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 29

Author: Ingersoll, Luther A., 1851- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Los Angeles, L. A. Ingersoll
Number of Pages: 634


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 29


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


In 1902 $12,000 bonds were voted for a new building on the south side and the next year an eight-room building, costing when complete about $16,000, was ready for occupancy. The city was now growing so rapidly, both by annexation and from within, that the school accommodations were felt to be entirely inadequate. In 1905 $60,000 bonds were voted and plans were made for three school houses, an eight-room building at Seventh and Michigan, now known as the Garfield building : a four-room school at Irwin avenue and Twenty-second-the Grant, and a four-room building on Twentieth between Oregon and Arizona. It was decided to construct all of these buildings of brick and to make them complete in equipment. But the growth of the school population was still beyond the capacity of the accommodations and in 1906 it was decided to replace the old Sixth street school, which had been added to until little of the original building could be found. with a modern building.


268


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


In consequence the people were again called upon to bond themselves for school purposes and the sum of $15,000 to complete the three buildings already under way, was voted December 9th, 1905, and of $60,000 for the Sixth street school and a four-room building in the new Palisade tract. The Sixth street school was first occupied in the spring of 1907 and is the equal of any school building in the country.


The Santa Monica schools are now fully equipped for effective service. Fifty teachers are employed and the attendance for 1907-8 will surpass all


SIXTH STREET SCHOOL.


previous years. The number of children of school age in May, 1907, was 2,499. Departments of music and drawing, with supervising instructors are maintained. Full courses in manual training and domestic science are given. The school district now has nine buildings: The Lincoln-the High School- located at Oregon and Tenth; Jefferson, the old Sixth street school; Washing- ton, Fourth street and Ashland avenue; Garfield, Seventh street and Michigan avenue ; Grant, Irwin avenue and Twenty-second street ; Mckinley, Twentieth street between Idaho and Montana; Roosevelt, Sixth street between Idaho and Montana; Westgate and Canyon. The entire valuation of school property is $194,000.


269


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


Beside the public schools, the Academy of the Holy Names, under the care of the Sisters, was established in 1899. The beautiful building occupied by this school was dedicated February 22nd, 1901.


In 1906 the California Military Academy was established in Santa Monica, in response to the desire of parents who wished to place their sons in a genuine military academy. Its sessions were held in tents located in the park until December 9th, when the school was transferred to the Arcadia Hotel building and the hotel ceased to exist after serving the public for twenty years. The school has a boarding and day department and prepares its pupils for college. Certainly no more delightful and healthful location for such a school could be found.


SCHOOL TRUSTEES OF SANTA MONICA.


1876-77-John Freeman, L. T. Fisher, J. W. Scott (clerk). 1877-78-M. D. Johnson, J. W. Scott. George Boehme (clerk). 1878-79-Loren Heath, J. W. Scott, George Boehme (clerk). 1879-80-Loren Heath, George Boehme, W. S. Vawter (clerk). 1880-81-M. D. Johnson, Loren Heath, W. S. Vawter (clerk). 1881-82-George Giroux, W. R. Gaddy, W. S. Vawter (clerk). 1882-83-Mrs. L. B. Huie, J. W. Scott, M. R. Gaddy (clerk). 1883-84-Mrs. E. E. McLeoud, Mrs. Geo. B. Dexter, E. K. Chapin (clerk). 1884-85-Mrs. Geo. B. Dexter, Mrs. E. E. McLeoud, E. K. Chapin (clerk). 1885-86-Mrs. Geo. B. Dexter, Mrs. E. E. McLoud, E. K. Chapin (clerk). 1886-87-F. H. Howard, E. J. Vawter, E. K. Chapin (clerk). 1887-88-W. O. Baxter, Geo. D. Pendleton, E. J. Vawter (clerk). 1888-89-W. O. Baxter, Geo. D. Pendleton, W. S. Vawter (clerk). 1889-90-Geo. D. Pendleton, John C. Morgan, W. S. Vawter (clerk). 1890-91-John C. Morgan, Dr. H. G. Cates, N. A. Roth (clerk). 1891-92-John C. Morgan, W. S. Vinyard, Dr. J. J. Place (clerk). 1892-93-John C. Morgan, R. R. Tanner, Dr. J. J. Place (clerk). 1893-94-Dr. J. J. Place, R. R. Tanner, Nathan Bundy (clerk). 1894-95-R. R. Tanner, R. P. Elliott, Nathan Bundy (clerk). 1895-96-R. P. Elliott, Dr. J. J. Place, Nathan Bundy (clerk). 1896-97-R. P. Elliott, S. F. Carpenter, Fred H. Taft (clerk). 1897-98-R. P. Elliott, S. F. Carpenter, F. H. Taft (clerk). 1898-99-R. P. Elliott S. F. Carpenter, F. H. Taft (clerk). 1899-00-R. P. Elliott, S. F. Carpenter, D. G. Holt (clerk). 1900-01-S. F. Carpenter, D. G. Holt (clerk), F. K. Rindge. 1901-02-S. F. Carpenter, F. K. Rindge, D. G. Holt (clerk) 1902-03-S. F. Carpenter, F. K. Rindge, D. G. Holt (clerk). 1903-04 the change was made from a board of school trustees to a city


