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 26
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During 1906 the garbage incinerator was completed for Santa Monica and various mains were constructed in preparation for the erection of a septic tank. But a suitable location for the septic tank and outfall system could not be found. The entire community was canvassed: innumerable suggestions were made by the citizens, the council and by outsiders ; but no solution of the matter that promised to satisfy all was reached until September, 1907, when the board of trade presented a plan, which was adopted by the council and which promises to be a complete success. This was, in brief, the building of a substantial pier at the foot of Colorado street ; the location of a septic tank and pumping plant at the shore end of this wharf and the discharge of the outfall at the extremity, 1700 feet from the shore. This plan met with approval all around and was ratified by the voting of $160,000 bonds for carrying it out, September 30th, 1907. Bids have been called for and the work will be pushed on the completion of the system as rapidly as is possible.
It was natural that when Santa Monica found herself surrounded by a thickly settled district which was demanding school facilities, she should begin to think of expansion. The demand for school buildings to accommodate the children of the Irwin Heights settlement and of the district east of Seventeenth street, led to the proposition to annex these districts to the city before attempting to vote bonds for school purposes. April 14th. 1905, a mass meeting of citizens decided that at least two new school buildings must be provided, and that an election should be called to vote $60,000 bonds for that purpose. The board of trade immediately afterward proposed that the boundaries be extended from Eighth and Marine streets to Twenty-seventh and Montana avenue. A petition for annexation was presented by the people of the district and on August 29th, - 1905, an election was held which resulted in an addition which nearly doubled the size of the corporation.
On September 12th the bond election was held and $60,000 was voted for schools. But after consideration, it was decided that it would be economy to construct the new buildings of brick and that at least three buildings were needed. December 9th $15,000 additional was voted to complete the three buildings. But expanison in population and territory was not enough. It was felt by many citizens and by the board of trade that an expansion in the form of city government would give greater advantages to the municipality. It would require the division of the city into equitable wards, give the people a chance to govern themselves according to their own special needs, instead of under
RALPH BANE.
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state laws and give the municipality powers which it would not have under the incorporation as a city of the fifth class. In order to secure such a charter, a city must have a population of 3500 and to determine the present population of Santa Monica, the trustees ordered a special census. May 15th this census was com- pleted and a total of 7208 inhabitants reported. The charter must be prepared by a board of fifteen freeholders, each of whom must have resided in the city and voted here for five years consecutively. They are to be elected by the people at a general or special election. A committee of the board of trade sub- mitted the following list of freeholders as candidates for election : T. H. Dudley, C. A. Stilson, George D. Snyder, R. R. Tanner, George H. Hutton, H. X. Goetz, W. I. Hull, A. M. Jamison, W. S. Vawter, Robert F. Jones, D. G. Holt, B. A. Nebeker, E. J. Vawter, Roy Jones, A. N. Archer. This was known as a non- partisan ticket. A " citizens' " ticket was also put up, but seven of the nominees declined to serve and three of those left were on the non-partisan ticket, which was elected by a large majority at a special election held October 18th, 1905.
November 3rd the board organized for duty, C. A. Stilson was made presi- dent and committees on law, boundaries, offices, public utilities, taxation and election, education and libraries, were announced. After several weeks of stren- uous work on the part of the board of freeholders, the proposed charter was submitted to the consideration of the people in January, 1906. There was some opposition to certain of its terms-it was held that it too greatly centralized power; but it was felt that generally its provisions were wise and that it was best to adopt it. At the election March 28th, 1906, the instrument was adopted by a vote of 376 for to 183 against. At the same time the uninhabited territory known as the " Palisades " was annexed to the city and the uniform shade-tree act was adopted.
Santa Monica, with her new charter, with an area of eleven square miles ; with an assessment which increased from $3,830,677.00 in 1905 to $6,523,186,00 in 1906; with her rapidly growing population ; with ample school facilities, the best streets in the country and as fine public buildings as are to be found in any city of the same size, was now fairly on the way to become the ideal city of homes.
