USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 31
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In addition to the trade carried on by the extensive operations of the dai- ries; the shipment of live stock of all the various kinds, and the productions of fruits, vegetables, and cereals, there has been a great quantity of cord- wood cut in the vicinity of the town, which has formed an important source of wealth. Butter, cheese, eggs, potatoes, barley, wheat, and wood, make up the substantial and unfailing currency of Sonoma county, and Petaluma has been built up as the most accessible depot from whence the necessary ship- ments of these valuable articles of trade can be easily made, by steam or sailing vessels, to the different markets of the State.
The population of this town and immediate neighborhood, have all the elements of future prosperity-a people moral, industrious and frugal, a delightful and healthy climate, invigorating to the laborer-a fertile soil which yields rich returns both to the grazier, by its voluntary crops of grasses, and to the agriculturist by fully rewarding him for the labor bestowed upon its cultivation. The wealth of the town depends on the prosperity of the farmners. It is the center of a large and rich agricultural district.
Within a few months past a number of fireproof, brick and stone buildings, have been erected here. There are about twenty stores, and several com- inodious hotels on Main street; which street lies nearest to the creek. Churches and school-houses have been erected sufficient to meet the wants of the increasing population. Different charitable associations have been fully organized here, and appear to be in a flourishing condition. The hall recently finished for the Odd-Fellows, is a beautiful structure, built of brick with an imposing front of cut stone.
On November 24, 1855, one of those heart-rending calamities, for which
Food
John Rule
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California had then become noted, occurred at Petaluma. At about five minutes past ten in the morning, while the steamer "Georgina " was lying at her wharf, shipping freight and passengers, her boiler exploded, with a terrific crack, doing a fearful work of death and destruction. The force of the explosion was such as to completely demolish the top work of the boat and to carry the boiler-which was shot directly through the cabin and out astern-a distance of about three hundred feet, striking considerably beyond the landing used by the "Kate Hayes," which had, by the merest luck, hauled farther up the creek, to take on freight. Of the wounded only one belonged to Sonoma county, viz: George Funk, proprietor of the Oak Grove House, about four miles from the city, on the Bodega road. November 28th was noted for the establishment of the Petaluma Library Association, and its inauguration with a lecture, by the Rev. A. A. Baker, on the subject of "The Lyceum, and its relation to Education and to Practical Life," this being followed by a course of three lectures, delivered by Doctor Galland, “ On Boreal Observations and Phenomena." As a criterion of what the increase of population was in this year, we note that the vote of the city was four hundred and eighty-one, while the number of children in the township, between the ages of four and eighteen years of age, was two hundred and eighty-four. Of this number there were attending school in the Liberty district thirty-three; Iowa district, sixty-one; Walker district, forty-three, and Petaluma district one hundred and forty-seven. The number of boys was one hundred and fifty-two, distributed as follows : Liberty district, sixteen; Iowa districtt, thirty-two; Walker district, twenty-four; Petaluma district, eighty; while the number of girls was one hundred and thirty-two, appor- tioned thus: Liberty district, seventeen ; Iowa district, twenty-nine; Walker district, nineteen, and Petaluma district, sixty-seven. This prosperous year was brought to a close with a most severe spell of cold weather, there being ice to the extent of half an inch in thickness in the early morning, while in some portions of the State, notably in Sacramento, snow fell to a considerable depth.
On the second day of the new year the dread visitant, fire, which had hith- erto steered clear of our fair city, consumed the residence of James Hosmer, situated on Washington street. As is almost always the case, it requires some dire calamity to make apparent existing danger. Consequent on this confla- gration, energetic measures were at once taken to form a Fire Company, a want which had been long felt and urged. The public spirit thus early evinced, has developed into a department amply able to cope with any duties which it may be called upon to perform, while as one of the sinews of the city it is a credit to the corporation and citizens. At this period was also permanently organized a military company, under the name of the " Peta- luma Guards," having for its officers the following named gentlemen : Cap- tain, P. B. Hewlett; First Lieutenant, J. H. Siddons; Second Lieutenant,
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Francis Bray; Brevet Lieutenant, Thomas F. Baylis ; First Sergeant, F. J. Benjamin; Second, W. H. Jose; Third, G. B. Mathers; Fourth, Warren G. Gibbs; First Corporal, O. T. Baldwin ; Second, J. K. Cramer; Third, B. F. Cooper ; Fourth, Samuel Brown. The company mustered some forty or fifty, rank and file, and in addition to their military duties proposed to serve as firemen, when provided with the necessary paraphernalia.