270


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


board of education, the first board under the re-organization being: S. F. Carpenter, J. H. Hassinger, W. E. Devore, Dr. J. S. Hunt, J. H. Jackson. This board held until 1906 when the present board, W. E. Devore, A. B. Clapp. E. V. Dales, D. G. Holt, and W. S. Vawter was elected.


SUPERVISING PRINCIPALS OF SANTA MONICA SCHOOLS.


1876-77-H. P. McCusick.


1886-90-E. P. Rowell.


1877-A. C. Shafter.


1890-92-Leroy D. Brown.


1878-A. McPherson.


1893-00-N. F. Smith.


1878-79-Chas, H. Hall.


1900-02-C. 1. D. Moore.


1879-80-Miss Blanche L. Downs.


1902-07-D. A. Eckert (superin- tendent ).


1880-81-Florella King.


1881-W. H. P. Williams.


1882-86-W. W. Seaman.


1907-Horace Rebok (superinten- cent ) .


SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.


The following table shows the increase in school enrollment and attendance in the Santa Monica school district since the year 1876:


Year.


Total Enrollment.


Av. Daily


Attendance.


Year.


Total Enrollment.


Av. Daily Attendance.


1876


103


66


1891-1892


392


246


1876-1877


145


64


1892-1893


196


278


1877-1878


149


80


1893-1894


544


320


1878-1879


122


65


1894-1895


614


37


1879-1880


98


60


1895-1896.


669


402


J880-188I


103


54


1896-1897


739


467


1881-1882


108


49


1897-1898


682


444


1882-1883


136


72


1898-1899


699


437


1883-1884.


179


87


1899-1900


668


441


1884-1885.


176


II4


1900-190I


660


401


1885-1886


198


1901-1902


755


482


1886-1887


264


129


1902-1903


973


581


1887-1888


332


187


1903-1904


133J


815


1888-1889


354


220


1904-1905.


1352


855


1889-1890


344


212


1905-1906


1604


1035


1890-1891


355


222


1906-1907


1641


II21


ยท 271


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


The people who settled the town of Santa Monica were of the intelligent and progressive class. They at once took steps to provide themselves with schools and churches, and on March Ist, 1876, the Outlook announces: " A Library Association is about to be formed in Santa Monica. All those inter- ested in this movement are requested to meet at the home of Mrs. Devere, on Sixth street, on Thursday evening, when the plans will be explained."


The association was formed and met once a week on Saturday evenings, when discussions were held and papers read. Books and periodicals were contributed for the use of the members. At a meeting of the association held April 19th, 1878, Dr. J. S. Elliott was chosen president ; George Boehme, treasurer ; and M. C. Olmstead, secre- tary and librarian. The initiation fees of the society were $1.00 and the mem- bership $2.00 annu- PUBLIC LIBRARY ally, the money to be devoted to the purchase of books. There were twenty- five members, and June 19th, 1876, the first installment of books for the Santa PUBLIC LIBRARY. Monica Library was This was certainly a


received, the list including a number of standard works. good start toward a library. How long this society existed, or what became of the books purchased for it, is not known.


