USA > California > San Bernardino County > Ingersoll's century annals of San Bernadino County, 1769-1904 : prefaced with a brief history of the state of California : supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and portraits of many of its representative people > Part 46
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These settlers found a few of the old vines planted during the Mission occupancy still in existence, and cuttings from them were used in some in- stances to start new vineyards. In 1859, Dr. Barton set out 60,000 vines and H. M. Willis, 16,000. This was the beginning of the famous "Barton vine- yard." About the same time a few orange trees were put out by Anson Van Leuven, the first in San Bernardino valley. Having a rich soil, an abundance of water and practically no frost, the orange trees and vines grew to perfec- tion. When the first oranges matured they were found to be of excellent quality and were a great curiosity, there being no others nearer than San Gabriel. People drove miles to see them and paid exorbitant prices for them. Several small orange groves had been set and began to bear about 1872-3. February 20th, 1873. the San Bernardino Argus announces, "Prob- ably no place in the United States can boast of raising larger, sweeter, or more perfect oranges than San Bernardino. We are well acquainted with orange culture, from personal observation, in every section of the United States and
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in Cuba, and we have never seen anything that can compare with those raised in old San Bernardino. We were shown a sample of oranges from the orchard of Captain Pishon which measured thirteen inches in circumference, and this was not picked fruit, but about the general average."
Dr. Barton put up a winery about this time and in 1873 made 30,000 gallons of wine. This place has been managed for many years by the "Vache Freres"and is now known as the Brookside Winery.
About 1875 the disputes over the right to Mill Creek waters as between the Crafton users and the Old San Bernardino claimants, culminated in one of the longest and most exhaustive law-suits in the history of the county- the Cave-Crafts suit. Since this time several other suits involving individual rights to Mill Creek water have arisen and the exact status of the zanja waters is not yet considered as finally settled.
The ranches of Old San Bernardino, the Van Leuven places, the Barton place, the homes of H. M. Willis, J. W. Curtis, James Waters, and others were highly improved and were ideal country homes. For years this was the "Show" place of the county. Here were found the semi-tropical fruits and flowers growing in perfection side by side with the plants and fruits of the temperate climate.
In 1887, Dr. Barton sold his property to a syndicate who put it on the market in small tracts and a considerable number of places were so dis- posed of.
CRAFTON.
Crafton is one of the oldest and most beautiful of the fruit settlements that are the pride of San Bernardino county. It lies twelve miles east of the city of San Bernardino, at the mouth of the Santa Ana Canon and the base of the San Bernardino range. Through this settlement flows Mill Creek zanja which has long since lost its artificial character ; its tortuous course is bor- dered with willows, alders, sycamores and wild grapevines and it is here most picturesque and beautiful.
About 1857, Lewis Cram and brothers, who had already started a chair factory at Old San Bernardino, moved several miles further up the zanja in order to secure better water power. This was the first occupation of what is now Crafton. In 1858 the Crams sold their claim to L. F. Carpenter. Shortly afterwards, George H. Crafts purchased a tract of land just below the Carpenter place. This property passed into the hands of M. H. Crafts about 1861. In 1858, H. M. Willis purchased a claim that was later sold to Leffing- well and later still to M. Byrne. During the sixties, various parties located in this vicinity, some of them taking up government land, others purchasing from the San Bernardino Grant owners. Among these were David McCoy and his sons, W. T. Morris and W. P. Cave. In 1873, Dr. William Craig,
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who had been one of the first settlers of Riverside, purchased a piece of land and began improving the place still occupied by his family. In 1877, Charles R. Paine, a son-in-law of Dr. Craig, bought land adjoining the Craig place. This is now one of the most highly improved and beautiful homes in the county.
The soil of this neighborhood was a rich loam and in the earlier years of settlement, large crops of barley and wheat were raised. Vineyards and orchards of apples, peaches and other deciduous fruits were set out and by 1865 had begun to bear. In 1870 Mr. Crafts planted about an acre and a half of seedling orange trees-the first orange orchard in Crafton. A few years later Dr. Craig, Prof. Paine and others put out quite extensive orchards of seedling and also of budded oranges.
Sheep and stock were also kept during the early period. The work on the ranches was largely done by Coahuilla Indians, who lived in the neigh- borhood, while, during the fruit season, large numbers of Indians came in from Potrero and other rancherias to help in fruit picking and drying.
