History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 28

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 28

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"We are exceptionally favored," was the re- ply. "in having an organization allied with the packers which controls more than eighty per-

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

cent of the prune and apricot output of the entire state. It is called 'The California Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc.' It came into ex- istence in 1916 and its growth has been such that it now owns forty packing houses, has alliances with many packers and costly ex- tensions and improvements have been mapped out for the near future. By the rules which govern its conduct it is able to prevent troublesome fluctuations and the expensive in- terventions of middlemen and bring security and good prices to the orchardists. It is a combine in which the interests of producer, buyer and consumer are equitably adjusted."

"That's good. I like that. And now another question. What are fruit lands in the vicinity of San Jose worth?"

"On account of the large profits, prices have gone up during the past ten years. Suitable lands with bearing trees sell all the way from $800 to $1500 per acre. On some of these lands, planted to prunes and apricots, the profits per acre, in 1919, ranged from $500 to $1,000. So you see the prices are not high when profits are considered. As an instance of money I will cite one case. A San Franciscan in the spring of 1919 bought a twenty-acre bearing prune orchard for $30,000. The fall of that year brought him a profit of $15,000 on his fruit. So you see half the value of his prop- erty was paid for in one year."

The man from the East looked at his watch. "I find I have yet more than an hour at my disposal." he said.

"Then I will talk rapidly," replied the old resident, "though I could put in a week and not exhaust the subject.

"The soil in and about San Jose offers the prime requisites for the raising of all kinds of vegetables and small berries. This with a climate equally suited, a ready market in San Jose and a still larger one in San Francisco, makes the business of production a most prof- itable one and gives employment to a large number of people. The seed output will more than double the amount of other garden prod- ucts. One of the seed farms located near San Jose is the largest in the world. In the future another soil industry may be added-flax cul- ture. Statisties show that it is very profitable and in the opinion of experts the climate and soil of the valley ineet every requirement.

"While San Jose is noted as a horticultural center its industries along the line of manu- factures are not unimportant. There are many lumbering manufactories in the city and vicinity. There are flour mills, iron and brass foundries, tanneries, carriage factories, mar- ble works, cigar factories-but stay, it is bet- ter to give you a list prepared by the Chamber of Commerce, so you see what San Jose can

boast of: Acme Sheet Metal Manufactory. Anderson-Barngrover Mfg. Co., manufactures fruit and canning machinery ; T. D. Anderson, awning and tent makers; Banks Corporation, manufactures Banks' Evaporator ; Bean Spray Pump Co., manufactures pumps, gas and trac- tion engines; Beech Nut Co., jams and pre- serves ; E. Benone, Ravioli and Noodle Mfg. Co .; Harry Bobbitt, California Wall Paper Mills ; Braslan Seed Growers Co .; Burns Mat- tress Co .; Byron Jackson Iron Works, cen- trifugal and turbine pumps ; California Seed Growers' Association : Campbell & Budlong Machine Works, pumps and engines: Chase Lumber Co .; Christian Mfg. Co., harvester teeth ; Cowell Lime and Cement Co .; Delmas Paper Co .; Eagle Body Mfg. Co., auto body builders and repairers; Farmers' Grain and Poultry Supply Co .; Finnett-McEwen Co., tractors ; Fisk Rubber Co .; Garden City Glass Co .; Garden City Pottery ; Garden City Rub- ber Works; Garden City Implement and Ve- hicle Co .; Glenwood Lumber Co .; James Graham Mfg. Co., stoves and ranges; Hart's Auto Signal Tail Light Co. ; Hubbard & Car- michael, lumber and mill work; Kimberlin Seed Co .; Knapp Plow Works; San Jose Bot- tling Co .; San Jose Wire Strapping Co .; Moenning & Harvard, pumps and engines ; Mussos Outing & Equipment Co. ; Pacific Gas & Electric Co. ; Pacific Mfg. Co. ; Pacific Shin- gle and Box Co .; Peterson-Kartschoke Brick Co .; Pioneer Rubber Co .; National Axle Mfg. Co .; San Jose Broom Factory ; San Jose Flour Co. ; San Jose Marble & Granite Works ; San Jose Foundry ; San Jose Lumber Yard ; San Jose Paper Mills; Ravenna Paste Co .; Schuh & Vertin, granite and marble works ; Security Cold Storage Co .; Sperry Flour Co .: Vacuum System Oil Refining Co .: San Jose Implement Co. ; Marvel Compound Co., boiler, gas engine and radiator compounds; Litch Pump & Supply Company, Smith Manufac- turing Company, and several others. Besides these four Building and Loan Associations, eighteen dairies and creameries, eight whole- sale flour and grain houses, nineteen butcher shops, over one hundred grocers, five sani- tariums and hospitals, a telephone company with over 14,000 subscribers, and other lines of business. One drawback to the proper de- velopment of manufacturing industries was the lack of cheap fuel, but a factor of the greatest importance was furnished in 1901 when the Standard Electrical . Power Com- pany, with plant at Blue Lakes, put up poles and wires in Santa Clara County and fur- nished 15,000 horsepower for every purpose for which it could be used."

