In May, 1872, the Contract and Finance Company of
the Central Pacific Railroad had surveyed and staked out the entire ground
upon which the town of Fresno was then founded. The lots were 50 x 150 in
size. There was at that time no railroad, no water nearer than the San
Joaquin river, and nothing encouraging whatever. It has been stated
elsewhere, however, that both Mr. Easterby and Mr. Church had been consulted
by the railroad officials as to furnishing water, and had been assured by
those two gentlemen that water would be forthcoming. The statement has also
been made that Fresno County was in a geographical sense the center of the
State. This applies also to the city of Fresno, the center stone being
within her limits. The first settler in the town was A. J. Massen, who
erected a small shanty, and also erected primitive water works. He sunk a
well near his shanty, arranged a water trough, and erected a sign in
characters of his own manufacture, "Horse Restaurant Bring Your Horse In One
Horse By Fresh Water One Bet One Day Water 3 Bet." Here the tired and
thirsty teamster could, by pumping the water himself, slake the thirst of
self and team at small cost, as it seems the proprietor implied bit where he
wrote "bet."
In 1872, M. A. Schultz, in connection with one
Roemen, erected a building in which they conducted a saloon and refreshment
stand. Otto Froelich and Julius Beals, merchants of Millerton, erected a
board shanty and opened a branch store about the same date. This was between
the present railroad depot and Chinatown. Frank Dusey shipped the first
freight from this station before a depot was erected. He loaded his wool on
the cars from his wagons. Railroad employes occupied tents. The first hotel
was erected by the Larquier Brothers, soon after the depot was built, and
called the Larquier House, and later the French Hotel. Russel Fleming
started a livery stable on the ground where now stands Kutner & Goldstein's
store. George McCollough started an insurance office and began to invest in
town lots. He was subsequently elected justice of the peace, and later, in
company with Lyman Andrews, established the Fresno Water Works. J. W.
Williams started the first blacksmith shop early in 1872. In August, 1872,
there was no post office : mail had to be carried sixteen miles. September
of the same year a post office was established, and R. Fleming appointed
postmaster. In November the town contained two stores, three livery stables,
four hotels and restaurants, and three saloons.
EARLY FRESNO SOCIETY - THE DARK SIDE
At a ball given in Fresno, in 1872, a Mexican
requested a young lady to dance with him, which she refused, and he became
much excited. At supper he wanted something to drink, which also was
refused. A friend attempted to get hold of his pistol, which went off and
the firing caused a stampede, and everybody rushed through doors and windows
in all conceivable shapes, - men and women together. The cry was given to
"hang him," and the firing became general and several were shot. One man was
so excited that he fired several shots at a post, taking it for a Mexican.
He then ran upstairs and told his wife he had "killed a man." She fainted
and fell face down on the bed on hearing the story, and in the excitement so
much water was thrown upon her that a pool was formed about her face and
came near drowning her.
In July, 1874, there were fifty-five buildings
in the town. There were four general stores and three hotels; restaurants,
livery stables, saloons, law offices, physicians, tin shop, saddle shop,
butcher shop, blacksmith shops, etc., tailor shop, and one printing office,
that of the Expositor.
The following is the monthly mean of the
barometrical pressure, the elevation of surface of mercury in barometer
cistern above the mean sea level, on November 30, being 338 feet.
December, 1889
................................................ 29.68
January,
1890 ................................................ 29.77
February, 1890
................................................ 29.75
March, 1890
................................................. 29.73
April,
1890 ................................................. 29.65
May, 1890
................................................. 29.56
June, 1890
................................................ 29.56
July, 1890
................................................ 29.51
August, 1890
................................................ 29.51
September, 1890
.............................................. 29.52
October,
1890 ................................................. 29.61
November, 1890
.............................................. 29.73
1890, Annual Means
..................................... 29.63
1889, Annual Means
..................................... 29.62
1888, Annual Means
..................................... 29.64
The highest and lowest observations for the three
years noted were as follows:
Year
Highest Lowest
1890 30.13
29.22
1889
30.02 29.06
1888 30.25
29.20
The following is the mean monthly temperature
for the same period:
1889 Mon.
Max. Min.
December 49
65 31
1890
January 42
58 24
February
47 70 28
March 55
77 33
April
61 92 36
May 69
103 42
June 73
104 46
July 82
111 56
August
81 105 56
September 75
103 53
October 64
88 42
November 57
82 37
Year Mon.
