USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 16
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" Respectfully,
JAMES H. MARR,
" For First Assistant Postmaster-General :"
NAME OF POST-OFFICE.
NAME OF POSTMASTER.
WHEN ESTABLISHED.
Alma, late Lexington
Isaac Paddock,
June
6. 1861
Alviso.
Richard Carr,
August
17,
1859
Bell's Station
L. F. Bell,
April
10,
1873
Burnett
John Barry,
April
30,
1862
Evergreen
Frank J. Smith,
August
24, 1870
Gilroy
James Houck,
October
21,
1851
Gilroy Hot Springs
George Roop,
March
28,
1873
Los Gatos.
D. McCobb,
December
8,
1864
Mayfield.
James Otterson,
June
12,
1855
Milpitas
Frederick Creighton,
May
31,
1856
Mountain View
Jacob Shomway,
January
18,
1854
New Almaden
Ralph Lowe,
December
23, 1873
Patchin
Horace G. Fitch,
March
28,
1872
Pioneer
Hugh L. Downer,
November
8,
1875
San Felipe
Elijah R. Dunlap,
July
10,
1868
San José
John R. Wilson,
August
7,
1851
San Ysidro.
James W. Gould,
July
30,
1866
Santa Clara
Fletcher Cooper,
July
28,
1851
Saratoga, late MeCartysville and Bank Mills
Levi Millard,
November
2,
1855
Sargent, late La Brea
Alonzo Johnson,
September
11,
1874
Sherman
Daniel Mallory,
December
13,
1867
Tennant
William Tennant,
April
5,
1871
County Buildings .- A sure sign of organization in a State, county, city or town is the erection of suitable premises wherein the public business may be dispatched with comfort and punctuality. To the first government of the County of Santa Clara this want was comparative in degree, for they became successors to the Ayuntamiento or Juzgado, that venerable edifice constructed in the year 1798, when the Pueblo of San Jose was in its infancy and the value of the golden State had not even been foreshadowed. Here they found, in 1850, the adobe building, as it stood on what is now known as Market street, in the City of San Jose, near the corner of El Dorado street. It was but an easy transition to proclaim this the County Court House, yet its capacity was insufficient for, on June 6, 1850, we find the Court of Sessions issuing notices calling for proposals, by donation or sale, for the purpose of erecting county buildings, the Court, a month later, ordering that these should be located on lots, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and S, in block No. + and range No. 6, and lots, Nos. 1, and 4, in block No. 4, and range No. 7, south of the base line, it being understood that the jail should be located on the latter of these lots. The Court further declared that the County Judge do take a deed in fee-simple for said lots, from James F. Reed, they being a
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
donation to the County of Santa Clara. No immediate progress, however, was made, for it is not until October 21, 1851, that we find the selection, by Judge J. W. Redman, of Market square as a proper site, and its convey- ance to the county confirmed. This building was erected on the west side of First street, but its precise location we will particularize elsewhere. Its walls were composed of the never-failing adobe, its lower story was used as a court-room, and its upper floor divided into public offices. The records tell us that directions were given, under date of February 21, 1852, that the eastern room should be tendered to the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Jose for their use; but here did not their generosity rest, the Methodist Church, South, were also permitted to use the room for the purpose of holding service therein. It would, however, appear that the accommoda- tion was still inadequate, as, on December 17, 1852, the appointment of a committee is recorded whose duties were to examine and report upon the propriety of erecting, or procuring, some suitable building for the county officers. In the performance of this duty they reported, that after careful exam- ination, and considering the insecure, inconvenient, and combustible nature of the offices then in use, it was their duty to recommend the fitting up of the old State House, a plan which was adopted, the alterations and improvements being effected under the superintendence of Levi Goodrich and L. H. Bas- com, who were appointed a committee for that purpose. The State House having been unfortunately destroyed by fire on March 29, 1853, the walls of the building were ordered to be sold at auction by the Sheriff, and on November 8th, R. G. Moody was appointed a committee of one to purchase the building and ground of Mr. Caldwell, on the corner of San Fernando and Second streets, " opposite the Brick Church," the District Attorney being at the same time instructed to make a search of the records to ascertain the presence of any ineumbrances and the validity of Caldwell's proprietory rights. This building had borne the purely Californian cognomen of the " What Cheer House," a name much affected for houses of entertainment in other parts of the State. Prior to the occupancy of their new building, how- ever, the county took possession, for a short term, of the adobe building owned by F. Lightston, on Lightston alley. Necessity caused energy; on the 14th November the sum of four thousand dollars was allowed for the pur- chase of the premises, and on December 7, 1853, the old " What Cheer House" was declared to be the Court House for Santa Clara county. With a permanent Temple of Justice the very necessary adjunct of a jail was in- dispensable, therefore, August 9, 1854, the Court of Sessions, who had once more assumed the Supervisoral reins, directed the construction of a prison, by Marcus Williams, at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars, and in 1855, the county buildings were still further augmented by the leasing of a house on Second street to serve as the County Hospital. On December 10, 1855,