"Tell me more about San Jose, itself. I want the details."

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"San Jose," said the old resident, with glis- tening eyes, "is the garden spot of California, the Queen City of the Pacific Coast. It is beautifully situated in the center of the val- ley, surrounded by the richest fruit growing section in the world, and having within its boundaries all the elements conducive to a happy existence. I have told you of the cli- mate, you know something respecting the re- sources of the contiguous territory, and you will therefore understand that trade must nat- urally gravitate to the city by reason of its location with outlying' sections. The con- stancy and certainty of trade enables the farmers and orchardists to pay cash for sup- plies and in turn insures the prosperity of the merchants. But the fruit industry and the manufacturing concerns form but two factors in promoting commercial healthfulness. Hun- dreds of thousands of dollars flow in annually from the educational and other public institu- tions situated in San Jose and its near vicinity.

"It is one of the most beautiful residence cities in the state on account of its charming situation, unrivaled climate, beautiful land- scape, educational facilities, accessibility to the great metropolis of the coast, and to the intelligence, refinement and enterprise of its people. It is connected with San Francisco with three lines of steam railroads, one line, a transcontinental one, running from San Fran- cisco and San Jose along the coast to Los An- geles and thence East. There are also elec- tric lines running to Palo Alto on the north, Los Altos, Cupertino and Saratoga on the west and Los Gatos and Campbell on the south. In the near future the electric cars will convey passengers from San Jose to San Fran- cisco. A new transcontinental line, started in 1917 and finished in 1922, is the Western Pa- cific. A branch line was built from Niles."

"How about auto stages? Do you have them ?

"Of course," replied the old resident, se- renely, "for we're up to date in San Jose. There are hourly auto stages to San Fran- cisco, Oakland, Stockton, Sacramento, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Saratoga and other points. In fact you can get an auto to take you any- where in the state. And talking about autos- I will inform you that San Jose is the pride of the automobilists of California. for it has more roads, better roads, more beautiful spots - valley or mountain - more orchard aventies than any other section of the state. The state highway runs through San Jose with branches to Santa Cruz, Gilroy and other towns in the county. Besides there are hun- dreds of miles of paved roads paid for by the board of supervisors acting for the county."

The man from the East made a movement in the direction of his watch pocket, but it was not completed. Some restraining influ- ence was at work. Presently he said: "You speak of educational facilities. A city or town may have climate to burn, the scenic beauties that poets rave about, but unless it possesses a full measure of the best of civilizing influ- ences it fails of being the 'one and altogether lovely spot' to me."