The next movement for a library and a free reading room was made about 1884 by some of the ladies of the town, who felt that the young people needed such opportunities. Mrs. Asenath Lorimer, Miss Ella G. Dow, the Misses Vawter, Miss Niles, and others were interested. A subscription list was started, Col. R. S. Baker being the first contributor. Entertainments were given for the fund and a room in the rear of Dr. Fred C. McKinnie's drug store was secured for a reading room. The work was carried on for some time by the women interested ; but after the organization of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union, the reading room was turned over to their charge. It was then removed to the building still occupied by the organization, being located in the down-stairs room. Of their work the Outlook notes:


272


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


"A few unselfish ladies of the W. C. T. U. have been engaged for some time in establishing a library and free reading room in Santa Monica. They have labored faithfully and already there is gratifying evidence that their work has not been in vain. Their free reading room is handsomely fitted up and is one of the specially inviting places in Santa Monica. For a time they rented a room but they finally concluded to purchase a lot and building and take the chances of paying for it. In accordance with this plan they bought a 25-foot lot and a two-story building on Third street for $2,500. Mr. John Steere, of whom they made the purchase, has given the ladies their own time to pay for the property, only exacting the interest. By renting a portion of the building, they have reduced the rent to a small amount per month. On their shelves there are about 400 volumes of well selected books and the tables of the pleasant reading room are supplied with many popular magazines and papers. The only charge is two bits a month for books taken from the room, while all are allowed free use of everything within the library. The officers are Mrs. Jane Austin, president ; Mrs. D. B. Hubbell, vice-president, and Miss E. A. Dow, secretary. A number of other ladies are taking an active interest in the institution which deserves a most liberal support from our own residents, and it is to be hoped that some benevolent visitor will come along some day and determine to help this worthy undertaking .- Outlook, July 18, '88.


The ladies of Santa Monica did, indeed, labor hard to aid this work. They gave dinners and suppers, socials and fairs, and worked harder to carn money for this purpose than they would have dreamed of working to earn money for themselves. One instance is told of an auction sale on the South Side, where the W. C. T. U. ladies furnished the dinner. One of the owners of the tract, Mr. Tom Lewis, offered to give a commission of $100 to the ladies if they would sell the house and lot on the tract offered. After the dinner, one of the ladies, Mrs. D. B. Hubbell, heard of the offer, rounded up a purchaser for the property and made a sale. In course of time the $100 was paid over to hier and she asserts that the day on which she spent a hundred dollars all at once for books for the Santa Monica library, was a red letter day in her life.


In 1888, the ladies of Santa Monica, under the direction of Mrs. Chapin. Mrs. W. S. Vawter, and others, and with the aid of Mr. Tyler, prepared a floral exhibit for the second Floral Festival held in the old Hazard Pavilion, in Los Angeles. A full-rigged ship was seen floating on the ocean, the wharf and the bluff were represented- all in the most exquisite of flowers. The Santa Monica booth was unanimously declared the most beautiful among many elaborate exhibits and received the first prise, $200. This after deducting expenses the ladies turned over to the reading room fund.


But the purchase of the building and the maintenance of the reading room and library proved too heavy a burden for the women to carry indefinitely. In


273


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


1889, Mr. Steere very generously returned the money which had been paid on the building and canceled the sale. But upon his death, in 1892, he left this building to the Women's Christian Temperance Union on condition that a free reading room be maintained in it.


In 1890 the ladies who were interested in the library proposed to turn it over to the city, provided the city would carry it on. The proposal of the ladies who had gathered together a well selected library of 800 volumes was as follows:


" It appearing to the members of this society that said society is unable to pay the current expenses of the library belonging to them, and believing it will be for its best interest to donate the said library to the town of Santa Monica, a municipal organization duly incorporated and existing under the laws of this state, to be carried on by the said town in accordance with the laws of this state regulating public libraries, it is therefor


" Resolved, that this society does hereby give, donate and bequeath to said town of Santa Monica all its said library, together with all appurtenances belonging thereto, for the purpose of maintaining a public library in connection with a free reading room.


"We, the undersigned members of the foregoing society, do hereby consent to this disposition of the library.


