USA > California > Santa Cruz County > History of Santa Cruz County, California with Biographical Sketches > Part 3
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Santa Cruz is well supplied at the present time with rail- road facilities; seven trains depart daily over the mountain route via Los Gatos to San Francisco and other places; four trains daily via Pajaro to Los Angeles, Hollister, Salinas and Monterey. Nine trains arrive daily via the mountain route from San Francisco, San Jose, Boulder Creek and other stations; four trains arrive daily from the south; a stage line competes with the Southern Pacific to Boulder Creek and the Big Basin.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
CHAPTER III.
POPULATION, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, PROGRESS AND IN- DUSTRIES OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
The population of Santa Cruz county in 1850 was 643, the majority living in and about the Mission of Santa Cruz. From Pescadero to the Pajaro river the population was limited to the owners of the several ranches, composed prin- cipally of California natives-"Hijos del pais." Previous to the grand rush to California the foreigners who had ar- rived here associated with the natives on terms of equality, were well received and treated in a hospitable manner. Soon after the rush for gold commenced and the American popula- tion increased with the settlers from the eastern states, a line of demarcation seems to have been drawn, and continued to exist between the two races. Very little social intercourse was indulged in, although in some instances marriages had taken place between some of the Spanish families and Amer- icans. For purposes of trade and traffic the Californians were considered desirable customers. "Spanish as she is spoke" was acquired by merchants and others for the purpose of the transaction of business with the natives. In elec- tion campaigns the natives were also to be counted upon, fandangoes and feasts were gotten up for their especial benefit just previous to an election and they were a voting force not to be despised. All this is changed by loss of prop- erty resulting in loss of prestige. The old dons died off and many of their descendants became scattered so that of late years, what was generally designated as the Spanish vote has not counted as much as it did in former years. There are
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
numerous other voting elements that are catered to in cam- paigns of late years, including the American vote. Popula- tion of the county did not increase very rapidly. In 1853 there was quite an exodus from the mining counties to the "cow counties," as all counties south of Sacramento were generally designated at that period. From San Francisco to San Diego there were no towns of any great size or popula- tion. San Jose was a village, the next town was San Juan Bautista; at Gilroy there was one house only. Salinas was unknown; Monterey, the ancient capital, had a number of in- habitants composed principally of the old Spanish families who dated back to the first settlement for their ancestry. San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and San Diego were not over populated at this period and were unknown quantities and were the abode of undesirable persons and a rendezvous for horse thieves and desperadoes generally.
At the Mission of Santa Cruz, as it was generally called and designated by all the old settlers for a number of years, some farming was carried on. In 1851 land now right in the heart of the city of Santa Cruz was rented for $100 per acre for raising potatoes. In 1852 several settlers started for the Pajaro valley. The rich land of that section had been found well adapted for crops of all kinds and a rush was made for that fertile region. About this time Judge Watson, who had resigned from the bench of the third district court, together with D. S. Gregory, an attorney, had secured interests from Alexander Rodriguez in the rancho Bolsa del Pajaro in which the town of Watsonville was subsequently located. The title passed by Watson and Gregory to different persons of the Bolsa del Pajaro, also to lots in the then village of Watson- ville, were, after several years of litigation, declared to be invalid. The ranch was patented to Sebastian Rodriguez, a brother of Alexander, and the titles derived from the heirs
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of Sebastian were finally settled by the supreme court of the state and declared valid, pending this litigation. In the meantime squatters were numerous and had taken posses- sion of the choicest portions of the ranch and had also squatted on other ranchos to the detriment of the owners. These squatters insisted that it was all government land, and that the grants were fraudulent. Squatters leagues were formed in different portions of the state and held posses- sion for a number of years as squatters. At the rancho Amesti a fort was erected, the squatters were determined to "hold the fort" at all hazards. The strong arm of Uncle Sam was invoked and succeeded in restoring order and quieting titles. For a number of years land titles were in an unsettled condition; the owners were in the meantime complacently permitted to pay the taxes on their lands.
