USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 25
USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 25
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It was a few pages of our history made vibrant with life. The celebration recalled the romance and wonder of an epic period and directed thought to opportunities of the present and possibilities of the future.
The pageant ended in Lugo Park, where speeches were made and the ceremony of "get-together" was celebrated. Paul Shoup, a former San Bernardino "boy," president of the Pacific Electric; J. T. McMillan, gen- eral manager, represented the company. Mayor H. H. Rose of Los Angeles and Mayor J. W. Catick and John S. McGroarty made speeches. Ralph E. Swing was chairman of the Lugo Park celebration and O. P. Sloat master of ceremonies.
Plans for the celebration, begun on a small scale, assumed vast pro- portions; it was a picture of the history of transportation from 1770 to 1914. Mr. C. H. Burnett, manager outside operations, was director, for the Pacific Electric Company. Mr. John S. McGroarty, author of the Mission Play, directed the staging of the pageant. Mr. Frank Miller, of Mission Inn, Riverside, also assisted. Judge F. F. Oster was chair- man of the joint committee of Chamber of Commerce and Merchants' Association. Others were: George M. Cooley, invitation; J. B. Gill, entertainment ; W. M. Parker, reception ; J. A. Gutherie, publicity ; C. M. Grow, finance; S. W. McNabb, sports; J. H. Hamilton, furnishings ; John Brown, Jr., pioneers ; Mrs. Reetta V. Hadden, historian ; Frederick M. Renbro, secretary.
The Woman's Club served luncheon in the banquet room of the Y. M. C. A. Building to the guests of the city. The afternoon was spent at Urbita Springs Park, where the celebration took the form of sports.
Following is a letter by Paul Shoup, president Pacific Electric Rail- way, (now vice president of the Southern Pacific) : "It is good to come home. The long lines of life have many turns and lead to many places. One is enshrined in the heart and one alone-'the place where I was born.'
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I come back to you today after twenty years with some part in your transportation triumphant ; and this means something to me beyond that of an officer of the railway at your gates; for I am native here and proud to be of you and yours. The faith that grew with boyhood in our town has never died. Its ascending star of twenty years ago is brighter now. Our mountains are but more noble, our valley yet more beautiful, and the charm of our city mellowed and enhanced with the lapse of time.
"Our red cars this morning brought your friends and now new neigh- hors from the west; they named our line the rainbow route this morn- ing because it held a promise at either end. But there is more than promise, for today is the beginning of fulfillment-San Bernardino a great interurban center ; gate city indeed, and with need to have its gates wide open, for hereafter seekers will not come in single file. San Bernardino and its neighbors to the west-Rialto, Fontana, Etiwanda, Alta Loma, Upland-have made this new line possible; to them belongs the credit. I see about me faces of so many old-time friends that they have made the miracle and turned back time for 20 years for me, and memory becomes the bubbling spring of sweet recollection. I bring you no speech today -- just a full heart and a railroad, and both are yours."
Summing it up, James A. Gutherie says: "A new epoch dawned for San Bernardino yesterday as the last spike of an electric railway was driven. The clink of metal against metal as the spike went home was the sound of greater prosperity. And then the old began to unroll. Back 140 years we went as the pageant moved. Juan Batista de Anza followed the Indians into the scene. The gay Spaniards came. The Picos, the Lugos, the Dominguez, the Alvarados ruled the land. The miner, blazing the way over unknown trails, sought old gold. Their fam- ilies followed to brave the same perils. Across the prairies and the deserts, through homes of hostile Indians, came the ox teams. The stage coach coupled the then only two hamlets-Los Angeles and San Bernardino-and it was the opening of a great transportation epoch. So thought the pioneers, and it was. Years went on and the new gold of the orchards was found, and towns had streets in which to lay the rails of transportation. Greater wealth followed the tiny street rail- ways, and the iron arms spread out. The valley was circled and then other valleys encompassed and yesterday they were all joined by rib- bons of steel and a score of towns became closer neighbors. And now the new future stretches out, and in a near future are 50,000 people for our city. Our neighbors say it and they congratulate us. The present held as much for the past and the future holds the same for us."