" Signed by Laura E. Hubbell, president; J. A. Austin, secretary ; Rebecca B. Guilberson, I. D. Richmond (per Mrs. Richmond, his wife). Trustees, Mamie E. Guilberson, Mrs. I. D. Richmond, Mrs. J. A. Dexter.


November 14th, 1890."


The town trustees accepted the gift and appointetd W. W. Webster, E. H. Sweetser, H. A. Fisher, Abbot Kinney and L. T. Fisher as library trustees. Two rooms were engaged in the bank building and December, 1890, Miss Elfie Mosse was appointed librarian.


The first monthly report of the library after it was turned over to the city, December, 1890, reads: "Report of Santa Monica Public Library, commencing December 5th. The book list names 808 books; the records show fifteen books taken that have been out for several months. The list of subscribers during month is twenty-eight-sixteen of them new on the list. Receipts for the month, $7.25. Donation of a year's subscription of the following magazines by Mr. Abbot Kinney: Scribner's, Popular Science Monthly, The Forum, Harper's Monthly, Puck and Judge. Mr. H. A. Winslow donated American Encyclo- pedia, 10 volumes; Mr. T. A. Lewis, 'Memoirs of W. T. Sherman,' 2 volumes, Elfie Mosse, librarian."


A subscription of twenty-five cents a month was still required and still at the end of the first year the library was badly in need of funds. If it was to be


18


J. H. CLARK.


275


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


carried on, something must be done and a subscription of $200 was made up among citizens to help it out.


March Ist, 1893, the library was made free to the public, the occasion being celebrated by an evening gathering, speeches, etc. The library now had 1,800 volumes on its shelves. The growth was steadily maintained. In 1898 it became necessary to secure an additional room. On the completion of the new city hall, it was removed March 21st, 1903, to the room now occupied by the council, which gave more commodious quarters.


But it had already been suggested that Santa Monica might possibly be able to secure a Carnegie library, as so many other towns in Southern California had done. Early in 1903 Mrs. J. H. Clark wrote to Mr. Carnegie, setting forth the needs of Santa Monica and making a plea for consideration for this city. After some correspondence she received the following letter :


ANDREW CARNEGIE, 2 Fast 91st St., New York.


13th April, 1903.


Mrs. J. H. Clark,


Santa Monica, Cal.


Madam :- Responding to your communication on behalf of Santa Monica. If the city agree by resolution of Councils to maintain a Free Public Library at cost of not less than Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars a year, and provide a suitable site for the building, Mr. Carnegie will be pleased to furnish Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars to erect a Free Public Library Building for Santa Monica. Respectfully yours,


JAS. BERTRAM, P. Secretary.


The city was already raising more than the required amount annually for the support of the library. It only remained to secure a site. A subscription was started and in a few weeks the sum of $3,982.50 had been raised. The site on the corner of Oregon avenue and Fifth street was purchased. January Ist, 1904, work on the new library was begun. July 23rd of the same year saw the building completed and on the evening of August with the library was opened with a reception to the public.


The architecture of the building is Romanesque, with a handsome facade and entrance. Within an octagonal delivery room is the central feature, all the rooms being built around it and opening from it, in such a way that super- vision can be had over the whole from the central desk. A juvenile room with suitable chairs and tables and a ladies' rest room add to the conveniences for patrons.


In the regulations governing the library and in the library work, modern methods have been adopted and improvements are constantly in progress. At the present date the library contains 8.300 volumes and the home issue for the year just ended was 39.738. Three days in the week there is a book exchange from Pier avenue, the station being in the drug store of Clapp Brothers.


276


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


In the reading and reference rooms are currently received ninety-five periodicals. Special work in the children's rooms, such as posters, stereoscope system of views, etc., and also meeting the demand for books in connection with the public school work, is made a feature of much interest.


The success of this library has been greatly due to the faithful and efficient librarian, Miss Elfie Mosse, who has had it in charge since 1890. For four- teen years she was entirely without assistance except during the summer months. Alone and unaided she has striven zealously to keep the Santa Monica library in the front rank and to keep pace with the growth of the city. All the latest methods and improvements have been adopted through her efforts, and at the National Librarians' Convention, which she attended, her work received high commendation.


