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 39
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 39
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But let Mr. Tichenor's gold processes be what they may, he certainly deserves great credit for the manner in which he has taken hold of the property and refurnished and rebuilt almost the cottages, baths and other buildings' about the premises. There are now eight elegantly furnished cottages, which will accommodate thirty-five guests; ten single hot and cold baths, and a plunge bath 20 x 30, and a steam or vapor bath. In July of the present year, 1881, the main hotel building was destroyed by fire.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS .- These Springs are situated about two iniles west of the beautiful town of St. Helena, and were discovered by John York in 1848. David Hudson and D. G. Lillie became the owners of the property in 1851 or 1852, and Hudson sold to Judge Evey. This place soon attracted attention, and as early as 1855 Messrs. Taft & Brewster erected a fine hotel on the premises. In February, 1859, this hotel was destroyed by fire, but was soon after rebuilt, as there was annually a large number of visitors to the Springs even at that early day. In 1864 S.
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Hot Springs Township.
Alstrom purchased the property and continued to conduct it until 1879. In 1880 Theo. Van Tassell had charge of the place, and during the winter of 1880-1 the floods made sad havoc with the grounds, and the place is vacant this season, 1881, after a continuous run of over a quarter of a cen- tury.
To give our readers an idea of what this once famous place was in the days of its full glory, we copy the following from Mr. Menefee's "Sketch Book :" " These Springs are situated in a deep but romantic cañon, nearly two miles west of St. Helena. Nature has lavished her beauties upon this place and art has added many attractions. A stream of the finest water, and beautifully shaded with trees and shrubs, flows down the cañon or gorge in the hills, which adds much to the scene, and affords a fine place for anglers. The mountains on either side are high and rugged, mostly covered with a dense growth of a chemisal. The hotel is a large and commodious one and the cottages, of which there are quite a number, are all cosy and pleasant. The scenery from the north of the cañon is grandly beautiful. The valley, dotted over with vineyards and farm houses, and the rugged hills to the east and north, form a contrast that impresses every one who views it, and com- pares favorably with many of the celebrated scenes of the Old World. The water contains white sulphur, and is tepid in temperature, pleasant to drink, and delightful to bathe in."
CRYSTAL SPRINGS .- This is a sanitarium or health resort, situated two and one-half miles north-east of St. Helena, at an elevation of about three hundred feet above the valley. The building was erected in 1878, by W. A. Pratt, A. B. Atwood, and M. G. Kellogg. It is now owned by J. W. Rice, Pratt, and Atwood. The building is 72x28, and two stories high, and can accommodate about fifty guests. It is a delightful place, and one where invalids should surely find return of health if pure air, clear sunshine, right living and the drinking of pure spring water will give it.
CLAY CAVE .- Among the places of interest in this township, mention must be made of the Clay Cave, which is situated about one mile from Crys- tal Springs. But little attention has been paid to it as yet, although it has been explored to a depth of eight hundred feet, and many beautiful cham- bers have been revealed.
PETRIFIED FOREST .- We believe that the territory on which this is situated is not now a part of Napa County, but it has been so long, and the place is so full of interest that we give a mention of it here. A writer in the Santa Rosa Republican, recently gave the following facts and theories, concern- ing this wonderful place: "Aside from the curious petrifactions of whole trees, some as large as ten feet through, the Petrified Forest has many attractions. Charles Evans, better known as 'Petrified Charley,' lived there many years
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
the life of a hermit, busied in fencing, digging and clearing up the land. It is situated on the range dividing Santa Rosa from the Napa Valley, among rounded hills, some of which are white with ash rock. Near the scene of the wonderful prostrate trees rises a sharp ridge with perpendicular walls of black tufa crested with rock as white as chalk, apparently the remains of a crater where lava and ashes were belched forth with torrents of scald- ing water on the surrounding woods. Evidences of the fact are found in the piles of scorie scattered about, and in the circumstance that nearly all the trees turned into stone lie north and south, as though they had only fallen in the throes of an earthquake after ashes and rocks had piled ten or fifteen feet around them. A further and most conclusive proof of the sup- position is to be seen in the dip of the stratified formation where ledges are exposed, rising towards the extinct crater like the roof of a house from the horizon. The convulsions could not have been caused by Mount St. Helena, which is ten miles distant, beyond a wide valley from twelve to fifteen hun- dred feet deep, without filling it. It must have been a local disturbance, and quite limited in its effects. There are redwood trees yet growing there, showing that they have existed hundreds of thousands of years in this locality, and that our fears of their becoming extinct are groundless."
