USA > California > Yolo County > The Western shore gazetteer and commercial directory for the state of California Yolo County : one volume being devoted to each county of the state, giving a brief history of each county. > Part 13
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
There are other minor shops in Woodland where the business of wagon-making is carried on to a limited extent, among which are the shops of C. L. Beach, R. Dinsmore and Mr. Perry-all on Main Street.
Plummer's Shop.
At Knight's Landing is also a large shop, employing twenty men and turning out a large number of vehicles of every description. The annual number of wagons, bug- gies, etc., reaches one hundred and fifty to two hundred, manufactured and sold at his shop.
Peters & Howard's Shop.
This wagon-shop in Davisville, though much smaller than either one mentioned, turns out a large amount of good work. The specialty of this shop is wagons, light and heavy, averaging from forty to fifty annually.
Robertson's Shop,
Also located in Davisville, is doing a good business in light and heavy wagons, making from forty to fifty per annum. Repairing and blacksmithing in all its branches is con- nected with both shops.
We can only mention the most prominent shops; hence, we pass to a brief summary of the trade :
Wagon- and blacksmith-shops, twelve; blacksmith-shops,
10
146
THE WESTERN SHORE GAZETTEER.
twenty-three; total, thirty-five. Number of blacksmiths, seventy-two. Woodworkers, painters and trimmers, thirty- seven. Number of vehicles made, five hundred. Value of manufactures, one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol- lars; value of trade work, including cost of material, two hundred and ten thousand dollars; total value of trade, three hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars. Mechanics employed, one hundred and nine. Cost of labor, one hun- (red and nine thousand dollars. Cost of material consumed, one hundred and sixty-three thousand dollars. We have not included cost of damaged material, rent of buildings, bad debts, etc., in this estimate, which is based on figures obtained from the leading shops.
With this resume we pass to a consideration of the
Harness and Saddle-Shops.
We find a record of thirteen shops where the manufac- ture of saddles and harness is conducted, the largest of which (Deitz's) is situated in Woodland. The number of men employed in this branch of manufactures is twenty- one, whose annual earnings amount to twenty thousand dollars. The value of articles made, including cost of ma- terial, is seventy-three thousand dollars. From this must be taken the cost of material, the amount of which we are ull- able to determine.
Boot and Shoe-Shops.
There are eleven boot and shoe-shops in the county, with fifteen men, working at custom-work. The value of the wares aggregate about seventeen thousand dollars. Value of labor, eight thousand five hundred dollars. Esti- mates of material consumed not given.
Carpenters' Shops.
There are four large carpenter-shops and many small ones in the county. No estimate of the value of the manu-
147
YOLO COUNTY.
factures can be given, as the material and labor are insep- arably connected. There are ninety-five carpenters in the county, about fifty of whom are working at their trade, the others being employed at other vocations. Their earnings may be estimated at fifty thousand dollars.
Cabinet-Shops.
There are three cabinet-shops in the county, where a lim- ited amount of furniture is manufactured. The aggregate value of wares is five thousand dollars.
Bakeries.
There are four bakeries in the county, doing an aggregate business of sixteen thousand eight hundred dollars. The labor of seven men is estimated at five thousand dollars.
Breweries-Yolo Brewery.
There are two large breweries in Woodland, one of which (the Yolo Brewery) was established in 1861 by Scherley & Miller, the present proprietors. The first brewery was a small frame building, put up about two miles from town. In 1862 it was moved to the site of the present brewery, on Main Street, where it still stands by the side of the new edifice. In 1868 the present brewery was erected, which is . forty by fifty feet, two stories high and built of brick. The brewery has a capacity of six barrels per day, but is only run for the home market, averaging about eight barrels per week. A large still is included in the brewery, but is not used, owing to the revenue restrictions. A part of the hops used in brewing are raised by the proprietors, as well as a large portion of the barley. Three men are employed con- stantly, besides the proprietors.
Woodland Brewery.
This brewery was established in February, 1870, by George and John Wirth. This building is of wood, twenty by thirty
148
THE WESTERN SHORE GAZETTEER.
feet and one story high. The brewery apparatus has a ca- pacity of five to six barrels per day, but is run only for local market. The proprietors employ two men, and pur- chase all their hops and barley.
It is the intention of the proprietors to enlarge their busi- ness, and compete with other breweries for the trade in other localities.