THE SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPARTMENT. The nucleus for the present splendid organization known as the San Bernardino Fire Depart- ment was a "Fire Protective Association," a meeting for the forming of which was held June 22, 1865, at Pine's Hotel. As a result, four days later the San Bernardino Fire Company came into existence, with Wil- liam McDonald, foreman; Nathan Kinman, first assistant; Aubry Wolff, second assistant ; and I. H. Levy, secretary and treasurer. The com- pany immediately started equipping itself and was soon in possession of four ladders, four axes, four hooks, twenty-four buckets, a fire bell and a speaking trumpet. A concert was given for the benefit of the company, which netted $103, and early in 1866 a fire hall was erected on Third Street, at the foot of C, a building that was purchased in 1869 by Doctor Peacock, who donated it to the Methodist church. The "fire laddies" took an active part in the social life of the community, as they
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did in all small cities in former years, and as they do to some extent even to this day in the little villages and hamlets of various parts of the country. No celebration was considered complete without an exhibition by the "fire boys" and the annual ball for their benefit was one of the social events of the year. The original company continued in active service until 1871, when it sold its property and effects to others and placed the amount realized in the hands of M. H. Suverkrup to be invested for the benefit of the company. This pioneer organization of its kind included some of San Bernardino's best citizens, as the fol- lowing list of active members of the year 1867 will attest: William McDonald, A. Wolff; A. D. Rowell, Louis Caro, William A. Franklin, H. Goldsberg, N. Kinman, I. H. Levy, J. M. Wixon, H. Suverkrup, John Byas, W. R. Wozencraft, R. Woodward, George E. Moore, J. A. Kelting, M. Katz, Charles Roe, Doctor Peacock and W. Godfrey.
Engine Company No. 1, a volunteer organization, was formed in October, 1878, at a meeting of the members of the old Fire Company. The funds of the old company were turned over to the new hody, of which William McDonald was chosen foreman, Raymond Woodward, first assistant ; J. W. Morgan, second assistant ; A. D. Rowell, secretary ; and C. F. Roe, financial secretary. With the assistance of the citizens and the town trustees, a fire engine, No. 246, Piano Engine, throwing two streams, and a hose cart were purchased; a hose company, with M. Hayden as foreman, was formed, and uniforms were adopted.
This volunteer organization continued to act until December 3, 1889, when the department was reorganized by Chief D. H. Wixom, and became a partly paid department, which proved to be a shrewd and successful move. In February, 1889, the city trustees purchased a span of horses, which animals, "Frank" and "Sam," won a place in the affec- tions of not only the department but of the people. During the day they worked on the street, but at night were harnessed to the steamer formerly drawn by hand and kept in readiness for emergencies. On May 1, 1889, Albert Glatz took charge of the department horses and was chosen driver, a post which he held for many years. In July of the same year the city trustees purchased swinging harness, after which the horses were kept in comfortable stalls and used exclusively for department work. In September, 1889, a hook and ladder company was added to the depart- ment. When, in 1890, a water system with high gravity pressure was installed, the steamer was replaced by a substantial hose wagon, and in April, 1891, an electric system with a tower bell, house gong, indicator and six alarm boxes was added. In August, 1894, Chief Wixom resigned, and his former assistant, J. H. Tittle, was appointed chief. During his administration, in 1896, the hose wagon underwent a radical change, becoming the first ball-bearing piece of fire apparatus on the Pacific Coast. The first prize won by the San Bernardino Fire Department was on May Day, 1896, when they were awarded a handsome silver cup for the best decorated team. In April, 1897, Chief Tittle resigned, and his former assistant, O. M. Stevenson, was appointed chief. In August of that year the trustees purchased a splendid team of thoroughbred road- sters, "Dick" and "Prince." "Sam," one of the veteran horses, had died in May, 1896. In April, 1900, a street fair was held at Riverside, and several fire departments from different towns competed for prizes. The men from San Bernardino won two handsome trophies, the first prize in the ladder contest and the second prize in the hose contest. Again, in May, 1901, at a street fair held at San Bernardino, the home department won two more handsome cups, first prize in the ladder contest and second prize in the hose contest. On July 4, 1901, at a contest held at Santa
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Ana, the second prize was divided between San Bernardino and Santa Ana.
The San Bernardino Fire Department has been called upon to fight a number of serious conflagrations, beginning with the great Hotel Stewart fire, and on every occasion has done itself proud.
