USA > California > Santa Clara County > Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California > Part 24
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The City Hotel, the principal hostelry of the pueblo, was built in 1849. It was located on the west side of First Street, about where the Martin Block now stands. The old-timers do not speak in glowing terms of its accommodations for guests. The price for board and lodging was $5.00 per day; single meals, $2.00.
The Mansion House, on First Street, between Santa Clara and St. John, occupied the present site of the Music Hall building. It was commenced in 1849 and completed early in 1850. It was erected by Joseph S. Ruckle, and cost $100,000. This was the popular hotel for many years, and was headquarters for the members of the Legislature, members of the Bar, and business and professional men. In 1853 Mr. A. S. Beaty was installed as landlord, and his memory will always be kept green by those who were fortunate enough to have been his guests. The building was burned May 31, 1865.
The United States Hotel was erected in 1850 on San Pedro Street. It was first called the Pavilion, but its name was changed as above. The frame of this building was made in Australia, and when com-
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pleted the building cost over $50,000. It never paid interest on the investment, and, in 1879, it was moved upon Sixth Street and converted into a dwelling- house. In the same year A. Chattelle expended $50,- 000 in erecting a two-story building on the west side of Market Street near El Dorado Street, which was called the French Hotel. The lower portion was used for gambling and became notorious.
J. D. Hoppe, in 1850, with Levi Goodrich as archi- tect, put up what was called a fine adobe building on the northeast corner of Santa Clara and Market Streets, where T. W. Spring's store now is. The adobes were taken from the old juzgado, which was torn down this year. Frank Lightston built two adobe houses on Santa Clara Street opposite the Auzerais House. These buildings stood until 1871. O. L. Crosby built the house afterwards occupied by Mrs. Hensley in what was afterwards known as the Hensley grounds, on First Street between Julian and Empire. Wm. Van Voorhies, who was then Sec- retary of State, built a frame house on Second Street near William, in this year. The old Morgan House was built this year by Messrs. May, Lee, and McCune. It was on the corner of First and San Fernando Streets, and was run as a boarding-house at first, but was opened as a hotel in 1851, by John R. Price. In 1867 a portion was torn down and the corner built up with brick, and a few years afterwards all of the old wooden building was removed to make place for the Wilcox Block. During this year Governor Burnett occupied a house on Second Street, near San Carlos. It was considered a good building then, but would hardly meet popular opinion as a governor's mansion now. The State House we have spoken of elsewhere. It was built by Sansevain and Rochon, in 1849. In 1850 also was built the Bella Union. It stood on the present site of the Auzerais House, on Santa Clara Street. It was a two-story frame building with a sheet-iron roof. The frame was brought from the Eastern States via Cape Horn. It was opened as a drinking saloon about Christmas and played a con- spicuous part in the early history of the city.
From 1850 there was not much building, nearly everybody being at the mines; but in 1853 nearly a hundred houses were erected. Many of these were of brick, it being estimated that 1, 1 50,000 brick were used that year, all but 9,000 being manufactured in Santa Clara. Among the most prominent of these build- ings was one at the southeast corner of Santa Clara Street and Pacheco Alley, which was occupied by the Supreme Court, and one at the southeast corner of
Market and Santa Clara Streets. Merritt Brothers built a two-story brick building on Fifth Street near St. John. This was considered an aristocratic struct- ure in those days. It is still standing. Auzerais Brothers built their brick store on Market Street be- tween El Dorado Street and the Catholic Church. A two-story frame house was brought from San Fran- cisco and put on the northwest corner of Santa Clara and First Streets, where Knox Block now stands. It was called the Railroad Hotel. The Sisters of Notre Dame commenced their brick college building this year, with Levi Goodrich as architect. The county jail on San Fernando Street, between Third and Fourth, was built at a cost of $15,000 in 1854.
In 1855 the old City Hall on Market Street was built. It was of brick and adobe, 68x42 feet and two stories high. We speak of this in the past tense in view of the new City Hall, which is fast approach- ing completion. Some brick buildings were erected this year on the east side of Market Street between Santa Clara and El Dorado Streets. Peter Davidson built some brick stores near the northwest corner of Market and Santa Clara Streets.
In 1856 Eli Jones & Co. erected a brick store on the east side of First Street between El Dorado and Santa Clara Streets.
In 1857 Mr. Stock built a house on First Street.