The old resident listened complacently. "} think I can satisfy you." he replied, "for one of the strongest appeals that San Jose makes to the seekers of homes is that it is the center of the finest system of education to be found on the Pacific Coast. In the city itself are the public schools from primary to high, and many academies and private schools. The high school building, or buildings, for there are many of them, cover acres of ground, and with the improvements mapped out for this year-athletic grounds, new structures and an increased equipment-makes the cost upwards of one million dollars. The school has the highest university rating and the course of study embraces almost every department of culture from the rudiments of learning up to the arts, sciences and classics. The grammar schools, nine in number, are comparatively new, are built in the mission form with spa- cious grounds, up-to-date sanitary conditions and all the appliances of first-class metropoli- tan institutions. And there are in the city com- mercial schools, church schools, and schools of painting, industrial arts and metaphysics. In San Jose is located the State Teachers' College, with an efficient corps of instruct- ors for the education of teachers ; the College of Notre Dame, one of the leading Catholic institutions of learning and morals in the United States, devoted particularly to the training of young girls ; and the St. Joseph's school for boys. Two miles from the heart of the city at College Park is the College of the Pacific, the leading Methodist College of the Pacific Coast, with a Conservatory of Music attached ; at Santa Clara, three miles distant, is the University of Santa Clara, founded by the Fathers of the Society of Jesus and hav- ing commercial, law, scientific and classical courses, and with a reputation that extends to every part of the United States. Palo Alto, nineteen miles distant, about half an hour's ride from San Jose, boasts of the Leland Stan- ford Jr. University. It is designed in this university to represent the crown and out- come of the new education, specialized, how- ever, on the highest planes in utilitarian di- rections. This university is really an asset of San Jose and as such ł speak of it.

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"It might be well for you to know that San Jose is a city of churches, every denomination of importance being represented. The cost of the buildings, which in their ornateness add much to the beauty of the city, range from $5,000 to $200.000. In the line of charitable institutions there is the sanitarium built by the donation of the late Judge M. P. O'Con- nor and conducted by the Sisters of Charity ; the Pratt Home for old ladies, the Sheltering Arms, and the Orphans' Home, conducted by the Ladies' Benevolent Society. Besides there are many other organizations, like the Good Cheer Club and the Elks which care for the sick and distressed."

"How about public buildings?" asked the Easterner. "Do they match the other things you have been talking about?"

"They do and they present much that is architecturally beautiful and substantial. The Court House, Hall of Records, Hall of Justice, City Hall and Postoffice cost one million and a half dollars in the aggregate, and each struc- ture is massive and imposing. The Carnegie Library, built by a donation from Andrew Carnegie, is a handsome structure, located in one corner of Normal Square, and answers the public needs. The business houses of San Jose are large, well built and attractive struc- tures. There are two skyscrapers-the First National Bank building, nine stories, and the Garden City Bank and Trust Company build- ing, seven stories. The residences, as a rule, are in the bungalow style, costing from $2,000 to $75,000. Some of the suburban residences are veritable palaces and they stand as mon- uments of art and beauty in the midst of lux- uriant gardens and thrifty orchards. Speak- ing of gardens, San Jose has well been called the Garden City of California. Flowers grow so easily and abundantly that every residence has its flower garden and every month in the year some varieties are in bloom. There is no snow and the frosts are so light that only the most delicate plants are affected. There is no time in the winter when the ground may not be worked, so that under what are semi-tropical conditions the growth of flowers has every- thing in its favor. The facility with which the flowers are grown add much to the beauty of the public parks, of which there are four, ranging in size from three to thirty acres.

"Are there any health resorts in the neigh- borhood of San Jose, any drives or-"

"Enough to beat the band," was the expres- sive response. "The city owns a natural park known as Alum Rock, which is one of the most picturesque and inviting spots in the state. It is but seven miles distant, covers an. area of about 1,000 aeres, is under control of the city government, and is reached by three fine

driveways and an electric railway. There are bath houses, plunges, a restaurant, swimming tank, esplanade, a concrete dam for the water supply, beautiful park-like enclosures for flow- ers, and lovely walks in every direction. The fame of the mineral waters has spread far and wide. There are other mineral springs not far from San Jose, and the fact that they are located far above the sea level and with most attractive natural surroundings make them sought after by both the invalid and the tour- ist. The roads about San Jose are among the best in the state, for the reason that they are not only kept in first class condition the year round but are sprinkled continuously from the end of one wet season to the beginning of an- other. This work is done under an energetic and up-to-date board of supervisors.

"While there are charming drives through the orchard districts, to the quicksilver mines at New Almaden, to Los Gatos and Saratoga in the western foothills, to the Big Basin, the great redwood park in the Santa Cruz Moun- tains ; to Alviso and Milpitas near San Fran- cisco Bay, along the far-famed Alameda to the town of Santa Clara and in other directions where the natural prospect is inviting to the eye, the one most favored by tourists is the drive to the Lick Observatory on the summit of Mt. Hamilton.'