March 25, 1907, the cornerstone for the new fire hall was laid, Fire Chief George Stephens, Sr., and Secretary Glatz in charge. C. W. Mona- han, president of the Board of Trade, was master of ceremonies. An address was made by Mayor H. M. Barton accepting and placing the contents of the box. An address was also made by Benjamin F. Bledsoe, and a benediction by the Rev. Rennison. The San Bernardino Band played.
The first full paid chief of the San Bernardino Fire Department was F. G. Starke, who was appointed in 1911 by Mayor Bright. In 1913 Mayor Catick reappointed Mr. Starke, and in 1915 Mayor Wixom also reappointed him. Shortly after finishing his last term he died. Chief Starke had three paid men under him, and fifteen volunteers. In June, 1917, L. M. Field was appointed chief by Mayor Catick.
In June, 1919, Al. Glatz was appointed chief by Mayor Henderson. Mr. Glatz had been an employe of the Fire Department for many years, and shortly after finishing his term of office he died.
In June, 1921, O. W. Newcombe was appointed by Mayor McNabb. Chief Newcombe has ten men, and one station beside the large fire house, but no volunteers.
THE SAN BERNARDINO POSTOFFICE. The old Council House, at the northeast corner of Third and C streets, was the home of the first post- office at San Bernardino, established in 1853, the first postmaster being D. M. Thomas, who was also the first county judge. He held the office until 1857, when he returned with his fellow Mormons to Utah, and A. D. Boren, who succeeded to the county judgeship, likewise assumed the duties of postmaster, having the postoffice at his residence for a time. The second regularly appointed postmaster was Dr. Ben Barton, who located the office in his drug store at the corner of C and Fourth streets. Doctor Barton being a very busy man, the duties of the office were per- formed for the greater part by his brother, John P. Barton. The arrival of the mail, about once a week, was a town event of interest, and most of the inhabitants turned out to see the stage come in, the mailbags being then opened, the names on the communications called, and each claimant stepping forward to receive his mail, with the envious eyes of those less fortunate upon him. Such mail as was not claimed was thrown in a box, where it lay to be handled over by the people, who took whatever they thought belonged to them. In 1853 a contract was let by the Government for carrying the mail between San Bernardino and Salt Lake City, and Doctor Copeland, the contractor, sub-let the route to Capt. Jefferson Hunt, Daniel Taft and Daniel Rathburn. The first mail was carried from San Bernardino on horseback by James Williams, he being followed by Ed Hope and the latter by Sheldon Stoddard, who carried the mails during 1854 and took the last mail through in 1858.
Doctor Barton was succeeded as postmaster by Thomas Dickey, who removed the office to the corner of D and Third streets, and he was followed by Dr. J. C. Peacock, who discharged the duties from early in the '60s to about 1880, with the postoffice in his drug store on the south side of Third, between C and D streets. The business having grown to some extent, Doctor Peacock made some attempt at systemization, impro- vising a somewhat novel method for distribution of the mail. Mounting
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a barrel upon a stand in such a manner as to be easily turned, he cut holes in the side and put in shelves to form compartments, which were lettered. The mail was distributed into these pigeon holes and the public could revolve the barrel and secure its own mail. The first regular post- office facilities were also introduced during Doctor Peacock's adminis- tration.
W. R. Porter, appointed postmaster by President Hayes, succeeded Doctor Peacock, conducting the office in the old Masonic Temple build- ing, and in 1887 was succeeded by John T. Knox, who removed the office to new and well-equipped quarters in the Drew-Andreson block, at the corner of E and Court streets. Judge Knox resigned the office in 1889. and was succeeded by Nelson G. Gill, who completed Judge Knox's uncompleted term and was appointed for the four succeeding years. On October 1, 1890, the free delivery system went into effect, with two carriers, who covered the old city plat. On April 1, 1894, James Boyd became postmaster and continued in office until May 4, 1898, when he was succeeded by Stephen J. Kelley.
August 1, 1914, Ernest Martin succeeded Stephen F. Kelley, who had served for sixteen years, as postmaster. In September, 1918, Mr. Martin was reappointed by President Woodrow Wilson. In 1913, the year previous to the beginning of Mr. Martin's administration, the postal receipts of the office totaled $42,617.49. The receipts grew steadily, year by year, and at the end of the calendar year of 1921, the total was $75,048.66.