Times have changed and we have changed with them. All sorts and conditions of people were to be found in the earlier days of California life. The language, habits and customs of the new comers were entirely different from those of the present period. From every state in the Union and from nearly every country of the globe, had arrived people de- sirous of bettering their conditions. The costume of the period consisted of pants held by a belt around the waist (or in some instances copying from the natives a red silk sash), together with a flannel shirt, this being about all the wearing apparel in vogue. Their speech partook of the locality in which they had formerly lived. "I want to know" and "dew tell" were heard constantly. "I vum" was another familiar expression from away down east. The Missourians if asked any question generally replied "the which" and "hit are so"; the Southerners used "thar" and "whar". It was a heterogeneous population of all tongues and creeds. One uni- versal idea prevailed among them that all the land in sight
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
was theirs, that "Uncle Sam" had bought it right out and paid for it and when the treaty of Hidalgo was mentioned, by which the United States had solemnly agreed to respect the rights of Mexican citizens in California, and should have been respected by all, it was received with derision. Judge Watson was acting as attorney for some of the squatters. I recollect an incident in relation to the matter. I was present at one time when the judge and his clients were holding a con- ference and he informed them very forcibly that they need not expect to win, that the land grants were valid and would be so declared by the Government, that several of the wit- nesses that had attested the several grants and had been present when possession was given, were still living and the grants would finally be confirmed; this kind of talk did not suit and was not the kind of advice they were looking for. These were like unto many other clients who in consulting attorneys want legal advice that agrees with their own views; if not furnished with their own ideas an attorney is con- sulted and, coinciding with the views of his clientele, is em- ployed and the client fees him. After a long trial in court the party so anxious to go to law is satisfied and perhaps has learned experience. "So mote it be." As the people who set- tled in this county in the first period brought little funds with them, but little progress was made in building up the county by material improvements.
More progress has been made in the development of the county and its several localities during the last ten years than in all the preceding ones since its organization. New style of architecture is everywhere manifest; building with brick has increased and in all parts the march of progress is up- ward and onward. New people have settled within the borders of the county bringing capital and have invested the same in substantial holdings. The principal towns, Santa Cruz and
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
Watsonville, give unmistakable evidence of growth and pros- perity, also in other towns in the county a marked interest has been awakened and they have caught the spirit of en- terprise. The redwood shacks are being replaced by neat and attractive residences. In the early part of the '70s wheat was in demand and brought good prices, farmers received good prices for their crops, money was plentiful enough to enable the producers to buy more land, this was deemed the better way of investing the surplus derived from the sale of the crops and investments in land proved very successful. Land increased in value very materially and has been on the upward tendency since that time and now commands very, high prices, especially the rich alluvial lands of the rich valleys. Mountain land years ago that was considered of little value has been and still is in demand at remunerative prices for orchards and vineyards. I. W. Taylor erected a sawmill in a cañon near the mountain road from Watson- ville to San Jose some time in 1859. Not being endowed with a great deal of capital he was compelled to give up the un- dertaking, in fact went "flat broke" and "hiked" his way over the mountains seeking other fields. Going to Nevada, he there engaged in mining, and I believe was successful. The Watsonville Mill and Lumber Company furnished em- ployment to a large number of teamsters, and a long string of teams were busy hauling lumber to the Pajaro depot after the railroad was completed to that point. After the timber was exhausted the land was sold to settlers and is at this time occupied by those who purchased and have set out fruit orchards.
During the years 1868 and 1869 the state of California, under Governor Haight's administration, issued patents to Charles Ford and Lucien Sanborn, for 640 acres, as assignees of Hinckley and Skelly; to James L. Halsted, 160 acres and
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
160 acres to L. Sanborn; to John B. Brown, 320 acres; to Sanborn, 320 acres; William Williamson, 160 acres; Alvin Sanborn, 80 acres, all timber land. Some time afterwards this was merged into the Watsonville Mill and Lumber Com- pany. This corporation did an extensive business for many years and was a strong corporation materially, and politi- cally was generally known and designated as the "sawdust gang" and was a controlling power in the politics of the county.
A great many quarter sections were squatted on in various parts of the county. The occupants in some instances ac- quired titles by preëmption; many, however, after the timber was stripped abandoned their claims and allowed the land to be sold for taxes, whereupon other parties made proof and obtained patents for the same. There is no government land in this county at the present time, except there may be some chalk-rock hills, now worth locating. The Spanish grants have been sold, divided into small portions; few of the original grantees own any portion of these large grants and the broad acres, once the pride of the Spanish race, are in the possession of the gringos.
