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 47
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Nature had done much ; but to evolve the city of today within less than a quarter of a century, required the intelligent application of brains, industry and money ; it demanded a spirit of broad-minded liberality, on the part of the founders of the colony ; it required energy, public spirit, culture, and wealth, on the part of her citizens; it required municipal pride, and interest on the part of every resident. All of these things have contributed to make Redlands what it is today-the ideal home for the best class of seekers for health, com- fort and happiness.
The story of the inception of Redlands, reads like a made-to-order illustra- tion of applied knowledge, clear foresight and unyielding perseverance in the face of great obstacles. In 1880, Frank E. Brown and E. G. Judson, who had settled in Lugonia, some three years previous, had become somewhat familiar with the possibilities of the East San Bernardino valley. They were im- pressed with the advantages of this particular area-if water could be applied to it. The land had remained unoccupied and unused, except for an occasional crop of barley, in a wet season, and as a sheep range. The old settlers said it lay too high to be reached by water from the Santa Ana, and Mill Creek waters were already utilized to the last drop. So the land was regarded as almost worthless. Indeed, Dr. Barton, who owned a tract of it, once declared that he was greatly disappointed when a prospective purchaser decided that forty cents an acre was too high a price for the property.
It had already been demonstrated, that the orange tree was a fastidious
REDLANDS AND LUGONIA FROM "THE HEIGHTS," 1890
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grower. A peculiar combination of soil, water, elevation, temperature and exposure, was necessary to make an orange grove a profitable investment. And it was fast becoming evident, that the area possessing the required con- ditions was limited. Yet, as far as experience in this vicinity then went, this particular strip of red lands furnished every requisite, but the all important one of water. F. E. Brown, who was an engineer and surveyor, and E. G. Jud- son, after driving over the tract and taking levels and going up the Santa Ana river and taking more levels, decided that water could be put upon this ground, even though some of the old settlers were firm in their belief that water "couldn't be made to 'run up hill.'"
They determined to test their theory and began securing the land,- Mr. Judson taking a government claim and the two together purchasing tracts from the Southern Pacific Company, Dr. Barton and other owners. In the course of the next few years Messrs. Judson and Brown secured con- trol of something like four thousand acres of land along the foothills. They planned a settlement and after discussion decided to use the name "Red- lands" suggested by Mr. Judson as bringing out the distinctive character of the soil, which they believed to be one of the most promising indications of success.
The next step was the organization of the Redlands Water Co., with a capital of $1,500,000, divided into 1500 shares, which was incorporated Octo- ber 27th, 1881, and the filing of the preliminary map of Redlands, November 2Ist, 1881.
The Redlands Water Company purchased fifty shares of stock from the South Fork Ditch owners and at once began work upon a ditch which was to carry water from the opening of the Santa Ana cañon to a small reservoir at the mouth of the Yucaipe valley-a canal some six miles in length. Work was also begun on a tunnel into the bed of the Santa Ana river to secure ad- ditional water. The San Bernardino Times of June 17th, 1882, reports pro- gress on the company's work: "Yucaipe canon had been dammed with a most substantial earthwork which makes a reservoir capable of holding a large amount of water. Everything about it is constructed in the most sub- stantial manner. Two ten-inch pipes lead from the lowest part of the reser- voir into a valve house, which is built of rock and where several large valves regulate the flow of water, while an ingeniously contrived gauge measures and regulates the same. From the valve house the water is let by means of cement pipes all over the 1500 acre tract, and thus carried to each lot without waste by seepage or evaporation. There have already been laid some five miles of main pipes."