A change had now come to the growing place whose history we record. She became ambitious to be invested with civic honors. To this end, corres- pondents mooted the question in the public prints, while leaders appeared in the columns of the newspapers advocating the incorporation of Petaluma as a city, or, at least, a town. It was advocated that she was already one of some importance, without a doubt of its continued increase. In order to make it a desirable place of residence the streets should be graded to a uni- form width, sidewalks put in order, the town cleared of nuisances, and prop- erty protected from accidents by fire, arising from carelessness in the fixtures connected with stove pipes and fire-places. A town hall was felt to be much needed, in which to hold elections and lectures, as well as for the use of the the military, and various other purposes. It was argued by some that a cor- poration is too expensive a luxury, while others urged that, by having a char- ter, with proper restrictions and constructions, the government of the town and its general appearance would be much enhanced. How the boon was finally obtained will appear in the progress of this record. On April 26, 1856, the interest of Mr. Thompson ceased in the Petaluma Journal, Henry L. Weston becoming its editor and proprietor, who made his bow to the public in the following well-chosen sentences: "In making our appearance before the readers of the Journal and the public in the capacity of a public journalist we deeply feel our need of their sympathy as well as patronage. To us it is, in a measure, a new position, and we feel that should it be our good fortune to merit and receive the commendation of the public, that we are rather of that class upon whom honors are thrust, than otherwise. At its commence- ment the Journal was started as an independent paper, rather than as a political organ, and up to this time it has maintained its neutrality. Such we propose it shall ever remain, if such a course be possible in a community like ours. With polities we have little to do; and with its tricks and turns, nothing; neither do we intend to, unless forced into the arena by stern neces- sity. It is our aim and purpose, on the contrary, to make the Journal emphatically a family paper-one that shall ever prove a welcome visitor to the family circle of each and every settler in this and adjoining counties. While, therefore, our aim will ever be to avoid a publie preference for either of the political parties of the day, our neutrality shall never prevent a free and fearless expression of our views upon whatever acts may be perpetrated or measures proposed by them which may trespass upon the rights and interests of the people. That it may never be our duty to take more than
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a casual glance at any of their acts is our earnest .: desire. If, however, occasion should occur, let not the opposite party hope to find in us an ally, unless theirs be a right against wrong-liberalism against bigotry and fanaticism. And while we claim for ourself this privilege, we freely accord equal latitude to all, and to this end will ever open our columns to the discus- sion of all matters and questions of interest which may from time to time pre- sent themselves, provided the writers do not wish to occupy too much space, and the subject treated be calmly discussed, otherwise their articles will not find a place in the Journal."
We have now to record a rather unusual accident in the affairs of cities. On the morning of August 4th of this same year, at about three o'clock, the citizens were aroused from their slumbers by a crushing sound, and the ery of "fire !" The cause of the alarm proved to be the falling of a two-story, fire-proof building on Main street, owned by Gowan & McKay, and occu- pied on the first floor by L. Chapman as a furniture store, and on the second by the Odd Fellows and Free Masons. The front of the building fell into the street, the north side upon the adjoining building (a wooden structure owned and occupied by S. C. Haydon as a drug store and express office of Wells, Fargo & Co.), completely demolishing it, and destroying the stock of goods. The building had been erected the previous year at an expense of five thousand dollars. The loss on the occasion was considerable; that of the proprietors could not have been much less than the original cost of the structure; while that of Mr. Haydon-who nearly lost his life while in his chamber by the falling beams-was about twelve hundred dollars; Mr. Chapman, one thousand; and the Masonic and Odd Fellow,' societies being considerable also, for they had but recently fitted up the Hall at an expense. of fifteen hundred dollars.