On the Soquel ranch were saw mills, some on government land and on land granted by patent from the United States to Martina Castro. The Loma Prieta Lumber company in 1883 purchased from Carmel Fallon, widow of Thomas Fallon, a tract of land, principally in timber. This concern has done a large business and is still furnishing lumber, pickets and shingles to all portions of the state. A branch railroad line runs from Aptos to the mills of the company. This in- vestment proved a bonanza for the company. The original incorporators were John T. Porter, W. P. Dougherty, Thomas B. Bishop, Alvin Sanborn, Lucien Sanborn, Charles Ford (all dead), A. C. Bassett, J. A. Linscott and N. T. Smith.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Lumber has been a great source of revenue in this county for many years and will be for some time to come. The supply of timber is still quite extensive. There are more extensive establishments at the present time in the shape of saw and planing mills than at any time previous and giving employ- ment to a great number of persons. The total value of forest products in 1908 was $881,822, this including lumber, railroad ties, shingles, grape stakes, pickets, shakes, car stakes used in shipping apples, fuel and tan bark.
Business improved very decidedly up to 1877 and '78, when there was a very great depression. Silver was below par and hard times was the cry all over the state. In 1878 an election was called for electing delegates to meet at Sacra- mento to prepare a new constitution. It seemed to be the idea that the old constitution was out of date and not in accord with the conditions at this period. Inequalities of assess- ments, large tracts of land being assessed at a nominal sum per acre, while small holdings were assessed the limit. A general discontent was abroad in the land and nothing but a decided change of affairs would satisfy the people. In what manner the adoption of a new constitution would relieve the distress was not apparent, "anything for a change" was the cry. It had been the custom for years for the people to dis- cuss political questions and matters of public policy very freely; in the stores, saloons and on the street corners dis- cussions were frequent and at times very bitter. Of late years the people have dropped this mode of discussing public mat- ters and it is seldom that any opinions are expressed in pub- lic. The newspapers seem to have taken up the gauntlet en- tirely in this respect; the sovereign people go quietly about their business and express their views through the ballot without much demonstration. The adoption of the new con- stitution was carried in the county by a majority of 801 out
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
of a total vote of 2,553. The contest was very bitter and created a very warm feeling of antagonism for some time after the election. All the wealth and power of the corpora- tions were opposed to the adoption of the constitution; it was carried by the votes of the common people, who deemed it quite a triumph. Though their hopes and expectations were not realized, and the mortgages still remained unpaid and no immediate change in the condition of affairs was mani- fest, still the people at large claimed a victory. The dreadful evils predicted in the adoption of the present constitution did not materialize; it was predicted that "The tax on actual money will be so onerous that no business can be carried on in the manner now in vogue." "Business will have a long Sunday of rest should the constitution be adopted," "It calls for changes so great and untried that it is revolutionary and dangerous;"-"The liberty of the citizen is imperiled," "A straight jacket for the state." The above are excerpts from some of the newspapers of the day. It is hardly necessary to state that the evils predicted have not come to pass; in- terest is not as high now as formerly; whatever evils have come to pass and are complained of at the present day are not by reason of the adoption of the present constitution. It did not affect the old order of things or raise any great dis- turbance of business interests. At the present time no one seems to know or care what kind of a constitution is in force. The people seem to be abundantly able to take care of their own welfare and always will in spite of the political dia- tribes. In 1894 there was an election for governor and for. state and county officers. Governor James Budd, Democrat, was elected. In this county the election was hotly contested for county officers; the calamity howlers were abroad in the land and left no stone unturned to gain their ends. They were defeated after a very exciting campaign. Since that
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
time the elections have been generally very quiet, without any great excitement. The county and its several subdivisions have gone ahead substantially; a great number of people with means have settled within the borders of the fertile por- tions of the state and have contributed very materially to its wealth and progress. The population of Santa Cruz county on the census taken in 1900 was 19,270 and in 1910 was 26,140, an increase of 6,870.
