USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 28
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It has been noted in this history that the water from the Elsi- nore lake had a killing effect on the trees. After discontinuing the
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use of the water the growers were supplied with water from Temes- cal, but there not being suficient for the regular runs they were pro rated and received just enough water to keep their trees alive. Early in 1901 A. F. Call, a noted lawyer of Iowa, advised the purchasing of one hundred and sixty acres of water-bearing land in the town of Ethanac, in the Perris valley. The water must be carried in cement ditches for a distance of eighteen miles to con- nect with the pipe lines, which was a great undertaking. In order to put through the deal the Corona Power and Water Co. was formed with a capital stock of $250,000, the directors being W. C. Barth, M. Terpening, L. R. Curtis, E. N. Currier and T. P. Drink- water. The deal was consummated and sixteen wells put down, from which water was pumped into the open ditch and so to the lands of Corona. Thus the danger from the shortage of water was permanently overcome and today the town of Corona possesses perhaps the best water system in the south.
In 1893 the Chase Bros., of Riverside, exchanged nearly four thousand acres of water-bearing and grain land in the Perris valley for fifteen hundred shares of the stock of the Temescal Water Co. They at once purchased twelve hundred acres of land above the upper pipe line from the Pacific Mutual Insurance Co. and began to improve the same by setting to oranges. Today the people of Corona are proud of the beautiful Chase tract with its handsome drives and well cared for groves; every effort is being made to make it a beauty spot second to none in the Southland.
On April 13, 1901, there was formed a pioneer society by a number of the old settlers. The writer was elected president and Dr. J. C. Gleason secretary. For several years the society held annual reunions, but latterly it seems to have been forgotten. In May, 1901, E. A. McGillivray and G. F. Dean, together with the Masonic Lodge, commenced the erection of the Masonic Building on the west side of Main near Seventh. The above named gentle- men built the lower story and the Masons the upper story, which was to be used for lodge purposes. This was another fine addition to Main street, as the building was on modern lines and presented a beautiful appearance.
About this time another Board of Trade was formed, the old organization having died. The officers were W. C. Barth, president; A. L. Walton, secretary; executive board, W. Corkhill, O. Theime
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and W. H. Hiveley. This organization commenced work in earnest and accomplished considerable, but soon went the way of the other board of trade. This year the Iowa and California Land Co. built a large packing house on the south side of the railroad, now the Call packing house. The Corona Fruit Co. bought the brick ware- house west of the Santa Fe depot which they enlarged and used as a packing house.
In the beginning the land of South Riverside was tolerably level, with a good grade from the hills south. As the different parcels of land were set to fruit and the streets were graded the waste water, together with the storm water, began to have a bad effect in washing out the roads and streets. These cuts grew deeper with each succeeding year until, in some places, they became veritable chasms, which threatened not only the roads, but in many places the groves. In the winter of 1900 the citizens petitioned the city trustees to look into the matter, find out the cost of storm water ditches and call an election to bond the city for the sum needed to do the work. The trustees being anxious to see said work done, carefully considered the matter, engaged engineers, who gave estimates of the cost as $125,000. This sum was larger than the city could bond for under the state law, but it was thought that the work could be done by leaving out certain parts for the sum of $95,000. Hence an election was called to be held on December 23, 1901, to vote on the last-named sum. The bonds were badly de- feated at the polls; many who were anxious for the election voted against the bonds, so the cutting of the roads continued.
Early in 1902 was formed the Odd Fellows Hall Association for the purpose of building a home for the lodge. Ground was secured on the east side of Main street, near Seventh; work was commenced in April, 1902, and the building was dedicated January 30, 1903. One incident in the building of this structure was the tragic death of Vern Gleason, son of Dr. J. C. Gleason, who fell from the roof line to the lower floor. Mr.Gleason had not been long home from the Philippine Islands, where he had served for two years, enlisting in September, 1899, and seeing much active service.
