USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 28
USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 28
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May 9, 1905, the Woman's Parliament convened in the M. E. Church, Mrs. Jefferson Gibbs of Los Angeles presiding. This was the second time the parliament had met in this city, the first time being April 17 and 18, 1894, when Mrs. D. G. Stephens of Los Angeles was president and Mrs. R. V. Hadden, secretary, for San Bernardino County. Other ladies who served at that time were: Mesdames Smith Haile, W. L. G. Soule, R. F. Garner, H. L. Drew, L. P. Bidgood, E. R. Zombro, M. Byrne, D. A. Moulton, Kendall Holt, F. M. Johnson, J. W. Curtis, M. B. Goodcell, E. C. Perkins, S. B. Colvin, D. A. Grovenor, C. D. Dickey, F. S. Vestal, and the Misses Minnie Riley, Marie Parker. Mae Lewis and Florence Gibson. Those on the platform with Mrs. Gibbs in 1905 were Mrs. F. P. McGehee, M. B. Goodcell, E. A. Brooks, county officers, and Mrs. R. V. Hadden, past president of the parliament, who presided at two sessions in 1899, one held in the Universalist Church, Pasadena, the other in Unity Church, corner of Third and Hill streets, Los Angeles.
The Woman's Parliament was the forerunner of the Federation of Woman's Clubs, in the time when but few clubs were organized in the State. The State Federation of Clubs was organized on January 16, 17, 18, 1900, in Los Angeles, with Mrs. Robert J. Burdette, first president, Mrs. R. V. Hadden of San Bernardino Club, being one of the organ- izers, on the Credential Committee. The Federated Clubs have become a power for good.
During the '80s the members of the medical profession in San Ber- nardino County formed a society which for a time was an active force, with Drs. W. R. Fox, J. C. Peacock, C. D. Dickey and F. M. Price among its interested members. The society in time died out, but in 1902, the physicians, feeling the need of a representative body, organized the San Bernardino County Medical Society, which came into existence January 17 of that year. At the same time the body became affiliated with the California State Medical Society, and membership in the body makes a member eligible for membership in the American Medical Asso- ciation. The society has a large membership at the present time (1921) and hold enthusiastic monthly meetings. The president is Dr. L. M. Coy of San Bernardino.
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COUNTY HOSPITAL. The first attempt at a county hospital or caring for the sick or infirm was in the late '70s and early '80s, when Doctor Peacock and his wife boarded those needing help, at his home, on the corner of D and First streets. About 1885 the county erected a very much up-to-date-for those days-hospital on Third Street west of Mt. Vernon. The grounds were not only made beautiful, but productive. The county supervisors sold this property to the Santa Fe and bought a large farm on the east of the city and built a modern hospital with every convenience and comfort. A detention home was added in the fall of 1921 and plans are well under way for an old ladies' home on the farm. The grounds are attractive and also produce much that is needed for the inmates.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. The first movement in Young Men's Christian Association work in San Bernardino was in the year 1885 when a local organization was effected. The meetings were held in the Garner Hall, Garner Block, between Court and Fourth, on the west side of D Street. There was a woman's auxiliary branch and there were meetings held every Sunday afternoon. It was the social gathering place and enjoyable times were had rendering varied programs, of which singing was a prominent feature. Thomas Phillips, pastor of the Baptist Church at that time, was one of the secretaries who looked after the work.
After this work was suspended there was no further movement until the year 1911, when the question of a permanent organization with a suitable building was agitated, W. A. Manson and others leading in bringing the matter before the people of the city. A campaign for funds was put under the direction of State Field Secretary J E. Sprunger, which resulted in the raising, by pledges and gifts, of $90,000. Many generous gifts were made by the business men and citizens of the city and the achievement was made possible by the special gifts of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Barton of their home place, in memory of their son Paul Barton, at the northwest corner of F and Fifth streets as a site for the building, a valuable and extensive orange grove by John Broadfield and $10,000 by R. F. Garner.
The first board of directors, elected July 3, 1911, consisted of sev- enteen members, who were as follows: Benjamin F. Bledsoe, J. W. Curtis, J. L. Oakey, W. A. Manson, John Broadfield, R. F. Garner, J. Harold Barnum, C. M. Grow, T. W. Duckworth, Herman W. Knitter, R. S. Gibbs, Joseph Ost, H. E. Harris, Victor C. Smith, Joseph H. Ward, W. M. Parker, W. E. Leonard.
The following officers of the board were elected : Benjamin F. Bledsoe, president ; J. W. Curtis, vice president ; W. A. Manson, recording secretary ; J. L. Oakey, treasurer.
