USA > California > Los Angeles County > Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542-1908 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
216
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
with walk, gas, electric light and sewer service and divided into lots to be leased to tenants for five and ten years. The owners were R. C. Gillis and E. P. Clark and after these improvements were carried out a number of commodious and attractive cottages was built on the tract.
The death of "Bob " Eckert, April 27th, 1900, removed one of the best known characters of Santa Monica, or indeed, of Southern California. Mr. Eckert was born in the Fatherland. He came to Los Angeles in 1872 and soon acquired a reputation there as a caterer, a politicion and a teacher of gymnastics in the Turn Verein. His connection with the Turners made him known among the Germans of Southern California, and his genial, kindly nature won him many lasting friendships, not only among his own people, but with all with whom he came in contact. He opened a restaurant in Santa Monica in the later seventies and his fish dinners soon gained renown. For many years a feed at Eckert and Hapf's Pavilion was the best treat one good fellow could offer another. He catered to many distinguished guests and for many notable ban- quets, and was acknowledged as a past master in the art of serving a dinner. With his death and the canceling of saloon licenses, the Eckert and Hopf Pavilion which had been known from Alaska to Mexico, was closed.
1901.
The more progressive citizens of Santa Monica were not satisfied to allow the matter of re-organizing the city government to drop. They felt that the best interests of the city demanded that the town be divided into wards which would allow each district to select its own representative in the council. The new charter would also permit the organization of a board of education which could exercise powers not vested in the trustees of a district. A new petition for an election was prepared and presented to the Board of Trustees February 4th, with a guarantee from the signers that the expenses of the election would be met by private subscription. The trustees, after due deliberation and ex- amination into the legal aspects of the case, refused to grant the petition. The movers for a new charter were not discouraged, however. They continued the agitation and in April organized a Good Government League, to look to muni- cipal matters, with F. H. Rindge, president ; N. H. Hamilton, Ist vice-president ; W. S. Vawter, 2nd vice-president; Fred H. Taft, 3d vice-president; C. I. D. Moore, secretary and J. C. Steele, treasurer. Mr. Rindge, who despite his many interests spared neither time nor energy in forwarding any movement for the public good, took an active part in this organization, which kept a sharp eye upon the restaurant liquor licenses, that had been granted, as well as carrying on an educational campaign among the citizens on the subject of public improve- ments. A petition asking for a re-submission of the question of saloons or no saloons was received by the trustees in March; but was not acted upon and although, there was a good deal of discussion of the subject, the trustees seemed
217
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
to feel that the restaurant license permitting the sale of liquor with meals-which had rapidly degenerated to empty cracker boxes, was the most satisfactory arrangement to be made.
The matter of voting bonds for a city hall continued to be discussed. There was also great need of a new bridge on Ocean Avenue in place of Bridge No. I, as it was known. This had become imperative as this street was the main thoroughfare between the North and South ends of town. Storm drains were also greatly needed, and after one or two mass meetings, in which matters were fully discussed and it was shown that the large tax payers of the city were all
CITY HALL, SANTA MONICA.
in favor of these improvements, an election was called for November 19th to vote on the question of issuing bonds in the sum of $25,000 for Bridge No. 1 ; $10,000 for Bridge No. 2: $29,000 for storm drains, and $35,000 for City Hall and Jail. At this election the bonds for town hall and bridge No. I were carried, the others defeated.
The Board of Trustees at once called for bids for a site for the public building and was flooded with offers. They spent some very strenuous hours before finally determining on the lots at the corner of Oregon and Fourth. The South Side felt that since it must pay taxes for this improvement, it should at least be as near them as possible. The question of town division was still a live one. The marvelous growth made during the year 1901 at Ocean Park was putting that division of Santa Monica in the front rank in importance and the old rivalry between the two sections was enhanced in many minds by the
N. H. HAMILTON, M. D.
219
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
growing wealth and many impovements of the "sand hills." The South Side had voted almost solidly against all the improvements, because of the desire to have its own town organization.