In 1858 Pfister & Co. built a two-story brick build- ing on the southeast corner of First and Santa Clara Streets, where Safe Deposit Block now stands. The Catholic Church was encased in brick. This building was afterward destroyed by fire. P. O. Minor put up the concrete building on the west side of First Street between El Dorado and San Fernando.
In 1859 Auzerais Brothers built several buildings on Market Street south of their store. Martin Mur- phy built ninety feet of the brick stores on the east side of Market Street. Clemente Colombet built the brick block on the west side of Market Street, called then the San Jose Hotel, now the Cosmopolitan. Stark's Theater was built this year. It was on First Street nearly opposite the New York Exchange. It was opened with the play of " Richelieu."
In 1863 the foundations of the Auzerais House, on Santa Clara Street, were laid. It was completed in 1865. Cost of building and furniture, about $160,- 000. Patrick Welch erected his brick stable on First Street, north of Santa Clara. King and Knoche built the brick building on First Street, north of El Dorado. The old railroad depot on San Pedro Street was built this year.
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In 1864 the Hensley Block, at the northwest corner of Market and Santa Clara Streets, was erected. It was then called the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Hall Building. It was occupied below by James Hart's dry-goods store, when it was, carly in the 70's, rented for the use of the post-office, and continued in that use until 1888. C. T. Ryland built a two-story brick building at the northeast corner of First and San Fernando Streets. He added to it in 1869. It is now used as the Lick House. In this year the first part of Knox Block was erected, at the northwest corner of Santa Clara and First Streets. Two stores were added on First Street in 1867.
In 1866 the Court House, opposite St. James' Square, was commenced. It was not finished until 1868. Haskell & Porter, Strauss & Brown, S. A. Clark and John Stock, erected brick buildings on the west side of First Street, between San Fernando and El Dorado Streets.
In 1867 the Santa Clara Street School-house was built. The New York Exchange Building, on First Street, was completed this year, and opened by Martin Corcoran. Levy Brothers built a brick build- ing at the southwest corner of First and Santa Clara Streets. It has been remodeled, and is now owned and occupied by the First National Bank. John Balbach put up his brick building on Santa Clara Street, between Market and First. Part of the old Morgan House, at the northwest corner of First and San Fernando Streets, was removed, and a brick building erected. The remainder of the house was afterwards taken away, and the block completed with a two-story brick structure. Part of this block is now occupied by the Garden City National Bank.
In 1868 Martin Murphy built the brick building on the south side of Santa Clara Street, between Lightston Street and Market, now occupied by the City Stables. Adolph Pfister built the brick build- ing at the southeast corner of Santa Clara and Sec-
ond Streets. Charles Otter built the brick building at the southwest corner of St. John and First Streets, forming a portion of the New York Exchange Block. H. M. Newhall erected the building at the northeast corner of Market and First Streets, since occupied by T. W. Springs' store.
In 1870 Brohaska's Opera House was completed. It was situated on the north side of Santa Clara Street, between Second and Third. It was finished in modern style, and was considered, at that time, the best theater building in the interior of the State. It was opened with "London Assurance," with John T. Raymond as "Mark Meddle." The building was destroyed by fire in 1881. This year the Jewish Synagogue, corner of Third and San Antonio Streets, was built. The first normal school building was commenced this year. Music Hall Building, on First Street, was erected. The new county jail was built. The first asphaltum sidewalk was constructed this year. It was on the north side of Santa Clara Street, from First to Market. It was built by a Frenchman, named Neuval, and was the best ever made in the city, lasting for many years.
In 1871 the Bank of San Jose Building was erected. In 1872 the Safe Deposit Block was built. Later it was extended south to Fountain Street.
It is not intended in this chapter to give the dates of construction of all the buildings in the city, but to give some of the old landmarks, and to trace the march of improvements for the first twenty years of American occupation. During the Spanish and Mexican administration, which covered a period of more than half a century, not more than a dozen buildings were erected in the pueblo, and these were of the rudest character. Within twenty years after the Americans took possession, the pueblo had be- come a thriving city, with substantial business blocks and beautiful residences, and has already become known as the "Garden City."
Santa Clara County in the War.