In May, 1857, water was for the first time introduced into Petaluma by William Henley. The spring from which it was procured was distant from Main street about one hundred and fifty rods, and, at the time, ran seven to eight hundred gallons per hour, which could be increased if necessary. This was not the only improvement, however, in course of construction or even contemplated. What does the Journal say in this regard? "Nothwith- standing the almost fabulous rapidity with which residences and stores have sprung into existence in Petaluma, during the past fifteen months, the demand continues to exceed the supply. In fact, for some months past, the only certain method for a new-comer to procure a dwelling, has been to either build himself, or enter into a contract previous to the erection of a building. Everything capable of being used, either as a store or residence, is constantly occupied. As a consequence, rents have become somewhat high, for a place of this size. Residences which could have been secured at fifteen dollars a month, one year ago, are now readily sought for at twenty and twenty-five per month. But this increased demand for buildings is not confined to resi-
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dences alone; stores of all kinds, and more especially those which are sup- posed to be fireproof, are in cqual demand, and at a greater premium. We are told that a gentleman from the interior wishing to engage in trade in Petaluma, a few days since authorized a friend of his to offer a premium of five hundred dollars for a lease of one of the stores in Phoenix Block. If our town is springing thus rapidly into a great and populous village, notwith- standing the almost overwhelming obstacle which it has to encounter in con- sequence of the uncertainty of land titles, what will it not do, and what may it not become, when her citizens and the people of the county generally, know in whom the titles are vested. When this great desideratum is attained, business, in Petaluma and Sonoma county at large, will receive an impetus which it never has, and never can otherwise experience. The future is big with promise for our town and our county." Hand in hand with these signs of the times, we find that the Eagle Brewery had already been started by Thomas Edwards; S. G. McCollough had cleared a lot on Main street and commenced the erection of a fire-proof stable which was contemplated to be two stories high with dimensions of thirty by one hundred feet; the front being of dressed granite; and a new Flouring mill was in the course of con- struction by Messrs. G. W. Veatch and W. A. Hutchinson of San Francisco on a site opposite the Revere House on Main street.
East Petaluma is that portion of the town which lies on the east bank of the creek, being part of the incorporated city. The tract on which it stands was originally purchased from General Vallejo by Tom Hopper, but on August 27, 1857, he conveyed the two hundred and seventy acres to W. D. Bliss, John Kaulkfinan, and Stephen C. Haydon, divided into shares of one- fourth each. Hitherto it had formed no connection with that portion situ- ated on the west side; indeed, there were no means of crossing the creek, save by a not over-steady bridge, above the city. The Corporation at once constructed a draw-bridge at the foot of Washington street, and surveyed, and subdivided the land into lots ; soon after buildings commenced to rise on the newly chosen site and to-day it is no inconsiderable portion of Petaluma city.