The road from Calistoga to the forest is picturesque and beautiful be- yond compare, and one who has not had the pleasure of enjoying it has missed a rare treat. The hills are covered with groves of pines, oaks, ma- droñas, manzanitas, and other growths; and as the tourist passes over the road, he can not but be struck with the beauty and grandeur of the scene. The trees are from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet in length, and from two to seven feet in diameter, and bear almost the exact ap- pearance of logs, and are in every state of crystalization. Many believe that the lava flow which overwhelmed these forest giants came from Mount St. Helena; but from our own inspection we are inclined to the opinion set forth in the extract quoted above. The existence of this forest was first made known in 1870, by Mr. C. H. Dennison, of San Francisco. In that year Prof. O. C. Marsh visited the place, and made the following report :
" It is about two thousand feet high, and is mainly composed of meta- morphic rocks of the Cretaceous age, which are in places, as we ascertained, overlaid unconformably by later Tertiary strata, consisting of light-colored, coarse sandstone, and beds of stratified, volcanic ashes. A careful examina- tion of the locality where the first prostrate trunks had been discovered, soon made it evident that those now on the surface had all been weathered out of the volcanic tufa and sandstones which form the summit of this part of the mountain ridge ; several large silicified trees were indeed found sub- sequently in the vicinity projecting from the side of a steep bluff which had partially escaped denudation." .
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Hot Springs Township.
Poor Petrified Charley ! He went to San Francisco a year or so ago, and accidentally fell down the stairs of a hotel, from the effects of which he died, and the haunt on the mountain-top which knew him so long, will know him no more forever. The visitors of other days at the Forest will well remember the quaint genius which presided over its destinies, and the goat for which he was always ready to beg a chew of tobacco.
DR. HITCHCOCK'S FISH HATCHERY .- About five miles north- west of St. Helena Dr. C. M. Hitchcock has a lovely little retreat in the mountains, through which a fine stream of water passes. He has quite an ex- tensive trout hatchery, where he has that delectable fish in all stages of growth, from the eggs to great spotted toothsome beauties. A visit to this beautiful place will repay any one.
MANGANESE MINE .- In June, 1869, Captain Chadwick, who was in- terested in the Russ Mine, about six miles from St. Helena, discovered a fine ledge of massive pyrolusite or soft manganese. It was said at that time that as much as two thousand tons of ore could be taken out, of a purity of ninety per cent. A sloop load of the ore was taken to San Francisco and shipped to England, as at that time there was but little demand for manganese in this State. Since then quite a demand has sprung up for this substance in the processes of sulphuret chlorination, and also for silver chlorination.
NEWSPAPER HISTORY OF CALISTOGA .- We are under obliga- tions to Mr. J. L. Multer, editor of the Calistogian for notes concerning the history of the press of Calistoga.
THE TRIBUNE was the first newspaper published in Calistoga, the initial number appearing in 1871. Its editor, Thomas McGeorge, was induced to engage in business here by Sam. Brannan, who was anxious to have a paper · published in the town. In 1873 McGeorge died, and the publication of the paper was then discontinued.
In 1874 the printing material previously used in the Tribune office was purchased of Brannan by O. P. Hoddy, who, on the 18th of April of the same year, issued the first number of the Free Press, which appeared weekly until October 16th, 1875, when its publication was suspended. The print- ing material was moved to San Buenaventura, Ventura County.
THE WEEKLY CALISTOGIAN was next printed here, its editor and pub- lisher being J. H. Upton. The first number of the paper appeared on the 6th of April, 1876. The publisher obtained very little patronage, and he was therefore obliged to discontinue business here, and the last number of his paper was issued on the 16th of August, a little more than four months
23
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
after the initial number appeared. The material used in the office was taken to Hollister, San Benito County.
A few months after Upton discontinued business, the publication of an amateur paper was commenced here. It appeared weekly during a period of fourteen or sixteen months, when it was discontinued.