In 1869, a party visiting "Altoona Ranch," as the Crafts place was called, found apples of different varieties, apricots, nectarines, peaches, pears, figs, quinces, pomegranates, almonds and walnuts,-all in bearing, beside vine- yards and extensive grainfields. The house was surrounded by beautiful shade trees and flowers. It was remarked that if this place could be made so beautiful and prolific, other tracts might be brought to the same perfection -and this idea led to the institution of the colony at Riverside a few months later.
In 1872, Dr. Peacock, of San Bernardino, persuaded Mr. Crafts to take an invalid to his home to board. The sick man improved so rapidly that soon other invalids were sent to "Altoona" and in time the house was enlarged and made into a sanitarium and hotel. The surroundings were most attractive,- the sheltering trees, the beautiful orchards, the sparkling mountain water and the pure air made the place almost ideal. One of its visitors gave the name of Crafton and one of the many ministers who came here for rest, called it the "Retreat," hence the name, "Crafton Retreat." Visitors from all parts of the world were delighted with this-one of the earliest of California re- sorts. In 1881, the Pacific Coast Press Association held its annual session in Riverside, and in the course of their entertainment were driven to San Ber- nardino, Old San Bernardino, Lugonia and Crafton. At "Crafton Retreat" dinner was served the guests and the sponsor of the occasion, Scipio Craig, the president of the Association, proudly announced that every article of the tempting repast was a home product,-everything on the table, except the pepper, being produced in San Bernardino county.
August 7th, 1882, the Crafton School District was organized with C. R. Paine. G. H. Crafts and C. P. Barrows, as trustees. The school was opened
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with Miss Sadie Townsend as teacher. In 1887 bonds were voted for $6,500 and the present school house was erected and completed for use in 1888.
Early in the eighties, Mr. Crafts erected a two-story frame store build- ing on the site now occupied by the Southern Pacific depot and opened a store, the principal trade being with the Indians who gathered in the vicinity. The upper floor was used as a meeting place for the Sunday School and for church services.
About 1885, a postoffice was established at Crafton with M. H. Crafts as the first postmaster. Since, the name of this office has been changed to Craf- tonville, to avoid conflict with "Grafton."
Mr. Crafts had in time acquired title to some 1800 acres of land and in 1882, he organized the Crafton Land and Water Company and sub-divided his land. A town site was laid out, forty acres was donated as a site for a Con- gregational college-the beginning from which Claremont College was even- tually established,-and a reservoir for the storage of Mill Creek waters was constructed in the hills east of Crafton Retreat.
In 1886 a syndicate was formed with I. N. Hoag as controlling spirit for the sale of Crafton lands. The present Crafton Water Co. was also or- ganized and purchased the reservoir from Mr. Crafts. An exchange of Mill Creek and Bear Valley water was effected by which water from the reservoir was furnished to the Redlands Heights people. A number of eastern settlers came in and bought land and built homes and Crafton is still a beautiful and prosperous settlement.
When the city of Redlands was incorporated a portion of Crafton was in- cluded in the city limits, but the Crafton School District is still maintained and supports a grammar school with two teachers which gives efficient ser- vice. -
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LUGONIA.
East of the city of San Bernardino stretches a gently rising valley, made up of washes, low hills and sweeping mesa land. It was in this neighborhood that the old "padres" located their first settlement in the valley at Old San Bernardino, and in 1856 the Cram Brothers located six miles above the first settlement and gave the start to the settlement of Crafton.
If February. 1870, George A. Craw took up a claim of government land on the north side of the zanja between these two settlements and thus became the first settler in what later formed the Lugonia settlement. March 3rd, of the same year, James B. Glover located a claim on what is now Pioneer street, a property which he still occupies as a residence. Somewhat later A. A. Carter settled in the neighborhood. In the Carter family occurred the first
LUGONIA IN 1881
birth in this locality, in 1871, and the first death, in 1874. In 1871, W. W. McCoy filed on a claim and in 1873, Col. Wm. Tolles took up government land as an old soldier. He built a house into which he moved January 8th, 1874. In the following June this house was destroyed by fire but was soon rebuilt. Col. Tolles sent to San Francisco for a barrel of rotten Tahiti oranges, cleaned the seed and planted them in June, 1874. These trees came into par- tial bearing the seventh year from the seed and the eighth year were in full bearing. Some of them are still standing. Col Tolles also put out a decidu- ous orchard about the same time. In 1874, George W. Beattie bought a place on Pioneer street which had been previously occupied and the same year Israel Beal came in and settled on the place which he occupied for many
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years. In 1876, the Reeves family bought twenty acres adjoining the Glover place and put out an orchard.