High Low
1890
63 111 24
1889
64 112 27
1888
64 111 20
A belt Mean
Daily Min. be 32 Max ab. 90
1889
December ........................... 34
12 1 0
1890
January ........................... 34
16 9 0
February ........................... 42
18 3 0
March ........................... 44
21 0 0
April ........................... 56
28 0 1
May ........................... 61
29 0 9
June ............................ 58
33 0 14
July ............................ 55
37 0 30
August ............................ 49
44 0 30
September ........................ 50
32 0 18
October .......................... 46
31 0 0
November ......................... 45
30 0 0
Year A belte
Mean Min. Max.
1890
48 28 13 102
1889
49 27 16 121
1888
50 27 14 110
The following table relates to the dew point and
humidity:
Dew Point Mean Re. Hum. Mean Pr ct Cloudiness
Mean
1889
December .............
44 86 7
1890
January
............. 36
82 6
February .............
38 73 6
March .............
43 68 5
April
............. 44
60 3
May .............
48 55 3
June .............
42 42 1
July .............
41 30 1
August .............
48 38 2
September ..........
48 48 3
October ...............
43 51 1
November ............
37 55 2
1890 .........
43 57 3
1889 .........
44 59 3
1888 .........
49 64 2
This is essentially a climate of sunshine.
According to the figures reported by the signal officer, which are appended,
there were during the year ended November 30th 213 clear days, eighty-eight
fair days, only sixty-four cloudy days, and fifty-four of the latter are
classed as rainy days, thus reducing the number of cloudy days without rain
to ten. There were but two thunder-storms, and both occurred in August.
The following table of the rainfall during the
year, with the totals for the two previous years, will be found of decided
interest and of permanent value:
Total
Amount Greatest Amount Date
in 24 hrs
1889
December .......... 3.87
0.75 24
1890
January .......... 2.12
0.74 25
February .......... 0.80
0.30 16
March .......... 1.04
0.33 7
April .......... 0.17
0.15 18
May .......... 0.45
0.43 8
June ..........
........ ......... ........
July .......... ........
......... ........
August .......... T
T 9
September ........
1.26 1.12 29
October .......... .........
......... .........
November ......... 0.22
0.22 6
1890 .................... 9.93
1889 .................... 12.27
1888 .................... 8.76
The following is a table of clear, cloudy and
rainy days:
Clear Fair Cloudy Rainy Thunder
Storms
1889
December ..... 2 15
14 19 0
1890
January ..... 6
13 12 11 0
February ..... 6 13
9 7 0
March ..... 9 10
12 6 0
April ..... 17 9
4 2 0
May ..... 19
6 6 3 0
June ..... 26
4 0 0 0
July ..... 30
1 0 0 0
August ..... 26
4 1 0 2
September ..... 20
6 4 5 0
October ..... 28
3 0 0 0
November ...... 24 4
2 1 0
1890 ... 223 88
64 54 2
1889 ... 222 73
70 53 3
1888 ... 249 82
35 35 3
Those interested in that branch of science may
find the following table on the velocity of the winds and their prevailing
direction of some value:
Total Movement Miles Direction Prevailing
in
Miles From Direction
1889
December
4317 24 E E
1890
January
4003 23 NW E
February
3466 26 E E
March
4190 24 NW NW
April
4456 20 NW NW
May 5335
22 NW NW
June 6067
22 W W
July 5558
22 W NW
August 5019
22 NW NW
September 3706
24 N NW
October 3349
24 NW NW
November
2282 22 W W
1890 51,748
..... W NW
1889 49,342
28 NW NW
1888 42,619
24 NW NW
It should be borne in mind that these figures
are derived from a United States official, and are not prepared by any one
interested in the sale of lands in the region. They are more eloquent than
words, and are submitted to the thoughtful without further comment.
From the report of Ellwood Cooper, president
State Board of Horticulture: "The intrinsic value of this climate might, as
is often slightingly remarked, be truly estimated by the acre, according to
what crop the husbandman wishes to produce. The land is worth no more than
the same quality, acre for acre, possibly than it is in Illinois or New
York, but when its products bring ten to a hundred times more than the acre
in Illinois or New York? Therefore, the climate is worth the difference
between the cash value of the California and Illinois or New York acre,
which is largely in favor of the former. This estimate is from a commercial
standpoint, whereas, apart from the intrinsic value, there is a more
important one of health, happiness, and a joyous existence."