On the 24th of December, 1877, the first number of the Independent Calistogian was issued, its editor and publisher being J. L. Multer. The paper is now in the last half of its third year of publication, and has there- fore been sustained longer than any of the papers that preceded it. It is independent in all things, is a well conducted journal, and is popular among the people of Calistoga and vicinity. The publisher located in the town when a paper was greatly needed to assist in maintaining the business interests of its people, and in attracting attention to this beautiful locality. Though the publisher's field for business here is now limited, he looks to the near future when an increase of business of the town and vicinity will afford him greater remuneration for his work. For thus remaining among the people of the upper valley, he should be rewarded with very liberal patronage when the country is more populous and prosperous.
VINELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT. - The following sketch of the his- tory of this School District has been kindly furnished us by Mr. W. J. Ham- ilton. We would be glad to insert a brief sketch of every district in the county, but it is impossible to obtain them :
" Vineland District, which is one of the largest school districts of Napa County, is adjacent to the town of St. Helena. The district is appropriately named, being located in the heart of one of the largest wine-growing sec- tions that we have.
"The district was organized about May, 1870, with J. M. McPike, John Lewelling, and Matthew Vann as School Trustees. The first session of the school was held under the trees in the school-yard, owing to the absence of a school-house, and that session was presided over by Mr. Sewell, somewhat after the fashion of the old academicians of ancient Greece. The memory of that session still lingers in the pupils' minds, and is replete with strange and happy associations. One afternoon during the session the school was suddenly closed by circumstances over which the teacher had no control. A regular old-fashioned rain-storm came pouring down through the primitive roof and teacher and pupils sought shelter as best they could in neighbor- ing barns. A few months afterwards a large, substantial concrete building was erected, supplied with appropriate furniture and apparatus. School is maintained for ten months during the year, and owing to the financial standing of the district its teachers always receive good wages. Among the pedagogues who have held forth, may be mentioned Sewell, Wood, Miss
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Hot Springs Township.
Kate Wirt, Miller, Rogers, Gouchu, Pointdexter, Shaw, H. C. Wilson, Miss Thompson, H. H. Heath, D. M. Eddy, and W. J. Hamilton, the latter named being the present incumbent. The present trustees are: Messrs. John Thomann, R. K. Lane, and H. Meacham."
THE MAIDS OF ST. HELENA.
To call one maid divinely fair When hundreds more are blooming there With grace aud beauty, rich and rare : It may be true, but scarce is fair.
True, St. Helena's massive mountain,
And Calistoga's steaming fountain,
O'erlook a valley none surpasses
For stalwart men and bonny lasses,
For flowers and vines and lovely grasses.
On the left is Howell Mountain, From whose breast springs Conn Creek fountain; And wild cascades can there be found, With rainbows painted on the ground.
On the right Mount Henry stands, Whose twin peaks overlook fair lands, And all the serrate ridge along Would claim a mention in a song.
The vineyards on the rounded hill Instinct with lovely beauty : still
The vineyards on the level plain, And waving fields of golden grain,
Should surely take a poet's eye, And not be passed so coldly by. So overpraise is hardly fair, When hosts of girls are blooming there.
John Allyn, in St. Helena " Star."
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
KNOX TOWNSHIP.
GEOGRAPHY .- Knox Township is bounded on the north by Lake County, on the east by Yolo County, on the south by Yount Township, and on the west by Hot Springs Township. The boundary line of this township is so very crooked, that it is almost an impossibility to follow it on a map. This territory has belonged first to Napa County, then to Lake, and then to Napa again. When it first formed a part of Napa County, it was comprised in what was then known as Clear Lake Township, and at the time of the segregation of Lake County it naturally went with that county, and was for a time included in the limits of Lower Lake Township. August 13, 1869, the Board of Supervisors of Lake County established the boundaries of Knox Township as follows :
Beginning at the dividing ridge on the westerly side of Morgan Valley, and south-east of the house heretofore known as Geo. McMillan's house, on Soda Creek ; thence following said divide south-easterly to the ridge of mountains at the southerly extremity of said valley; thence southerly down said ridge of mountains to the eastward of the valley known as Jerusalem and Jericho, until the line dividing the counties of Lake and Napa is inter- sected ; thence easterly along said dividing line between Lake and Napa Counties to the county line dividing Lake and Yolo Counties; thence north- erly along the dividing line between Lake and Yolo Counties to Cache Creek ; thence up said creek to the dividing ridge, between the waters of said creek and a branch of the same, heading at or near the house formerly known as William Goldsmith's house; thence following said ridge to the point of beginning.
