square, and the upper one was about fourteen feet square. The lower part was used for a sort of fortress or block house, while he lived in the upper portion. At that time the valleys and mountains were all full of wild Indians; and how he managed to escape all their at- tacks, and to live among them in that early day, is decidedly a mystery. He treated them with uniform kindness, however, and soon had a strong band of friends about him who would fight harder for him than they would for themselves.
It is not now known who was the next settler after George C. Yount ; but in 1849 the following persons lived in Napa Valley within the limits of this township : Yount, of course, resided on the Caymus Rancho, and he had constructed a fine, large adobe house by this time. Bartlett Vines, a son-in-law of Yount, lived at the upper end of the township, and about one mile below Dr. E. T. Bale's place. He lived on the west side of the valley, in a small redwood house. Charles Hopper lived on the opposite side of the valley from the Yount place. He had a family consisting of his wife, one boy and several girls. James Harbin, the locator of the Harbin Springs, and father of Matt Harbin, lived about half a mile below Hopper's place. He had a family consisting of a wife and several children, and they lived in a log-house. The Groezinger estate at present comprises a part of the Harbin place. Capt. John Grigsby lived on the east side of the valley, and on the west side of the river and near it, and just about west of the Napa Soda Springs.
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.