It was previously stated that Messrs.
McCollough and Andrews were the founders of Fresno's first water system.
These gentlemen in 1876 put down a well to the depth of 100 feet, casing
it with seven-inch pipe, excluding all surface water; they obtained an
abundance of excellent water. A powerful steam-pump was put in, a tank
of 23,000 gallons capacity erected at a height equaling that of the
highest building in town and a system of pipes laid to accommodate all
with water. In May, 1877, a corporation was organized under the name of
Fresno Water Company. Messrs. McCollough and Andrews transferred their
property to said company, retaining large interests therein. In 1878
another tank was erected, capacity 12,000 gallons, and in 1881 another
well was bored, and another more powerful pump was applied to the work.
The water supply has kept pace with the demand, and the present
condition of the city water supply we here give, from one of the local
papers:
"Fresno city is furnished with water for
domestic purposes by a Chicago corporation, superintended by J. K.
Allen, under the local management of J. J. Seymour. The water is of the
purest and best quality, furnished by eight wells, one of which is 600
feet deep, another 400, and the balance ranging from 300 to 250 feet
deep. No surface water is permitted to find its way into the wells. The
company has just finished setting in place a new Gaskell pump, with a
capacity of 6,000,000 gallons per day. With this power, and sources of
supply, they are able to furnish a population of 50,000 people. Their
mains extend to all points throughout the city proper, and in many
instances beyond the corporate limits. Many of the residents of the
Woodward, Belmont, Homestead and Griffith additions receive their supply
from the city water works, and the laterals will be extended to the
residences of many parties in any of the additions who make application.
The city contracts with the water company to
flush the main sewers once a day and the laterals twice each week, at a
cost of $4,500 per year, and the city fire company receives its supply
from the city water works, which has proved to be abundant for all
ordinary purposes.
"The reservoirs have a holding capacity of
120,000 gallons, and the continuous action of the pumps throwing fresh
water into them, coupled with the constant drain by waste valves, keeps
the supply always fresh and pure when the demand is not large during the
winter season. It is largely to this pure supply of good water that
Fresno is indebted for its good health."
The county has one of the best hospitals in
the State. Since its establishment at Fresno it has been under the able
management of Dr. Lewis Leach as Superintendent. It is situated, on
slightly elevated ground near the city limits, and is an exceedingly
well arranged building. The grounds comprise about three acres well set
in ornamental trees.
A cemetery was laid out in 1880, by Messrs.
McCollough and W. H. McKenzie, on eighty acres of land just east of the
city, and has been improved with the growth of the city, and many
handsome monuments have been erected, among which is one worthy of
special mention, as follows: In 1882, Dr. Lewis Leach had erected over
the grave of Thomas J. O'Neal, one of the finest monuments in the State,
and does great credit to the Doctor for his taste in the selection of
the design. The monument is of Penryn granite and the best of Italian
marble. Total height, twenty-one feet, four inches. Ten acres of the
cemetery was purchased by the Odd Fellows for their exclusive use.
The city authorities made many valuable
improvements during the past year in street work, beautifying the city
as it could in no other way be done. Over sixteen and a half miles of
streets have been graded and curbed under the Vrooman law, and two miles
more are now under contract. In addition to this twelve blocks have been
paved with bituminous rock, with granite gutters and curbs. Crossings
have been put down at the intersection of twenty-four streets. The paved
streets have been cleaned four times each week under contract for
$109.90 per month, and the graded streets have been sprinkled during the
dry season. The city is lighted by eighteen electric lights and
seventeen gas lamps.
The work of grading, curbing, sidewalking and
paving has cost a little over $290,000, all of which has been paid by
the property owners on the line of streets where the work has been done,
and under the supervision of the superintendent of streets of the city.
