USA > California > Kings County > History of Tulare and Kings counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 9
USA > California > Tulare County > History of Tulare and Kings counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 9
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The Jacob Bros, farm, orchard and nursery is located about a half-mile east of the station. This farm, comprising several hundred acres, has such a diverse number of products that a constant income throughout the year is seenred.
PORTERVILLE IN THE 'EIGHTIES, MAIN STREET BETWEEN MILL AND OAK
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CHAPTER VIII PORTERVILLE AND OTHER TOWNS
In the southeastern part of Tulare county, situated on a branch of the Tule river and connected with the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco by a branch line, which joins the main Southern Pa- cific at Fresno and Famosa, lies the city of Porterville; conceded by those who have visited it to be one of the most progressive towns of its population in the state. While Porterville is in close proximity to the mountains, the foothills do not tend to retard development, but add to the picturesqueness and prosperity of this thriving com- munity of thirty-two hundred people.
Porterville was, of necessity, on the olden immigrant road, and on the overland stage line, by reason of the fact that in those days it was necessary to keep to the high ground to avoid the marshes of the lowland. Along the base of the spur of hills which here projects into the valley lay the only natural route. Then, as now, passersby found the place attractive and many immigrant trains found along the banks of the Tule river pleasant camping and resting places, the first encountered for days.
J. B. Hockett and party camped here in 1849. Mr. Clapp settled here in 1856 or '57. In the late '50s a number of settlers had made locations and when the Overland Mail from San Francisco to St. Louis was established, in 1859, a stage station was located here. Royal Porter Putnam was placed in charge of this station at the princely salary of $30 per month and board. Mr. Putnam easily took a prom inent place, became familiarly known by his middle name and the stopping place was soon called Porter's station. When the stage route was abandoned, in 1861, Mr. Putnam established a hotel and store and then, as befitting the newly-acquired dignity of the place, it came to be entitled Porterville.
Cattle raising constituted the chief occupation of the people in this district, in the days before the Civil war. The era of the cereal commenced in 1874, but floods, followed by drought, disheartened some of the settlers. Not until the coming of the railroad in 18ss did Porterville lift her head and allow prosperity to enter, the latter then coming to remain for all time. The orange now began to per- form a very important function. The first grove, of sixty trees, was planted in 1870 by Deming Gibbons on his property, where now stands Plano. These trees were seedlings and for twelve years oranges of quality or quantity failed to mature. Added impetus, however, was given citrus culture by A. R. Henry of Pasadena, who has long since passed to his reward, and in the year 1892 three hundred scattering acres had been brought under the reign of the citrus Fruit. During
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this year a bill proposing the segregation of the Porterville district from the rest of Tulare county was introduced in the state legislature. but was defeated in 1893. To demonstrate the possibilities of Porter- ville, orchardists installed an exhibit of citrus fruit and apples at Sacramento. Orange experts and many men prominent in the fruit world pronounced the fruit equal to any grown south of the Tehach- api, and Porterville retains this distinction to this day.
Porterville became a town of the sixth class in 1902, when a mmmber of enterprising citizens appeared before the solons at Sacra- mento. After due legal red tape the charter was granted and Porter- ville entered upon a period of united development. Porterville now marched rapidly forward until 1908, when by a heavy majority, Por- terville citizens voted for the abolition of saloons within the incor- porated city of Porterville. Two years later voters again declared the saloon an ontlaw. On April 15, 1912, a drastic ordinance against the selling of intoxicants received the unanimous sanction of the city council.
Porterville ranks second to none of Tulare county cities in fine business blocks and residences. Itemized building figures would be useless, for in Porterville the progress of today is history tomorrow. Within the past four years two three-story blocks, several two-story and numerous single business blocks have been constructed, all of fire-proof material and representing a total valuation of $1,750,000. The business district covers an area of six blocks, the business lionses being of brick and reinforced concrete. More beautiful and substantial residences are seldom seen, $500,000 being represented in residences erected within the past three years.