Santa Cruz county fronts its entire length on the Pacific Ocean. It lies midway between Oregon and Lower California, and is in the heart of Central California. It is separated from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties by the Santa Cruz mountains, and from Monterey county by the Pajaro river. It is one of the smallest counties, and comprises a narrow strip of mountainous land about forty miles long and eighteen miles broad, forming a vast amphitheater, and slop- ing from the summits of the Santa Cruz range, whose high- est elevation, Loma Prieta, is 4,000 feet, southward and west- ward to the bay of Monterey.
The curving line of shore and the corresponding curve of the mountain line inclose an irregular, crescent-shaped tract of country, with an average width of twenty miles, which for grandeur, beauty, and variety of scenery equals any expanse of similar size in the world. The sides of the mountains are closely set with forests of pine, redwood, madrone, and other trees, the redwoods having, in many cases, attained gigantic growth.
A number of streams rise in these hills, and bring down the rich alluvial loam into the valleys, which, in their normal condition, teem with native grasses and flowers, and when cultivated yield phenomenal results. These streams are, agriculturally as well as topographically, an important fea- ture, watering as they do every section of land. Besides
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
these, natural springs are innumerable. Nearing the coast, there are many interesting topographical features. The leagues of wide, high, wind-swept grassy plateaus, which form remarkable grazing and dairy lands; the succession of chalk terraces; the broad amphitheatrical valley of the Pajaro; the salt lagunas, picturesque in configuration and surrounded by park-like groves of live oaks; the high sandstone cliffs along the shore; the magnificent ocean drives-all are materials for pleasant investigation.
Along the coast line, a series of raised benches forms a strip of elevated land. This widens to the south of the city. of Santa Cruz, and affords a large area of fruitful soil, which has been brought into a high state of cultivation. From Santa Cruz south the soil consists of light loam, abounding in lime, potash, and phosphoric acid.
In the Pajaro valley there is a great variety from the rich sedimentary alluvial wash to the light, sandy soil of the foot- hills. In the lower part of the valley a clayey loam predomi- nates. This is followed by a heavy adobe higher up, and then the dark, reddish loam of the plains, the latter being the favorite with fruit growers, for it is here that flourish the best orchards. The average annual rainfall, taken from a record of thirty-four consecutive years, is 25.26 inches, showing that this is a well watered district.
The charm of Santa Cruz is her infinite variety. In lum- ber products she ranks third in the state. Her butter, cheese and cream might well win her a place in the dairy districts. Hay, grain, potatoes, and the whole range of cereals and vegetables give enormous yields. In the Department of Ag- riculture at Washington, D. C., there is a record of 130 bushels of wheat per acre raised in the Pajaro valley, and while she does not claim to wear the "citrus belt," yet oranges are raised for home consumption, and the cultiva-
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
tion of the lemon is a profitable business; but her deciduous fruits, large and small, her table and wine grapes, and her fine wines, are winning renown. From the summit of the range, more than 2,000 feet above the sea, down to the wide and fruitful valleys along the coast, grow and flourish de- licious fruits. Prunes, pears, apricots, peaches, cherries, Japanese and native plums, figs, walnuts, persimmons, olives, and nectarines thrive, but the crop of the largest profit is that of apples, their quality and size being astonishing and their yield as much so. From bellflowers in September to Newtown pippins in December the supply is steady. The extent of the apple industry is shown by these statistics, and each year finds a large increase in the crop. During the harvesting of the crop in the Pajaro valley, this industry gives employ- ment to 2,391 males and 698 females, drawing a daily wage of $6,308.09 and a monthly pay roll of $198,242.70. The average number of boxes delivered to the packing houses per day totals 57,872 and a total weight of 2,314,880 pounds. Horses used in hauling these number 3,193.
The actual shipment of apples this season was 4,000 cars, shipments being made to Europe and other parts of the world. Independent of these shipments were apples used at the dryers, vinegar factories, canneries, and for home con- sumption.
This year during the month of October there was held in the city of Watsonville an "Apple Annual" or "show" given over entirely to the apple industry. As its name implies, it is intended to make this show an annual affair.