D URING the War of the Rebellion, Santa Clara County evinced her willingness to stand by the Union, both with money and men. Of the former, many thousands of dollars were contributed and placed at the disposal of the Sanitary Commission. Of the latter, more volunteers were tendered than required, and many crossed the mountains in order to enlist under the old flag. Those who enlisted here were either retained in the State or sent to Arizona and New Mexico. There was no draft ever ordered in California to secure her proportion of troops, while there was always a reserve, in the volunteer companies organized under the State laws, more than sufficient for any emergency that might arise. California was far from the center of government, with a long line of exposed sea-coast, and, in case of foreign compli- cations, subject to attack. For these reasons it was necessary that her people should remain at home to protect their own territory. This was done to a great extent, although each regiment, as it was organized, understood that it was to be sent East to take position at the front. Many men from Santa Clara County, not being able to enlist at home, went to San Fran- cisco and other cities where the quota was not filled, in order to be enrolled. These were credited to other counties. Of those who enlisted from Santa Clara County we have record of the following :-
COMPANY C, FIRST REGIMENT .- Infantry.
Organized in San Jose, June, 1861. Re-organized as veterans at Las Cruces, New Mexico, November 29, 1864. This company was on duty in New Mex- ico, operating in the heart of the Apache country. They had many desperate engagements with the In- dians. Lieutenant Vestal, with his company, assisted in the capture of the notorious Showalter and his party. The company while in the desert marched a distance of over two thousand miles.
SECOND REGIMENT .- Infantry.
Organized November 29, 1861. Served against Indians in northern part of the State and in Arizona.
The Santa Clara men in this regiment were generally credited to Mayfield. T. C. Winchell was Adjutant of this regiment; Montgomery Maze was Second Lieutenant of Company A; C. P. Fairfield was First Lieutenant of Company I.
THIRD REGIMENT .- Infantry.
Organized in 1861. Served in Utah and Colorado. J. C. Merrill was Captain of Company B of this reg- iment. There were Santa Clara County men in Companies D, E, and G. William J. Callahan, de- ceased, was in the latter company.
EIGHTH REGIMENT .- Infantry.
Company C was organized at San Jose in 1864. After being mustered in, the regiment was stationed at Fort Point, California.
FIRST BATTALION OF MOUNTAINEERS.
Organized in 1862. Served in the mountain cam- paigns against the hostile Indians in California and Nevada. Geo. W. Ousley was Captain of Company B of this battalion.
FIRST CAVALRY REGIMENT.
Company E organized August, 1861. Served in Arizona, New Mexico, and Tevas. Engaged against the Kiowa, Comanche, Navajo, and Apache Indians. There were Santa Clara men also in Companies I and L of this regiment.
FIRST BATTALION OF NATIVE CAVALRY.
Company A was organized in San Jose in 1883, by Captain J. R. Pico. Served in California and Arizona. The battalion was composed principally of native Californians.
In addition to the foregoing troops mustered into the United States service, the following organizations were held in the State service :--
FIRST REGIMENT .- Cavalry.
H. M. Leonard, Major.
Company E, Redwood Cavalry .- H. M. Leonard, Captain; E. Vandyne, First Lieutenant; D. J. Bur-
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nett, Senior Second Lieutenant; H. C. Morrill, Junior Second Lieutenant. Sixty men in the company, all armed.
Company I, Burnett Light Horse Guard .- J. R. Hall, Captain; P. Henry, First Lieutenant; J. Chris- man, Senior Second Lieutenant; A. J. Fowler, Junior Second Lieutenant. Fifty men in the company, all armed.
Company K, New Almaden Cavalry .- L. F. Parker, Çaptain; J. P. Dudley, First Lieutenant ; H. H. Curtis, Senior Second Lieutenant; A. F. Foster, Junior Sec- ond Lieutenant. Forty men in the company, all armed.
NATIONAL LIGHT ARTILLERY.
S. O. Houghton, Captain; C. T. Henley, First Lieu- tenant; Jacob Weigent, Junior First Lieutenant; N. B. Edwards, Senior Second Lieutenant; Edward Ladd, Junior Second Lieutenant.
FIFTH REGIMENT .- Infantry.
A. Jones Jackson, Colonel; A. B. Rowley, Lieuten- ant-Colonel; J. Porter, Major; J. O. Wanzer, Adju- tant; Chas. N. Senter, R. Q. M .; A. J. Corey, Surgeon.
Company A, Union Guard .- Chas. P. Crittenden, Captain; E. J. Morton, First Lieutenant; Geo. Evans, Senior Second Lientenant; N. Klein, Junior Second Lieutenant. Sixty men, armed with rifles.