The land was divided into tracts of two and one-half, five and ten acres, and was sold with a water right of one inch to eight acres. Later the water right was changed to one inch for four acres. Wide avenues running north-
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east and southwest were laid off and cross streets were run every half mile. Shade trees were planted along the streets. A town site-with a plaza-was laid out in the center of the tract and "Residence Tract" was divided into lots. This was located along the southern border of the tract. The sale of lots began in Dec., 1881, the first deeds being made Dec. 6th to C. A. Smith and J. G. Cockshutt. The first contract was made Dec. 17th with R. B. Morton and F. F. Kious, for two lots, "Lot I and 8, Block J" and "Lot I, Block I," the first between Palm and Cypress on the west side of Cajon street and the second on the northwest corner of Cajon street and Cypress avenue. Mr. Morton had already moved onto his property, being the first resident in the new settlement. In the Citrograph of Nov. 26th, 1887, appears the following letter from Mr. Morton, which gives some interesting history of the first steps in settling the new colony :
"Editor Citrograph :-- Your interesting, well edited, well printed and most enterprising paper comes regularly to hand and as we read of the im- mense amount of capital and energy that is being expended in Redlands, our minds run back to this day six years ago, Nov. 9th, 1881, when the writer and family moved onto the tract, occupying an old house on the west corner of Cypress and Cajon, and being the first persons to arrive. This day was the first of a chilling three days norther and as we crowded around the fire on that bleak hillside, with not a street nor a lot staked off, nor a house, ex- cepting the shanty we had sought shelter in, the reservoir not made, the ditch not dug, and no water nearer than Mill Creek zanja, absolutely nothing except the promises of Messrs. Judson and Brown, as to what they were go- ing to do, the prospect was, to say the least, anything but encouraging.
Soon, however, the norther subsided and the genial, exhilerating winter weather native only to Southern California, resumed its regular flow. The lumber for the Prospect House began to arrive and soon afterward more for the residence of the late J. G. Cockshutt, who was presently our first neigh- bor, and at whose hospitable table the whole colony, consisting of two fam- ilies, ate turkey, January Ist, 1882.
Buildings soon began to be seen in different directions, streets began to assume shape, when one morning, January 12th, we looked out upon six inches of snow. Then grave consternation was visible upon the faces of pur- chasers, especially those recently from the east. But a few hours' sun sent it rippling off to the sea and again there was hope that this would prove to be a good orange growing country.
To think of that time without calling to mind the threats of opposition and the ridicule that the proprietors of Redlands had to endure, is impos- sible. The very air was full. Not only the men, but their family partners took a hand in riding rough-shod over them. With their own sex across Mill Creek zanja, Messrs. Judson and Brown were fully capable of breaking a
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
lance, but the helpless sober mirth of Mr. Judson and the childish glee of Mr. Brown attested their helplessness when it came from the other side of the house.
The writer had the misfortune to be one of the building committee for the church on the Terrace. Misfortune because the scenes over naming the church and facing the building were a disgrace to the church. But that is nearly all past except a trifling amount which would suggest such unmeaning names as Redonia and Lugoland for the combined settlements.
R. B. Morton
Sissons, Cal., Nov. 9th, 1887."
The first habitation within the present city limits was a sheep herder's hut which was placed on the east side of what is now Cajon street almost opposite the Kingsbury school by the Bartons in 1865. In 1877, Orson Van Leuven moved a small house to a claim which he had located on the south side of the zanja and placed it at a point now on west Olive street. This was the first residence in the tract occupied by the Redlands settlement. Water had to be hauled to it from the zanja. The first house built in the new colony was that of J. G. Cockshutt, which was located on the south side of Palm avenue, near Cajon street.
A number of lots and tracts were sold in 1882. The first deciduous or- chard was set on what is known as the L. Jacobs place on Olive and Fern avenues east of Cajon street. The first orange orchards were set out by E. J. Waite, one on the Sinclair property on the northeast corner of Cypress and Reservoir streets and one of two and a half acres, on Center street and North place-the I. Mitchell place. The first orange tree in the settlement was set out on Washington's birthday, 1882, on the lot now occupied by the Theodore Clark residence, but did not live long. These first orange trees were brought from San Diego and hauled by team from the Temecula cañon -then the terminus of the California Southern road. In June, five acres of orange trees were planted by F. P. Morrison and in July the first nursery stock was put out by E. J. Waite on Center street between Cypress and Fern avenues.