During the year 1890 a sewerage system has
been completed for the city, at a cost of $100,000 for the main sewers
alone. The mains are about nine miles in extent. To connect buildings
with these laterals have been laid through fifty-one blocks, or about
20,400 feet in extent. To connect buildings with these laterals have
been laid through fifty-one blocks, or about 20,400 feet in extent. To
connect buildings with these laterals 294 connections have been made, at
the cost of property owners. Since property owners have realized the
necessity of this system of drainage the work is being rapidly carried
forward, and in a short time the city will have one of the most complete
systems that could possibly be constructed. All these laterals and
connections are put down under the direction of the street
superintendent and inspector of streets and sewers. The main sewers are
flushed daily by the Fresno water company, who are under contract with
the city in the sum of $4,800 per year. The laterals are flushed monthly
from the same source.
The city is traversed by three systems of
passenger railways, which penetrate nearly every section of the
residence portion.
The Fresno Street Railroad Company has in
operation about three and a half miles of road, beginning on H street,
at the railroad reservation, running up Mariposa street to K, and K to
Tulare, and out Tulare to the city limits. It also has a line along H,
or Front street, as it is more generally called, connecting with the
main line at H and Mariposa streets and extending to the city limits.
The Belmont-Yo Semite Railroad Company begins
at Front and Mariposa streets, uses the track up Mariposa street to J
street jointly with the Fresno Street Railroad Company, and out J street
to the northern city limits. It also has a branch line out J street to
Tuolumne, up Tuolumne to O, out O to Stanislaus, out Stanislaus to
Blackstone avenue to the heart of the Belmont addition. It operates
about three miles of the road.
The Fresno Railroad Company operates three
and a half miles of roads. Its line begins at Tulare and H streets, runs
thence on Tulare to I, I to Ventura avenue and out Ventura avenue to the
city limits. Thence the line ranges along east Fresno addition to the
fair grounds, two and a half miles distant, passing many orchards and
vineyards and the county hospital.
Fresno is the seat of many institutions
which reflect credit upon their projectors, but none are more worthy of
mention than the Fresno Flouring Mill. This is an institution of which
every citizen of Fresno county should feel proud. It is in every way a
representative institution.
It has been the aim of the milling
company to manufacture only a first-class article of flour, and to this
end they have introduced the latest improved machinery. They have
recently put in a complete patent roller system, by which process the
grain is gradually reduced by a series of rollers. The new bolting
process, the round, reel system complete, has also been added at great
expense. In fact there is nothing in the way of improved machinery
essential to the manufacture of high grade article that this mill is not
supplied with. With a capacity of 275 barrels of flour per day, the mill
is kept running at full speed day and night, and even then at times
cannot supply the demand. During the past year the business of the mill
has almost doubled, which is most certainly an indication of unqualified
public satisfaction with the company's brand of flour. For years past,
as well as at the present time, the Fresno Milling Company has been
awarded Government contracts for supplying military posts in Arizona,
New Mexico and southern California, which speaks much for the ability of
our home industry in successfully competing with other mills. Much of
the success of this institution is due to the energy and the business
ability of Harry Sherwood, the managing partner.
The banking institutions of the city are
perhaps the strongest and most substantial evidence of the stability of
the country. Fresno has a clearing house which cleared for the year, up
to last night, $4,800,029.78, - quite a respectable business for a city
of twelve thousand people.
The Fresno National Bank is
located at the corner of Tulare and J streets, in a very handsome
building. It was organized in May, 1888, with a capital of $50,000.
Since then - June 22, 1889 - it has been increased to $200,000, all paid
up. The directors of the corporation are: James M. Cory, John D. Gray,
Frank P. Wickersham, Daniel W. Parkhurst, John B. Smith, E. D. Merriam,
Herbert D. Colson. The officers are: Herbert D. Colson, president; James
M. Cory, vice-president; John B. Smith, cashier. It has gained in
popularity steadily, and to-day is one of the leading financial
institutions of the city. Its deposits now aggregate nearly $300,000,
and its loans and discounts $371,674.05. This is almost strictly a local
institution, interested in the development of the country, to which it
has steadily devoted itself.
The First National Bank is one
of the most substantial banking institutions in the State. It was
incorporated on October 26, 1881, under the title of "Fresno County
Bank," with an authorized capital of $100,000, of which $25,000 was paid
up. This capital was rapidly increased until $75,000 was reached, and
March 16, 1885, it became a national bank with $100,000 capital, all
paid up. There has been no increase of the capital stock since, but a
surplus of $110,000 has been accumulated and the undivided profits
represent a comfortable dividend. The deposits are about $550,000 and
the loans and discounts $500,000. The officers are: O. J. Woodward,
president; W. H. Chance, vice-president; E. F. Oatman, cashier.