A strong effort was made to secure the city hall for the corner of Third and Utah street, where a site was offered by Roy Jones for $12,000. The business men of the place generally endorsed this site and offered to guarantee that it should cost the city but $7,000. The matter was hotly contested by the citizens and the trustees seemed to be hopelessly divided in opinion-or interests. In February 1902 Roy Jones withdrew his offer of sites and thus removed the cor- ner at Third and Utah from consideration. Still the board could come to 110 decision and a straw vote was called for to decide what site would best please the voters. Condemnation proceedings to secure the property at Third and Utah were talked of and the fight waxed hotter than ever. A majority of 68 out of 441 votes cast was for Lots V. W. and X., of Block 196, being the south- east corner of Third and Utah, at the price of $6,500. At the next meeting of the Board of Trustees, it was reported that the chosen site could not be secured at any price, except by condemnation proceedings, which meant long and expen- sive litigation, therefore the Board, by a vote of three to two, selected the site at Fourth and Oregon, offered by J. C. Crosier for $4,800. Although there was much dissatisfaction over the result, it was final and steps were at once taken to proceed with the building, the bonds having already been sold to the Oakland Bank of Savings at a premium of $3,000.
Among the more important improvements of the year on the North Side was the building of the long looked for Auditorium, in connection with the North Beach Bath house. The cost was about $7,000 and it gave a large room for public meetings. It was opened by an entertainment given by the newly organized Y. M. C. A. and was then taken possession of by a Vaudeville troop which made a brilliant failure and soon vanished. The people of Santa Monica seem always to have been able to provide their own entertainments and an out- side attraction must be very unusual indeed to draw any large number of Santa Monicans from their own homes and amusements.
The Academy of the Holy Names, established by the " Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary," was completed and dedicated February 22nd. It was a handsome two and a half story building, beautifully finished and furnished and was dedicated with elaborate ceremonies, including a public parade and testimonials from the city officials and citizens generally of Santa Monica.
At South Santa Monica, or Ocean Park, the Los Angeles Times estimates that the improvements for the year amounted to $232,555. including the new power house of the electric line, costing $25.000; the Holborow Hotel, $10,000. the Casino, $10,000, waterworks and other improvements of Kinney & Dudley. $18,500 and 207 other building ..
Among the notable events of this year was the visit of President Mckinley
220
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
to the Soldier's Home, at which time the citizens of Santa Monica aided in the reception which was there given him. And on September 20th, 1901 the people of this city held Memorial services in honor of the president whom they had so warmly welcomed. All business was suspended and the mourning was general. One of the incidents of this occasion was the services of the newly formed Spanish Society, which had arranged for an elaborate celebration on September 16th, the Mexican Fourth of July, but changed their program to a Memorial service, after which they burned the murderer in effigy.
1902.
The history of 1902 was largely municipal. As has been seen, the difficult task of settling on a site for the city hall was carried over into this year. But before it was decided the still more important matter of re-organization came up. The new election was called for January 28th. In the meantime, the Board of Trustees ordered a census of the town to be taken. The call for re-organiza- tion of the city had been based upon the United States census of 1890, which gave Santa Monica a population of 3057. Cities must have a population of 3,000, at least, in order to be raised to the rank of fifth class. Opponents of the change had insisted that the town did not now have the requisite three thousand and the census of the Board resulted in but 2,717 names. The promotors of the movement, however, asserted that this census did not count, as by law, the population would be taken from the United States census. At the same time the Good Government League claimed that the census taken by the Board was defective and set men to work to re-take the census. After a long and very thorough canvas, in which, we are certain every nose was counted, the result was reported as 3,260.
The election resulted in a decided victory for the Good Government League and the progressive citizens generally, the vote standing 231 for and 118 against, giving a majority of 118 as against the majority of seven the other way at the previous election. But votes do not settle the question voted upon in Santa Monica. At the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees when it was in order to officially canvas the vote, that long suffering body was served with a writ of injunction, sworn to by H. X. Goetz, enjoining them from canvassing the votes and declaring the election to have been illegal. When the Board had recovered from the shock of this attack, they engaged counsel to defend them in this case and in another action, brought by Attorney Fred H. Taft, demanding that the city fathers count those votes, or show cause why. The courts decided that the election was all right and on February 10th, the last act in this long drawn-out drama took place, and the returns of the election were duly declared although the new city government could not, by the terms of the law, go into effect until the year 1903.