In April, a building owned by Messrs. Judson and Brown was com- pleted and Simeon Cook opened a boarding house in it. This house which was on the Heights was remodeled and on Nov. 26th was opened by Mrs. E. B. Seymour as the Prospect House, the first hotel in this part of the valley. At that time water had to be hauled to it in barrels. In June, F. E. Brown completed his residence, the first plastered building. This was located on the south side of West Cypress avenue, near Center street. The Redlands Telegraph and Telephone Company, a private corporation had been organ- ized, and a telephone line from San Bernardino had been completed and ser- vice was put into this house as soon as it was finished.
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The San Bernardino Times of June 7th, 1882, writes thus of the new set- tlement of Redlands: "The first land was put upon the market early the present year and already several hundred acres-all that has been offered- has been sold. There are some eighty property holders on the tract, fifteen dwellings have been erected, and between three and four hundred acres brought under cultivation, much of which is already set out to fruit. The tract has been laid out in ten acre lots with broad avenues running at right angles and although at the present time, it is in a rough and unfinished con- dition, it already gives promise of becoming one of the handsomest settle- ments in our county. The plan upon which the property is sold, too, carries with it a positive ownership of the water. Each acre of land has one share in the water company, so that the title to the water is inseparable from the . land, and the water right is not a perpetual mortgage upon the land owner, nor is he subject to any company for it.
"Messrs Judson and Brown have laid out a vast work in Redlands, which we hope to see them accomplish. They propose now to increase the capacity of their reservoir and to pave and cement their ditch through the entire length and thus take measures for preventing the loss of any of their water."
From this time the success of the new colony was assured. "In 1885, there were fifty-five irriga- tors in the district, owning in all 7671/2 acres, the largest holding being fifty-three acres, the small- est, two and a half acres. Of this land 194 acres was planted to citrus fruits, 276 to raisin vine- yard and 175 to deciduous fruits and the balance to alfalfa and garden crops."- Irrigation in Southern California.
Messrs. Judson and Brown had small capital to start with, yet they had planned and successfully PHILO R. BROWN carried out the settlement of Red- lands and had supplied sufficient water for the first needs. So rapidly was the land taken, however, and so large an acreage was at once put out to fruit, that it soon became evident that the water supply must be mater- ially increased. In 1883, Mr. Brown conceived the idea of making a reser-
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voir in Bear Valley above Redlands in the San Bernardino range. The con- struction of the Bear Valley dam and the development of the Bear Valley Irrigation system is the most interesting chapter in the history of irrigation in Southern California. (See Chap. IX). The Bear Valley Company was incorporated in Oct., 1883, with a stock of $360,000 and was capitalized almost entirely by Redlands and San Bernardino men. In the fall of 1884, the dam was completed and in 1885 the water was first used for irri- gation, and thus Redlands was assured of an abundant water supply.
The Redlands school district was set off from Lugonia and Crafton Feb. 5th, 1884, and P. R. Brown, Orson Van Leuven and A. G. Saunders were elected trustees. The school was opened May 14th, in the Cockshutt house on Palm avenue, the first residence built in the place, which now stands on the southwest corner of Clark and Cajon streets. Miss Rosa Belle Robbins, now Mrs. Canterbury, was the first teacher, with fourteen pupils.
March 2Ist, 1885, $1,000 bonds was voted for the erection of a school house. The lot on the southwest corner of Cypress and Cajon streets was purchased for $300 and a building which it was expected would answer for several years was put up. This school house still stands on the Kingsbury school grounds. The growth of the settlement was so rapid, however, that Sept. 18th, '1887, $15,000 was voted for another school house and the front portion of the Kingsbury building was erected and was occupied in the fall of 1888.
In July, 1885, the first business building in Redlands was erected. The Facts of March 30th, 1898, says of this structure: "Demolishing a Record: At seven o'clock this a. m., F. A. Shorey, the contractor, com- menced the demolition of the Harris Building just east of Orange street on Citrus avenue, which old timers are wont to call 'Baca's Butcher Shop.' A relic of the very earliest days of the settlement now known as Redlands will thus pass into history. The brick portion of this structure was the very earliest business structure of any kind and was the first brick building erected in this city. It was put up by Robert Chestnut, the brick manu- facturer, for the use of Tipton and Carter as a butcher shop and was first occupied, July 28th, 1885. The brick used was made on Burns' ranch, Craf- ton. After passing through many different hands and being occupied by many different firms, it now belongs to E. S. Libbey, who, finding that it projects beyond the street line and must be moved back takes it down and will replace it by two new buildings."