In 1904 the postoffice was moved from the Monte Vista block at the northwest corner of Court and E streets to the building at the northwest corner of Fourth and D streets, known as the Swing block. The busi- ness of the postoffice had entirely outgrown the quarters in the Swing block for a number of years previous to 1920. In that year Postmaster Martin began to negotiate for larger and better quarters, with the result that R. C. Harbison and Victor C. Smith purchased the property at the northwest corner of Fourth and D streets, a part of which was then occu- pied by the postoffice, from the Lloyd estate. Plans for remodeling the building, installing new equipment and adding a great deal of additional floor space, were drawn and on January 29, 1921, the Postoffice Depart- ment accepted the proposal of the owners of the building. The result is that San Bernardino now has a modern office of metropolitan propor- tions and appearance, and which is pronounced as one of the best in the Southland.
THE SAN BERNARDINO CITY SCHOOLS. In another chapter of this work, mention is made of the early schools of San Bernardino.1 The first real attempt at giving the children of the city adequate educational facili- ties was the erection, in 1870-71, of the brick schoolhouse, a four-room building, on the lot formerly occupied by the old Washington and Jeffer- son school, south side Fourth Street, between C and D streets. This structure was erected by a special tax of $4,000, and it was thought at the time that it would be ample for the requirements of the children of the city for years to come. When the cornerstone was laid, March 20, 1871, a box containing school records and other information, as well as newspapers of the date, etc., was put in a specially prepared vault, but when the structure was razed in 1902, to make way for a new school building, while the box was found its contents had crumbled to dust. Five years after the erection of this building the trustees came to a
1 See Chapter XI, Education.
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realization of the fact that their vision had not been broad enough, that they had not forseen the great growth which the city was to attain, but it was not until 1884 that a new schoolhouse was erected. Largely through the efforts of H. C. Brooke, who fought adverse criticism vigorously, the sum of $25,000 was voted in bonds, and in June of that year the cornerstone for the Central Schoolhouse, on F Street, was laid. This was an eight-room building, with a seating capacity of 400, and was considered a model at the time. There were then but six departments in the school, with as many teachers. N. A. Richardson became principal of schools in 1884. The "boom" largely increased the school population, and the enlargement of the city in 1890 added a large number of pupils to the roll.
When he took charge of the schools, in 1884, N. A. Richardson began preparing a class for high school work, which it began in 1885, this first class graduating four years later. The high school, however, was not regularly organized under the State law until April, 1891, and in that same year the city voted $60,000 bonds, for a high school building, which was completed in 1892 at a cost of $75,000, being at that time one of the finest buildings in Southern California. In 1893 the school was regularly accredited by the State University.
Working hand in hand with the public school system, have been a number of private schools, the first of which was the San Bernardino Collegiate School, opened August 25, 1862, by Capt. J. P. C. Allsop and conducted under his instruction until 1867. In 1870 St. Catherine's Academy was established by the Catholic Sisters, and soon thereafter a brick building was erected for its use. This has since been enlarged and rebuilt, and is now one of the oldest institutions of the city. Paine's Academy and Business Institute, which gave San Bernardino's youth its first opportunity to secure a business education, was opened in 1873 by Prof. C. R. Paine. In 1883 Prof. D. B. Sturges, who had been county superintendent in 1881, founded Sturges Academy, otherwise the San Bernardino Academy and Business College, offering courses in com- mercial, normal and literary studies. Other private schools were those of Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Nisbet and Miss Bennett, all of which contributed to the advantages offered the children of their day in gaining educational training.
PRINCIPALS. The principals of San Bernardino's city schools have been as follows:
1853
William Stout
1854
Q. S. Sparks
1856
J. B. Norris
1857
A. A. St. Clair
1858
Ellison Robbins
1859-60
William R. Wozencraft
1861-62
D. W. Davis
1863
.W. S. Clark
1864
J. H. Skidmore
1865
Harvey Green
1866-68
W. R. Wozencraft
1869-71
. Henry C. Brooke
1872
John Fox
1873
John Brown, Jr.
1874-75
.H. Goodcell, Jr.
1876-78.