The fish hatchery at Brookdale and at Scott's Creek Sta- tion have produced during the past year silver salmon, steel- head, and rainbow eggs amounting to 2,509,000. There were shipped to the United States Bureau of Fisheries and State Commission 68,000 steelhead eggs.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Many acres have been set out in the last few months to eucalyptus trees, and many more are to be set out during the coming year.
Of the small fruits, the strawberry is the most widely grown and furnishes a practically continuous crop.
In the southern part of the county a large acreage is de- voted to the profitable growth of sugar beets, potatoes, beans and onions, and the yield is enormous. Market gardening is profitable.
A great deal of asparagus and rhubarb are grown for out- side markets.
Seeds, bulbs, plants, and cut flowers contribute largely to the supply for metropolitan markets.
Dairying is a profitable industry, and thousands of acres of grazing land support well-selected herds of stock.
Poultry raising is a profitable business, the climate and conditions being well adapted for such industry.
Considerable capital is invested in the deep sea fisheries. The fish hatchery at Brookfield, on Clear Lake, has upward of 2,000,000 trout and salmon fry.
During the fall and winter months 5,000 or 6,000 salmon eggs will be hatched and the fry liberated in the bay. Steel- head and rainbow trout abound in all the thirty odd streams.
The forest covered mountains are a retreat for quail and deer, and the many lagoons and the four beautiful lakes in the Pajaro Valley in fall and winter are feeding places for all varieties of wild ducks.
At Santa Cruz the tent city, pavilion, casino and baths, representing an expenditure of $750,000, were opened two years ago, and this beautiful summer resort had practically the greatest concourse of pleasure seekers on the coast. It is estimated 100,000 people from San Francisco and interior visited our shores during the summer.
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Capitola, four miles east of Santa Cruz, can be reached by both steam and electric railroad. This is another beautiful summer resort.
There are two Carnegie libraries in the county well stocked with the latest works. The public schools throughout the county are of a high standard, as are also the private schools and colleges. The many fine churches represent the leading denominations. There are many fraternal societies, and a large number of them hold meetings in fine lodge rooms in buildings of their own. There are fine banks in the county- all sound banking institutions.
The supervisors have done and are doing good work in road building, and the most mountainous places can now be reached by easy grades.
Many industries have developed to the profit producing point. The Santa Cruz Portland cement plant, located twelve miles north of the city of Santa Cruz, represents an expendi- ture of $5,000,000, and has the largest capacity for the manu- facture of cement of any similar institution of its kind. The power works, tannery, paper mill, soap and glue factory, plan- ing and sawmills, lime kilns and the bitumen industry, are all in active operation, and the general air of thrift and pros- perity is apparent. The output of lumber has been large for a great many years, but great tracts of forest still remain. Many of the trees are of ancient growth, and it is not un- common to see 35,000 feet of clear lumber cut from a single tree.
Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Boulder Creek, Soquel, Aptos, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, Felton, Capitola, Davenport, and Glenwood are the principal towns.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
CHAPTER IV.
THE FIRST COURT HOUSE.
The first court house of Santa Cruz county was located on the east side of what is now known as Emmet street in the upper Plaza. It was a frame building with a stairway on the outside. The building and lot were conveyed to the county by Thomas Fallon, who built it for a residence and used a portion of it for his business, making saddle trees and leather paraphernalia, for saddles were much in use in early days. Judge John H. Watson was the first judge, Peter Tracey first county clerk, Francisco Alzino the first sheriff. Watson resigned and was succeeded by C. P. Hester. When Hester's term expired Samuel Bell McKee was elected his successor. David Belden was the last judge of the old dis- trict court. In the superior court created by the new constitu- tion, J. H. Logan was the first judge, succeeded by F. J. Mc- Cann, who died in office. Judge Logan was appointed to fill the unexpired term of McCann. Lucas F. Smith succeeded Logan and is now the judge of the supreme court, elected in 1898 and subsequently re-elected. J. H. Skirm is at present practicing, the only one alive of the old school of lawyers. C. B. Younger (deceased) practiced in the district a num- ber of years, and Julius Lee, who also practiced many years, is also deceased, having passed away in 1910. It is claimed that Judge Hester was defeated on the ground that certain lawyers had a "pull" with him, and that he always decided their cases their way. This has been charged against almost every judge.
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