Judge Frank B. Oster was elected as chairman of the building com- mittee and Eton T. Sams was called as building secretary.
The service of the laying of the cornerstone was held June 29, 1912, with Judge Benjamin F. Bledsoe presiding. The address of the occasion was by Rev. Matthew S. Hughes, D.D., pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pasadena. The laying of the stone was by William H. Wallace of Long Beach, treasurer of the State committee.
The first general secretary of the organization was Milton A. Holla- baugh, who was called at a meeting of the board of directors, September 12, 1912. C. L. Dunn was called as the first physical director at the regular meeting November 12, 1912. The growth of the institution was
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so rapid that it was necessary at once to employ a boys' work secretary and C. A. Wyman was called for this department.
The following secretaries and physical directors have since been with the work: R. E. Rush, boys' work secretary; L. R. Burdge, general secretary ; J. P. Colley, physical director ; C. D. Eddy, hoys' work secre- tary ; A. H. Beisner, general secretary ; A. E. Wake, bovs' work secretary.
One of the forward steps of the work was the "$10.000 in 10 Days" campaign in January, 1919, which was planned to free the institution from debt and place it on a business working basis. This campaign was enthusiastically supported by the citizenry of the city and "went over the top."
At this time (1921) the work is successfully and efficiently carried on by the following staff of officers: D. P. Wyman, general secretary ; H. W. Eyer, boys' work secretary; F. W. Yake, physical director.
The building is the community house of the city. Here gather all people in common. The churches of all sects and creeds, organizations, orders and committees on all social and civic affairs meet and are wel- come. The influence of the institution goes out into the homes through the physical and moral development of the men and boys of the city and the surrounding community and towns.
THE YOUNG WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. "To accomplish anything worth while a vision and a program are necessary. He who has only a vision is visionary. He who has only a program is a drudge. He who has both vision and program is a conqueror."
The Young Woman's Christian Association has both the vision and the program. It is a great national and international movement. It would be difficult to estimate the influence of the Y. W. C. A. in San Bernardino. Hundreds of women and girls are touched daily through its activities.
Two centers are maintained: one in the residence at 494 Arrow- head Avenue, where clubs meet, young women are housed. and transients entertained. The Y. W. C. A. Hospitality Center at 396 E Street is all that the name implies. Here come girls and more girls, little children and tired mothers, those who need cheer, and those who need rest, and those who need help, and the stranger within the gates-all come to the Y. W. C. A.
The local branch was established in the fall of 1915. Through the generous gift of Col. R. M. Baker, the newly formed organization was housed in the old Baker home on the southwest corner of Arrowhead Avenue and Fifth Street. At the organization meeting held October 20, 1913, representative women of the city elected a board of directors as follows: Mrs. Victor Smith, Mrs. R. F. Garner, Mrs. J. W. Barton. Mrs. James Fleming, Miss Mary E. Barton, Mrs. J. W. Curtis and Mrs. Fred Doolittle. Later this number was increased through a board of managers, namely : Miss Endora Allen, Miss Harriet Curtis, Miss Helen Ham, Mrs. Gerald Milliken, Mrs. O. E. Bigelow, Mrs. M. A. Holabaugh. Mrs. W. S. Ingram and Mrs. James Miller. The board thus constituted elected as officers: President. Miss Harriet Curtis; vice president, Mrs. J. W. Barton ; secretary, Miss Mary E. Barton ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. R. F. Garner, and treasurer. Miss Endora Allen. A gift from a "friend" of $500 was the nucleus for the fund raised to support the movement the first year. Miss Etta Agee was called, January 12, 1914, as the first general secretary. Under Miss Agce's experienced direction the three-fold activities of the Association for the development of the mind, spirit and body were well started.
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Following in succession as general secretaries were Miss Blanche Camp- bell, Miss Inez Crawford, called from here to a foreign field, and Miss Lela Gregory. In October, 1917, Mrs. Esther B. Ferguson came as a general secretary and continues in that position. In the fall of the same year Mrs. Fred Doolittle, then president of the board, secured the first girls' work secretary, Miss Edith F. Hockin.
During the war period the Y. W. C. A. carried on and co-operated with all agencies doing welfare work. In 1918 the Girl Reserve move- ment for girls from twelve to twenty years of age started. This move- ment has a large enrollment of grade and high school girls in San Ber- nardino, with branches in Highland and Colton. Their motto is, "I will face life squarely." The outstanding feature of 1919 was the receipt of a gift of $2,800 from the War Work Council, through the national board of the Y. W. C. A. This sum was asked for to establish the hos- pitality center owing to the city's proximity to March Field, with its soldiers.