. Charles R. Paine
1879
Mary A. Bennett
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1880
.C. R. Paine
1881-82
H. C. Brooke
1883
Dr. T. H. Rose
1884
J. N. Flint
1884-90 N. A. Richardson
1891-92
Alexis E. Frye
1893-94
T. H. Kirk
1895-96
W. S. Thomas
1896-99
N. A. Richardson
1900-01
H. L. Lunt
1902-03
Lulu Claire Bahr
1903
F. W. Conrad
1915
Dr. B. Stover Crandall
(died Nov. 12. 1918)
1919
Dr. B. R. Crandall
1921
Percy R. Davis
From the far off days of a few scattered scholars and one lone instruc- tor, with perhaps a log cabin as a schoolhouse, to the present year of 1921, with its magnificent structures worth more than a million dollars, is a long leap. Not only as time counts, but accrued wealth of learning that has been felt in the great world of action that cannot be computed in cold dollars and cents.
Some of the former school men of San Bernardino have become nationally and even world famous since leaving the city. When the old high school, on E Street, was first erected, one of the principals, who came to San Bernardino, was Mr. A. E. Frye, of Frye Geography fame. His geographies are used all over the United States in preference to any other in the market. In 1906, Louis M. Terman was principal of the high school. He is now at the head of the Department of Psychology in Stanford University and is a world famous authority on psychological matters. And of the students, they are scattered all over the globe, many in most responsible positions.
The city school system of San Bernardino ranks with the best systems in the State. It comprises a polytechnic high school of five buildings, a junior high school, twelve elementary schools and seven kindergartens. The total educational investment represented by these schools, togther with their sites and equipments, is $1,026,980.
The board of education is composed of five members prominent in civic as well as educational matters: M. E. Dimock, chairman; John Andreson, Jr., Dr. H. M. Hays, Mrs. F. B. Hoskyn, and Mrs. C. Fulton Jones. On January 1. 1920, there were 3,371 pupils-on January 1, 1921, 4,413, an increase of 1,041.
The Polytechnic High School with an enrollment of 891 students, is under the supervision of K. L. Stockton and Vice Principals R. M. Westover and Emma J. Kast. Mr. Westover also is the principal of the evening high school, which has an average nightly attendance of ninety- six students. Mr. L. L. Beeman, who was head of the history depart- ment for the year commencing 1908, in the fall of 1909 became principal of the high school, continuing until the close of the school year of 1920.
The city school system, from a financial standpoint, is a splendid asset to San Bernardino. The system employs 205 people, teachers, clerical force, janitors, etc., with a combined monthly payroll of approximately $25,965, during the school year. Mr. C. V. Kelty is business agent and secretary of the board, with office in the Junior High School Building, corner of Eighth and E streets. The Polytechnic High School group of
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buildings cost in the neighborhood of $250,000, but the present valuation is $450,000.
The San Bernardino Union High School District comprises the follow- ing districts: San Bernardino, Arrowhead, City Creek. Clear Springs, Del Rosa, Highland, Keenbrook, Lytle, Mill, Summit, Warm Springs, Rialto, Cajon, with a total district valuation of $13,302,590.
On October 1, 1921, Dr. B. R. Crandall resigned as superintendent to become associate professor of education and State supervisor of agricul- ture in the University of California. Mr. Percy R. Davis of National City was selected to assume the position of superintendent of the city schools and took charge October 1, 1921. Mr. Davis has under his juris- diction the combined schools of the city with a total enrollment of 5,574.
On June 14, 1910, while in the midst of the farewell address to the senior class of the high school, Prof. David Brainard Sturges, vice prin- cipal of the institution, and for over thirty-three years prominent in the educational life of the city, was stricken with death. He was voicing the school's farewell to the young men and women, when he tottered and fell
POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL, SAN BERNARDINO
backward into the arms of Principal L. L. Beeman. Superintendent Conrad, of the city schools, said of him: "The grand old man, the father of the educational system of the city." From the students came the follow- ing tribute : "To few educators has been given to command the reverence, loyalty, and deep-seated affection entertained by all students privileged to come under his watch-care. For more than a decade the passing classes have regarded him as their particular heritage: his life a benediction : his class-work an inspiration ; his influence an uplift ; the light from his kindly eye an incentive to better endeavor, and his going out and coming in, a mute invitation to follow in his steps. In the years to come that benign life will manifest itself in the life of every student who counted him as friend."
SAN BERNARDINO PUBLIC LIBRARY. The only provision for literary culture at San Bernardino prior to the organization of the Library Associ- ation in 1881, was a Young Men's Literary Society, which held regular meetings, debates and exercises. Among the speakers of this society were H. Goodcell, Jr., John Brown, Jr., William J. Curtis and numerous others.
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