The building of a new brick manufacturing plant by an eastern corporation, the Simmons Brick Co., added largely to the clay manufacturing possibilities. A large sum was expended in improved machinery and in buildings. To this company and to the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company plant were awarded the contract for furnishing 18,000,000 brick required for the Los Angeles outfall sewer. Another company was also formed this year to utilize the Santa Monica clays in making pottery, but this industry is not yet established. It is only a question of proper handling, however, as it has been demonstrated that Santa Monica clays have no superior for fine work, in the hands of experienced workers.
Among the incidents of the year may be mentioned the visits of the Knights
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of Columbus, a national Catholic organization, the members of whom were royally entertained by Santa Monicans and carried away golden memories of this city by the sea. One of the worst fires on record in the city took place September 9th when Budy's livery stable on Third near Utah, was burned and six horses lost their lives, while a large quantity of hay was destroyed. On June 4th the city was startled by the news that their postoffice had been robbed of more than $3000 worth of cash, stamps and registered mail matter. This was one of a series of exceedingly bold postoffice robberies which occurred during this summer.
1906.
During this year a determined effort was made to improve the streets of Santa Monica by the latest methods of oiling and surfacing. In pursuance of this object about 12,000 barrels of oil were used and many streets which had hitherto been dusty in summer and muddy in winter became practically as hard and clean as paved streets. The Santa Monica system of oil-paved streets be- BRENTWOOD came widely known and was rated as having an important bearing on the problem of road construction. This method was used in improving San Vicente road, the new boulevard from the Soldiers' Home to Ocean BRENTWOOD PARK. avenue. This street was 130 feet wide, with the trolley lines in the center, was curbed and lined with trees and when completed made one of the finest drives in the county. It was pro- posed to extend Sunset boulevard and improve it to connect with this new road. There was also much talk during the year of a finely improved boulevard from Washington street, Los Angeles, to Ocean Park to join the Del Rey speedway. A scheme for a boulevard to extend southward along the coast to Redondo and thence to San Pedro was also proposed and discussed, but has not yet materialized. Much talk of the Gould line which was supposed to be coming down the coast via the Malibu road which was in course of construction, and which would give Santa Monica a new " transcontinental " line, was indulged in. There was also much talk of Huntington purchasing everything in sight and building a new trolley line to Los Angeles-all of which served to fill the papers.
One of the most beautiful suburbs of Santa Monica, located just to the north and within view of the ocean, is Brentwood Park. This is a tract of sev- eral hundred acres which has been highly improved. Streets have been graded and oiled, curbs and gravel walks laid and many hundreds of trees and shrubs
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planted out. Water is piped to every lot and electric lights have been installed. A number of handsome homes have been built here.
In January the Odd Fellows dedicated their handsome new building on Third street and January 3Ist the Merchants' National Bank moved into its own quarters in the Dudley block, a structure that would do credit to any city. The Kensington apartments, an attractive apartment house containing all the latest devices for comfort, was built on the ocean front south of the Arcadia, at a cost of $15,000. Several new blocks were put up on Pier avenue. The build- ing permits from January to June reached the sum of $194,277, aside from the three new school buildings, which were to cost $75,000, and the $50,000 pavilion at Pier avenue. Two new fire engine houses were also constructed and the garbage incinerator completed. One of the most notable improvements of the year was the Santa Monica hospital building, which was begun, after long planning, and was completed in the spring of 1907. This is a handsome two- story brick structure, standing on a commanding eminence on South Fourth street. It is completely equipped in the most modern style and is fast taking rank as one of the leading hospitals of the south coast. The handsome two-story brick building which took the place of the old Sixth-street school house was completed and occupied in the spring of 1907, as was also the Roosevelt school building on the Palisades.
1907.
The most important advance of this year has been the final action in the matter of sewage disposal. After long agitation a plan which seemed to the majority to be feasible and desirable was suggested and on September 30th bonds to the amount of $150,000 were voted for the building of a 1700-foot pier at the foot of Colorado avenue which will carry the outfall sewer pipe from the septic tank at the foot of Colorado avenue. A number of other improvements will follow the completion of this wharf. During the year building permits to the amount of $250,000 were granted. These included the $10,000 addition to the M. E. church ; a new garbage incinerator, the new postoffice building and many private residences. The Santa Monica Development Company is engaged in the construction of a large reservoir, for impounding additional water for the city supply, in Sepulveda cañon. It will have a capacity of about two million gallons and will cost $75,000. An independent gas company has been organized and promises to become a factor in the situation. The demand for real estate, while not so active as during previous years, has been steady and property in " old Santa Monica " continues steadily to increase in desirability.