Later the territory, or a portion of it at least, which was embraced in the above boundaries, was set over to Napa County, and on the 17th day of July, 1873, the Board of Supervisors of Napa County established the fol- lowing as the boundaries of Knox Township :
Beginning at a point in the center of Putah Creek, where the old boundary line between Napa and Lake Counties crossed said creek ; thence up Putah Creek to the north of Jericho Creek ; thence up Jericho Creek to the mouth of Hunting Creek, to a large pile of rocks on the south-easterly side of the county road, at the lower and south-easterly end of Hunting Valley ; thence in a straight line in the direction of the intersection of Bear and Cache Creeks, to the county line of Yolo County ; thence south-easterly
Geo . H. Beach
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Knox Township.
on the line of Yolo County to the north-eastern corner of Yount Township; thence westerly on the former line of Napa and Lake Counties to the place of beginning.
These boundaries remained until March 3, 1875, when the Board of Su- pervisors promulgated the following order in regard to the boundary lines of this township :
Beginning on the line between Napa and Lake Counties at a point about two miles in an easterly direction from the Mountain Mill House, and on the divide between Pope and Loconoma Valleys; thence southerly on said divide to the main divide between Pope and Napa Valleys; thence along said divide southerly to Yount Township line; thence along said line south-easterly to the intersection of Knox Township line ; thence along said line easterly to Yolo County line ; thence along said line northerly to Lake County line ; thence westerly along the dividing line of Napa and Lake Counties to the point of beginning.
TOPOGRAPHY .- The surface of this township, in common with the whole of Napa County, is very uneven. Beginning at the eastern boundary line, we find ourselves on the summit of a very large range of mountains ; and passing west we come to what is called Sulphur Cañon, which is quite a little valley. We then come to several ranges of mountains, or rather, divisions of the same general range, between which there are small valleys, such as Sanel. Passing over these mountains, we come to Pope Valley, which is an extensive section of country, quite level and fertile, and reach- ing from Ætna Springs on the north to Wardner's store on the south, a dis- tance of six miles, and having a width of perhaps three miles. Then on west of this lies the Howell Mountain range, which divides this town- ship from Hot Springs. One does not wish for a lovelier sight than the view that is to be had of Pope Valley from the road over Howell Moun- tain. There are several streams which serve as outlets to the water-shed of this section, the principal one being Putah Creek, to which all the rest are only tributaries.
GEOLOGY .- The geological features of this township are quite varied, extending through several grades of aqueous and igneous rocks. The ridge of mountains which forms the eastern boundary line is formed of Tertian sandstone, which has been lifted perpendicularly to a great height, exposing a face of solid sandstone of many feet in thickness. The range of moun- tains lying immediately west of Knoxville is composed of sand and lime- stone, over which there is a thick coating of volcanic rock and serpentine. On the western side of this range the outcroppings are all sand and lime- stone. There is a ledge of limestone which runs north-westerly and south- easterly entirely through this township, and extends northward far into
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
Lake County. On the west side of Pope Valley, the rock is mostly vol- canic, with here and there bodies of serpentine, sand and limestone. Good lime has been burned on Mr. G. Barth's place in Sanel Valley, which is on the ledge spoken of above. In the vicinity of the Oat Hill Mine, the formation is entirely of Tertian sandstone; and the remarkable fact of cin- nabar occurring in that rock is to be found at this mine.
SOIL .- The soil of this township is as varied as the kinds of rock from which it is formed. In Sulphur Cañon the greater portion of it is argilla- cious, with here and there adobe spots, and also, on the western side, the red soils which result from decomposed volcanic matter, also the greenish and blu- ish soils which are formed from serpentine. In Pope Valley the soil is decid- edly spotted, the adobe and sandy soils appearing in great confusion. This is especially true of that portion of it lying on the eastern side of the ridge which divides the valley from north to south. On the west side of this ridge the soil is of a sandy nature, mingled with quite a considerable of red and white volcanic soil. Owing to this spotted character of the land it is almost impossible to get a tract of any considerable extent of any one char- acteristic.