The officers of the association at the close of 1921 are: Mrs. R. F. Garner, president; vice president, Mrs. Wilmot T. Smith; secretary, Mrs. George Simmes; treasurer, Miss Endora Allen, and Mrs. J. W. Barton, treasurer of the hospital center fund. The present staff is Miss Esther B. Ferguson, general secretary; Miss Elizabeth Burgess, asso- ciate secretary, and Miss Lena C. Thornton, house secretary. The Y. W. C. A. is a community agency. It has kept pace with the city's growth in its service for girls, and is well supported by the community.
WELFARE COMMISSION. The first organized charity work in San Bernardino was begun in November, 1915, when there was formed an associated charities, with S. W. McNabb as president. There was a board of twenty-one directors, representing the different churches, organ- izations and individuals interested in the welfare of the unfortunate. They were as follows: S. W. McNabb, Herman Harris, George H. Wixom, J. H. Wilson, Otto F. Heilborn, H. B. Mowbray, Howard Surr, F. E. Page, Roy B. Stover, E. P. Smith, T. W. Duckworth, Mark B. Shaw, Mrs. G. A. Atwood, Mrs. C. P. Smith, Mrs. O. D. Brizzell, Mrs. R. F. Garner, Mrs. J. W. Barton, Mrs. R. McInerny, Mrs. L. P. Coy. This organization was supported by public subscriptions, most of them at $1.00 per month Mrs. Maud S. Bell took the position as field secre- tary and continued until 1917, when the Associated Charities work was discontinued and Mrs. Bell went with the county. In February, 1917, a county relief and employment commission was organized upon a rec- ommendation of the Grand Jury and the State Board of Charities and Corrections and the county work was placed on a modern basis. The first secretary was R. E. Gilbert, who resigned after a brief service. The first county commission was composed of seven members from the county at large. They were as follows: J. M. Hartley, Upland ; Chas. O. Goss, Ontario; Stewart Hotschkiss, Redlands; H. B. Mowbray, San Bernar- dina ; Mrs. B. A. Van de Carr, Redlands; Mrs. Maud S. Bell, San Bernardino. Mr. Hotschkiss soon resigned and Ralph P. Smith was appointed in his place. Mrs. J. W. Barton succeeded Mrs. Bell. The commission was reorganized in September, 1921, and is as follows: J. J. Atwood, Upland ; Isaac Jones, Ontario; A. S. Maloney, San Bernardino; Mrs. J. J. Sness, Redlands ; Mrs. Mary E. Reed, Chino, and Supervisors A. G. Kendall and M. P. Cheney. Mrs. Maud S. Bell was made secre- tary at the time the commission was reorganized.
PIONEER PARK. As a result of an appeal of a delegation of pioneers composed of George Miller, John Brown, Jr., R. E. Bledsoe and Thomas
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McFarlane, the City Council on July 2, 1915, officially established tlie name of the city park as Pioneer Park instead of Lugo Park.
The pioneer delegation went back into early history to show why the park name should be changed. They told how the pioneers purchased the ranch from the Lugo family for $77,500 and then set aside the pres- ent park for public use. The council adopted a resolution deciding its name should be Pioneer Park.
The park was, in early days, called the "Public Square," then "City Park," and those desiring to keep some of the famous Spanish names called it Lugo Park for the Lugo family, first owners.
The log cabin in Pioneer Park was originally erected, more as a curiosity, for the Festival of the Arrowhead, held in the city on May 19, 20, 21, 1908, and in 1910 during the centennial celebration as a museum and headquarters for the pioneers, on Fourth Street just west of the city library.
A petition was presented to the City Council by the Pioneer Society asking permission to move the cabin to Pioneer Park. Said petition was granted, and on Nov. 25, 1911, a place was selected in the southwest corner of the park and cornerstone set, with much ceremony. February 10, 1912. the cabin was dedicated. It has been enlarged twice since that time and to the present time is the meeting place for the Pioneer Society. This is the fifth log cabin erected by the pioneers in San Bernardino, the first two on Court Street, the next one on Fourth Street, and the next two in Pioneer Park adjoining one another, all built by the pio- neers themselves, even if far advanced in years, who took special delight in this work, reminding them of their early struggles in frontier life. Pioneer William Knapp invited them to come to his ranch on the moun- tains and cut down from his ranch all the pine trees they wanted for their log cabin and for the clapboards for the roof, which they did, and brought the logs and boards to San Bernardino and were happy in erect- ing their rude structure that brought to them so many fond recollections. Uncle Sheldon Stoddard, Sydney P. Waite, Taney Woodward, George Miller, John Brown, Jr., George I. Burton, William F. Holcomb, Jasper N. Corbett, Bart Smithston, Richard Weir and M. B. Shaw were among those engaged in the enthusiastic labor of love.