The beer manufactured in Yolo County has long sustained a first-class reputation, it being asserted that the water is peculiarly adapted to the business. The annual sales from these breweries reach about fifteen thousand dollars.
Wineries.
There are several establishments in Yolo County where wine is manufactured in greater or lesser quantities. Sev- eral farmers who have small vineyards make wine from their surplus grapes. Of this class we make no mention, as the amount so made is not prepared for market, and we have no data by which to arrive at the quantity.
But there are several wineries where wine of various brands is made; also, brandies and vinegar. First among these, because the oldest, is the
Capay Valley Winery,
At Gillig's Ranch, Capay Valley. At this place the annual crop from the home vineyard is manufactured into wine, beside the crops of several small vineyards in the surround- ing neighborhood. About thirty thousand gallons of wine are manufactured yearly at this place-the white and red varieties.
Woodland Winery No. 2.
This winery was established in July, 1869, by Messrs. Lallemond & Mendssolle. Their specialties are claret and champagne. In 1869 they purchased two hundred and ten tons of grapes, from which they manufactured twenty-six thousand gallons of wine and twenty-five thousand gallons
149
YOLO COUNTY.
of brandy. Their liquors are sent to the San Francisco market, a branch of their European house having been long established in that city.
Woodland Winery No. 1, or Stoutenberg's Winery,
Was established September, 1866, by E. Barnes. On the twenty-second of October, the first wine was made. The vint- age of 1866 was twelve thousand gallons of wine and nine thousand gallons of brandy.
In 1867, three thousand gallons of wine, two thousand gallons of vinegar and eight hundred gallons of brandy were manufactured.
In 1868, about the same amount was added. In 1869, the winery was idle, and it so remained until 1870, when it was purchased by the present proprietor, Mr. Stoutenberg.
About five thousand gallons of wine, red and white, are now on hand of the vintage of 1866-7-8.
The Orleans-Hills Winery
Is owned by a joint-stock company; capital, one hundred thousand dollars; place of business, Sacramento. The vine- yard is located in the foothills, near the mouth of Cache Creek Canon, about eighteen miles northwest from Wood- land. The vines are all on the hills, and receive no irriga- tion. The varieties grown are selections from the best known German and other foreign grapes, such as are pecu- liarly adapted to wine-making. A very superior article of white and red wine is prepared by this company, which commands a high price and finds a ready sale. Five thou- sand gallons were made last year. Mr. Knauth, a practical German wine-maker, has charge of the business.
Schindler's Winery.
At Cacheville, D. Schindler manufactures wine of different qualities, including some choice varieties. There are sev- eral places of smaller note in the county, but we have glanced at the most prominent.
150
THE WESTERN SHORE GAZETTEER.
The estimated manufacture for the present year is put down at one hundred thousand gallons of wine, valued at fifty thousand dollars. We cannot estimate the brandy; in that we can only take the last year's record, as much depends on the price of new wines.
In 1869, about seven thousand gallons of brandy were made, valued at ten thousand dollars. Total, wine and brandy, sixty thousand dollars.
Refinery.
At Washington, a refinery has been established, for the purpose of redistilling liquors, or the removing of the fusil oil from liquors distilled in the ordinary way. The parties putting up the machinery claim that they can remove every particle of the fusil oil from the native liquors, there- by removing the great objection to California brandies. Should they be able to perform what they promise, it will be of great benefit to the trade, as the chief objection raised against California brandy is the great quantities of this dangerous element found in all samples. So far it is but an experiment, as the machinery was put up this sea- son, and we are obliged to await results before determining on the merits of the invention, which was patented but a short time since by an Eastern distiller. Therefore we make no estimates regarding the value of manufacturers, neither can we estimate the value of labor connected there- with. The proprietors, Messrs. Wilcox & Rock, are gentle- men of large experience and practical workers. We may confidently expect satisfactory results from the undertaking. Success in this direction will be of incalculcable benefit to the wine- and brandy-makers of the State.
Brick Making and Prick-Yards.
In Woodland are two large brick-yards, owned by Nathan Elliott and Mr. Craft. These yards do a large business, as large or larger than all other yards in the county com- bined.
151
YOLO COUNTY.
Elliott's Brick-Yard.