Petaluma, at this epoch in her career, had made such commendable pro- gress, and so firmly established herself as a thriving and rising center of commerce, that she was granted a charter, in accordance with an Act of the Legislature of the State of California, approved April 12, 1858, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Town of Petaluma." Consequent on the passage of this law an election of municipal officers was held on the nineteenth of the said month, when the following gentlemen were chosen as the first Board of Trustees of the city: William Elder, W. L. Anderson, E. B. Cooper, Samuel Tustin, William Ordway. On the twenty-sixth, at a full meeting of the Board, Mr. Elder was chosen President of the Corporation, and O. T. Bald- win, Clerk ; while certificates of election were issued to the following named :
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Recorder, William Hayden : Treasurer, Lewis Lamberton; Assessor, Moses Arms; Marshal, James H. Siddons; D. D. Carder being sworn as a Justice of the Peace. Committees were appointed to procure suitable accommo- dation for the sessions of the Board, as also to draft By-laws for its govern- ment; these being adopted, with a few recommendations, on April 28, 1858. On May 3d, John Brown was appointed Municipal Policeman, on a salary of sixty dollars a month; a memorial signed by the citizens being upon the same date laid on the table, praying that a street be opened on the bank of the Petaluma creek, to be called Front street, commencing at a point at the foot of B. street and terminating at Hatch & Pickett's lumber yard. Motions were at the same time made for the health and government of the city, as well as for matters of general good, a stand being made against the permitting of hogs, goats, and other animals to roam at large about the public highways within the corporate limits. Three Fire-Wardens, in the persons of W. L. Van Doren, William Zartman, and William F. Lyon, were appointed on the 17th by the President. The Board, in meeting assembled, on this occasion considered the opening of the proposed Front street ; on discussion, however, the motion proposing its adoption was lost, by a vote of three againt the opening to two forit. The subject was again brought up for reconsideration on the 19th, when its adoption was deferred till the next day, the ordinance " To define Front street," being then adopted by sections, and directions given for its publication in the Sonoma County Herald. In due time bids for the building of a City prison were opened, and decrees concerning disor- derly conduct, the suppression of houses of ill-fame, the storage of wood and gunpowder, and the prevention of public nuisances adopted. The completion of the prison was reported June 21st. On July 19th, English street, from the creek to Upham street, was declared open, and on the 26th the survey of the corporate limits was announced to be completed. August 19th a tax of one per cent. was ordered to be levied upon the assessed property of the city, which was objected to by T. F. Baylis, who thought an injustice was done him by such a levy on vessels owned by him. The matter was referred to Messrs. Anderson and Cooper, as a committee, to investigate the law in ref- erence to the tax on craft running on Petaluma creek. On September 23d, a committee, composed of H. Gowan, J. McCune, A. B. Derby, John S. Robberson and J. L. Pickett, citizens of Petaluma, was appointed to estab- lish a grade on Main street, beginning at the crossing at Jackson and Lusk's building, and extending to Stanley hill. A survey was ordered to be made of the square bounded by Main, Washington, Liberty and English streets, on the 29th; while at this time a full and correct statement of all business transacted in the different offices of the municipality, and all monies received and paid from the time of their entering upon their duties up to the first Monday in October, was directed to be prepared for presentation to the Board of Trustees, who in turn should make a report of the financial condi-
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tion of the city, which was done, and finally approved and ordered printed, October 6th ; November 9th, the Board determined their willingness to receive bids for the construction of two brick fire-cisterns, of the capacity of twenty thousand gallons each; on December 8th, a committee, appointed to carry out the scheme, reported that a contract had been entered into with J. B. Kean, for seven hundred and ninety-nine dollars, for the construction of the same, one to be situated at the intersection of English and Kentucky streets, and the other at the crossing of the latter street with Washington. So much for the doings of the Board of Trustees during the year 1858; we will now revert to other matters of more general interest.
In the Fall of the year 1858 the subject of providing a suitable school house was taken up with a strong will by the residents, and a well attended meeting to consider the means to be adopted was held on the evening of Friday, September 3rd, when it was conceded on every hand that such an institution was imperatively needed. A resolution was accordingly passed requesting the School Trustees to issue a call for an election to vote an assessment of five thousand dollars for this object. About this period another school, kept by Mrs. Varney and named the Hill Seminary, would appear to have had an existence, while it is recorded that a large bell of a thousand pounds weight was placed in the steeple of the newly completed Bap- tist church. In this regard Petaluma had certainly made considerable advance; three years before she possessed but one church, the Methodist, and that of the most meagre dimensions; with the completion of the Baptist she boasted four large and commodious places of worship, to wit: a Methodist, a Congregational, a Catholic, and that already named, besides which the Episcopalians had a building in course of construction. Mr. Barnes, the School Marshal for the city reports the number of children, for the past year, between four and eighteen years of age to be four hundred and four; under four years, one hundred and eighty-seven, showing a total of five hundred and ninety-one. Of this number two hundred and eighty-nine are boys and three hundred and two girls; of these one hundred and ninety-six are California born, while thirty-four are orphans. The year 1858 also saw many business im- provements, among them being the erection of a brick building for a machine shop, also the building of a tannery in East Petaluma, while the streets which the previous winter were a " slough of despond " promised soon to rival the works of that " colosus of roads" McAdam. Several new buildings were being put up and arrangements made for the construction of others- everything was prosperous, as may be gleaned from the following words of a local writer: "The growth of Petaluma, unlike many California towns, is like the oaks upon the hills-every inch gained in size is firmly and securely put together and bound to stick." With all this, yet she wanted morc. She desired a postal route hence, to Humboldt bay via Bloomfield, Tomales, Bodega, Fort Ross, and other points along the coast; a railroad by way of
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Santa Rosa to Healdsburg was another; and the straightening of the creek between the city and Rudesill's Landing, and proper locks put up so as to make navigation easy. Taking it all in all, the year 1858 developed new elements of wealth, an increase of population and a spirit of content among the people of the city which it will be our duty to show has never decreased to the present time.