143
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
the Supervisors, who were once more in power. in place of the now entirely abolished Court of Sessions, ordered the purchase of certain property known as the "Sutter House," with twenty-five acres of land attached thereto, from Merritt Brothers, for five thousand five hundred dollars, but the vendors fail- ing to execute a good and sufficient deed, the contract was revoked, February 15, 1856. In 1858 more room was still wanted. For the convenience of the public the Recorder's office was removed to Lightston's building while a con- ference was had with the Board of Trustees of the City of San Jose in rela- tion to renting the City Hall as a more convenient structure for the Court House and county offices, a scheme which was matured, August 24, 1860, the Mayor and Common Council granting the use of the upper portion of the City Hall to the county, whose buildings on San Fernando and Second streets were handed over to the civic authorities.
More stable thoughts had now entered the well-balanced minds of the Board of Supervisors, for we find them, under date August 8, 1860, offering a premium of one hundred dollars to him who would furnish the best plan and specifications for a Court House and county offices " to be built of bricks," a prize which was won by Levi Goodrich. That the Board was in earnest is a matter of record. On March 16, 1861, their minutes tell us it was ordered that A. L. Rhodes, the Senator from the county, be requested to introduce into the Legislature an Act for the issuance of bonds for the pur- pose of erecting a Court House and other county buildings, to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, payable in twenty years with interest and one- twentieth of the principal payable annually, with what result will shortly appear. In the meantime property had been purchased whereon to build a County Hospital, while in accordance with an Act amendatory of " An Act to provide for the indigent sick in the counties of the State-Approved March 31, 1855," the Supervisors formed themselves into a Board of Direc- tors of the Infirmary of the County of Santa Clara.
Once more were the county officers on the move and in search for more ample quarters. On November 8, 1862, certain buildings were leased from Martin Murphy, on a tenure of five years, which they would appear to have held in peaceable possession for a considerable tine. Although Mr. Good- rich had been awarded the premium offered for the most successful plans in 1860, it was not until September 25, 1865, that the Honorable Board awoke to the fact that a Court House, " to be built of bricks," was urgently needed, they, therefore, with one accord, on that date, agreed to proceed to take all necessary measures for the immediate erection of that building, which, in consonance with a motion adopted, should be located upon the county property between Second and Third streets, directly south of San Fernando street. But here did they not stay ; to complete matters Supervisors Rob- inson, Quimby and Sleeper were, there and then, appointed a building com-
-
144
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
mittee to superintend construction. On the 14th November, however, the subject of location was reconsidered and another committee appointed to inquire into and report as to the best site for a Court House and the value of property suitable for such a purpose. Three days afterwards the committee recommended the purchase of the fifty-vara lot on First street, situated between St. John and Julian streets, fronting on St. James' square, the property of W. H. Hall, at a price of five thousand dollars, provided dona- tions of twelve and a half feet be made by the estate of Robert Walkinshaw, and Josiah Belden, from the front and rear lots adjoining on the south, which would make the proposed frontage one hundred and fifty feet. The report was adopted, the Board voting: Supervisors Sleeper, Perkins and Robinson in the affirmative and Quimby and Yates in the negative. A committee was forthwith appointed to consummate the purchase; an order that a certain sum for such a purpose should be set aside was passed ; on November 2Ist Hall's title to the land was reported as good and valid, the committee on purchase was authorized to draw on the Treasurer of Santa Clara county for such an amount as would be equal to the full payment of the same ; on the 22d November the committee was authorized to enter into a contract with Levi Goodrich, Architect, to furnish plans and specifications for, and to superintend the construction of a Court House, and, that in connection with the architect they at once advertise for proposals for digging the founda- tion. March 13, 1866, the issuance of bonds of the county was authorized, to the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars, in conformity with the Act entitled " An Act to authorize the issue of bonds by the County of Santa Clara to erect county buildings and confirm the purchase of the site selected therefor-Approved March 1, 1866," and the Act amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto. These bonds were issued at the rate of five hundred dollars each, payable on or before January 1, 1881, and to bear interest at the rate of twelve per cent. per annum. The building progressed with rapid strides ; in due course of time it was completed, and on December 30, 1867, the new Court House was directed to be occupied by January 1, 1868.