"I have heard of the Observatory," inter- posed the man from the East, "but I never connected San Jose with it."

"It is San Jose's greatest auxiliary attrac- tion, though the Big Basin is running as a close second. The road that leads to the Ob- servatory is twenty-seven miles from San Jose and was built at the expense of the taxpayers. It is conceded to be the finest mountain road in the world and cost upwards of $75,000. It was upon the condition that Santa Clara County should build the road that James Lick, millionaire philanthropist, agreed to construct the Observatory and equip it with the finest astronomical appliances in the world. The important discoveries that have been made since the astronomers began their work have given the Observatory a world-wide fame. The beautiful scenery of the Coast Range is seen at its best on the road to the summit, and the drive up the. mountain is as much an at- traction as a look at the heavens through the great thirty-six inch glass."

"If tourists should visit San Jose for a trip to the Observatory what accommoda- tions would they find?"

"As good as can be found anywhere. There are twenty-seven hotels, besides dozens of lodging houses. The finest hotels, metropoli- tan in every respect, with electric lights, heat- ing plants, elevators and the finest of service

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are the Vendome, Hotel Montgomery and Hotel St. James.'

"You have spoken about the climate, scenic and other attractions, Have you a system of sewerage, and how does it operate?"

"San Jose has a system, a perfect one, and it operates to the satisfaction of the entire community, The city, you must understand, is located on a plain which slopes gently toward the bay. The problem of drainage, therefore, which has in sections less favor- ably situated involved great expense, was in San Jose easily solved. The fall is about ten feet to the mile, enough to insure a rapid flow of water and there are now over sixty miles of main and branch sewers. The principal drainway is built of brick and is five feet in diameter."

"Where do you get your water supply ?"

"From artesian wells and from the lakes and streams situated high up in the moun- tains. The supply is ample and can be in- creased whenever occasion demands. The pressure to the hydrants from the water brought in pipes from the hills is fifty-five pounds to the square inch."

"How about taxes?"

"Not high. Up to May, 1920, the city rate was $1.19. Of this eighty-five cents was for the support of the city government, fifteen cents for the school department, and nineteen cents for the payment of principal and interest on bonded indebtedness of $659,400. In May, 1920, at the regular city election, it was voted to increase the tax rate to thirty-five cents, the increase to last for three years only, to give the city a chance to recover from the loss of liquor licenses due to the wiping out of the saloons through Prohibition.

"In conclusion," sadi the old resident, "I will say that we are working under a com- mission form of government, with a city man- ager as its principal officer ; that we have a Chamber of Commerce, a live, progressive body of representative men ; a Merchants As- sociation, the Rotary, Lions, Civic Welfare, a Commercial Club, a Progressive Business Men's Association, One Hundred Per Cent Club and the Commercial Club for placing San Jose in large letters on the map; that the streets of San Jose are lighted by electricity ; that car lines operated by electricity traverse the city in every direction and extend to out- lying towns; that fifty-nine railway trains leave the city daily; that the city has two daily newspapers, the Mercury (morning) and the News (evening) furnishing the news of the world by Associated Press and United Press dispatches ; that all trades and profes- sions are represented-there are forty-five dentists, seventy-seven physicians and eighty 11

lawyers, and that there are over 100 auto sales- rooms, garages and service stations ; that over 12,000 automobiles are owned in San Jose and at least half that number by residents of out- side districts; that there are fraternal orders galore besides clubs for men and clubs for women, the latter for social culture, educa- tional and literary advancement, and in the in- terest of morality ; that there are six banks, an efficient police force and fire department, a public library, fine, costly buildings for the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., Protestant, and the Y. M. I., Catholic ; a Humane Society, Medical Society, Pioneers Society, six thea- ters (three of them motion picture houses), many concert and lecture halls, a system of rural delivery that reaches every part of the county, thus insuring a daily delivery of mail by carriers; that the total valuation of all property in the city amounts to $26,234,600; that the population within the legal bounda- ries is over 40,000 and that it would be at least 65,000 if the suburban districts, really a part of the city so far as social and business interests are concerned, were admitted as a part of it.