Few. if any, towns of the county can present a more imposing and practical school structure than has just been completed at a cost of $45,000. situated at the west end of Olive street, in the center of a district destined to become the residential section of Porterville. It is an eight-room school building of mission design, with the latest and most approved methods of heating, ventilating and fire-escapes. The structure is the most modern of four grammar school buildings, in which more than six hundred children receive instruction. Aside from adequate primary and elementary departments, Porterville is provided with a massive high school building of granite, with a total enrollment of over two hundred students and every probability of twice that number within the next two years. Practical courses are the specialties of instruction. The cost of Porterville's schools aggre- gate a total of $120,000.
Porterville's municipal water system is one of the best, $90,000 having been expended in obtaining the most improved service. In 1908, the plant was purchased from the Pioneer Water Company for $50,000, incidentally reducing the water rate twenty-five per cent. Since the purchase of the system, $15,000 worth of improvements have
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been added. Located upon Scenic Heights, one hundred sixty-three feet above Main street, is a 300,000 gallon water tower, into which is pumped pure water from two modern plants, the maximum capa city of the plants being 1,250,000 gallons every twenty-four hours. Two auxilary tanks, one containing 75,000 gallons and a 100,000- gallon reservoir, add ample pressure for fire protection. The domes- tie supply is furnished by four, six and eight-inch laterals, fed from a ten-inch main, the total length of which is eighteen miles. The foot- hill lands near Porterville are abundantly supplied by the Pioneer Water Company, whose system is capable of irrigating seven thon- sand acres, the main canal being sixteen miles in length. Deep well pumps are fast displacing the old irrigation methods, the past year witnessing the installation of one hundred and fifty plants.
Within the 'past year a $75,000 sewer system has been com- pleted. Nineteen miles of sewer pipe, together with a thirty-acre sewer farm, are adequate accessories for years to come.
Facts and figures show two miles of asphalt streets and ten miles of sidewalks, the former having been constructed during the past year at a cost of $90,000. Five of the principal thoroughfares, Main, Olive, Mill. Putnam and Roche, are the paved streets.
With the completion of street paving, the necessity for efficient fire apparatus was pre-eminent. A chemical engine and a hose cart, propelled by gasoline, were purchased for $10,000. Porterville was the first city in Tulare county to adopt the modern fire-fighting device and therefore has a minimum insurance rate.
In response to the demand for adequate shipping and packing facilities for the citrus industry, eight packing-houses in and near Porterville have been established. These employ a small army of people during the fruit season. Aside from one thousand cars of oranges shipped annually, Porterville ships many peaches and prunes. Apples rivaling those of the eastern states are grown in the moun- tain districts.
The thriving condition of two creameries, one in Porterville and the other nearby, attests the statement that the dairy industry has possibilities as great as those of the orange.
Carnegie library, valued at $10,000, is another of Porterville's acquisitions. The building is filled with the latest productions in science, art, general information and fiction.
Eight religious denominations, Congregational, Methodist, Chris- tian, Baptist, Christian Science, Catholic, Episcopal and German, are represented in Porterville, all these institutions being in a flourishing condition. Seven of the denominations possess buildings of more than passing attention. The Congregational church, erected at a cost of $25,000, is one of the most beautiful edifices of its kind in the valley. A total of $60,000 is represented in these sanctuaries.
The First National Bank of Porterville, one of the strongest bank-
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ing institutions in Tulare county, was organized June 9, 1903, with a subscribed capital of $25,000. At present the capitalization is $100,000, and it has the largest deposit of any bank in the county. The older institution, the Pioneer Bank, was organized April 19, 1889, with a subscribed capital of $70,000. At the present time this bank is cap- italized for $105,000.
Among the factors which tend to advance Porterville, of most importance is the Chamber of Commerce. This is the largest organ- ization of its kind in the San Joaquin valley, its membership totaling two hundred and fifty. Aside from a continuous and progressive advertising campaign, a club room for the members is maintained, and also a large reading room, banquet hall and billiard parlors. In co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce is the Ladies Improve- ment ('Inb, a by no means small factor in the development, improve- ment and maintenance of a clean city.
A publie park of thirty acres is situated at the eastern limits of the city. The land for this park was donated by public-spirited citizens and $10,000 has been expended in its maintenance and improvement. A public lunch pavilion, public play grounds for chil- dren and other attractive features have been installed.