In the spring of 1865 Mr. Elliott commenced the manu- facture of brick in Woodland, making during that season .three hundred and fifty thousand brick. In 1866 he made seven hundred and fifty thousand. During those two years Mr. Elliott's yard was the only one in Woodland. In 1867 A. Armstrong opened a brick-yard, the number made by him being six hundred thousand. That season Elliott turned out five hundred thousand brick. In 1868-9 the yard was idle, its owner being engaged in other busi- ness. This present season Elliott's yard will turn out twelve hundred thousand brick. Thus far the brick made in Woodland has been used in that town. With the facili- ties of railroad transportation the Woodland brick-yards can now compete successfully with those of any part of the State. The quality manufactured is inferior to none, and they can be furnished anywhere along the railroad at San Francisco or Sacramento prices.
Cacheville Brick-Yard.
About half a mile from Cacheville, on the Woodland road, is the brick-yard and kilns of Mr. Lott Day. About two hundred and fifty thousand brick are made here an- ually and are disposed of in the local market.
Lang's Brick-Yard.
At the mouth of Cache Creek Canon, twenty miles north- east from Woodland, J. Lang has established a large brick- yard, which will be conducted as a permanent business. The quality of the brick is excellent, and the nature of the soil is such that superior facilities are afforded for making an excellent article. The market for this yard will be found both in the local demand and other parts of the county. About two hundred and fifty thousand will be made at this yard this season.
152
THE WESTERN SHORE GAZETTEER.
Craft's Brick-Yard
Is located in Woodland, and was established in 1867. Since it has been in operation it has turned. out a large quantity of excellent brick, most of which have been used in Woodland. In fact, there has been at no time in Wood- land any great amount of brick left over after the building season was past, when it was often extremely difficult to obtain small quantities; but this will be remedied in 'the future. Craft's yard will turn out two million brick this year, which, with those made at the other yards, will meet the constantly increasing demand.
At Elliott's, Craft's and Lang's yards, the proprietors will keep a full supply on hand.
About four million two hundred thousand brick will be made in the county this season, valued at twenty-nine thou- sand seven hundred dollars.
Tailors.
There are three tailor-shops in Woodland, confined to cus- tom-work. The trade being limited to this class of work, we record no employees, the business being conducted by the proprietors. We have no means of knowing the annual trade, and therefore make no estimate.
Chicory.
In 1860 Adolph Palm and Henry Harmes commenced the cultivation and manufacturing of chicory, on the Sacra- mento River, a few miles below Washington. Their first experiment was with seed imported from Germany, which proved successful. The first year they planted fifteen acres, which they have gradually increased, until now they culti- vate sixty acres. The average yield is about thirty tons of green chicory. When prepared for market it is shipped dried to San Francisco, and there sold at wholesale.
The article is pronounced superior to the imported, and commands eight to nine cents per pound. The cost of the imported article in the United States is estimated at four
153
YOLO COUNTY.
million dollars per annum, which could all be supplied from this State would producers but turn their attention to it. There is almost unlimited quantities of suitable land along the rivers and creeks of this State, sufficient at least to raise all the chicory consumed in the Union.
At present there is a duty of five per cent. on the im- ported article, which enables our people to compete with the cheaper foreign labor. Should that be removed it would be impossible to compete with the foreign produc- tion and the growing of chicory in California would cease to be profitable, and consequently would be abandoned. We are informed by Mr. Palm that ten years of consec- utive seeding has not injured the land or abated the yield; on the contrary, the land appears to have improved under the culture.
Chicory, when properly prepared, is used as a substitute for coffee, being generally mixed with it in the proportion of one pound of chicory to three of coffee; and generally the ground coffee on sale is one-third chicory. Many pre- fer the mixed article, and there have been times in San Francisco when chicory commanded a higher price than coffee, owing to the supply being insufficient to meet the demand for that particular kind of coffee which is so largely composed of chicory.
When growing, chicory root somewhat resembles the wild parsnip in appearance, though the leaves are long, slender and swordlike, with smooth edges. The clusters of leaves, in formation and manner of growth, resemble the beet-top, though each individual leaf bears no resemblance to the leaf of the beet. In color they are of a bright green, while the bulb or root, is a dirty, yellowish white.
The ground is prepared for chicory the same as for beets or carrots. The seed is then planted in drills, about eighteen inches or two feet being left between the rows. It is planted from the latter part of February until the middle of April, thus avoiding the ripening of the whole crop at one time. It has been sown as late as the fifth of May, and ripened well, producing a good yield.