February 8th, 1877, a new school district was taken off from Mission Dis- trict and at the suggestion of C. R. Paine, the County Supt. of Schools, was named "Lugonia," a word formed by the addition of a syllable to "Lugo," the name of the original owner of San Bernardino Grant, and which had been previously adopted by Dr. Craig as a brand for some of his wines. M. H. Crafts, W. R. Tolles and C. E. Brink were elected as the first trustees and the school was opened May 14th, with G. W. Beattie as teacher. He only served one month, however, and was succeeded by Mrs. C. E. Brink, who taught several years in the district. The first school house, costing $400 was located at the corner of Church street and Lugonia avenue and later became a part of the residence of Truman Reeves, Esq.
In March, 1877, Frank E. Brown, George A. Cook and A. H. Alverson, all of New Haven, Conn., were driven through Lugonia and Crafton and were so delighted with this out-of-the-way corner of the earth, then reached only by a long drive from Colton, passing but three houses on the way, that they at once planned a New Haven Colony. This failed to materialize but Messrs. Cook and Brown became permanent settlers. The first winter, Mr. Brown purchased ten acres of the Tolles place in Lugonia and built a house which still stands on Lugonia avenue, between Orange and Church streets, to which he brought his bride in 1878. In April, 1877, Mr. E. G. Judson, of New York City, arrived and purchased land on Pioneer street, which he at once improved by setting out both deciduous and citrus fruit. G. A. Cook returned from the east with his wife in 1879 and bought land adjoining F. E. Brown and put out an orchard.
There was at that time a good deal of fruit raised in this vicinity and the settlers found difficulty in disposing of it. Frank E. Brown, after some ex- perimenting, built a dryer in 1880. This was destroyed by wind but was re- built for the season of 1881 and Judson and Brown incorporated the Lugonia Packing Company and that year, according to a report in the San Bernardino Times, put out 250 tons of dried fruit. This was one of the first establish- ments of the kind in the county.
A Sunday School and church services were inaugurated in 1877 in the Lugonia school house, C. E. Brink acting as superintendent. This was the beginning which resulted in the organization of the Lugonia Congregational church.
In 1869 Berry Roberts re-located the old Mormon ditch which had been taken out by Bishop Tenney about 1855. This became the Roberts ditch and formed a part of the Sunnyside extension of the South Fork Ditch which was constructed in 1878. Col. Tolles, J. D. B. Stillman, N. B. Hicks, C. E. Brink, and others in the neighborhood were interested in this work. E. G. Judson was secretary of the organization and F. A. Miller, now of River-
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side, was foreman of construction. The ditch was lined with rock and was the first attempt at anything more than a "dirt" ditch in the county. Later the organization was merged into the Lugonia Water Company and now only a few shares of the original stock are outstanding.
Lying above the "danger" line of frost, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and possessed of fertile soil and a good supply of water, Lugonia became one of the most attractive and produc- tive settlements in the country. By 1885 a large acreage of orange trees had been set and it was es- timated that between five and six thousand of these were in bearing. Among the larger groves were those of Col .. M. B. Smith, Mr. Weimar, Col. Tolles, Dr. Stillman, Mr. Cook, Major Shaw, Mr. Gar- rison, Wm. Balch and Mr. Adamıs.
In 1879, Dr. Stillman, a scholar, physician and author, located in Lugonia and bought a tract north of the zanja and east of Orange DR. J. D. B. STILLMAN street and began the planting of a 100-acre vineyard, setting out 120,000 vines of the finest varieties. In 1882, the family residence was completed and the family moved in. In 1885, Dr. Stillman put up a most complete establishment and began the manufacture of the choicest wines.
The First Store.