An important factor in Porterville's advancement is the char- acter of its newspapers. Two of the most consistent boosting journals in the county are represented in the Porterville Daily Recorder and the Porterville Daily Messenger. Both have weekly editions as sup- plementary publications and their financial future is assured.
Lodges of Porterville include all the leading orders, both bene- ficiary and insurance. Ancient Order United Workmen, Porterville Lodge No. 1999; Foresters of America, Court Porterville No. 181; Fraternal Order of Eagles, Porterville Aerie No. 1351; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Porterville Encampment No. 89, Porterville Lodge No. 359, Canton Porterville No. 6, Golden Rod Rebekah Lodge No. 200; Knights and Ladies of Security, Porterville Council No. 1917; Knights of Pythias, Porterville Lodge No. 93; Pythian Sisters, C'allamura Temple No. 66; Ladies of Maccabees; Masonic, F. & A. M., Porterville Lodge No. 303; Royal Arch Masons, Porterville Chapter No. 85; Order of Eastern Star, Palm Leaf Chapter No. 114; Modern Woodmen of America, Porterville Camp No. 9064; Royal Neighbors. White Rose Camp No. 5333; Woodmen of the World, Orange Camp No. 333; Women of Woodcraft, Pomelo Circle No. 292.
Porterville never has been or never will be a boom town. It has grown consistently, and it will continue its advancement, as the neces- sary resources, now in their infancy, will always be behind it. To the east lie many hundred acres of foothill land yet to feel the orch- ardist's hand. Farther east and up into the mountains are the famous redwood forests, unhindered by monopolists. These forests, together with the rich mineral resources yet to be developed, form a field of
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inestimable wealth. Excellent mountain resorts, such as the Califor- nia Hot Springs, whose mineral waters equal those of the famous Arkansas Hot Springs, beckon the tourists from the hot summers of the valley. The feeding and fattening of beef cattle also forms an important occupation of the hill districts. To the south are thou- sands of bare acres unequaled in orange culture. Agricultural and dairy industries are assured in the broad plains to the west and to the north are produced the finest of navel oranges .- Claude M. Chaplin.
DINUBA
Dinuba is the largest city in northern Tulare county, situated along the foothills on the eastern side of the great San Joaquin val- ley. It was nearly thirty years ago that the first settlers made their home here, at a time when Traver was a flourishing community and Dinuba was but a cross-roads corner. The country was one vast wheat field, and it was not thought then that in a generation the entire district would be revolutionized and made to bud and blossom with fruit and flower as it does today.
The site where Dinuba now stands was originally owned by James Sibley and E. E. Giddings, and at the time the surveyors of the Pacific Improvement Company laid off the townsite was but a vast stubblefield. Later W. D. Tuxbury bought ont Mr. Sibley's interest and Mr. Giddings also sold his interests to Mr. Sibley. The first lot in the new town was sold by the Improvement Company to Dr. Gebhardt, and this was later occupied by the doctor's office, opposite the depot and at the rear of what is now the Alta Garage. Ilomer Hall and H. C. Austin bought four lots on the corner where the Central Block is now located and on the corner where MeCrack- en's drug store is situated, Mr. Hall built a $1500 frame building- the finest in the district at that time. The lots cost him $250 each and cannot be bought today for much more than that amount per front foot. Here Mr. Ilall engaged in the real estate business in the fall of 1888. The building was so arranged that there was a room adjoining the realty office and this was occupied by Dave and Charles Cohn with their general merchandise store. Later the C'oh Brothers bought the corner where the United States National Bank now stands, and a year later the oldl "adobe" on the corner where the First National bank is now housed in its splendid $20,000 home. This adobe was a land mark in the community for years, and was occupied with general stores, saloons and other lines, until a little over a year ago, when it was taken down for the modern structure which has replaced it.
As stated, the next building to be erected after the Hall build ing was the office of Dr. Gebhardt. Then Frank Elam built a black smith shop on the corner where the Akers shop and machine works
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are now, but this later. burned down. As was nsnal with a pioneer town, the saloon found a place in the growth of the community, and remained here until five years ago.
