The San Francisco directory for the year 1869, Part 16

Author: Langley, Henry G
Publication date: 1858
Publisher: San Francisco : Commercial Steam Presses, S.D. Valentine & Sons
Number of Pages: 1076

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It not being our object in this place to speak spe- cifically of the properties or operations of these institutions, we can only remark, in a general way, that they have almost always resulted in great ben- efit to their founders and original shareholders ; no examples of decided failure having yet occurred among those undertaken in San Francisco, while the advance in the value of real estate so secured has generally been marked and rapid.

For complete list of the Homestead Associations transacting business in this city, see page 707.

Banking Institutions.

The last semi-annual report of the savings and loan societies of San Francisco, made in July last,

EDWARD BOSQUI & CO., Printers and Engravers, Clay Street, corner of Leidesdorf.

The best advertising medium on the Pacific Coast-PACIFIC COAST BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

C. P. VAN SCHAACK & CO., Nos. 712, 714 and 716, Kearny Street.

GENERAL REVIEW.

present the following figures, together with aggre- gate reports of said societies since January, 1866 :

SOCIETIES.

Dprs

Deposits.

Earnings. Res. Fund.

Hib. S. & L. Society

14,544

$10,683,212

$553,378

$288.110

Sav. & Loan Society

4,844

5 053,543

323,569

187,720

French S. & L. Soc.

4.000

3.650,847

219.109

89,092

S. F. Savings Union

3.983

2.838.491

165,735

116,29]

Cal. B. L. & S. Soc.

1,571

716,060

56,019|

90.363

Odd Fel. Sav. Bank

1,1×4

889,933

41.4 9

4,197

F. & Mech. S. Bank

411

235.237

14,382

5,039

German S. & L. Soc

1,437

705.755

35,974

42.005

Report July, 1869 ...

31,974 $24,773,078

$1,409,654

$822,816

Report Jan. 1869.

29,893

22,372.508

1.134,087

725.887

Report July, 1868 ..

26,065

19.678,364

955,656

551,988

Report Jan. 1868.

16.833.259

843,917

4×5,700

Report July, 1867 ..

13,833,259

694.311

470.079

Report Jan. 1867.

10,358,888

564.470

328,919

Report July, 1866 ..

8.760.164

493,791

252,918

Report Jan. 1:66.

7.005,061|

306,061

236,936

The aggregate reports of the savings institutions in this city, made in July last, in more detail, show the following satisfactory exhibit : Number of savings banks, eight ; number of open deposit accounts, thirty-one thousand nine hundred and seventy-four ; amount on deposit, $24,773,078; loans, $24,747,705 ; gross earnings, (for six months) $1,409,654 ; re- serve funds, $822,816 ; expenses and Federal tax, $123,559 ; cash on hand, $1,128,717. An addition of about ten per cent to the foregoing totals will represent the condition of the savings banks at the close of the year 1869. This will show a total amount on deposit, $27,200,000 ; divided among thirty-five thousand depositors, or an average of $777 each. The dividends are made at rates varying between ten and twelve per cent per annum. Concerning these saving in- stitutions, however, the following may be re- marked: They are, by their charters, restrained from loaning their fonds upou security other than real estate. In consequence of the high rates of wages obtained in San Francisco, as compared with the necessary cost of living, the above large aggre- gate of over $27,000,000 had accumulated to the credit, mainly, of the working classes.

In ad jition to the above, we may mention that the commercial banking capital of the city amounts to from $12,000,000 to $15,000,000, which is in demand for commercial, manufacturing, and mining purposes, and for all other enterprises. In other words, the amount of money available in loans upon real estate, and for no other purpose whatever, bore a vast dis- proportion to that obtainable for all other purposes. This created a spirit of speculation in real property, which, in the spring of 1869, had run quite wild.

Local Insurance Companies.

The annual reports of our local fire and marine insurance companies, made last February, to the State Insurance Commissioner, give the following aggregate exhibit of their condition : Capital, $3,683,300 ; gross assets, $5,082,850 ; liabilities, in- cluding reinsurance, $936,871; reinsurance fund, $749,968 ; net surplus, $162,379 ; excess of income

income, 23 ; average rate of premiums-fire, 1.15 ; marine, 1.78.

Foreign Insurance Companies.

Several agencies of Eastern and European Com- panies have been added to our list of last year. Number of agencies 1868, 47 ; 1869, 57 ; of the lat- ter 38 are devoted to life insurance.

Libraries.