In August, 1902, Miss Grace Baxter was made assistant librarian and a student's class was inaugurated.


The following table, giving the home use of books since the library came under " city government," will be of interest :


January, 1891 to 1892 5,304


January, 1892 to 1893. 7,508


January, 1893 to 1894 9,941


January, 1894 to 1905. 15,106 January, 1905 to 1906. 19,183


January, 1896 to 1897 18,805


January, 1897 to 1898. 26,397


January, 1898 to 1899 25,029


January, 1899 to 1900 27,281


January, 1900 to 1901 . 21,533


January, 1901 to 1902.


17,550


January, 1902 to 1903


21,260


January, 1903 to 1904. 22,670


From January to June, 1904 (6 months)


11,134


From June 30, 1904, to June 30, 1905.


26,575


From June 30, 1905, to June 30, 1906. 35,641


From June 30, 1906, to June 30, 1907


39.738


SANTA MONICA LIBRARY SITE CASH CONTRIBUTORS.


Artesian Company $ 300.00


Bradshaw, Wm. G. . .


. . .. 25.00


Abbott & Elliott 5.00


Brand, L. C. (Guarantee


Aiken, H. C.


25.00


Title ) 40.00


Busier, A.


25.00


Brooks, Miss 25.00


Bundy, Frank


25.00


Benson, A. B. 5.00


Bundy, Guy


10.00


Bandina, Don Jaun 100.00


277


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


Charles, Chris


25.00


Kennedy, John 25.00


Chambers, W. H.


25.00


Knesel, J. S.


25.00


Crosier, J. C.


5.00


Lindsey, C. M.


10.00


Cook, G. W.


5.00


Lindsey, Mrs. M. C. 25.00


Clark, J. H.


100.00


La Berge, J.


5.00


Carpenter, S. F.


25.00


Leonardt, Carl


20.00


Conaway, C. W.


10.00


Miller, R. M.


25.00


Dudley, T. H.


50.00


Moody, T. A.


25.00


Dudley, Mrs. T. H.


100.00


Martin, Miss E.


25.00


Dow, Miss Ellen


25.00


Montgomery, A. M.


25.00


Dike, Mrs. E. W.


25.00


Mosse, Miss E. 10.00


Dales Bros.


25.00


Miles, J. Euclid


10.00


Daley, F. B.


50.00


Michel, H.


15.00


Duryea, Mrs. A.


10.00


Morris, Alf.


10.00


Dunston, H. G.


10.00


Bassett and Nebeker 100.00


Nieman & Co.


25.00


Edison Electric


100.00


Rindge, F. H.


500.00


Eaton, Fred


50.00


Edmond, Geo. W.


25.00


Feather, M. D.


5.00


Freeman, Ed.


5.00


Sawtelle, W. E.


25.00


Gillis, W. T.


25.00


Saxman, W. H.


5.00


Gardner, Mrs. M. W.


25.00


Grimes, R. R.


5.00


Tanner, R. R.


50.00


Gilman and Dorner


25.00


Tullis, O. G.


25.00


Hunt, Dr. J. S.


25.00


Tegner, Chas.


5.00


Hamilton, Dr. N. H.


50.00


Vawter, E. J.


20.00


Hull, W. I.


25.00


Holt, D. G.


25.00


Hubbell, Mrs. L. E.


25.00


Hemingway, J. C.


5.00


Jones, Roy


500.00


Wilson, J. S.


10.00


James, T. H.


5.00


Wilson, E. A.


10.00


Jenkins, Rob


5.00


Keller, H. W.


25.00


83 Subscribers. $3.782.50


100.00


Sherman and Clark 300.00


Sweetser, E. H. 25.00


Schrader, Carl 25.00


Guidinger, A. M.


25.00


Taft, F. H.


25.00


Vawter, W. S.


25.00


Hutton, Geo. H.


50.00


Vawter, Misses


10.00


Volkman, M. F.


10.00


Walkley, Mrs. Caroline 100.00


Webb and Vogel 25.00


Duncan, E.


2.50


Robie. J. B.