A building was moved from south of town by Mrs. Smith, who later became Mrs. Toler, and was located on the rear of the Hall and Austin lots, and this became the postoffice. Homer Hall was the postmaster, and Mrs. Toler was his deputy, later succeeding to the office of the growing little town.
About this time the Dinuba Hotel was erected by Sibley and Tuxbury and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kirkpatrick were the first lessees. They are still living south of town. Mine Host Kirkpatrick was succeeded by Matthews and Wheeler as landlords. This same year the Southern Pacific depot was built and the public anction of town lots by the railroad took place in the latter part of January, 1889, the auction being "cried" by Mr. Shannon, the railroad auctioneer from Fresno. The railroad people gave the people gathered a big dinner that day, and the new town of Dinuba was given its start.
The "Seventy-Six" Land Company had already commenced the development of water for irrigation here, and later the Alta Irriga- tion District was formed. with 130,000 acres and absorbing the "76" system. From that time the district began to develop, until five years ago the city was incorporated and has grown until today there are 1800 people here and Dinnba is the largest city between Visalia and Fresno along the foothills. The city has fine schools, both grammar and high, and seven churches: Baptist. Methodist Episcopal, Christian, Methodist Episcopal Sonth, Presbyterian. Ad- ventist and Church of Christ, Scientist. There are eighteen teachers in the public schools and nearly six hundred pupils. The city has miles of cement sidewalks and paved streets and is reputed as one of the cleanest and most attractive cities in the entire west.
TULARE
Tulare, the second city in size in the county, is situated on the main lines of both the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe, at their inter- section, some ten miles sonth from Visalia. With a population of about 4000, rapidly growing; with the modern facilities and conven- iences common to up-to-date cities of its size: surrounded by a thickly- settled, fertile, well-watered and productive farming section. Tulare does not present in aspect striking peenliarities.
Historically, however. Tulare possesses distinctive prominence. A checkered career, marked by a series of staggering misfortunes. has been her lot. The adage, "It never rains but it pours," seemed peculiarly applicable at one time. That " 'Tis always darkest just before dawn" proved true at last. The record of these events reads more like a story than the sober chronicle of history.
The earliest settlers of the county passed by the section in the
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vicinity of Tulare, because it did not lie in the path of water-courses. A few real pioneers there were, notably W. F. Cartmill, J. A. More- head, J. W. Hooper, I. N. Wright, the Powell, McCoy, Ilough and Wallace families, whose homesteads were tributary to what is now Tulare, but no settlement existed in this neighborhood prior to the coming, in 1872, of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Unlike the other railroad towns of the county, however, an im- mediate growth followed the sale of lots. In fact, Tulare commenced with a boom. There was occasion for this, because, according to the railroad's plans, which were duly heralded, it was to be the end of a division, the site of great railway repair shops, and not least, the county seat of Tulare county. In the plats submitted to pros- pective investors, the many projected enterprises, as factories, rail- road yards, and shops and the courthouse, were outlined. And there were many purchasers anxious to get in on the ground floor; the town started amidst a general whoop and hurrah. It came to pass that the railroad shops were erected, perhaps not on quite as exten- sive a scale as anticipated, but still there they were, and so, too, were several hundred employees, all of whom had to be housed and clothed and fed. Consequently there was need for merchants of all kinds, and these came. To be sure, the courthouse did not materialize. This for the reason that Visalia influence secured the passage by the legislature of a bill permitting Tulare county to issue bonds for the purpose of erecting a new courthouse at Visalia. Flourishing enough, however, were conditions to cause the town to grow apace. Among the pioneers of industry at this time may be mentioned J. O. Lovejoy. who built the first residence in the town, also a mill and a hotel, and I. H. Ham, who erected blocks of buildings, both in the business and residence sections.
Many of the railroad employees were men of family and these in numbers purchased lots and erected dwellings thereon, to be paid for on the installment plan. Now were planted gardens and lawns and on the sides of many of the principal streets shade trees, and all thrived. An ever-growing beauty and an ever-greater prosperity characterized the town. Monthly came the pay car with $30,000 to $40,000.