The voters of Santa Monica certainly had ample opportunity to exercise
221
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
their free and sovereign right during the years of 1901-2. Beside the regular state election in November, 1901 and the municipal election the next spring, five special elections gave them a chance to express their opinions. In view of the important matters under the control of the Board this year, a good deal of interest was taken in the annual town election. Mr. W. S. Vawter was nominated as the representative of the Ocean Park district by an enthusiastic publie meet- ing. There were numerous other candidates for the trusteeship and for all the other city offices. The question of a special tax for the repair of the outfall sewer and the wharf at Pier Avenue was also submitted and voted on favorably. Messrs. Vawter and J. C. Steele were elected trustees, J. C. Hemingway, clerk ; E. W. Boehme, treasurer and M. K. Barretto, marshal. In the re-organization of the board, T. H. Dudley was elected president and F. H. Taft was chosen as attorney. One of the first acts of the new board was to raise the wholesale liquor license to $1,200 per year.
During the summer of 1902 especial attention was called to the safety of Santa Monica Beach as compared with other beaches. It was shown that very few accidents, due to undertow, had ever occurred on this beach and that every precaution to prevent accidents was taken, a guard being maintained on the beach at all times, life boats being at hand in case of need. The Los Angeles Times stated: "It is safe to say that since this little city was laid out, nearly a million people have bathed in the surf there; and while there have been a number of fatalities due to suicide, heart failure, and apoplexy or cramp. there has not been one authenticated instance of any person being overcome by a treacherous current or tide, or any person having been lost who was bathing from any public bath house."
Among the conventions entertained this year were the Woman's Auxiliary of the Episcopal church and also the Summer Institute of Sunday Schools of the Episcopal diocese ; the annual convention of Christian churches of Southern California, lasted eleven days and brought a large number of visitors to attend its sessions. In October, the grand Lodge of the Good Templars, a state or- ganization, held its annual session here.
The " short line" of the Los Angeles-Pacific was opened in August, thus giving a new and considerably shorter route to Los Angeles. An important land deal of the year was the sale by the Pacific Land Company to the Erkenbrecher syndicate, of a tract of 390 acres of land, lying just east of the then town limits and including 38 acres within the town limits. A portion of this was divided into town lots and the rest was made into five and ten acre tracts. Another very decided improvement was the paving of Oregon and Utah streets which had long been discussed but, as usual, with a variety of opinions. The Columbia building near the corner of Third and Oregon was built by Bishop Montgomery on ground adjoining the Catholic church. This was a three story brick with
J. C. HEMINGWAY.
223
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
two large storerooms on the ground floor and a pleasant hall for public purposes upon the second floor.
Another matter which the city fathers were called upon to meet this year was the question of allowing the Santa Fe road to abandon its line from Ingle- wood into Santa Monica. The road had petitioned the State Railroad commis- sion to be allowed to do so, on the ground that it was operating the line at a loss. There was considerable opposition to permitting this action on the part of the donors of the right of way, and at the same time a petition from many other citizens of Santa Monica prayed that the abandonment be allowed. It was generally believed that this would result in a competing electric line coming into Santa Monica, and rumors that the Traction Company were looking this way were frequent during the summer. In August Abbot Kinney made applica- tion for a franchise for a steam or electric line through the town to be operated by the Redondo and Santa Monica Beach line, of which he was the chief in- corporator. After some investigation this franchise was refused. In July it was announced that the right of way had been secured for a line direct from the city to the Ocean Park district, through La Ballona and Palms. The promoters were a company of whom Frederick H. Rindge was the chief.