Company B, San Jose Zouaves .- A. W. White, Captain; M. Campbell, First Lieutenant; F. B. Fuller, Senior Second Lieutenant; W. T. Adel, Junior Second Lieutenant. Eighty men, armed with rifle muskets.
Company C, Alviso Rifles .- Thatcher F. Barnes, Captain; John Root, First Lieutenant; Edward W. Williams, Senior Second Lieutenant; Chas. E. Morri- son, Junior Second Lieutenant. Sixty men, armed with rifle muskets.
Company E, Gilroy Guards .- John H. Adams, Cap- tain; William O. Barker, First Lieutenant ; W. N. Furlong, Senior Second Lieutenant; William Van Gundy, Junior Second Lieutenant. Forty men, armed with rifle muskets.
Company H, Santa Clara Guard .- William H. Swope, First Lieutenant; W. H. Menton, Senior Second Lieutenant; A. F. Harlow, Junior Second Lieutenant. Sixty men, armed with rifle muskets.
JOHNSON GUARD .- Unattached.
John M. Murphy, Captain; N. B. Edwards, First Lieutenant; J. F. Faulkner, Senior Second Lieuten- ant; P. W. Riordan, Junior Second Lieutenant. Fifty men, armed with muskets.
InTHE
SANTA CLARA COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
T
COUNTY INSTITUTIONS.
COURT HOUSE.
F NOR a short time after the county was organized under the Government of the United States, the old juzgado was used as a court-house. It was ill adapted for this purpose, and, in addition to its incon- veniences, it belonged to the city, and was under control of that municipality. From the first day of the county's existence it felt the necessity of provid- ing suitable buildings for the accommodation of its courts and officers. The lack of money with which to either purchase or build was a serious obstacle to the settlement of the difficulty. In June, 1850, the Court of Sessions, then the legislative department of the county, gave notice that the county judge would receive proposals from parties owning property which they would either give or sell to the county for a site for county buildings. Among the responses to this notice was one from James F. Reed, who offered to donate eight lots in the block bounded by Third, Fourth, William, and Reed Streets, to be used as a site for the court-house, and two lots in the block im- mediately south, to be used as a site for the county jail. This offer the county accepted, but the build- ings were not placed there, and the negotiations came to nothing.
The next month the court made another order, by which it authorized the county judge, J. W. Redmon, to select a proper site for county buildings, and di- recting "that he cause to be erected the necessary buildings and superintend the same, and that he draw from time to time his warrant on the county treasury for such sums as may be necessary for that purpose."
This was an extraordinary power to grant to any one man, but it was never exercised to its full extent. In the meantime, the county government had moved from the old juzgado to the building on First Street, opposite Fountain Alley, and afterwards the Bella
Union Building on Santa Clara Street, where the Auzerais House now stands.
In 1851 Judge Redmon selected Market Plaza as the site for the court-house, and the same was pur- chased from the city. This included the old State House, which was fixed up for the use of the courts and county officers. This building seems to have been looked upon by the people as common property, and they were accustomed to hold all sorts of meet- ings and entertainments there. This was considered by the county government as an infringement of its dignity, and in July, 1852, the sheriff was ordered to "take charge of the court-house and allow no dances, balls, or shows to be held therein." This order elicited such a cry of indignation from the people that, within two days after its issuance, it was modified so as to allow the use of the building as an assembly hall and place of entertainment, but instructing the sheriff to collect, for such uses, a sufficient amount to pay the fees of a janitor and watchman.
The old State House having burned, the court-house was removed to the adobe building on Lightstone Street, owned at that time by Frank Lightstone, and the officers again began to look about for permanent location. Levi Goodrich was appointed as architect, and directed to present plans and specifications, the idea being to rebuild on the old lot at Market Plaza. The plans were drawn, and the clerk directed to call for bids; but before anything further was done, A. S. Caldwell made a proposition to sell the county the lot and buildings at the southeast corner of San Fernando and Second Streets. A committee was appointed and reported that the building, with a little alteration, would be suitable for a court-house, and the purchase was made. The price paid was $4,000. In Decem- ber, 1853, this building was officially declared to be the county court-house, the same order setting apart
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the south room on the lower floor as the district court- room. This building was afterwards known as the "What Cheer House," and is still standing. The county sold the State House lot to a Mr. Briggs for $500, reserving the right to use the jail thereon until a new jail could be built. The county occupied its new quarters for sixteen years, when it became necessary to have enlarged accommodations. An order was made offering a hundred dollars for the best plan for a new court-house.