The city of Santa Monica, after passing through many stages of develop- ment, is now a clean, well ordered, and most attractive place of residence. At present it has no hotel, no first-class restaurant and offers few attractions to the transient, or the crowd; but it draws a constantly increasing number of perma-
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A. F. JOHNSTON.
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HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
nent residents of the better class; while attractive cottages and apartments are filled by the people who wish to pass a restful season at the beach.
THE VISIT OF THE ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
The visit of a fleet of sixteen first-class war vessels of the United States navy, in April, 1908, was one of the greatest events in the history of the coast. Elaborate preparations for the reception and entertainment of the guests were made and Santa Monica and Ocean Park took an active part in the occasion. An executive committee consisting of David Evans, chairman ; Abbot Kinney, R. A. Phillips, W. T. Wheatley, Mayor T. H. Dudley. R. W. Armstrong and H. B. Eakin, was appointed. It was largely through the efforts of this body that the arrangement was made to divide the fleet and station it at different points. As a result of this plan the third division, consisting of the Maine, Ohio, Missouri and Minnesota, anchored off these shores for a week.
The citizens of the Bay region, under the direction of various committees, elaborately decorated streets and buildings ; planned entertainments for men and officers and were hosts to thousands of visitors. Balls for the enlisted men were given in the pavilions and a most elaborate ball was arranged for the officers, at the country club. The W. C. T. U., under Mrs. Hesther T. Griffith, main- tained headquarters at Venice for the sailors and the ladies of the Bay cities welcomed the guests with masses of flowers and many courtesies. Friday, April 23rd, was observed as a legal holiday and was given up to entertaining the guests.
On Saturday, April 24th, the entire squadron, in the presence of the largest crowd ever assembled on Santa Monica Bay shores, maneuvered and then sailed silently away to the north.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF CITY OF SANTA MONICA.
1887
$2.405.048.00
1897
1,869,132.00
1888
2,351,108.00
1898
1,871,588.00
1889
1,807,228.00
1899 1,896,844.00
1890
1,771,332.00
1900 1,910,158.00
1891
1.565.773.00
1901
1.991,310.00
1892
1,648,846.00
1902
2,220,431.00
1893
1,654,274.00
1903 2,887,574.00
1894
1.705.467.00
1904
3.472,124.00
1895
1,830,503.00
1905
3,830,677.00
1896
1,799,545.00
1906
6.523,086.00
1907
7,886.310.00
CHAPTER VI.
SOUTH SANTA MONICA AND OCEAN PARK.
W HEN the town site of Santa Monica was laid out it was surrounded by a very large area of unbroken and unoccupied territory. The great San Vicente ranch was mostly devoted to sheep pasturage. A few native Californians cultivated small tracts on the Boca de Santa Monica ; but that tract was also largely devoted to sheep grazing. On La Ballona, Anderson Rose and one or two others had begun to farm and the Machados raised some grain, but the greater portion of the tract was uncultivated.
In 1874 Mrs. Nancy A. Lucas, a wealthy widow, with three sons, purchased a tract of 861 acres from the Machados. This joined the San Vicente on the north and extended as far south as the present city limits of the city of Santa Monica, the line having followed the lines of the Lucas tract. The price paid was $14.00 per acre. Mrs. Lucas at once began to improve her property and in 1875 she erected a house on the highest point of her ranch-the hill between what is now Strand and Hill streets and Third and Fourth. The house was an ambitious two-story affair, costing some $12,000, and was for years the finest residence in the vicinity of Santa Monica and a landmark of note until its destruction by fire in December, 1904.