It may be set down as a fixed fact that there is no surer indication of the progression and prosperity of a community than the number and condition of its libraries. In this department San Francisco may safely challenge competition with any city of its age in the range of civilization. The Public Libraries are numerous and respectable, and notwithstanding the activity and energy exhibited by ber citizens in every department of life, the statistics of these insti- tutions prove beyond controversy that they are at the same time essentially a reading people. Not physical alone, but mental activity is a prominent characteristic of our population.

In addition to these libraries, several of the hotels of the city are provided with large and well-selected collections of books for the use of guests. That be- longing to the What Cheer House numbers about seven thousand volumes of well-selected works, con- nected with which is an extensive cabinet of speci- mens in natural history, and a large number of paintings, with a marble bust by Powers, copied by that artist from his statue of California, and a fancy head in marble by Gault, an eminent sculptor, which works of art, selected by the proprietor, Mr. Woodward, during bis tour in Europe, reflect credit upon his taste and liberality.

Want of space prevents a reference in detail to the numerous public libraries in this city, prominent among which may be named the Mercantile Library Association, containing twenty-seven thousand vol- umes ; Odd Fellows', eighteen thonsand; Mechan- ics' Institute, fifteen thousand; Young Men's Christian Association, five thousand ; California Pi- oneers, two thousand five hundred ; San Francisco Verein, four thousand.

Water Companies. SPRING VALLEY WATER WORKS.

The original Spring Valley Water Company was incorporated in June, 1858, and in July, 1861, the water from Islais Creek was introduced into the city by the company to increase their supply.

The present organization is formed by a consol- idation of the San Francisco City and Spring Valley Water Works companies. Date of incorporation, January, 1865.

The present works receive their supply from two sources-Lobos and Pillarcitos creeks. Lobos Creek is a stream of pure, fresh water, emptying into the bay near Point Lobos, which supplies two millions of gallons daily. The distance of the stream from the Plaza is three and a half iniles, in a direct line. The water is elevated by four double acting pumps, with a capacity of four millions of gallons daily, propelled over expenditures, $5.1,284, per cent of expense to | by two steam engines of two hundred and fifty horse

E. H. JONES & CO., 116 Sansom Street. Silk and Velvet Ribbons.

M. S. WHITING & CO'S WINES AND LIQUORS for medicinal uses, are analyzed by B. B. Thayer, Esq., Chemist and State Assayer.

REDINGTON HOSTETTER & CO., keep largest assortment of Fancy Goods, Perfumery.

SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTORY.

power each, to the distributing reservoirs on the | ert Simson, Joseph Trench, G. H Ensign ; Secre- adjacent hills, the highest being three hundred and tary, G. H. Ensign, office Pioneer Building, 808 Montgomery Street. eight feet above the city base, located at the corner of Hyde and Greenwich streets ; the second, which is situated immediately below, at the intersection of SAN MATEO WATER COMPANY. Hyde and Francisco streets, is one hundred and forty five feet above the city base. The capacity of the first is four millions of gallons, and that of the lower seven millions.

Pillarcitos Creek is situated east of the coast range of mountains, distant from San Francisco about fif- teen miles, in a southerly direction, and seven bun- dred feet above the level of the sea.

By means of a tunnel sixteen hundred feet in length, a large dam has been constructed in the Pil- larcitos Valley below the tunnel, which dam is eighty two feet in hight, and six hundred feet long, containing one thousand millions of gal- lons, which is drawn from as required in the city reservoirs, making this the retaining reservoir. From the east end of tunnel number one the water is conducted by a flume, five by two feet, into a filter and sand-box, in its passage through which it is cleansed from vegetable matter and sediment; it then enters tunnel number two, where the water undergoes another purificaction, and after passing through thirteen miles of thirty-inch wrought iron pipe, and one mile of forty-inch flume enters tunnel number three, from whence it is distributed to the different reservoirs for the daily supply of the city.

Lake Honda also supplies the city from a capacity of thirty-five millions of gallons, by means of three miles of cast-iron mains to the reservoir on the cor- ner of Buchanan and Market streets, which con- tains one million seven hundred and fifty thousand gallons, and is the main distributing reservoir, sup- plying two-fifths of the city.

Lately, also, a large reservoir has been constructed in San Andreas Valley, thirteen miles south of the city, containing four thousand millions gallons. The water level is four hundred and thirty feet above the city base. As this undertaking will be shortly fin- ished, the city will have a never-failing supply of the pure element.