Thus was completed the finest Court House in California. It is of the Roman Corinthian order, situated on First street and overlooking St. James' park, whose luxuriant green lawn and profuse foliage, lends relief to the eye when tried by the overpowering glare of the noonday sun. Its founda- tion is of the utmost durability, the walls resting on a substructure of con- crete to a depth of six feet, and of a like number of feet in thickness. Ponderous brick arches support the lower floor, while all the walls are of the same material, the basement ones being four feet in thickness, and the upper twenty-one inches. Above the basement the building has two stories, and its dimensions are in frontage one hundred feet; in depth, including the portico, one hundred and forty feet; the height to the cornice is fifty-six
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145
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
feet; it is one hundred and fifteen feet to the top of the dome, the least diameter of which is seventeen, and the greatest fifty feet ; its portico, a magnificent specimen of the columnated façade showing in its fine propor- tions richness, strength and beauty, is seventy-six feet in length, the height of the columns being thirty-eight and the diameter four feet. The windows, which are of the finest French plate glass, are each surmounted with pedi- ments, those on the lower story being arched. Each window-frame is made of highly ornamented cast-iron, the whole weighing, with iron shutters, about three thousand six hundred pounds. The roof is covered with zinc. The dome finds light from eleven elliptical windows, surmounted with an iron railing forty-two inches in height, and is reached by a staircase num- bering one hundred and seventy-two steps, divided into three landings. This noble structure is divided into twenty-one rooms, two of these being designed and used as court-rooms, one fitted up for the Board of Supervisors, and the remainder apportioned to the different county officers, all being well furnished and appropriately appointed. The court-rooms are also elaborately embellished, the larger of the apartments being of noble proportions, sixty-five by forty-eight feet, and thirty-eight feet high. Through the ceiling, which is supported by fluted pilasters of the Corinthian and Ionic orders, and divided into twelve deeply sunk panels set with opaque glass, the room receives its light, while behind the forum is a recess, over which appears the legend, "JUSTITLE ET CLEMENTLE." The entire exterior of the structure is of imitation stone. The main entrance is gained by an ascent of thirteen granite steps, and here, high overhead, is what Milton describes as the " frieze with bossy sculptures graven," where stands out in bold relief the motto " JUSTITLE DEDICATA."
No sooner was this splendid building completed than an overpowering sense of magnificence seized upon the Honorable Board of Supervisors, for we find them making strenuous efforts to make their Court House the habi- tat of the State Legislature, the removal of which from Sacramento to some more central position was being then seriously canvassed, and what more natural than that the first capital of the State should try to regain its lost honors! On February 4, 1868 appears the following :-
" Resolved, That in the event of the General Assembly of the State of Cal- ifornia determining to remove the State Capital to the County of Santa Clara, the Board of Supervisors of the said County of Santa Clara for and in behalf of said county, tender to the State the free and entire use of the Court House of said county for State purposes, until such a time as a Capi- tol Building may be erected in said county, provided that said Capitol Building shall be erected within five years:" and again, on the day follow- ing the accompanying motion was carried :-
" Resolved, That the Honorable the Members of the Legislature and 10
146
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
attachés thereof, one and all, are hereby invited and solicited to visit the City of San José, and to inspect for themselves its eligibility as a seat of Government of this State, prior to any final action by them touching that subject matter; and that the hospitalities of the city and county will be cordially extended to them." The building being now completed it was thrown open to visitors on Sundays. This order was, however, rescinded June 15, 1872, after having been in operation for nearly three years.