Naturally the Judson and Brown dryer became the center of activity for the neighborhood during the fruit season, and a small stock of .provisions was kept on hand to supply the Indian laborers, and the neighbors. In the summer of 1881, G. A. Cook opened a store in a building ten by sixteen feet. located near the dryer. In the fall the store was moved to a point opposite the Gernich place on Lugonia Avenue. Two years later Mr. Cook sold this building, and built a store building on a lot opposite the present site of Casa Loma. This store was opened for business July 28, 1882, and was enlarged four times in the next three years, so rapidly did the business multiply. It was patronized by ranchers for miles about, and miners and Indians came in from the desert, as far east as Indian Wells, for supplies. Sept. 5th, 1882, the
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Lugonia postoffice was established, with Mr. Cook, as Postmaster. The same year, George Phillips, began to run a stage, carrying the mail between Lugonia and San Bernardino. At first, trips were made two or three times a week, but soon a daily mail was arranged for. The telephone and telegraph station was also located in this store. In 1885, the store was sold to F. E. Brown, and was occupied by the B. O. Johnson Co., until the removal of that firm to Redlands. In 1887, the Bank of East San Bernardino Valley. later, the First National Bank of Redlands, was organized, and was at first located in this store. On the completion of the Wilson Block, it was removed to the corner room of that building. The Terrace Congregational Church was completed and occupied in January 1883. In November, 1883, the Lu- gonia Park Water Co., was formed.
The Lugonia school district, in 1884, voted bonds to the amount of $6,000 to build a school house, and in January, 1885,the new building was first oc- cupied ; it was at the time of its erection, one of the largest and most complete school houses in the county, and is still in use.
The high ground north of Mill Creek zanja had been known to the old settlers as the "hogback," but it was now transformed into the "terrace," and some of the finest homes in Lugonia are located here. In 1886, the "Terrace Villa" Hotel, was built on the ter- race. This was a somewhat pretentious frame building containing 48 sleeping rooms. Its commanding view of the surrounding country and mountains, its beautiful grounds, and comfortable arrangements, made it a popular tourist hotel, and for some years it was a GEO. A. COOK well known resort. The place was first owned by Mr. D. L. Clark, but was soon sold to Messrs. Lambeth and Hubbard.
In 1886, Messrs. Berry and Wilson, put up a two story business block, 100x75 feet, costing $10,000, on the present site of the Casa Loma. The lower floor was divided into stores, the upper floor contained a hall with a seating capacity of 500, known as the "Opera House." A contemporaneous account of the "opening of the new theatre," may be of interest :
Opening of the New Theatre in East San Bernardino.
If any one had had the temerity, less than ten years ago, to stand on what is now known as Lugonia Terrace, and prophesy that in a few years, a finely finished Opera House, would be erected on that naked and barren spot, which would call within its walls an audience of refined, and well-to-do people, he
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would have been regarded as little better than an idiot. Looking across the expanse of sage-brush, ten to twelve feet high, with a dense population of jack and cotton-tail rabbits, it required an imagination not possessed by many, to see within a few years, the elegant homes, handsome buildings and costly im- provements now to be found at Lugonia. The little cluster of a half dozen settlements, known as the "rabbit ranches" was almost lost in the surround- ing wilderness, and that such an event as was witnessed last night, in the opening of the Lugonia Opera House, would ever take place during the pres- ent generation would hardly have been credited, even five years ago.
But a transformation has come over the erstwhile sage-covered plain. The "old-timer" who has been away for a few years, looks in vain for a familiar landmark. Brick blocks have taken the place of flimsy shanties, and in one of the handsomest structures to be found in the valley, last night, Messrs. Plato, Lesher & Hyde, managers of the San Bernardino Opera House, presented to the people of Lugonia, the "Great Georgia Minstrel Troupe." It was the first play ever given at the Opera House at this place, and the peo- ple of Lugonia, Redlands, Crafton and other towns flocked in, all eager to witness the opening. The hall, which is in the second story of the Wilson block, is 60x80 feet, with a stage 14x24. The drop curtain is a perfect little beauty, painted by Mr. Harry Lesher, one of the managers, as was nearly all of the scenery, of which there are several full sets, representing various American and English scenes, one of them being a fine representation of Castle Garden. The opera chairs are of the latest design, and are arranged in the most perfect manner. The stage is principally under the supervision of James Ferris, of the San Bernardino Opera House. He displayed some very good taste in the vari- Ons scenes exhibited."-San Bernardino Times, Dec. 13, 1887.