In July, 1883, a disastrous fire swept the business section, entail ing a loss of about $150,000 and destroying about twenty-five places of business. From the effects of this fire Tulare rapidly recovered. Better buildings almost immediately took the place of those burned. and bustling progress was promptly resumed.
Prosperity was uninterrupted for three years only. In 1886, on the night of August 16th, the business portion of the city was entirely destroyed by fire. The magnitude of this second disaster can scarcely now be realized. Nothing was left except, to quote from the Tulare Register of the time, "a fringe of residences around a fire-swept
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gap." In the published list of the business houses destroyed are enumerated seventy-seven-practically all.
The loss occasioned by this fire was so great, so nearly did it take the accumulated savings of all the business men, and so closely did it follow the former conflagration, that it might seem that endeavor would be paralyzed.
Knowledge of the town's resources, supposed to be permanent, inspired hope and courage, however, and the town was rebuilt in better and more substantial form than before.
And now, indeed, in the latter part of the '80s, seenre once more, enjoying renewed prosperity, the inhabitants may be pardoned for believing that their troubles were over; that, having weathered safely the storms, they were to have for the remainder of the voyage fair weather and fine sailing.
However, the Fates held the most ernshing bolt yet in their hands. In 1891 it fell. In that year the railroad company removed its shops to Bakersfield, taking tenants and trade. Most dismal and discourag- ing was the situation for the villagers who remained. A score of merchants found their patronage insufficient to make them a living. Artisans and other craftsmen were without employment. Rents dropped to almost nothing; business honses suspended and closed ; gardens were neglected and rioted in weeds; dwelling houses dis- played first the sign "For Rent," then "For Sale."
A dreary stagnation ensued for several years, a retreat, as it were, before the overwhelming forces of adversity. Honses by the score were sold very cheaply and moved to different portions of the county. Tulare was looked upon as dead beyond hope of recovering.
And yet to the sturdy resident who refused to be a quitter came the insistent query, Why? He looked around at the vast expanse of fertile land surrounding the town and again asked, Why? The answer that farming tried on a big scale, wheat farming, had failed, because of insufficient rainfall or insufficient sub-irrigation did not satisfy him. He said "If it is water that is lacking, why, we will get water. We will make this land produce the abundant crops Nature intended and we shall become a rich and prosperous com- munity, self-supporting, independent of railroad patronage."
And from this resolve a great irrigation system was planned with wide canals and far-reaching laterals. To carry ont this project the people in the territory to be embraced formed the Tulare Irriga- tion District and voted bonds in the sum of $500,000.
With the bonds selling readily, the vast irrigation enterprise giving employment to an army of men well under way, the vast benefits that would acerne on its completion readily foreseen every- one again felt encouraged and hopeful. All trouble was now thought to be over.
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As a matter of fact. it had just begun. Litigation over water rights involved the new district from the start. Finally, largely from this cause the money was all spent and there was no water, or at least, not sufficient water.
Remember, all this occurred just as the general hard times and financial depression of '93 were being most severely felt. The result was that default was made on the interest on the bonds. Conditions became almost intolerable. Lack of funds prevented proper upkeep of the canals. There was no water to speak of and yet there was an ever-increasing indebtedness that with the dragging weight of an incubus prevented any onward progress.
Land depreciated in value until it practically became unsalable. Discouragement gave place to despondency and despair.
Joe Goldman and other progressive citizens of Tulare finally evolved a plan to try to compromise with the bondholders. They suc- ceeded in securing a concession whereby the honds and accrued inter- est, aggregating $750,000, could be wiped out for about $273,000.
An assessment was levied in the fall of 1902 upon the real estate of the bonded distriet sufficient to cover the amount, the bonds were placed in escrow and strenuous efforts, ultimately successful, were made to collect the money.
October 17, 1903, was the day appointed for the exchange. 1 monster celebration was held in honor of the event and the cancelled bonds were burnt in the presence of the assemblage amidst the great- est rejoicings. That day marked the turning point in Tulare's career. Progress since has been rapid and increasing. The irrigation system is now the property of the district and the only expense for water is the cost of maintenance. Pumping plants, irrigating lands not reached by the ditches, have also been installed in great numbers. hringing into production thousands of additional acres.
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