MUNICIPAL MEMORIAL HALL. On Monday, April 11, 1921, an elec- tion was held in the city, and among the several questions to be voted upon, was the proposition of issuing bonds to the amount of $200.000, for the purpose of erecting, in Pioneer Park, a Municipal Memorial Hall. It carried by a large margin.
One of the first acts of the new mavor, S. W. McNabb. who was elected at that time, was the appointing of a committee, to carry forward all arrangements of the new building, to serve until its completion. and had an official title of "Advisory Committee on Municipal Hall," the members of which are:
At large-John A. Henderson, chairman. At large-John A. Hadaller. Chamber of Commerce-R. B. Goodcell.
P. T. A .- Mrs. Charles Erthal. Central Labor Council-Frank McLain. Rotary Club-R. D. McCook.
American Legion-Col. Byron Allen, Mark B. Shaw.
Woman's Club-Mrs. George Tilton.
Ministerial Association-Rev. A. G. Fessenden.
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Pioneer Society-John Brown, Jr. Merchant's Protect. Ass'n .- Fred Ames.
Better City Club-Leon Atwood.
Press -- R. C. Harbison, A. J. Brown and J. K. Tibbetts.
OLD PAVILION. The pavilion was completely burned on the night of September 19, 1913, and presented one of the most spectacular fires ever seen in the city. Tongues of flames reared 100 feet into the air, casting a noonday light over the city and radiated a heat that could be felt for blocks.
The pavilion was built in 1890 and dedicated on January 1, 1891, at a cost of $12,000. The money was the residne of the $160,000 voted for a water system. Not all the money was used for that purpose, so the trustees voted $10,000 for the pavilion, subsequently increased it to $12,000. For twenty-two years it had been the city's gathering place on great occasions. During stirring political campaigns, demonstrations were held there, audiences estimated at 3,500 to 4,000 had filled every corner of the famous old building.
In the old days it was the scene of many social affairs of importance. balls, parties, fairs and other great gatherings. On May 14, 1904, the reception and banquet to visiting railroad engineers and auxiliary, to the number of 1,000, met there. At that time the pavilion was more elab- orately decorated than ever before or after. Only during the last summer months the question of either razing it and build a new one, or renovate and make it more presentable was agitated. There really was so much sentiment about the old pavilion on account of its past associations that many people felt an old friend had died. Within its four walls scenes had been enacted, plans laid and work commenced that had wonderful bearings on the progress and growth of the city.
When the ashes lay deep upon the ground where only a few hours before stood an old city landmark the one question that filled everyone's mind was "When will there be erected another to take its place ?"
THE CENTENNIAL. The great centennial celebration of San Ber- nardino, held in the city on May 20, 1910-that really lasted from May 17 to 21-was a success in all ways. The central idea "The pageant of San Bernardino," was well conceived-a splendid historical tableaux, beautiful with those romantic and picturesque scenes which have united to make up the history of San Bernardino Valley. Around this central picture were grouped a variety of features of interest.
There are few more interesting studies than those having bearing on the progress people have made in the affairs of their community life. In this celebration was depicted, in songs, tableaux and parades, the story of San Bernardino since the brown-robed padres pronounced its name, on one bright May morning 100 years before, to the centennial chain of days that had been completed. It was a wonderful panorama cov- ering every phase of life-civic, industrial, educational, fraternal and religious-taxing the ingenuity of man to bring out in character pictures that pulsed with life, intensified by the spirit of the occasion.
Closest observers frequently are mistaken as to measurement of events and their possible bearing on the future life of a community; it takes time to correct inadequate estimates and discover their true por- tions and vast imports.