Directors: O. J. Woodward, T. C. White, W. H. Chance, E. Kennedy, N. I.
Walker. O. J. Woodward became president of the bank in 1888, and has
since remained at the head of the institution, with infinite credit to
himself and satisfaction to the stockholders. The bank owns its own
building, one of the handsomest in the city, being a three-story brick,
with sandstone trimmings, Scotch granite pillars guarding either side of
the main entrance. The interior arrangements are exceedingly convenient
and effective - everything being substantial and rich.
The Fresno Loan and Savings Bank
was incorporated in 1884, with a capital stock of 20,000, which was
increased to $100,000 in 1885, and again on December 20, 1886, to
$300,000, which is now fully paid up. It occupies a handsome building of
its own, one of the handsomest in the city, at the corner of Mariposa
and J streets, which cost $65,000. The officers of the company are as
follows: J. G. James, president; W. H. McKenzie, cashier. Directors: J.
G. James, J. R. White, P. D. Wiggington, H. C. Daulton, J. W. Ferguson,
C. G. Sayle, and L. J. Duncan.
The Farmers' Bank of Fresno is
located in a handsome three-story building of their own, at the corner
of Mariposa and J streets. It was organized in March, 1882, with a
capital of $100,000, of which $50,000 was paid in. Since then the
capital has been increased to $200,000, all paid up. The following
figures indicate the financial condition of the institution at the close
of business on December 24, 1890; Resources - Loans and discounts,
$419,474.50; bank premises, $70,200; furniture and fixtures, $65,769.06;
cash, $64,485.75; total, $619,929.31. Liabilities - Capital stock (paid
up) $200,000; undivided profits, $20,732.92; due depositors,
$399,196.39; total, $619,929.31. The officers are: Lewis Leach,
president; W. W. Phillips, vice-president and manager; John Reichman,
cashier. Directors: A. Kutner, Lewis Leach, Alex. Gordon, W. W.
Phillips, Alex. Goldstein.
The Bank of Central California, a
State bank, transacts a general banking and exchange business, issues
letters of credit and draws direct on over six hundred correspondents,
in all the principal cities of the world. It was organized in 1887, with
an authorized capital of $300,000, one-half of which is paid up. Modest
in its conduct, located in an unobtrusive, but substantial building, it
does a very large business, its volume of transactions for the year
showing a cash total of nearly $5,000,000. The surplus is $30,000 and
the undivided profits are of sufficient dimensions to make the
stockholders very happy with a ten per-cent dividend on New Year's day,
1891. The deposits of the bank have increased forty-five per cent since
the close of 1889, this fact being indicative of the growth of the
country. The directors are: Louis Einstein, William Helm, H. B. Choice,
Max Frankenan, Leopold Gundelfinger. The officers are: President, Louis
Einstein; vice-president, William Helm; cashier, Leopold Gundelfinger.
People's Savings Bank of Fresno
was incorporated under the State laws with a capital of $100,000. Of
this some $20,000 is paid in. The directors are: Chester Rowell, F. K.
Prescott, O. J. Woodward, W. D. Bowen, and A. V. Lisenby. The officers
are: President, Chester Rowell; vice-president, F. K. Prescott; and
secretary, A. V. Lisenby.
The Fresno Board of Trade was organized in
1885, with J. H. Braly as president, and George E. Freeman as
secretary. It was an active and energetic body for a time, but during
the season of excitement and activity in real estate which followed it
suffered from carelessness on the part of those who were most prominent
in large real-estate transactions. In 1887 the officers determined to
resign, and the organization would have been abandoned had not the
members if the Real Estate Exchange proffered aid and assistance, and it
was reorganized. A few of the more energetic spirits had a very
creditable exhibit arranged at the State Board of Trade in San Francisco
and also one at Los Angeles. When the fire consumed the display at the
rooms of the State Board of Trade last November the Fresno exhibit was
destroyed.