The present amount of pipe laid down in the city proper is one hundred and five miles. Capital stock of the company, $3,000,000, in eight thousand sbares of $100 each.

LAKE TAHOE AND SAN FRANCISCO WATER WORKS.

The rapidly increasing population of San Francisco has caused our citizens to study the momentous question of its water resources. As it is possible that at no distant day the present means of supply may become entirely insufficient for our demande, a num- ber of gentleman conceived the idea of bringing the waters of Lake Tahoe into this city. To show the vastness of the undertaking we give the follow- ing extent and cost of the work: Lake Tahoe has a superficial area of two hundred and forty square miles, with an average depth of fifteen hundred feet ; it is situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains, at an elevation of six thousand feet above the sea, and distant from San Francisco one hundred and fifty miles. To bring the water to San Francisco, a tunnel two and a half miles long will be constructed through the mountain, connecting the lake with one of the forks of the American River, through the bed of which the waters will be carried to Auburn, and thence by pipe one hundred and eight miles to San Francisco, supplying on its route Sacramento, Vallejo. Benicia, Stockton, Oakland, etc., and afford- ing along its entire course aniple quantities for towns, mines, mills, and agricultural purposes. The capital stock of the company is $20,000,000, divided into twenty thousand shares of $1,000 each. The esti- mated cost is $10,000,000. The officers are : Presi- dent and Chief Engineer, A. W. Von Schmidt ; Trustees, A. W. Von Schmidt, David Hughes, Rob-

Incorporated September, 1866. Capital, $1,000,000. The object of this company is to supply the City and County of San Francisco, and the several towns along the San Mateo Valley contiguous to the railroad, with pure mountain water. The sources of supply, which are situated about thirty five miles from San Francisco, are several streams on the east side of the mountains, in San Mateo County.

Officers .- William E. Barron, F. D. Atherton, Thomas H. Selby, Simon M. Macy, and Benjamin Lathrop, Trustees.

NEW WATER COMPANIES.

Several new enterprises, having for their object the supplying of this city with water, have been incorporated recently. The San Francisco Water Company, organized July 24th, 1867 ; capital, $6,000,000. Messrs. James T. Boyd, Milo Hoadley, and John H. Turney, Trustecs. Bay View Water Company, organized July 13th. 1867 ; capital, $1,000,000 ; Messrs. A. W. Von Schmidt, Thomas Hardy, and W. H. Patterson, Trustees. Tamalpais Water Company, organized January 17th, 1868; capital, $5,000,000. Messrs. O. L. Shafter, James McM. Shafter, Trustees. Mountain Springs Water Company, organized April 23d, 1869; capital, $500,- 000. Samuel R. Throckmorton, Charles R. Bond, and S. R. Throckmorton, Jr., Trustees. Contra Costa Water Company, organized July 26th, 1869 ; capital, $500,000. H. W. Carpentier, George Levis- ton, Jr., and E. R. Carpentier, Trustees.

Manufactures.

Owing to various causes, the principal of which have been the stringency in money matters and the disturbances caused by attempts for a reduction of hours of labor, the manufacturing interests of the State have not been attended, during 1869, with that degree of progress as has been the case in previous years ; still quite a number of new though minor mannfactures have been inaugurated, and others already commenced have been increased both in extent and degree of perfectness and quality. One of the most important enterprises on the Pacific coast, the rolling mills in San Francisco, which com- menced working in 1868, bas continued in increased and successful operation during the past year, and now turns out the complete assortment of iron man- ufactures as was originally contemplated by its pro- moters. The quality of the various kinds of iron manufactured by these mills is said by competent judges to be unsurpassed by those of any other simi- lar establishment in the United States, while the specimens exhibited at the Industrial Fair of the Mechanics' Institute in 1869 attracted the attention and commendation of all who critically examined them. As an evidence of their great merit and value to the people of the State, the Pacific Rolling Mills were awarded the highest prize of the Fair, which was the gold or Institute medal. The latest manufacture of these mills has been the successful re-rolling as well as the making of new rails for service on the railroads on the coast. The success attending these works is rendered more valuable at the present time by the late discoveries of iron ore in different portions of the State, and the incorpo- ration of one or more companies to erect forges and work them.

The Lead Smelting Works at Black Point in this city have also largely increased their smelting of lend and other ores, in which galena forms a val- uable portion of the same.