In September the Traction Company made an offer of $3.500 for a franchise in Santa Monica. The Board of Trustees, being hard up for cash as usual, were disposed to look favorably upon this proposition ; but it was recalled that Mr. Hook had offered $5,000 for a similar privilege in Long Beach and it was also pointed out by interested citizens that, according to law, any franchise must be sold to the highest bidder. Lawyers differed as to this point and the dis- cussion waxed warm. A franchise was drawn up, granting the company all that was asked, for a consideration of $2500 and an electric current sufficient to supply 12 arc lights of 2000 candle power. While the discussion was going on, Captain John Cross, of the Terminal road appeared and offered $5,000 for a franchise ; but the Board of Trustees passed the Hook franchise without con- sidering this offer and despite strong opposition on the part of many citizens.
A day or two later John C. Morgan, one of the trustees, and a man who was always ready to fight for his convictions, brought suit against the Board of Trustees to restrain them from making the proposed " Hook " franchise a law. Meanwhile the first payment was made on the franchise and the Traction road began making preparations for entering Santa Monica. The Los Angeles- Pacific also began to move, removing the poles which had long been a bone of contention, on Oregon street : double tracking and otherwise improving their service-in anticipation of competition. In February, 1903. Col. A. B. Hotch- kiss took steps to test the validity of the Hook franchise, since it was granted without competitive bids. When it appeared that the Traction Company had secured their right of way through Santa Monica and Ocean Park, the Los Angeles-Pacific railway, alarmed for its supremacy, also began suits to contest
224
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
the right of way, and in retaliation, the Los Angeles, Ocean Park and Santa Monica Company, which had been incorporated to handle the Santa Monica end of the Traction Company, began suit to condemn certain tracts in Ocean Park, needed for the Traction right of way. The officers of this company were W. S. Hook, Abbot Kinney, T. J. Hook, C. A. Sumner and E. E. Milliken, and it was generally known as " Abbot Kinney's Company."
The Hook franchise was sustained by the attorney-general and the contest between the two trolley line companies became a bitter one. The annual election of city officials was approaching and the attitude of the trustees toward the railroad question became the vital question. The Herald announces: "The railroad election battle is on and that it promises to be hotly contested is evi- denced by the fact that each of the rival companies has established boarding camps within the city limits and is registering every available man in their em- ploy. Three registrars have been working for the last thirty days and on March 4th the city registration shows an advance of 343 votes over the registration of last November. Since March 4th fifty additional names have been added and before the registration closes it is conservatively estimated that over 400 increase will be shown."
The campaign that followed was one of the most strenuous ever known in Santa Monica. George D. Snyder, H. X. Goetz, A. F. Johnstone and J. C. Morgan were candidates for the trusteeship, and were pledged " not to put any impediments in the way of the Traction Company's building and operating a line in Santa Monica, according to the terms of the franchise recently granted them." W. S. Vawter, T. H. Dudley and J. C. Steele were candidates for re- election. The saloon question was again involved and much type was used by the press and much talk was poured out on the streets and in public meetings over the situation. Messrs. Dudley, Vawter, Goetz. Johnstone and Steele were elected, and as at least three of them were pledged to the anti-saloon party. there was rejoicing in the temperance ranks. It soon developed that the railroad situation had already been taken out of the hands of the city officials, by the sale of the Traction road and its interests to Clark and Harriman, who having no use for a competing line, were not expected to push the road to Santa Monica. Abbot Kinney, however, still retained the franchises granted to the Ocean Park, Santa Monica and Los Angeles road and made an attempt, which was promptly put a stop to by the city trustees, to occupy them. But in 1904 he sold his rail- road interests to the Los Angeles Pacific road, thus putting an end to the hope, still maintained by Santa Monica, of a competing line.
1903.
The year 1903 was marked by an unprecedented growth. With the new city government and the occupation of the beautiful new city building, came an expansion in every direction that approached dangerously near to the fated
.