The town was now assuming considerable importance, the ship- ments of fruits, clay goods, clay and rock, showing the world that Corona was a place of busy people and people of progress. In October, 1902, the matter of municipal electric lighting was urged
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upon the city trustees. This resulted in a bond election; April 3, 1903, bonds in the sum of $60,000 were voted upon and defeated by one vote. But Corona was not destined to be long without such light, for in July, 1903, a company was formed organizing the Corona Gas and Electric Co., with the following officers: M. W .. Findley, president; F. C. Cooper, vice-president; A. F. Legay, secretary ; M. Terpening, treasurer ; directors : George Brown, E. A. McGillivray, M. B. Huff, M. W. Findley and F. C. Cooper. Said company bought the franchise on July 28, and Corona was assured of gas and electric light. Work was commenced at once, the plant being located on Railroad street west of the depot; pipes were laid, poles erected and wires strung and on Christmas, 1903, Corona had electric light; sometime later gas was turned on. Thus Corona had made another stride in the path of progress. In the same month in which the electric company was formed the Corona Pressed Brick and Terra Cotta Co. was organized, directors C. E. Kennedy and A. A. Caldwell of Riverside and M. W. Findley, E. A. McGillivray and A. F. Legay of Corona. A large plat of ground was secured west of the electric plant, great sheds were built, kilns and modern machinery installed and soon the best quality of clay goods were being turned out, giving employment to many men.
The schoolhouse, which many thought would be sufficient for many years, was now too small to accommodate the scholars, hence on January 19, 1904, the school directors were authorized to get option on the land now occupied by the high school. An election was called to vote on the formation of a high school district, which carried. A district had been formed some years before but it had not been legally complete, hence the election. An election was called for April 6, 1904, to determine whether the district should be bonded in the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of buying land and erecting a high school building. The bonds were defeated by one vote. On Friday, June 4th, the school board was again instructed to call another election to bond the district for the sum of $25,000 for a high school. On July 5th the election was held and again the bonds were lost. This was a disappointment to many, as the building was sorely needed.
The most notable building operations this year were the resi- dences of W. J. Pentelow, J. M. Gaylord, Frank Geith, all on the Boulevard south, also the Del Rey Hotel, built by Henry Frazier,
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erected on the corner of Sixth and Victoria street. The hotel was a welcome addition, as there had not been a hotel since the de- struction of the Hotel Temescal. The first of the year 1905 saw the transfer of the Corona Courier from Foster and Corkhill to the · Hildreth Bros., who at once began to prepare for a new building for their publication. The formation of boards of trade has been mentioned at different times, all of which died a natural death, but on February 25 a brand new board of trade was organized with W. J. Pentelow as president. This time the board of trade lived and has been productive of the greatest good; the great part of the improvements since the formation of the organization has no doubt been due to their efforts. Much of the success attending the efforts of the board was no doubt due to the president, Mr. Pen- telow, who was so well fitted for the position in every respect that he has held it until the present time.
With steady progress the town forged ahead. Heretofore the streets and roads had received but nominal care; this year, 1905, Main street, from the depot to the Boulevard, was improved with sidewalks, curb and gutter, and the roadway oiled. Tenth street and the south Boulevard were also improved in like fashion. The membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church had now grown so large that the old building was much too small and this year an addition was made to the old building at a cost of $2,500. This was but temporary, as it was patent that at an early date more room would be needed. In July was organized the Home Telephone Co. This was organized by local men and to co-operate with the Los Angeles Home Co. in the long distance business. The directors were A. C. Wood, F. H. Roberts, H. A. Prizer, F. A. Perkins and J. Triola.
The First National Bank of Corona was organized August 11, 1905, with the following named officers and directors: Ernest H. May, president; W. Edward Hubbard, vice-president; John P. Key, cashier; W. C. Patterson and A. J. Ware. The bank was opened for business in the Phillips Block, and in the spring of 1906 was moved to its present location and the Citizens' Bank was converted into a savings bank.