Lugonia, was of course affected by the "boom." March 31, 1887, a town plat was filed, and not long afterward, a regulation "excursion and land sale," under the auspices of the Los Angeles Land Bureau, took place, and it was jubilantly reported that "nearly every lot in the large tract was sold, and good prices ranged all around."
In September, the "Southern Californian" was started, with H. E. Boothby, editor, for the purpose of "booming" Lugonia, and ran a brief career, suspending publication in November 17, 1888.
The rapid growth of the later settlement of Redlands, led to the discus- sion of the question of incorporation. It was proposed that the two towns join forces under one name,-but the question of the name to be used was a serious matter. Naturally, Lugonia, the older settlement, with solid im- provements, a large amount of wealth, and a well established reputation, did not care to lose her identity. For a year or more, the matter was discussed with feeling ; but it ended in the incorporation of the city of Redlands, Novem- ber 26th, 1888.
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"KENWOOD" COLONY.
The publication of Charles Nordhoff's book on California which appeared in the seventies created a new interest in the "Golden State" among eastern people. The possibilities of California as a home and the inducements which she could offer to health seekers and for agricultural and horticultural pur- suits were first revealed to many people by the reading of Mr. Nordhoff's statements. Among those who were thus interested were a number of New Haven, Conn .. residents, including A. H. Alverson, George A. Cook and oth- ers. The idea of forming a colony to be located in California and thus pro- vide homes for a number of people developed. Meetings to discuss the mat- ter were held, at first in private houses and later, as the interest increased, in a public hall. When the matter became public the promoters of the scheme were flooded with correspondence regarding the subject. Arrangements were completed and a committee, consisting of A. H. Alverson, George A. Cook and Judge Stephen M. Booth, was selected to visit California, decide upon a location and make the preliminary arrangements. In 1877, these gentlemen arrived at San Francisco, and after a short inspection of the coun- try thereabouts, came south and visited the East San Bernardino Valley, where, after a careful study of the situation, they decided on the purchase of 1600 acres of land located where the Gladys tract now is. Arrangements were made to purchase this land from the San Francisco owners, who agreed to put water in sufficient quantity upon it. The land was platted and Messrs. Cook and Booth returned to the east, leaving Mr. Alverson to carry on the survey and complete the purchase. Messrs. Judson and Brown as- sisted in the survey, which was nearly completed before it became evident that the owners of the land would be unable to carry out their promise of furnishing water. This brought about a stay of proceedings. Mr. Alverson returned east and a considerable delay followed. Although many of the prospective colonists had selected their lots in "Kenwood," as the colony was named, and some of them had made payments, the negotiations were not completed and the money paid in for land was refunded. Before further arrangements for another tract could be made, Messrs. Brown and Judson had begun the settlement of Redlands and Kenwood colony was dropped. A number of the parties who had been interested in this colonization project, later settled in the colony of Redlands.
THE SETTLEMENT OF REDLANDS.
Redlands stands alone. The story of her development and growth is al- most without a parallel. In all the history of rapid expansion which has marked Southern California, never before has a barren and desolate waste
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been changed into an equal number of comfortable, beautiful, and costly homes, within the space of twenty-two years; never before in so short a time, has a city of 9,000 inhabitants, with extensive public improvements, costly public buildings, with complete railway and electric service; with schools, churches, libraries and societies-social, fraternal and political ; with, in short, all of the elaborate machinery that goes to make up the most com- plete type of modern city life, been created out of the ordinary natural re- sources. And never before, has bare soil alone, been so quickly made pro- ductive, not only of wealth, but of comfort and beauty also. From sun-baked plains, to thousands of acres of green and fruit-laden orchards; from rough and dusty trails, to more than two hundred miles of streets,-sidewalked and shaded by spreading trees; from the treeless and grassless hillsides to syllvan parks, sparkling with water, gay with flowers, refreshing and entic- ing in their greenness,-these are some of the transformations wrought.
In 1881, a stretch of bare, reddish mesa and upland lay along the foothills on the southern rise of the San Bernardino range. It was sheltered by the sweep of the mountains from the heat of the desert, and the north winds of the passes. It was high enough to escape damaging frosts, and beyond the reach of the fogs that roll inland from the coast. The upper edge of the mesa commanded a panorama of the far-reaching San Bernardino valley, and of the loftiest peaks of the range beyond.
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