In the Winter of 1869-70 steps were taken for the erection of a new jail, the plans for which Levi Goodrich were instructed to prepare, the amount to be within forty thousand dollars. In order to compass this undertaking the Board of Supervisors, April 12, 1870, directed that bonds be issued to the extent of eighty thousand dollars in conformity with the Act of the Legislature entitled " An Act to authorize the issurance of bonds by the County of Santa Clara for the completion of the Court House of said county and to erect a County Jail-Approved March 25, 1868," and an Act entitled " An Act to amend Section one of an Act entitled An Act to authorize the issue of bonds by the County of Santa Clara to complete the Court House of said county, and to erect a jail. Approved March 25, 1868-Passed March 4, 1870." These bonds, which were to bear interest at the rate of twelve per cent., per annum, were directed to be offered for sale, and were, June 6, 1870, awarded to M. Ehrlich of San Francisco, who pur- chased the whole eighty thousand dollars, bearing interest at ten and one- half per cent., per annum, the scrip for which was delivered June 21, 1870. September 3, 1870, certain lands for jail purposes were bought of C. W. Pomeroy for fifteen hundred dollars, and in October, 1871, property costing twelve thousand four hundred dollars was obtained from J. S. Connor, where it was contemplated to establish a County Farm, and in addition to this, May 4, 1872, the contract to build a pest-house was awarded to George Fitzgerald. In the meantime it was resolved to erect a County Infirmary and, May 4, 1875, the bid of A. J. Saph for fourteen thousand, four hundred and twenty-two dollars for building the same was accepted, and Lenzen & Gash appointed to superintend the construction.
The County Jail .- The jail building on the Court House lot, is a model of prison architecture, and a credit no less to the county than to the archi- tect and superintendent. The plan of the building is original and entirely new, being designed by the architect with special care for the comfort and security of prisoners. The main prison, one hundred and twenty by forty- two feet, and twenty-one feet high, is built on a solid concrete foundation and granite water-tables. The walls are eighteen inches thick, of brick, with four-inch iron bars running through the center, four and a half inches apart and riveted firmly together, extending around the entire building. Through the central part of this building are two rows of cells, twenty in all, which
147
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
are built in the same substantial manner as the main walls, being covered overhead by solid arches of heavy iron work and masonry. A large corridor extends completely around these rows of cells, and a commodious passage- way between them. The floor of this portion of the building is constructed as follows: First, a solid foundation of concrete, which is overlaid with large stones or boulders, filled with hydraulic cement to a level, which is finished over with a heavy coat of asphaltum. The roof is of solid sheet-iron, strongly anchored down to the substantial wall with massive couplings. Along the center of the roof, extending the entire length, is an ample sky- light of heavy iron sash, strongly guarded from below by a net-work of solid iron. On top of the plate of the roof is a layer of brick, finished over with asphaltum, after the manner of laying sidewalks. The keeper's apart- ment adjoins the main building on the front, and is forty-two feet square and three stories high, with ornamented fronts on the south and east. The lower floor of this portion of the building is divided into apartments for the jailer and his family, and containing also the kitchen, store-room, and fur- nace for heating the whole prison. The second and third stories are divided into large and comfortable cells designed for the keeping of prisoners pend- ing trial on minor offenses. All of the walls and partitions of this portion are built in the same massive and substantial manner as the main prison. The stairways are all of solid granite, and the floors are constructed in a manner which renders them perfectly secure. The whole prison is well lighted by ample windows and skylights, all of which are made secure by heavy iron gratings. The arrangements for the sanitary condition of the jail are admirable and in keeping with the advancing humane spirit of the age. The heating arrangements communicating with every portion of the building are admirably designed and well adjusted, while the ventilation is all that could be desired. The cells are all furnished with cast-iron sinks and water-closets that communicate with ample sewers which carry away every particle of filth that may accumulate in the prison. The hoppers or sinks are covered with tight-fitting caps, which shut off all draft of the offensive air coming from sewers. In suitable apartments are two well-arranged bath-tubs, with hot and cold water, for the use of the prisoners. The doors of the whole building are of heavy iron, and are hung in the most approved style on large wrought-iron hinges, while the locks and other fastenings are complete in every detail. The inner face of all the walls are whitewashed, which gives a cheerful aspect to the interior. The cost was about sixty thousand dollars.