Sometimes the growing crop is injured by a species of
154
THE WESTERN SHORE GAZETTEER.
flea which eats the tops, thereby stunting the growth of the root. This pest rarely makes its appearance, however, and as a general rule the plant is molested by nothing and requires no more care than that necessary to keep the ground clear of weeds.
There are employed on this chicory farm nine white men, the year together; and during the harvesting and curing of the crop twenty-five Chinamen are employed.
When fully ripe the chicory is pulled and the root separ- ated from the top, the latter being of no value. The roots are then run through a cutter, which cuts them in thin slips. After they pass through the cutter they are spread out on the platforms to dry in the sun. This occupies from four to six days, according to the weather. There are two platforms for drying the root, raised about four feet from the ground and covered with boards. One is eighty-four by one hundred feet, the other forty-eight by one hundred and seventy-five feet. When sufficiently cured the chicory is removed to the mill, where it is placed in two revolving iron drums and thrust into the furnaces, where it is roasted. This is a very nice and particular operation, and great care must be exercised lest the "batch " be spoiled. From the drums it is removed to the coffee-mill, where it is ground; from thence to the packing-room, where it is packed in bar- rels containing from one hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds and shipped to market.
This may serve to inform our readers of the manner in which chicory is grown and prepared for their tables.
The mill, engine and machinery cost about ten thousand dollars. The yearly sales from this establishment approxi- mate fifty thousand dollars. Cost of labor, ten thousand dollars.
Recapitulation.
We have now glanced at the most important branches of industry, with the exception of the dairy, which will be treated in connection with the dairy farms of the county. We will briefly recapitulate the value of mannfactures, so far as can be ascertained.
155
YOLO COUNTY.
In forming the estimates for the flour-mills we took last year's reports, and upon that shall base our estimates for this year. We have also, in most cases, recorded the work- ing time of mechanics and shops at eight months. The various wages of tradesmen have been reckoned at the average prices-three dollars, three dollars and fifty cents, and four dollars per day, exclusive of board. We find the annual value of the flouring trade to be two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Saw-mills and sash and door manu- factory, twelve thousand dollars. Employed in these two branches, fifty-three men; wages, forty-six thousand dollars. In the mills and carpenter-shops, the work might safely be put down for the year, instead of the time we have com- puted. Wagon, carriage and blacksmith trade, three hun- dred and thirty-five thousand dollars; cost of labor, one hundred and nine thousand dollars. Harness and saddle trade, fifty-three thousand dollars; cost of labor, twenty thousand dollars. Boot and shoe trade, seventeen thousand dollars; cost of labor, eight thousand five hundred dollars. Carpenters' trade (no estimate); cost of labor, fifty thousand dollars. Cabinet-ware trade, five thousand dollars. Bak- er's trade, sixteen thousand eight hundred dollars; cost of labor, five thousand dollars. Brewers' trade, fifteen thou- sand dollars; cost of labor (proprietors not included), three thousand dollars. Wine and brandy trade, sixty thousand dollars; cost of labor, seven thousand dollars. Brick trade, twenty-nine thousand four hundred dollars; cost of labor, five thousand dollars. Chicory trade, fifty thousand dollars; cost of labor, ten thousand dollars. Total value of manufactures, eight hundred and forty-three thousand two hundred dollars. Total value of labor so engaged, two hundred and sixty-three thousand five hun- dred dollars. Total cost of material used, no reliable estimate as a whole, but parts of the trades enumerated, return sums that foot up over three hundred and forty thousand dollars.
To this summary may be added the tinners' trade, which employs about eight men, at a yearly pay-roll of six thou- sand dollars, making two hundred and sixty-nine thousand
156
THE WESTERN SHORE GAZETTEER.
five hundred dollars paid the various branches of manufac- tures enumerated. The sum will be increased to three hun- dred thousand dollars by smaller branches, of which no mention has been made. In including expenses of manu- factures, we must consider all material used, rent and in- surance, value of property, machinery, etc., and these par- ticulars we were unable to obtain in season for this volume. Hence, the expenses attending these manufactures, with but few exceptions, have been omitted, as the data furnished us was too crude to be of service.
Imports.