278


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


SANTA MONICA FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The first fire company in Santa Monica was the Crawford Hook and Ladder Company, organized October 27th, 1875, with J. C. Morgan, president : S. B. Adams, secretary; W. Beach, treasurer ; Harry DuPuy, foreman ; John Mott. first assistant ; Johnny Doyle, second assistant. Their outfitting was very simple. being buckets and axes, but they were enthusiastic and on occasions made a brave fight with their buckets. One of the most serious fires with which they had to contend occurred on July 19th, 1876, when the " Club House " was set on fire by an incendiary for the purpose of rob- bery, the thieves getting away with $850 from the bar during the excitement. This fire company was an important factor in the social life during early days, as they had their annual balls and benefits of various sorts. The organization died out, however, and for some years the town was without a regular fire department of any sort. Everybody grabbed a bucket and ran when an alarm was given.


No other fire company was organized here until March 22nd, 1889. when Santa Monica Hose, Hook and Ladder Company was formed with forty-six members, many of whom were leading business men of the city. " Bob " Eckert, who had been a pioneer fire- man in Los Angeles, was the first foreman The first equipment at this time consisted cf a four-wheel hose cart and 1,000 feet of hose. FIRE HOUSE, DEPT. NO. 1. with ladders, axes, etc. Hydrants had been been provided and the old engine house, back of the bank building on Oregon avenue, had been built in 1888. The first officers of the company were Robert Eckert, foreman ; William Jackson, first assistant foreman; George B. Dexter. second assistant foreman ; Fred C. Mckinney, secretary, and A. G. Smith, treasurer. In 1890, George B. Dexter was made foreman, a position which he held continuously until 1903 when the department was organized under the new city administration.


In 1800 a two-wheel cart and a hook and ladder wagon were added to the equipment. The two carts with 2,000 feet of hose made it a very licavy task for the firemen to pull the apparatus to a fire, especially when they had to plough through a mile or two of sand or dust to reach South Santa Monica. Yet for


279


HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES


ten years the firemen were obliged to meet these conditions, added to which was often, perhaps usually, an inadequate supply of water, or a pressure too weak to be effectual. This company was volunteer and received no compensation for their services, except such funds as were raised in various ways through the efforts of the firemen or by contribution.


During that time the fire department had to cope with many exciting blazes. One of the most serious was the Santa Monica Hotel which was burned in 1889. Another, which many will remember, was the burning of the large livery stable belonging to William Flores when several horses and a large amount of hay was lost. The destruction of the old Neptune Gardens, in 1893, was a pictur- esque fire ; in 1895 the burning of the St. James Hotel caused a heavy loss and some narrow escapes; the fire department by good work saved the adjoining buildings, although they were too late to save even the furnishings of the hotel. In 1899, the Casino building on Third street was destroyed by fire.


In 1900 the board of trustees after careful consideration purchased a new combination hose wagon and chemical engine and also a team of horses. Mr. A. J. Myers was installed as driver. The engine house was rebuilt, a new fire bell had been put in place and an electrical fire alarm system had been installed in 1896. Mr. W. I. Hull served as president of the company for fifteen years 1892 to 1907. The present officers are: C. J. Marvin, chief; E. P. Nittinger, assistant chief. The board of fire commissioners is made up of Mayor Dudley, president : A. N. Archer and H. G. Dunston.


In 1906 steps were taken to provide the fire department with suitable quarters, the old fire house having become entirely unsuited to its needs. At a bond election held in 1906, bonds were voted for building two fire houses, one on city property rear of the city hall, one on Surf and Lake streets. These handsome buildings, fitted with all modern conveniences, were turned over to the city in the spring of 1907.


A volunteer fire department was organized in Ocean Park February 3rd, 1900, with an enrollment of eighteen members, its officers being A. N. Archer. president : Wm. H. Menzies, foreman ; C. J. Marvin, assistant foreman ; J. H. Hassinger, secretary and treasurer ; E. Rudisill, second assistant foreman. The city trustees turned over to this company the old four-wheeled cart and 600 feet of hose, and furnished lumber to put up a small building which was erected on private property by voluntary labor and subscription. This company was increased to thirty members and did efficient service many times, although much hampered by lack of water pressure. The present fire house is fully equipped.




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.