Santa Clara County Infirmary .- The infirmary is located about three miles south-west from San José. The building was erected in 1875, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. Before that time the accommodations had not been adequate, consequently there was a greater mortality and more suffer- ing. Dr. A. J. Cory, A. M., M. D., the leading and controlling spirit, who
148
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
inaugurated a more humane condition, is a prominent and revered physician in this county. He was first appointed physician and surgeon of this county to and for the infirmary, April 8, 1861, till January, 1862, and held the position at various times for the period of nine years and nine months, during which time three years were in succession (appointment by the year), and six years in succession (two years each by appointment). During all that time the doctor struggled to give opinion to the tax-payers, and the result is that a beautiful structure has been erected, and everything con- ducive to the welfare of the waifs of humanity has been done, so that their sufferings may be assuaged and their pillows smoothed as they fall into the grave. Let us here give a brief description of this building and grounds in their order; the time of appointment, and for what time and salary, from 1857 to 1881, of the different physicians who were appointed.
The new building is three stories high, built after the Gothic style of architecture. It has six wards, which will accomodate sixty-five patients; gas, water and all the modern improvements are connected with the building. There are three other buildings, containing nine other wards, with the capacity to accommodate fifty patients. The number of acres of land con- nected with this institution is one hundred and fourteen.
In 1857 Dr. A. B. Caldwell (received $2.50 for each patient per day) was appointed from March, 1857, to 1859.
Dr. T. D. Johnson, from 1859 to 1860; salary, $4,000. From 1860 to 1861, Dr. T. D. Johnson ; salary, $4,500. For nine months after this term Dr. A. J. Cory (appointed). From 1862 to 1863 Drs. Johnson & Brown; salary, $750. From 1863 to 1865, Dr. A. J. Spencer; salary, $1,500 per year. From 1865 to 1866, Dr. A. J. Cory; salary, $675. From 1867 to 1868 Dr. A. J. Cory; salary, $676. From 1868 to 1870 Dr. A. J. Cory; salary, $1,200 per year. From 1870 to 1872 Dr. A. J.Cory (Physician and Superintendent) ; salary, $3,240 per year. From 1874 to 1876 Dr. A. J. Cory ; salary, $1,500 per year, From 1876 to 1878 Dr. A. Mc- Mahon; salary, $1,000 per year. From 1878 to 1880 J. B. Cox, Physician ; salary, $888 per year. From 1880 to 1882 Dr. B. Cory; salary, $1,000 per year.
In the year 1871 the old infirmary buildings were removed from the former site to two and one-half miles from San José, where the infirmary has since been located. The magnificent building has been erected since, dedicated to Sickness, Poverty, and Charity - a temple which is an honor to Santa Clara county, and is considered a model of its kind throughout the State. Hither shall seek shelter, through many generations, such as Dickens tells us of in his story in the "Seven Travelers " -- " There shall rest the pilgrim and friend, and there shall be no one to make afraid." Let us hope and trust that this monument which the genius of civilization has erected shall exist for our time, day and generation.
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LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
Before 1863 there was no location for the infirmary, and the pest-house was an eye-sore in the very City of San Jose. The infirmary then was cosmopolitan, and as such traveled from street to street. We therefore see the progress made in this one field, and admire the intellect which inspired it. In all countries and ages it has been the grand crowning act of humanity to be humane ; therefore infirmaries have been established, and in this spirit we say, so let them continue to progress in the gran I mission, then the human race will be relieved of one burden that it may suffer less. To this end the tax-payers of Santa Clara county have done their best, and shall still continue so to do. There is no more beautiful spot in the county than where these unfortunates are provided for. Long may the pilgrims enjoy the peace and comforts of the home which the people of this county has given to the unfortunate nomad.
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