The tin mines at Temascal, in the Southern por-

EDWARD BOSQUI & CO, Printers and Bookbinders, Leldesdorff st., from Clay to Commercial,

The best advertising medium on the Pacific Coast-PACIFIC COAST BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

C. P. VAN SCHAACK & CO., Nos. 712, 714 and 718, Kearny Street.

GENERAL

REVIEW. 49

tion of the State, have also been successfully | valuable vegetable oils, are also manufactured in worked, a very fine exhibit of the metal obtained large quantities in San Francisco, the main draw- from there, in various stages of mannfacture, having been made at the late fair. These mines (according to the most reliable information to be obtained) promise in time to be the most valuable ones on the coast. The manufacture of plnted ware has also largely increased during the past year, as has been the case with the making of type by our local foundries.

One of the most attractive features of the late Fair in this city was the several exhibitions of Cali- fornia made furniture, from both domestic and im- ported woods. The workmanship in this line of manufactures showed a much higher style of art than has heretofore been exhibited by our me- chanics, while the materials used were of a much more costly character than any previously employed in the trade. The exhibits made by the various houses in this trade in 1869 were remarkable for so new a country, and in fact would do credit to the oldest manufacturing State in the Union.

In the various kinds of metal manufactures, fine exhibits were made in the department in the fair. Brass castings, comprising all the varieties used, from sheathing nails to large brass cannons, made and finished in the highest perfection of the trade, were displayed, as were also bells weighing up- wards of one thousand pounds each. The domestic productions in this line now supply fully two-thirds of the entire consumption on the Pacific coast.

All varieties of lead manufacture are made in this city, from shot to organ pipes, of a quality that will compare favorably with the best varieties im- ported. The total of the domestic manufactures of lead in a metallic state amount to about fifteen hun- dred tons annually, the crude metal being produced from the smelting of galena ores obtained from mines in this State, Nevada, and Arizona Territory.

During the past year the manufacture of boots and shoes in California has met with serious re- verses, and has in large part been abandoned. The main inducing cause of this unfavorable condition of things is the result of strikes among the oper- atives, for both higher wages and less hours of labor. With the already strong competition from importa- tions from the Atlantic States, this increased cost of domestic production could not be successfully borne, and as a result some of the most important manu- factories for boots and shoes were closed, either from being unprofitable, or in some instances from absolute financial distress. Whether this hitherto prosperous branch of manufactures is to again re- gain its former importance among the industries of the State depends mainly on a return to at least former cost of production. Most kinds of barness and saddlery are now manufactured in this city, and many qualities successfully hold their own against strong competition with importations from the East- ern States. Most of the leather used is the product of our own tanneries, those of Oregon contributing a large supply. All varieties of trunks and valises are manufactured, although very large importations are made. The fire hose made in this city now sup- plies the entire wants of the coast, besides a moder- ate amount which is exported to the Sandwich Islands and other foreign ports. The minor manu- factures, such as umbrellas, parasols, furs, etc., have increased considerably during the past year.

back being the difficulty of procuring a sufficient supply of the raw materials to manufacture from. The production of these grains, etc., is, however, largely increasing, and more especially that of rais- ing flax, the straw of which is finding an extensive and ready market at remunerative prices through the bagging mill lately completed at Oakland. This mill has yet to depend largely upon importations, but only a short time will probably elapse before a full supply will be furnished by our farmers.

WOOL AND WOOL MANUFACTURES .- California is now the largest wool producing State in the Union, her clip of 1869 being estimated at fully eighteen million pounds, mostly of fair average quality. Possessing excellent ranges for feed throughout her entire length, both on the coast ranges and the Sierra Nevadas, with a climate peculiarly adapted for sheep raising, the wool-pro- ducing interest already stands third in importance in her list of agricultural products. Another feature which is not shared in by other wool-growing States is the remarkable natural increase of animals, which is estimated at from ninety to one hundred per cent. per annum. The winters, as a rule, are free from severe frost, and many of the diseases so common in other States have as yet not become prevalent. Under these circumstances the wool-growing inter- est promises to largely increase, and in a compara- tively short time bring into use the most remote sections of country.

Wool-growing in Oregon has proved quite a prof- itable branch of agricultural industry, the climate and grasses being well adapted to the business. A large portion of the clip is manufactured by the local mills, while the surplus is brought to San Francisco for a market. From the extreme moist- ure of the seasons, Oregon is capable of producing the very finest grades of wool, some of which are unprofitable to raise in California.