The year 1859 was ushered in, as has been shown, by a promise of lasting plenty. On the 3d of January the Petaluma Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, and Petaluma Engine Company No. 1, were recognized by the Board of Trustees as independent companies, while for the better protection of property from fire, an ordinance requiring house-holders to keep a certain supply of water on their premises was ordered to be drafted. In this month a petition to the Legislature was put in circulation asking the repeal of the act incorporating the city; but it did not receive much encouragement from the tax-paying portion of the community, nor the press. The Journal of January 21st, on this question remarks: "That there are objections to be urged against the charter itself, we are well aware, but against municipal gov- ernment they are very few. The defects which have manifested themselves in the charter should be reduced. Thus far, imperfect as it may be, it has worked advantageously, and that, too, at but trifling cost to our citizens. With some alterations we believe it will work to the satisfaction of all." At the meeting held on February 17th, an ordinance creating a Fire Department was passed and instructions given for its official publication, while other regu- lations were adopted in regard to the better protection against fire. The office of Fire-Wardens was abolished, the Foremen of the companies being required to fulfil the duties of these offices. J. E. Congleton was on this date appointed Constable in place of J. K. Brown, dismissed. March 7th, the resignation of E. B. Cooper from the Board was accepted, the following resolution being adopted on his retirement: " Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of E. B. Cooper, we take this occasion to bear testimony to his uniform courtesy, fidelity and efficiency as a member of this Board." On this secession from office Frank W. Shattuck was appointed in his stead, while on the same date George Walker and Frank Bray were elected Chief and Assistant engineers of the Fire Department. Thus was the first year of office closed with what record the long list of business transacted, only partially quoted by us, will speak for itself.
On April 18, 1859, the second election for municipal offices was held with the following result: Board of Trustees, William Ordway, Thomas F. Baylis, James N. McCune, J. Q. Shirley and William L. Anderson, President; Recorder, S. Abell; Marshal, J. D. Cross; Treasurer, Lewis Lamberton; Asses- sor, F. Post; Clerk, O. T. Baldwin; Constable, William Blower. The books and papers having been handed over to the appointees, the requisite com- mittees on ways and means were nominated forthwith. On May 5th, an
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ordinance regulating the duties of the municipal police was passed, followed on the 26th by another regulating the width of sidewalks to be eight feet, excepting on English, Potato, Mary and Martha streets, which should be six feet wide. Placing obstructions on the trottoirs was at the same time made a punishable offence. A lengthy dissertation hereafter followed on the nature of the pavement to be used which was finally left in the hands of a com- mittee, while another was appointed to devise means for the improvement of the creek. An ordinance was passed on August 8th authorizing the arrest of intoxicated persons, and directing their trial, when sober, by the Recorder; on the same day a tax of two dollars to establish a school fund was author- ized. December 19th, a petition was received from the resident physicians of the city of Petaluma praying that the Board of Trustees confer with the Supervisors of Sonoma county in regard to the establishment of a fund to be devoted to the care of the indigent sick, a motion which was referred to a committee. The last act of the year was the resignation on December 30th of Treasurer Lamberton and the appointment of Smith D. Towne in his stead.
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