One of the most important factors in the growth of Redlands at this time was the location of the "Chicago Colony," in the eastern part of the settlement. In February, 1886, the "Chicago-California Colonization Com- pany" was formed in Chicago, with R. J. Waters, president; C. H. Briot,
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
secretary and treasurer; directors, C. H. Briot, A. L. Hale, S. Lavender, A. F. Stimmel, R. R. Porter, J. W. Ludlam, H. C. Malone, Chas. Stafford, A. F. Reid and F. F. Harp. A committee of three, R. J. Waters, H. C. Malone and J. W. Ludlam, was selected and ordered to investigate the five southern counties of California and select a location for a fruit raising colony where land could be obtained at reasonable prices and sufficient water secured. This committee visited San Diego, then came to Los Angeles. Here they met Hon. I. N. Hoag, who described to them the advantages of the new settle- ment in Redlands. After traveling over Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ven- tura and Tulare counties, the gentlemen came to the East San Bernardino Valley and visited Redlands. They made a thorough investigation and de- cided to report favorably on the purchase of what was known as the "Somers" tract upon which water was then being piped from Bear Valley reservoir. This land was purchased, divided into five and ten acre tracts and sold to the members of the colony at $90.00 per acre, lots being drawn for location. In less than a year after the purchase, Messrs. Harp, Garland, Fife, Dezendorf, J. G. and A. Sheldon, Luther Shep- pard, Campbell and Logie, most of these accompanied by their families, had occupied and begun improving their tracts, while the property of others who were to come later was being set to trees. The people of this colony proved a most valuable acquisition to H. H. DANIELS Redland's population and at once
took an active part in public affairs.
The completion of the California Southern extension to Barstow in the fall of 1885 was at once effective in stirring up railroad matters. In the spring of 1886, began the most remarkable "rate war" ever experienced in this country and the result was the onrush of tourists to this state which led to the "boom." The bold project of holding an Exposition of California Citrus products in Chicago attracted wide attention. The generous advertising of the advantages and attractions of the southern part of the state, which was begun about this time by various organizations, and particularly by the San Bernardino County Immigration Society, and by Messrs. Judson and
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Brown, the founders of Redlands, aroused interest throughout the east. The "boom" began to materialize and Redlands shared in the wonderful expan- sion that suddenly developed.
The new settlement felt that it must have railroad facilities and, in con- sequence, negotiations were begun with the California Southern road. This company demanded, before making a move, that a clear right of way between San Bernardino and Redlands must be provided. To secure the road, a com- mittee consisting of R. J. Waters and E. G. Judson, was appointed to raise funds. This committee, aided by the public-spirited settlers of the commun- ity, raised a fund of $42,750, to be used in satisfying the demands of the railroad company. This is probably the largest pro-rata bonus ever raised for a railroad; for the entire population of the settlements did not exceed 1,000 at this time. The right of way was secured during 1887 but the rail- road did not complete its line to Redlands until February, 1888. In the meantime the Southern Pacific had put in a siding at Brookside about. three miles from the business part of the settlement and passengers were landed there and freight handled, although the heavy grade from the siding to the town was a serious drawback.
In January, 1887, the Redlands, Lugonia and Crafton Domestic Water Company was formed with a capital stock of $125,000, and at once began preparations to deliver water for domestic purposes to all parts of the set- tlement.
By 1887 the settlement of Redlands had so increased in population, pro- ductiveness and wealth that Messrs. Judson and Brown determined to lo- cate a new town site on the north side of their lands adjoining the settlement of Lugonia, which was already a thriving business section. They therefore platted a tract and put it on the market.
THE TOWN OF REDLANDS.