Future generations may appreciate the scope of the first centennial celebration of San Bernardino in the character of the subjects assigned to the many committees, of which only the chairmen are given in the
Vol. 1-13
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following: Ralph E. Swing was president : Joseph Ingersoll, vice presi- dent : S. H. Carson, treasurer ; Frank M. Hill, secretary ; J. W. Leonard. director general. The Woman's Department comprised: Mrs. E. D. Roberts, president ; Mrs. Thomas Hadden, vice president ; Miss Maud Cooley, secretary. Committee heads were: George M. Cooley, finance ; J. E. Rich, character and scope; S. W. McNabb, exploitation; E. E. Katz, invitation; J. B. Gill, program; J. J. Hanford, architecture ; E. D. Roberts, entertainment; I. H. Curtis, posters, badges; A. G. Kendall, decoration : Edward Wall, publicity; W. W. Wilcox, reception; M. C. Mckinney, attractions ; John Anderson, Jr., princess selection; W. M. Parker, balls; Al McRae, sports; John Poppett, parades; C. M. Grow, awards; James H. Boyd, tickets; G. M. Stephens, public safety ; G. F. Feetham, information; G. R. Owen, music; W. A. McElvaine, conces- sions ; John Brown, Jr., pioneers; O. P. Sloat, big chief ; R. A. Brydolf, railway exhibits; James Waide, floats; N. Davenport, Indian features ; A. B. Merrihew, transportation; J. H. Kelley, live stock ; R. H. Ochs, cornerstone; George Seldner, relics exhibit. Santa Fe committee: I. C. Hicks, H. S. Wall, U. L. Voris, Chester Seay, E. C. Sisson, O. D. Bussell. Ladies' committee : Mrs. H. R. Scott, princess selection ; Mrs. R. C. Har- bison, courts; Mrs. F. H. Magoffin, coronation; Mrs. J. S. Woods. pageants-tableaux ; Mrs. D. W. Dunton, juvenile dancing ; Mrs. A. L. Mespelt, cathedral; Mrs. R. F. Garner, El Camino real; Mrs. F. B. Daley, capilla ; Mrs. W. M. Hoagland, art exhibit ; Mrs. M. V. Donald- son, press; Mrs. A. M. Ham, rest room ; Mrs. R. A. Brydolf, reception ; Mrs. J. H. Barton, floral parade ; Mrs. W. H. Stiles, princess reception ; Mrs. L. L. Beeman, schools.
These have been carefully copied for the benefit of the second cen- tennial celebration participants.
MOTOR HARBOR. San Bernardino is the first "port of call' in Cali -- fornia on the Ocean to Ocean Highway, and it is only in line with progress that the city should make some preparation for the accommodation of the thousands of motorists who annually visit this city, perhaps stopping for a day or two, then continuing to some other point in the Southland. San Bernardino now has one of the finest motor camp grounds in the United States. It has been arranged with a view to the future as well as present needs, and represents an investment of many thousands of dollars.
The eastern portion of Meadowbrook Park, one of the most scenic spots in or around San Bernardino, has been set aside as a camp ground, and is laid out along lines of a modern city, there being seventy lots, divided by streets, shaded by trees peculiar to California, each lot being large enough for the parking of an automobile, and the erection of a tent and camp equipment. The camp is equipped with toilets, kitchen, laundry and city water piped to each of the seventy lots. Gas for cooking and electricity for lighting has been provided. A custodian is at the camp at all times to see that the rules of sanitation are obeyed. A stream of living water flows through Meadowbrook Park, the camp site. The Chamber of Commerce has been active in this phase of the city's hos- pitality, and has become a sort of foster mother to the project.
R. R. ENGINEERS RECEPTION. On May 14, 1904, a reception and banquet to 1,000 visiting railroad engineers and ladies' auxiliary was given in the Pavilion, the most pretentious affair ever carried through in the place-the most beautiful and complete in all ways. Over 200 men and women worked for days to bring about the desired effect, both in deco- ration and arrangement.
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The pavilion was transformed into a veritable hanging garden, baskets strung across the great auditorium filled with roses and vines, and every pillar garlanded with blooms and greenery. The magic wrought with flowers, transformed the vast room into a fairyland and no wonder the visitors stood amazed and breathless as they entered. From every quarter of the nation and from Canada had come these men and women only to return home with this story to narrate. The long tables covered in white, thickly strewn with roses, seated 1,060 persons. So large an undertaking was this for the city, that the cutlery was ordered from Christopher's, Los Angeles, the general chairman giving her personal
SCENES IN MEADOWBROOK PARK, SAN BERNARDINO'S MOTOR HARBOR
guarantee that it should be returned by 5 o'clock the same day. When seated at the table, the chairman, J. J. Hanford, who had been indefatig- able in his efforts to make it a success, called to order, and appointed Judge F. F. Oster, president of the day, who in turn, introduced Hon. H. M. Willis. Mr. Willis gave such a welcoming address as seldom had been given before in the city, and as he spoke the last words "We welcome you with flowers," from the thirteen pillars in the balcony, where the same number of ladies had been stationed, waiting for the signal to complete the greeting, emptied the baskets with their contents of rose petals upon the_assemblage-where they were showered upon the guests like snowflakes falling from the sky. This last feature transformed the scene truly into a fairyland, one never to be forgotten. The entertain- ment, perfect in all arrangements and complete in execution, put San Bernardino fairly and squarely on the map as a hospitable city.
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