225
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
word "boom." The new city hall. a substantial structure whose simple lines and graceful curves are dignified and beautiful, was complete in its fitness and space for the needs of the city affairs and was regarded by all-those who had opposed the bonds, the plans and the location, as well as those who had worked hard to settle all difficulties and secure the building-with pride. On the evening of its dedication, March 19th, 1903, the people of Santa Monica and many visitors from Los Angeles inspected the building with approval and listened to the exercises with pleasure. A program was rendered and Mr. W. I. Hull gave a resumé of the history of the building, in which he humorously re- called the various agitations which had led up to this happy finale. He closed by hoping that " those who take pos- session of it next month will keep it clean - clean inside and out. Let every record made here be as white as the paper on which it is written. Let those who are elected to office fulfill their duty as a public trust and not as a private snap. Municipal government is the weak spot in our American system. Selfish and cor- porate interests seek to control elec- tions that they may enrich themselves at the expense of the people. If we are careful that such conditions do not occur in Santa Monica, we shall the more quickly realize the grand destiny that awaits us-the Queen Seaside H. X. GOETZ. City of Southern California." Beside the municipal offices, the public library was provided with pleasant quarters. which were greatly appreciated by the public. The city hall was built by H. X. Goetz, the contractor, and with its site, cost about $38,000.
The city government under the new form required an election of new city officials throughout. The railroad and saloon questions had already become important factors in this municipal election. The many affairs of importance which the new board of trustees would be required to handle made their selection more than ever of the deepest importance to the town. Yet it must be feared that a large number of the voters were swayed by self-interest and personal feeling, rather than by the "greatest good to the greatest number." The ticket chosen was as follows: Trustees, T. H. Dudley, H. X. Goetz, A. F. Johnston, J. C. Steele and W. S. Vawter : school board, W. E. Devore, J. H. Hassinger,
15
226
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
Dr. J. S. Hunt, J. H. Jackson and S. F. Carpenter ; clerk, J. C. Hemingway, re-elected ; assessor, C. S. Dales; treasurer, Frank W. Vogel ; recorder, A. M. Guidinger : marshal, M. K. Barretto, who had served in the same office since 1898; for city attorney, there was a sharp contest between F. H. Taft, the incum- bent, and Benjamin S. Hunter, who it was claimed was a non-resident of the city. Mr. Taft was elected, but the position was contested in the courts by Mr. Hunter, without avail.
With the organization of the new board of trustees on April 20th, the history of Santa Monica as a city of the fifth class began. T. H. Dudley was chosen president of the board; the salaries to be paid city officials were, after some discussion, fixed: City clerk. $1020.00 per annum: attorney, $600.00; assessor, $520.00 ; marshal, $1200.00; treasurer, $400.00 ; recorder, $300.00 ; chief of fire department, $120.00 per annum.
The disastrous anti-saloon campaign which followed the inauguration of the new government has already been described. In view of the talk of incor- porating the section south of Santa Monica into a town, a petition was prepared by some of the property owners in the strip of territory between Marine avenue, the southern line of the city limits, and Rose avenue, asking that this territory be annexed to the city. At the same time a largely signed petition from citizens of Santa Monica making the same request was presented. Acting upon these a special election was called for December 14th, which resulted in a vote of 30 in the proposed territory-19 against annexation. This result had been' antici- pated as a strong fight had been made by the "incorporationists " against the measure.
1904.
The rapid growth of the town had made the old water system entirely inadequate to the demands upon it, particularly in the case of fire, and for a year or two there had been more or less talk of municipal ownership of the plant. The dissatisfaction with the conditions was so general that February 5th a mass meeting was called to discuss the situation and the possibilities of the city acquiring a water system of its own. At this meeting a communication from Mr. Rindge, president of the Artesian Water Company, then supplying the city water, was read, in which he stated that his company would guarantee the city an adequate supply and would at once enlarge their facilities for supplying water. After considerable discussion it was decided to suspend further action by the citizens until it was seen whether the water company fulfilled its promises. During the next two years the Artesian Company laid a 16-inch main down Nevada street and distributed a large amount of new pipe, replacing the old system and extending it to new districts. Nevertheless, it was still felt that the water supply was not equal to the demands of the rapidly growing city and the board of trade appointed a committee, who after a thorough examination into the matter. reported favorably upon the proposition to bond the city for a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.