Under this head we include all articles of merchandise, but nothing further. Stock of several varieties have been imported during the year, as will be mentioned elsewhere. For our purpose, the import trade of our merchants is suf- ficient. From our most reliable business men we have received full information, from which we base onr estimates. The sums given embrace the lumber trade, which is very large-much heavier for this and the last year than it has been at any previous time. This fact is owing to the spirit of improvement manifested by our citizens. Buildings of various kinds are going up all over the county, and the un- sightly cabins are rapidly giving place to comfortable and in many instances elegant and costly dwellings. Farms that have long "laid out to the commons," as it would be termed elsewhere, are being fenced as rapidly as the means of the owners will permit. Owing to this our imports present an alarming array of figures, which, if not rightly understood, would subject us to the charge of extravagance. For many years to come the imports of lumber in this county will reach up among the hundred thousands, or abont half a million per year-another reason why this county should be connected by rail with the Mendocino lumber regions.
Another very large item in our import list is hardware and agricultural tools. A glance at the books of our im- porters will give an idea of the magnitude of this branch of imports. Gray & Wood, of Woodland, and Griffith &
157
YOLO COUNTY.
Co., of Cacheville, import largely of this class. Much of this might be saved the county were the manufacturing in- terest properly represented. We notice among the articles at Gray & Wood's many manufactured entirely of Eastern material and by Eastern labor. These articles could be made here and sold as cheaply as now, and the profits of the labor retained in our midst.
The amount of our annual imports foot up to two million three hundred and eighty-one thousand seven hundred and thirteen dollars.
List of the Heaviest Importers.
Gray & Wood, Woodland, hardware and agricultural tools.
Griffith & Co., Cacheville, general merchandise and ag- ricultural tools.
F. S. Freeman, Woodland, general merchandise.
Huston & Goldman, Knight's Landing, dry goods.
Dresbach & Co., Davisville, general merchandise.
Laugenour & Brownell, Knight's Landing, farming imple- ments and lumber.
Fleishman & Kaufman, Woodland, dry goods and gro- ceries.
Exports.
The principal articles of export are wheat, barley, fruit of all kinds, vegetables, stock of all kinds, dairy products, wood, wool, wine, eggs, poultry, and the eggs of the silk- worm. Hay cannot be considered as forming a part of our exports, as the average product is no more than used here. It is true that from part of the county hay is exported in considerable quantities during some seasons, but a fair average of one year with another would leave but little, if any, surplus in the county. From various sources, our ex- ports foot up to two million nine hundred and forty-eight thousand eight hundred and twenty dollars.
List of the Heaviest Exporters.
F. S. Freeman, Woodland, produce, wool, grain, etc.
158
THE WESTERN SHORE GAZETTEER.
Thomas & Hunt, Woodland, grain.
Langenour & Brownell, Knight's Landing, grain and produce of all kinds.
Palm & Harmes, Sacramento River, chicory.
C. F. Reed, Knight's Landing, grain.
Dresbach & Co., Davisville, grain, wool, etc.
G. W. Scott, Cottonwood, hogs, and stock of all kinds.
Among our heavy exporters of stock we could enumerate many whose sales run far up in the thousands annually, but a reference to our stock table is sufficient, and will answer every purpose.
We now turn our attention to other matters of interest connected with the county.
Sales of Town Lots.
The following table shows the principal sales of town lots in the several towns of Yolo County since the first of January, 1869, as shown by the records. The names of the grantees are alphabetically arranged. Other transfers have been made by deeds of gift and for nominal consider- ations :
PRICE
GRANTEE.
GRANTOR.
LOTS.
PAID.
Alemany, A. :
Giddings, E.
Woodland.
$ 420
Antrim, Mary
Wilson, George.
Davisville.
200
Armes, Moses Behman, R
Woodland. 200
Adkinson, D. O
Taylor, E. C.
Washington 2,000
Arthur, E. S.
Taylor, E. C.
Washington
225
Adkinson, D. O
Taylor, E. C.
Washington
1,000
Baland & Downes
Hunt, C. M.
Washington 400
Bank of Woodland.
Craft, L. F.
Woodland
.500
Brown, Mary E.
Snyder, Monroe Woodland 500
Bacon, T. & A.
Wilson, George Davisville 100
Brown, William B Taylor, E. C.
Davisville 400
Bonham, A. B.
Clark, James H Davisville 550
Brown, Harriet.
Taylor, E. C.
Washington
20
Barney, M. C.
Shellhammer, L. Woodland 425
Billups, W. M.
Dresbach, William Davisville
7,000
Beach, C. L.
Murphy, John Woodland 675
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.