Her sons farmned on a large scale, raising fine crops of barley on the place. Two of them opened a lumber yard in Santa Monica and they were prominently connected with affairs in the early days of the community. In 1881, Mrs. Lucas, who was rather eccentric and lived on the place much of the time alone except for her Chinese cook, died suddenly under circumstances which gave rise to suspicion and much comment. She was said to have died from the effects of strychnine poisoning, supposedly used for killing rats. The property passed into the hands of her heirs and was soon broken up. The house, with three acres of land, was sold to Miss Mary Green, in her day known as one of the most beautiful women in California. She soon afterward married Dan Mooney, a well-known character of early days. He had been a miner in Arizona and had acquired considerable fortune. They took up their residence in the Lucas house which was thereafter known as the "Mooney Mansion."
August 17th, 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Mooney started to drive to Los Angeles. While on the way, Mr. Mooney's pistol fell from his pocket and inflicted a mortal wound in his back. Later Mrs. Mooney married Col. A. B. Hotchkiss,
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HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
a well-known and brilliant attorney, who was for many years a Southern Pacific representative. He was also the editor of a magazine, Public Resources, which did some effective work in advertising the country. He died April 3rd, 1905. Col. and Mrs. Hotchkiss owned and, at times, occupied the Mooney Mansion until its destruction. Many romantic tales have been set afloat at one time and another about the old house which stood alone in state upon the hill over- looking the ocean for so many years. Its burning was also mysterious-so mysterious that the insurance companies refused to pay up without a lawsuit.
In 1875 Mrs. Lucas sold a fifty-acre tract, adjoining the new town and fronting the ocean, to Ivar A. Weid, a well-known Los Angeles capitalist. He at once advertised, "South Santa Monica-Five minutes' walk from the new Wharf. Block No. 4, with Ocean Frontage of 370 feet." Later he changed his ad to, "SOUTH SANTA MONICA, Lots 60x150 feet. Villa Sites purchased by Judges Bicknell and Glassell, Captain Thom, and others." In March, 1876. the Outlook announces that Captain Thom had sent down a carload of shrub- bery to be planted on his place at South Santa Monica. March 22nd, 1876, this item appears in the Outlook:
" Improvements are progressing rapidly over at South Santa Monica. Major Mitchell, Captain Thom and Judges Bicknell and Glassell are all build- ing and planting trees. We understand that General Stoneman and Major Hancock will begin building within a few days. A well has been sunk and a windmill and tank erected which is the common property of several lot owners. C. H. Edwards & Co., of Los Angeles, are planting the shrubbery and making an excellent job of it." This little settlement, which seems to have had rather a military flavor, remained for some years the most exclusive and fashionable beach resort in the vicinity of Los Angeles. Some of these old cottages still remain on the bluff and are surrounded by fine trees. The Thom place with its luxuriant growth of trees and shrubbery is still kept up.
Another early settlement in South Santa Monica was the Central tract, laid out by J. W. Scott in 1876. A number of giant eucalyptus still remain of the trees planted by him at this time.
A portion of the Lucas ranch was divided into twenty-acre blocks by E. H. Lucas, one of the sons. A number of these were sold in the early eighties to various parties, including several Englishmen. The land was fertile and water was easily obtained by putting down wells and some prosperous little ranches were established here. Among these early settlers were Walter H. Wrenn, Nathan Bundy, Thomas Carlisle, Joseph and John Bontty. In 1884 the Vawters purchased 100 acres of the Lucas lands, lying south of Hollister avenue and east of the electric tracks. They paid $40.00 per acre for it, and in 1887 disposed of about half of it for a large sum. In 1886, the Crippens, a
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real estate firm of Los Angeles, bought 350 acres, extending from Eighth street east and to the San Vicente ranch line. In December this was put upon the market as East Santa Monica, villa lots of two and one-half acres being offered for $500.00, although the land had been sold the previous year for $40.00 an acre.