In the early part of 1906 the matter of a high school began to be again agitated, which resulted in the call for another election, held on March 26. This time the sum called for was $35,000, and
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the bonds carried with a fair majority. The land was bought and the building erected, which for a time overcame the difficulty of room for the scholars. While all these improvements were going forward the banking business was not forgotten, for in October, 1906, the Corona National Bank was organized, with its place of business on the southwest corner of Main street. W. J. Pentelow was president, Jacob Stoner, vice-president; M. Terpening, cashier ; directors : M. W. Findley, A. W. Veach, W. N. Tilson, F. F. Thomp- son, J. T. Hamner, C. D. McNeil and W. A. Bounge.
In the winter of 1906 and 7 the Hildreth Bros. erected the hand- some building on the corner of Sixth and Ramona streets and installed therein the finest publishing plant in the Southland out- side of Los Angeles.
For some years the Christian Church had used the first school- house of the town, but in the spring of 1908 they built a new home, where they at present worship. Since then the building has been improved with a handsome Sunday school room. In March, 1909, the Home Telephone Co. bought the interest of the Sunset Co., thus giving the town but one telephone company, which was much appre- ciated. The year of 1909 saw great strides in building, the Glass building, Todd building, Huff building, Newton and Warner building, Lillibridge and Lyon building, Dean building and the Taber garage, all fine business buildings. The Methodist Episcopal Church, in July, let the contract for a Sunday school building to cost $14,000, and the building was dedicated the following spring.
The storm water cuttings had now reached such proportion that steps were deemed necessary to remedy the trouble, hence an election was called for May 17 to vote on the question of bond- ing the city for the sum of $135,000 for sewer, drainage and street improvement. The bonds carried and the work successfully carried out, thus putting the town in an excellent condition in the way of sewer privileges and forever doing away with the unsightly cuts in the roads and streets.
The time had again arrived when school facilities were insuf- ficient and in order to meet the condition another schoolhouse was needed. The people of the west side naturally felt that they should have the building on their side. Several meetings were held and some confusion as to the site, but it was finally decided to purchase, if the bonds carried, the land on which the west side school now
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stands. In February, 1910, an election was held and bonds to the amount of $30,000 voted. The ground was secured and a hand- some one-story building erected which, for a time, will suffice.
The Congregational Society had for some time been con- templating the erection of a new church building. In the fall of 1910 contracts were let for a fine brick and stone building, which was commenced in November of the same year, the cornerstone laid on January 25, 1911, and the building dedicated October 15 of the same year. This gave them one of the finest church buildings in Riverside county.
In March, 1911, was formed the Country Club. This was formerly the Corona Tennis Club, but after purchasing the fine property on West Olive street the name was changed. The property consists of several acres of land with a fine club house well ap- pointed. In June, 1911, the Knights of Pythias organized a large lodge and later organized a uniform rank. This order many years ago organized a lodge in the town which lasted but a short time, when the charter was surrendered.
The town was growing rapidly and progress seemed to animate every citizen. A new city hall, park, street work, and the extension of Sixth street east, were the improvements that were urged. The city trustees took the matter up and an election was ordered for October 3, 1911, at which the sum of $137,000 was voted, fire apparatus $6,000, streets $86,000, park site $13,500, and extension of Sixth street $6,500. The bonds were sold and at once the work of improvement commenced and is still in progress. The question of park site was referred to a committee appointed by the board for the purpose. Several sites were considered and the majority of the committee advised the purchasing of the tract of nineteen acres known as the San Jacinto tract. Many were not in favor of the said tract. The trustees were asked to place the question of park site on the ticket at the city election in April, 1912. This was done and resulted in a large majority in favor of the San Jacinto tract. The ground was purchased for the sum of $9,000. A park commission was appointed by the city trustees, namely: W. J. Pentelow, Mrs. C. Case. Miss Stella Platt, William Corkhill, Dr. F. H. Smith and L. R. Nichols. This committee at once took steps to clear the land, which is now in progress.
In 1911 the Corona National Bank purchased the building they
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occupied, on the corner of Main and Sixth streets, and in the fall of the same year the building was remodeled and made two story, the upper story in fine office rooms and the lower floor for banking purposes. This is the handsomest building the town possesses at the present time.