Pending this matter, the clerk was authorized to negotiate with the city council for the use of the sec- ond story of the City Hall on Market Street for a court-room. This resulted in a two years' lease of the upper portion of the City Hall, in return for which the county gave the city the use of a portion of the lot at the corner of San Fernando and Second Streets. This exchange was effected in August, 1860. In the latter part of this year, Levi Goodrich presented plans for a new building, which were adopted, and he re- ceived the premium of $100 offered therefor. In March, of 1861, the Board of Supervisors asked Hon. A. L. Rhodes to procure the passage of an act by the Legislature, authorizing the county to issue bonds to pay for the building; they also directed Mr. Goodrich to prepare working drawings.
The lease of the City Hall expired in 1862, and at that time Martin Murphy was finishing his brick block on Market Street. He offered to rent the up- per portion of these buildings to the county for $190 per month, and finish them in a manner suitable for use as county offices, the large hall at the corner of Market and El Dorado Streets to be used as a court- room. The county accepted the offer and took a five years' lease, with the privilege of renewal. This was the last location of the court-house prior to the con- struction of the present building.
Two years elapsed before anything more was done towards a new building. During this time there grew up a sentiment that the old lot at the corner of San Fernando and Second Streets was not a suitable lo- cation, and the supervisors were urged to purchase another lot. There was some opposition to this sug- gestion, and some heated debates were had over it at the Board meetings. Two of the supervisors, Messrs. Quimby and Yates, were opposed to buying another lot, and when the resolution was adopted to change the location, voted in the negative, as they also did at each subsequent stage of the proceedings. Among the sites offered the Board was the one now occupied by the court-house. It was owned by W. H. Hall,
who offered to sell it to the county for $5,000. The committee appointed to examine the title reported that they had had it examined by the "best attorneys in the city," and that it had been pronounced valid The purchase was consummated, Mr. Hall receiving from the county the sum of $7,353 in currency, in lieu of the $5,000 in gold, the extra $2,353 being the dif- ference between gold and greenbacks at that time. The original tract was one hundred and thirty-seven and a half feet front on First Street by two hundred and seventy-five feet deep; subsequently twelve and a half feet more frontage was secured from Josiah Belden, and in 1867 more frontage was purchased, the price of the latter being $40 per foot. Adjoining property is now rated at $275 per front foot. Work on the court- house was pushed as rapidly as possible, and on Jan- uary I, 1868, the county officers took possession. Originally there was but one court-room, the ceiling of which extended to the roof. In 1879 a floor was laid cutting this apartment into the two rooms, as they now are. The cost of the building was about $200,000.
COUNTY JAIL.
The first county jail was located on the lot occupied by the old State House, and was erected when that building was used as a court-house. When that lot was sold to Briggs, the county reserved the right to use the jail until a new one could be built. In 1854 a contract was awarded to Marcus Williams to erect a jail on the last part of the lot at the corner of Second and San Fernando Streets. The price was to be $15,- 000, and R. B. Buckner was appointed a committee to superintend the construction. This jail was completed January 2, 1855. It was of brick, with iron cells, and was considered a remarkably secure place for confin- ing prisoners. It was used until 1871, and did good service. It was injured by the earthquake of 1864, but the walls were drawn back to their places with iron rods and the building pronounced as good as new.
When the new court-house was built it was found necessary to have the county jail nearer to the court- rooms, and Levi Goodrich was directed to prepare plans for a new building. The plans were submitted and adopted, and the architect directed to proceed with the construction. This was in 1870, and during the next year the jail was completed and in use. The old jail was torn down and the brick used in the new building. The old jail lot was sold for $5,850.
COUNTY HOSPITAL.
The first organized effort to care for the indigent
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sick was made in 1854, when a committee from the common council met a committee from the Board of Supervisors and agreed to act in concert in this mat- ter. By the terms of this agreement the county was to bear two-thirds of the expense and the city one- third. All affairs concerning indigent sick were to be managed by a joint committee, composed of two members of each Board. The council, however, re- fused to confirm the action of its committee, alleging that they were able to take care of their own indigent sick. On this the supervisors appointed George Peck, R. G. Moody, and William Daniels as a relief com- mittee, or Board of Health. During this year the county received $869.49 as its share of the State relief fund.
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