The boom struck this portion of Santa Monica with considerable force. The Vawters sold the Santa Fe tract of 53 acres to R. R. Tanner and Thomas A. Lewis, who put down a well, subdivided into lots, put in sidewalks and advertised an auction sale to take place August 10th, 1887. The highest price paid for one of these lots was $725.00. Houses were built on the tract by T. A. Lewis, Messrs. Tanner, W. S. Vawter and others. In March, the Wave Crest tract was put on sale with an auction, and the newspapers report sales to amount of $52,490.00 for 90 lots. H. L. Jones subdivided a tract to which he gave the name of Ocean Spray. 120 lots, which met with ready sale. The Arcadia, Ocean View, Commercial Company's tract and others were opened up during this period and a large number of improvements were made. George Kintz built the Crystal Springs bath house and plunge during the latter part of '87, and the Ballona and Santa Monica road was incorporated, to build a standard guage road from the Port of Ballona to Santa Monica, a distance of seven miles. M. L. Wicks, J. Bernard, Jr., and James Campbell were among the incorporators. Work was at this time being pushed on what was fondly hoped to be the terminus of the Santa Fe road at Ballona, and Santa Monica was strong in the hope of a new "transcontinental " line.
But after the sudden rise in values in 1887 and 1888, came a depression when progress was at a standstill; many of the town lots lapsed into acreage property and there was little sale for acreage even, although the drop in prices was not so noticeable here as in many localities. South Santa Monica, although included as far east as Eighth street in the city boundaries, as adopted in 1886, was still a rural community with scattered residences and dusty roads. The street car line had been extended from Santa Monica to the city limits in 1887. but the service was infrequent and slow.
In the spring of 1889 the Ostrich Farm was established at South Santa Monica. A tract of seven acres, known as the "Santa Monica Tract," was fenced in and thirty-four birds, with the nucleus of what was intended to be a menagerie, were brought here from Kenilworth, in the Cahuenga valley, where they had been located. In 1882, Dr. Charles S. Sketchley, an Englishman who had been engaged in ostrich farming in South Africa, came to California and selected a site near Anaheim as the best location he could find in California for an ostrich farin. His attempt here was so successful that about 1885 a syndicate was formed and Dr. Sketchley was sent again to Africa to secure new birds. He
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returned with thirty-four fine birds which were placed on the Los Feliz rancho in the Cahuenga foothills. A park and menagerie were planned and it was hoped to make this one of the leading attractions of Los Angeles. In 1887 the Ostrich Farm railway was built to Burbank and Kenilworth as the station at the Ostrich Farm was named; but this location proved too out of the way and the venture was not a financial success. Then South Santa Monica was chosen as a more accessible spot, offering other attractions as well.
About thirty birds were brought here under the management of Mr. Henry Beauchamp, also English. But the Outlook states that Mr. Beauchamp was a "Moody and Sankey convert " and refused to keep his place open on Sundays, "which is good religion but poor business." After a couple of years the ostriches were removed to a new location near the Southern Pacific depot and under the management of Mr. Harold Perry, the place was made very attractive. Later Mr. Frank Ellis became manager, and in 1893 sold six birds to Sells circus, which were declared by the circus people to be the finest ostriches they had ever seen. Many old resident will remember the chase which followed the escape of a full grown African bird from the enclosure. The frantic creature, after being driven over the hills in the vicinity of the Soldiers' Home was finally headed homeward, only to dash past the farm, into the ocean-to its death. About 1895 the remaining birds were removed to Anaheim and this attraction ceased to be counted among the charms of South Santa Monica.
Up to 1890 this section had no school facilities and the children were obliged to attend the Sixth street school in Santa Monica-a long and difficult journey. After a good deal of discussion and several petitions for relief, the school trustees finally decided, February, 1890, to establish a school in South Santa Monica.
February 25th, 1888, the board of school trustees voted to purchase two lots, 12 and 13 of the Santa Fe tract, at $1,000.00 each. Nothing further in reference to providing a school for the south side appears until February 10th, 1890, when the minutes state that a proposition was received from E. Emerson, to build a house at South Santa Monica suitable for school purposes and to rent the same to the district for six months at a rental of $50.00 per month. This proposition was accepted by the board and February 28th they elected Miss Ellen L. Huie as teacher, at a salary of $60.00 per month. What happened in the interim does not appear but on the records under date of March 4th, all the " above action " is rescinded, and Miss Huie was allowed $7.50 to reimburse her for her expenses in coming to Santa Monica. At a special meeting of the board held August 21st, 1890, Miss Huie was again employed to teach " the south side " school at a salary of $50.00 per month, the " school to be discontinued at the pleasure of the board."
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