On the first of October, 1890, the Fresno
Board of Trade was again reorganized with Thomas E. Hughes as president,
and S. H. Cole, secretary. Upon the election of Mr. Cole as secretary he
went to work with that enthusiasm for which he is noted, and upon
investigation he found the organization in debt to the amount of about
$600. His first object and effort was to pay off the total indebtedness,
and he has so far succeeded that when all promises of assistance from
new members and those who are most friendly by way of donations are
fulfilled, he will be able to pay off the total indebtedness and have
sufficient money in bank to replace the exhibit in the rooms of the
State Board of Trade. He has been very successful in securing new
members, and has on the roll 200 names and has issued 196 certificates
during the two months he has had charge of the books.
When the board secured Mr. Cole as
secretary they found the right man for the emergency, and if he is
properly sustained in his endeavors he will make the Board of Trade of
Fresno City a power of good. He proposes to make it his individual
business to arrange the exhibit of this county in the rooms of the State
Board, and make it second to no county in the State in its general
variety of products and its prominence.
The following are the official returns
of the railroad company relative to the shipments from this county:
Wheat.
Sacks. Weight.
To Port Costa
227,999 31,643,572
To Los Angeles
50,317 6,788,512
To Stockton
11,728 1,640,160
To Oak Market Street
1,883 274,270
To San Francisco
1,107 150,550
To Sacramento
325 44,009
Local points
3,207 455,690
_________ ___________
Total
....................... 40,896,457
Barley
Sacks Weight
To Sacramento
7,600 838,060
To San Francisco
450 61,050
To Stockton
1,150 120,260
Local Points {Whole Barley
3,762 348,535
{Rolled Barley
3,838 297,550
Twenty thousand pounds to the carload.
Raisin
Shipments
Points Eastern Pounds Local
Pounds Total Pounds
Fresno 14,924,073
506,240 15,430,313
Madera
112,710 112,710
Borden 42,773
30,453 73,326
Malaga 3,118,900 340,340 3,459,240
Points Eastern Pounds Local
Pounds Total Pounds
Fowler 1,950,010
228,428 2,178,438
Selma 307,765
61,981 469,746
Kingsburg
67,945 67,945
Total........ 20,443,521 1,348,097 21,791,628
Green Fruit
Shipments
Points Eastern Pounds Local
Pounds Total Pounds
Fresno 2,899,940
748,008 3,647,948
Madera
70,154 70,154
Borden
320 320
Malaga 60,400
936,580 996,980
Fowler
337,935 778,750
1,116,685
Selma
154,910 154,910
Kingsburg
41,730 41,730
________
__________ __________
Total,,,,,, 3,298,275
2,730,452 6,028,727
Dried Fruit
Shipments
Points Eastern Pounds Local
Pounds Total Pounds
Fresno 1,401,836
268,185 1,670,021
Madera
9,180 9,180
Borden 705 705
Malaga 373,720
115,015 483,736
Fowler 262,230
18,375 280,605
Selma
223,743 66,340
290,083
Kingsburg
3,090 3,090
_________
__________ ___________
Total.......... 2,261,529
480,890 2,742,419
Dried
Grape Shipments
Points Eastern Pounds Local
Pounds Total Pounds
Fresno 3,253,891
57,272 3,311,163
Madera
314,210 314,210
Borden
65,623 25,160
90,783
Malaga 309,370
19,495 328,865
Fowler
183,000 13,610
196,610
Selma
44,150
44,150
Kingsburg
6,265 6,265
__________
__________ ___________
Total........
3,856,034 436,012
4,292,045
Wine
Shipments
Points Eastern Barrels
Local Barrels Total Barrels
Fresno
1,470
9,198 10,668
Madera
25 25
Total........ ____________
______________ ___________
1,470 9,223
10,693
The year 1890 brought considerable
change in the postoffice, particularly in the matter of the increase
of business in all departments. The office itself remains in the
same location, at the corner of Fresno and J streets.
April, 1890, the postmaster received
his appointment, and on the 3d of May he took possession of the
office.
At the beginning of the year there
were four carriers at work, making three delivery and six collection
trips daily. Soon after Mr. Moody took charge of the office he put
on another carrier at his own expense.
There has been ample work for the
carriers during the year, as is shown in the following tabulated
forms of the amount of matter they are called upon to handle:
Matter Delivered
Date Reg. Letters
Letters Postal Cards Other Matter
December, 1889 107
20,906 2,392 7,638
January
51 20,795 2,327
8,709
February 48
21,559 3,713 11,343
March 55
23,491 3,475 10,902
April &nb