In the spring of the present year the St. John's Church, Episcopal, added to their property a handsome parish house which is much appreciated by the membership. At the present writing Mrs. W. H. Jameson is remodeling the beautiful family residence, on the south Boulevard, which when completed will compare favor- ably with the finest residences in the county. W. H. Jameson is contemplating the erection of a magnificent tourist hotel on West Sixth street in the near future. It is also anticipated that the Pacific Electric Co. will in the near future connect with Riverside and Los Angeles.
The shipments of fruits, clay goods, clay, rock, alfalfa and other products are growing rapidly. Today Corona ships more freight than any town in Southern California outside of Los Angeles. The future is bright, all that there is to Corona has been created in twenty-five years, then a desert, today a city of beautiful homes.
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CHAPTER XXIII ELSINORE
By L. B. Peck
Elsinore was evidently designed by nature as a health and pleasure resort. Here we have a natural sanitarium for the sick, a romantic resort for the pleasure seeker and tourist, and a paradise for the sportsman. The city is situated on the northern shore of Lake Elsinore; it contains five hundred or more inhab- itants, which number is increased by the residents of the surround- ing valley to fifteen or eighteen hundred. During the summer season Elsinore is daily favored by ocean breezes, and owing some- what, perhaps, to the elevation and the intervening mountain ranges, the humidity of the ocean air is greatly modified, being rendered much dryer than it is in places on a lower altitude although equidistant from the ocean. For the health-seeker this locality combines the many virtues of its hot mineral waters, to the rare medicinal properties of which hundreds can testify; many who came here on cots, or hobbling along on crutches, after having drunk and bathed in them a few days or weeks, were enabled to return to their homes in the enjoyment of health and consequent happiness. With the advantages of an elevation above miasmatic influences, is a climate that is unsurpassed on this mundane sphere, a dry, pure and invigorating atmosphere, with comparatively few fogs, and where malaria is unknown. All these climatic properties are united to form one of nature's greatest tonics, which can always be relied on to assist in restoring lost vitality. Owing to a knowl- edge of these facts it has been stated by residents, and reiterated by visiting physicians, that Elsinore possesses the essential con- ditions to constitute it one of the most healthful localities in the world. But the charms of its climate, the beauty and grandeur of its environs, and the invaluable boon of its healing waters, are not the only advantages of this part of our wonderfully favored county of Riverside, whose natural resources are not excelled by any county in the state.
Elsinore valley, including the lake, was formerly a part of San Diego county and was purchased by William Collier, D. M. Graham
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and F. H. Heald in November, 1883. This tract was transferred to Riverside county at the time of the organization of said county, May 11, 1893. The town of Elsinore was incorporated as a city of the sixth class in April, 1888. It has three churches: the Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic. It has two schools, one high school, the building of which has just been completed at a cost of $15,000, and one grammar school, with the prospect of a primary school building being erected in the near future, at a cost of $2,500. There are two bath-houses in Elsinore where hot water baths are given, and one where mud baths are given. All water is heated by . a natural process.
A point of the greatest interest to the late arrival, or would-be . settler in a locality with which he is not familiar is, what are its natural, most valuable and productive resources? What will render the greatest reward for the time, labor and money expended in producing a fair income from the soil and otherwise? The valley lands surrounding the city extend for several miles in some direc- tions, the soil is rich and is capable of producing abundantly as is shown and fully demonstrated. This soil grows almost all kinds of grain as well as nearly every kind of fruit, both citrus and deciduous, and nuts of many kinds, including the English walnut. Grapes of all kinds are raised here, also peaches, apples, pears, prunes, plums, apricots, quinces, cherries, olives and figs. Berries are also successfully raised here, raspberries, blackberries, straw- berries, and in fact the Elsinore valley land will come as near starting sprouts on a broomstick as any soil beneath the sun, "if you give it water." ·
The first bank in Elsinore was organized in 1887, and was known as the Exchange Bank. Later the Bank of Elsinore was organized and on June 5, 1890, the Exchange Bank and the Bank of Elsinore consolidated, assuming the name of the Consolidated Bank of Elsinore, of which J. A. Crane has been the cashier for six years and R. H. Kirkpatrick is his present efficient assistant.