CLIMATE .- The climate of this township is quite uniform throughout its limits ; that is, there is no difference to speak of in the different portions of it. In all the valleys it is mild and pleasant during the summer season, being quite warm generally, but seldom oppressively hot. It is much warmer on an average than it is in Napa City, but about on a par with the temperature at the upper end of Napa Valley. Here the days are bright, the air fresh and light, and the nights are cool and refreshing. In the winter season it is much colder, owing to the elevation, than it is in Napa Valley, and snow is not an uncommon thing in that section during that season of the year. All in all, however, it is hard to find a more congenial climate than this part of Napa County affords, and during the summer sea- son many tourists and pleasure and health-seekers spend months here, breathing the grand, fresh, mild air, and enjoying the beautiful scenery which is spread out on every hand.
PRODUCTS .- The products of this township are varied, and the dif- ferent characters of soil present a possibility of growing a large variety of products. The argillacious soils are well adapted to fruits and vegetables, also to cereals; the adobe is especially adapted to the production of cere- als, limestone sections being always famous as wheat-producing sections, while the red and white volcanic soils produce most excellent grapes. The time will come when all these mountain sides will be covered with flourish- ing vineyards. There is also a wide extent of grazing country included in
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Knox Township.
the limits of this township, and some considerable stock is grown there, and much more could be. All in all it is quite as good a farming and stock- raising section as is to be found in the mountains of California.
TIMBER .- The timber of this township is quite extensive, comprising the oak, fir, redwood, laurel, bull pine, cedar and several minor kinds. The oaks are represented by the live, mountain, white and black varieties, all of which are good for firewood, but of little consequence for anything else. The firs are principally of the red and white varieties, and grow to great size and height on the mountain sides, affording an abundant supply of lum- ber and timber for mining and other economical purposes. The redwood is the sequoia sempervirens, and grows on Howell Mountain to stately propor- tions, and is much used for lumber. There have been several mills engaged in cutting this and fir, during the past quarter of a century. The other varieties of timber are not of much use to man, hence nothing more than a mere mention of them is necessary.
EARLY SETTLEMENT .- To Julian Pope doubtless belongs the honor of being the first white man in the township, other than Spaniards, and to him certainly is to be accorded the credit of being the first white settler of any nationality. It is not now known when he first paid it a visit, but evidently before 1841, for in that year a grant was ceded to him by the Mexican government for that territory now known as Pope Valley, and he was doubtless familiar with it at that time.
September 13, 1841, the Locoallomi grant was made to Julian Pope by M. Jimeno, acting Governor of California. It was a two-league grant, and when confirmed was declared to contain eigth thousand eight hundred and seventy-two and seventy-three-hundredths acres. In 1843 he went to Pope Valley and began the erection of a log house, and while hewing one of the timbers for it he accidentally cut his leg, from the effects of which he died in the latter part of that year. His wife was a California woman and they had five children. He had his family with him at this time. The place where he was erecting the house was on the old Pope or Juan Burton farm, on the west side of the valley. William Barnett afterwards married Mrs. Pope and lived there for several years. An adobe house was constructed in another portion of the valley by Joseph Pope, and is still standing, and is spoken of as the Pope adobe. This is calculated to mislead a stranger, who would naturally infer that the house was built by the man for whom the valley was named. In 1854 Mr. Jesse Barnett, son of the gentleman spoken of above as having married Mrs. Pope, came to Pope Valley, and from him we have gotten the following list of settlers who were in Pope Valley at that time : James Daley lived at the lower end of the valley, and had a family
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
consisting of wife and children. Robert Hardman now lives on the place where he resided at that time. Joseph Pope lived at the adobe house, and was then lately married, and had no children. Philander Hunt, a bachelor, lived on the creek just above where Mr. Jesse Barnett now resides, and still owns the place. S. McWilliams lived where the Duvalls now reside, and he had a family consisting of wife and children. Jacob Newman lived at the upper end of the valley and had a wife and children. Thomas Anderson had lived in the valley previous to 1854, and was gone at the time of Mr. Barnett's arrival; he had no family. Peter Storm was in the valley in that year as a tenant. Joseph Halterman, a brother-in-law of Mr. Barnett's, came into the valley in September, 1854, with Mr. Barnett, and is still liv- ing in the lower end of the valley. Both these gentlemen had families at that time. In 1854 or 1855, Joshua Hardman came in and settled on what is now A. Gallitan's place. Robert Hardin came in during the year 1854, and his family came in with his brother, in 1856.
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