The most important increase in manufactures in California during 1869 has been in woolen goods, for making which quite a number of small mills have been erected in the principal wool-producing sections of the State. As a general rule the manu- facture of these small mills is confined to the pro- duction of blankets, flannels, and heavy cloths and cassimeres, while the mills in San Francisco, Sacra- mento, and Marysville have a more extensive range and finer products. The mills in San Francisco, (Pioneer and Mission) which are the oldest in the State, produce a great range of medium and fine fabrics, among which their blankets stand pre-emi- nent in quality over any others made in the Union. The blankets of the Mission Woolen Mills were ex- hibited at the World's Fair at Paris, in 1867, and were awarded the first premium over all others from the United States, and have also been awarded highest premiums wherever exhibited at home fairs. The total machinery in use in California is now esti- mated at sixty sets cards, with other necessary ad- juncts for manufacturing. The mills of this State in 1869 consumed abont four million pounds of wool, and if run at full time night and day would have required six million pounds to supply them. No branch of manufactures has been so generally pros- perous since their establishment as woolen mills, although their products have had to encounter a steady and strong competition with importations from the Atlantic coast. California possesses the only manufactory for knit goods on the Pacific coast -the Pacific Woolen Mills, which are located ju San Francisco. These mills produce a great range and variety of goods, some of which are claimed to be of finer quality than any produced elsewhere in the United States. The manufactures of these mills

The manufacture of blasting and other varieties of gunpowder have been very extensive during 1869, but still encounter the competition of importations. It is believed, however, that the domestic produc- tion is gaining ground, and will eventually drive ont all others from competition. Giant powder, and Hafenegger powder, both explosives of remarkable power, are manufactured in San Francisco and find a large sale through all the mining sections of the are already held in high estimation on the Pacific Pacific coast. Linseed, as well as castor and other coast, and are gradually driving out importations.

E. H. JONES & CO., 116 Sansom Street, Note and Letter Paper and Envelopes.

M. S. WHITING & CO., 219 Bush St., sell unadulterated Wines and Liquors by the package, case or bottle. See next leaf.

REDINGTON, HOSTETTER & CO., exclusive Agents for Drake's Plantation Bitters.

SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTORY.

The best advertising medium on the Pacific Coast-PACIFIC COAST BUSINESS DIRECTORY. :

UNION IRON WORKS, located on northeast corner of Mission and First streets, San Francisco, were es- tablished by the Donahue Brothers in 1819-the pioneer foundry on this coast. It is now conducted by H. J. Booth, George W. Prescott, and Irving M. Scott, under the firm name of H. J. Booth & Co. From the most limited capacity, it has grown until it occupies over fifty thousand square feet, with brick buildings three stories high, filled with the latest im- provements, and most complete set of tools west of the Rocky Mountains. Here may be found lathes that turn fifteen feet in diameter ; planers six and a half feet square and twenty-seven feet long, with cranes and appurtenances complete, capable of hand- ling the largest machinery required. This establish- ment has earned a high reputation for the charac- ter of its machinery for working gold and silver. Their plans of mills and improvements in quartz ma- chinery have been extensively copied over the entire continent. This establishment has taken the lead in the manufacture of locomotives, cars, car-wheels, and general railroad work. They have built thirteen locomotives, some of which weighed fifty-one tons, and all pronounced by experts to equal in perform- ance and quality of work the best imported. The large and various classes of work done at this estab- lishment give employment to three hundred and thirty men.

THE MINERS' FOUNDRY is located on the east side of First Street near Folsom. It has been in success- ful operation for many years, and is famed for its superior mining machinery and stationary engines. When in full operation it employs from two hundred and fifty to two hundred and seventy-five men and boys.

THE RISDON IRON AND LOCOMOTIVE WORKS .- This company was incorporated April 30th, 1868, with a capital stock of $1,000,000, comprising among its names the principal steamship and railroad men on the Pacific Coast.

The works are located at the southeast corner of Beale and Howard streets, and occupy an area of two hundred and seventy-five feet square, on which is a boiler shop one hundred and forty by ninety-six feet ; foundry one hundred and forty by forty five feet ; machine shop one hundred and forty by one hundred feet, the latter being galleried three stories high.

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The San Francisco directory for the year 1869, Part 16

Author: Langley, Henry G Publication date: 1858 Publisher: San Francisco : Commercial Steam Presses, S.D. Valentine & Sons Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Langley, Henry G
Publication date: 1858
Publisher: San Francisco : Commercial Steam Presses, S.D. Valentine & Sons
Number of Pages: 1076