"Are you through?" "Nearly. Have you any questions to ask?" "You seem to have about everything worth having down your way, but I think San Jose will be found lack- ing in one respect."

The man from the East paused and with a look which said, "I've got you, now," waited for the old resident to speak.

"If we haven't got it, it isn't worth having." "I do not agree with you. I like relaxation. 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' I require outdoor exercise with some nice ozone thrown in to give me a healthy color and take the kinks out of my muscles.

"Ah, I see. You want a baseball or a cy- clers' club. We have both in San Jose. We have the automobile as well and as for hunt- ing and fishing, no county in the interior of the state offers better inducements."

"They are all right, but you haven't got what I want and that's a golf club."

The old resident's face fairly beamed : "Haven't got a golf club? Why. man alive, we've got the best golf club in Central Cali- fornia."

"You can't mean it."

"I do. It was organized about twenty years ago, has as fine links as any one could wish, with an ornate club house, replete with every up-to-date convenience and costing about $20,000. The links are located on rising ground at the foot of the eastern hills about four miles from the city. A prettier location could not be found. The club house has an outlook that takes in the whole valley. It goes

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without saying that the club is composed of men and women who represent the best in society and business."

"What are your prospects for the future?" "They are very bright. Money is easily obtainable and in a business way San Jose is prosperous. Its various resources and utili- ties combine to make it so. The Chamber of Commerce is doing wonders in the way of promoting business activity, fostering im- provements and paving the way for all enter- prises looking to the city's advancement along the best lines. Seven miles north of San Jose is the port of Alviso, situated on a slough which empties into San Francisco Bay. Be- fore the European war the city bought a strip of land extending along the Alviso road to Alviso and more land suitable for the estab-

lishing of a real port of entry for vessels. It was the intention, through Government aid, to dredge the slough, make it passable for transportation craft and thus provide San Jose with water as well as railway transporta- tion for her products. The war stopped the project, but Sunnyvale, nine miles from San Jose, has taken it up and a port, near the San Jose line, will soon be in operation. So you see that in 1922 the City of San Jose offers a fine field for the investment of money."

"Soil, climate, production, opportunity, Eh?" "Yes."

The man from the East now looked at his watch. "The Los Angeles train has gone," he said. "Well?" "There's the train for San Jose. I'll take it."

CHAPTER XVI.

Additional Events in the History of San Jose-The Advent of Street Cars and Other Metropolitan Advantages-The Crimes of the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties-A New Form of Government.

An act to incorporate the city of San Jose was passed by the Legislature, March 27. 1850, by which it was directed that the city government should consist of a mayor and seven councilmen, who were designated a "body politic and corporate" under the name of "The Mayor and Common Council." This name was retained until the city adopted the commission form of government in 1916. The first city tax was levied July 11, 1850, and was for one per cent on the assessed value of all property. The first council voted themselves pay at the rate of six dollars per day. This ordinance was repealed in December of the same year, on motion of Dr. Ben Cory. The first order looking to the improvement of the streets was made on December 2, 1850, which provided for sidewalks in the business part of the city. The income of the city for its first year of incorporation was $37,359.30; expendi- tures, $37,106.04. The expenses included a debt of $7,500 handed down from the Ayuntia- mento of 1849. The city was divided into four wards in April, 1853, and a fire warden ap- pointed for each ward. An appropriation of $2,000 for fire apparatus was also made.

In 1855 the office of captain of police was created and the same year the mayor and council held session in the new city hall on Market Street, north of Santa Clara Street. In 1866, by act of the Legislature, the city funded its floating debt by the issuance of bonds.

which were paid for in 1865, thus leaving the city out of debt.

A new charter was adopted in 1857. Under the new system the government of the city was vested in five trustees, a treasurer, a clerk and assessor, and a collector.

In 1853 gambling was licensed, $500 for each table.

The Democratic party in San Jose was or- ganized in 1853. Dr. A. J. Spencer was presi- dent, John M. Murphy and Samuel Morrison, secretaries. In 1854 the first convention was held at the office of the mayor, chairman, Thomas J. West ; secretary, P. K. Woodside.

The Whig party was organized in 1853 and on July 1, a convention was held with Cole- man Younger, chairman, and Frederic Hall, secretary.

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History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 28

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846- Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1928

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928