Thie plat of the town of Redlands was filed on March 10th, 1887. On March 30th, occurred the first auction sale of lots. In an almost incredibly short time, 200 lots had been disposed of at $200 per lot and another 200 at $250 apiece was put on the market. The growth of the new town was as- tonishing even at this period of surprises. The story can best be told by the current newspapers of the day. One of the first steps of the promoters of the town was the formation of a Newspaper Publishing Co., and as a result the Citrograph, with Scipio Craig as editor, made its appearance, July 16th, 1887. It was an advertisement of the best possible character, for it was the largest, neatest and most enterprising weekly paper in the county, or the state, for that matter. In its first number it describes the situation thus :
"Today, three months after the town-site was a bare plain just as nature
REDLANDS FROM CANON CREST PARK
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
made it, there are two-story brick buildings erected and in course of con- struction as follows :
"The Union Bank of Redlands, northeast corner State and Orange.
"The R. J. Waters Building, northwest corner State and Orange.
"The Sheppard Building, southeast corner State and Orange streets.
"The J. F. Drake Building, adjoining the Sheppard Building on State.
"The Solner & Darling Building, the corner of State and Fifth. "The J. F. Welch Building, on State street west of Orange.
"The Y. M. C. A. Building, on State street east of Orange.
"The Citrograph Building, southwest corner of State and Fifth streets. "The Stimmel & Lissenden Building, on State street west of Orange.
"This is what has been done in three months. It sounds like a page from Arabian Night's entertainment, but it is not anything very strange in South California. The rush to this favored clime is something unpre- cedented and from all that can be learned, the rush will be quadrupled this fall. This is no ephermal boom, but simply a hegira of cyclone-sticken, frost-bitten denizens of the east who desire to spend the remainder of their days in peace, prosperity and quietude. They can get here what the balance of the world cannot offer: an incomparable climate; the purest of water : good society and schools ; and all the elements of civilization, beside nothing ephermal about our growth but a solid sub-stratum of producing prosperity. And it will be years before there will be any change except from good to better and from better to best.
"There have also been a number of frame buildings erected, not in, but adjoining the main business portion of the town. There is now in th! hands of the architects and to be erected as soon as the material can be got- ten together a three-story hotel on State street, west of Orange, and we hear of several other business blocks soon to be erected."
The San Bernardino Index reports in Sept., 1887: "Six months ago the new town of Redlands was laid out. For two blocks along the main business streets, lots were not sold except with building contracts requiring immed- iate construction of two-story brick buildings. No wooden shacks were al- lowed. Now twelve or more fine brick buildings, two and three stories have been erected and all those that are completed, are occupied. A $20,000 hotel is going up; cement sidewalks have been put down on both sides of the street. Lots are selling at from $100 to $125 per front foot. The residence portion of the town is building up rapidly with cottages costing from $1.000 to $5,000. One brick block is occupied by the Citrograph and no town of its size in California supports so good a paper, editorially and typograph- ically. Piped water is being put all over Redlands. The East San Bernar- dino Valley Railway is now graded to this point and the cars will be run- ning inside of two months. A fine Episcopal church is now occupied and other church edifices are to be built soon. On Monday last, Redlands school
WILLIAM T. FOWLER
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
district voted $15,000 bonds without one dissenting vote." In December the Citrograph says: "Nine months ago the ground on which the business portion of Redlands stands was a barren waste. Today there is a town on this land of 200 good, substantial buildings and every line of business is represented. There are five restaurants in the town-all doing a rushing business. Dr. Sloan is putting up a $20,000 hotel, on the corner of State and Orange, of which Mr. S. J. Logie, formerly of Chicago, is the architect and contractor. The Masons have the plans drawn for a handsome Masonic hall. They have already bought the land and will rush their plans on to completion. In the residence portion of the town seven new dwellings were completed last week and there are a number of others just completed. There are now two brick yards running to their fullest capacity to keep up with the demand. The domestic Water Co. have piped water and will connect with every house. The charge is $1.50 per month, allowing for all water ne- cessary and also for two hours' irrigation of yards. It looks as if there would be a race between the California Southern and the Southern Pacific railways as to which company shall occupy the grounds given by the Redlands peo- ple as a depot site for the first road that gets there."
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