The Lakeland Olive Grove, which is on the south side of the lake, contains one hundred and thirty-five acres in olives and is owned by C. H. Albers of St. Louis, Mo., together with the machinery, which is used in manufacturing the oil, this being under the successful management of J. C. Ranisdale. (This grove pro- duces an annual average crop of two hundred and fifty tons of
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olives, which are all manufactured into oil or canned on the premises, besides many more tons that are raised in the Elsinore valley.) At the present time there is an addition being made to the factory which will enlarge its capacity fully one-half, making it equal to any factory in the state, if not the largest.
There are three hotels in Elsinore: the Bundy, owned by Mrs. Fannie A. Amsbury and her son Homer Wassner; the Lakeview, owned by Mrs. Gardner; and the Elsinore, owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis, besides a number of restaurants and rooming houses.
A company has been recently organized to be known as the Laguna Gas and Oil company, with Mrs. Mary A. Gardner as its president, for the purpose of prospecting for and the development of these products in Warmspring valley, just north of the city, where the indications seem favorable and encouraging.
About eighteen miles from the eastern shore of the father of waters nestles the beautiful lake of Elsinore; it is the largest and most durable lake in Southern California, two miles wide and five miles long, with an average depth of twenty feet. It is surrounded by picturesque hills and lofty mountains, whose rock-ribbed sides and tree-capped domes are frequently photographed on the surface of its pellucid waters. Ilere, too, the vale of Elsinore which sur- rounds this lake has been by nature carved out of this mountainous region as an oasis possessing great fertility, susceptible of the . highest cultivation. Three hundred and twenty days in the year. the golden sun with undimmed and genial rays, tempers the ocean breeze and northern blast, robs old winter of its dread tempests, and substitutes for sleighbell chimes the melody of birds.
The city owns and fully controls its own domestic water system. The hot sulphur water is pumped into a reservoir and thence dis- tributed over the city.
The eucalyptus tree seems peculiarly adapted to this soil and climate and has been tested by many. The Eucalyptus syndicate, of which E. J. McCully is president, is thoroughly testing it, having already planted some five hundred acres, and purposes planting three hundred acres more next season. Mr. Stiles has set out forty- five acres in the same locality known as Warmspring valley, just north of the city of Elsinore, and all of the trees are in splendid condition. There is in the entire valley at present not less than seven hundred acres of this kind of valuable timber, and more to
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follow as fast as water can be developed with which to give the trees a start. Walnut trees grow here to perfection, abundantly large, being healthy and produce good crops each year. The acreage in walnuts is not very large, but will doubtless be largely increased in the very near future, according to the demand now being made.
One of the greatest sources of revenue in this locality is clay, owned by the Alberhill Coal & Clay Company, of which J. H. Hill is president. There are six distinct qualities or varieties and the average daily shipment is two hundred and seventy tons. There is also a strata of coal thirteen feet in thickness in close proximity to the clay. Neither the coal nor clay is a new find, both having been under successful mining operation for a number of years. As a test, the clay and coal were compared to the Akron (Ohio) and
Newbrighton (Pa.) products some twenty-five years ago and pro- nounced equal to either. It is generally believed that near this extensive clay bed an abundance of crude oil awaits development, which will no doubt be undertaken in the near future.
A weekly paper is published here by W. H. Green, the title of which is the Lake Elsinore Valley Press. The local news is well and extensively handled.
A scene of beauty is a joy or pleasure unsurpassed, and what can be more beautiful or enchanting than the grand and diversified scenes of nature! Running through the city of Elsinore, near its center on a line north and south, is a range of hills commencing near the bed of the lake and thence running north until it reaches an altitude three hundred feet or more at a point known as Hamptons Height, at which altitude it is the design of Mr. Hampton to construct an observatory to be known as the scenic observatory. A road has been constructed from the base of the hill to the observatory which is so constructed or graded that carriages and automobiles can ascend to the full height. From this standpoint looking to the northwest we see the snow-crested summit of Old Baldy; northeast of the observatory the snow-capped heights of the San Bernardino mountains shows very distinctly and to the east are seen the San Jacinto snow covered mountains.
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