San Diego

County History

An Illustrated History of Southern California - The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago - 1890

SAN DIEGO—PORT AND CITY.

The city of San Diego is situated in a position at once beautiful and commanding, on the northeastern shore of the bay of the same name, in latitude 32° 42' 37" north, longitude 117° 9' west. It is 480 miles southeast of San Francisco. The remarkably advantageous position it occupies insures almost constant regularity of movement of the winds, and delightful equability of temperature. The city is situated upon a plateau formed by the foot hills, gently sloping southwestward toward the bay and shore. Northeastward and southeastward lie the slopes and peaks of the Coast Range and the Lower California chain of mountains; to the southward stretches the open Pacific ocean, mild and kindly, it being divided from the inlet waters of the bay by a long, narrow strip of land called the "sandspit" or the "peninsula," which broadens considerably at its western termination, forming a natural breakwater, whose protection makes this bay perhaps the most perfect and safe harbor on the whole western coast.. It is farther protected by the western extension, also peninsular, of the mainland, which forms the western boundary of the entrance to the bay and breaks the force of the prevailing wind, from the Pacific. Very naturally, great consideration and importance attach to the bay as a harbor, since there are but two truly landlocked harbors on the whole coast fine of California, a reach of over 700 miles. The harbor of San Francisco, while larger, is less safe for shipping and less easy of access than that of San Diego, so named by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602. The following is a portion of a report on the bay of San Diego, made by Prof. George Davidson, of the United States Coast Survey: "Next to that of San Francisco, no harbor on the Pacific coast of the United States approximates in excellence the bay of San Diego. The bottom is uniformly good; no rocks have been discovered in the bay or approaches: the position of the bay with relation to the coast, and of the bar in relation to Point Loma, is such that there is much less swell on this bar than on any other bar on the Pacific coast. There is less rain, fog, and thick haze, and more clear weather, in this vicinity than at all points to the northward, and the entrance is less difficult to make and enter on that account. Large vessels can go about seven miles (geographical) up the bay, with an average width of channel of 800 yards between the four fathom lines at low water. This indicates sufficient capacity to accommodate a large commerce."

Again, in 1878, Commodore C. P. Patterson, Superintendent United States Coast Survey, at Washington, transmitted to the chairman of a Congressional committee the result of the last survey of San Diego harbor in that year. He says:

" The depth over the bar (at low water) is twenty-two feet. The bar remains in a remarkably permanent state. The distance across the bar, from a depth of twenty-seven feet to the same depth inside, is 285 yards, so that the removal of about 60,000 yards of material would give a channel of 300 feet wide and 28 ½ feet deep over the bar at mean low water. I have crossed this bar at all hours, both day and night, with steamers of from 1,000 to 3,000 tons burden, during all seasons, without any detention whatever. As will be seen from the dimensions given, ample accommodations can be had in this harbor for a very large commerce. There is no safer harbor on the Pacific coast for entering or leaving, or for lying off wharves. It is the only landlocked harbor south of San Francisco and north of San Quentin, Lower California, a stretch of 600 miles of coast, and, from a national point of view, its importance is so great that its preservation demands national protection, and justifies national expenditure. Fortunately, these expenditures need not be great, if the stable regimen of the harbor be preserved.

The climate of San Diego is indeed so mild, so benevolent, and so equable, as to thoroughly justify the pride of the inhabitants in that regard. It is interesting work to scan a recapitulation of the climate register, as seen in the United States Signal Station. This statement covers a decade, or 3,653 days, from 1876 to 1885, inclusive. During these ten years there were 3,533 days on which the mercury did not rise above 80°. Of the remaining 120 days when the mercury did rise higher, 8 fell in the year 1876; 12 in 1877; 10 in 1878; 19 in 1879; 9 in 1880; 7 in 1881; 4 in 1882; 23 in 1883; 13 in 1884; 15 in 1885. Of the total number of 3,653 days there were only 41 days in which the mercury rose higher than 85°; on 22 days on which it rose above 90°, on 4 days on which it rose above 95°, and only 1 day on which it rose to over 100°. The highest temperature recorded during the whole period of ten years was 101°, on September 23, 1883. During these ten years there were never more than two days in any one month on which the mercury rose as high as 85°, except June, 1877, during which there were 4 days; September, 1878, when there were 5 days; June, 1879, which had 3 such days; September, 1879, having 4 such; October, 1879, when 6 such days befell; and September, 1883, which had 4 days up to the 85° limit.

It may be remarked, en passant, that the year 1879 was an uncommonly hot season throughout southern California, owing to meteorological conditions whose stress was aggravated by the heat sent out from extensive forest and mountain fires. On not one day during the ten years did any unusual warmth continue for more than a few hours, the highest minimum for any day being only 70°, on five of the 3,653 days. During all this period there was no night when sleep under a blanket would produce discomfort, but rather the contrary. During the same ten years, or 3,653 days, there were 3,560 days on which the mercury did not fall below 40°. Of the remaining ninety-three days there were only six on which the temperature fell below 35°, and only two on which it registered as low as 32°. There was no day of lower temperature than 32°. On no day did the mercury remain below 40° for more than one or two hours, and this was reached in the period between midnight and daylight, which is always the coldest part of the twenty-four hours. The lowest maximum of any day was 52°,which was reached on 4 of the 3,653 days in this period.

This absence of extremes of heat and cold, and of excess of either moisture or dryness; this even, moderate warmth; the regular daily motion of wind, and almost constant atmospheric humidity of the desirable mean, can but make the climate not only delightful, but healthful in the extreme.

To return to the period already observed, to determine the movements of the air, which have so much to do with the salubrity of a section: During the ten years under review there was not recorded one day as a "calm " day; while , there were days of calmness at the taking of some of the observations, there were none which had not some movement of aerial strata or currents, preventing stagnation, and renovating and purifying the air breathed. Every day four observations were taken at the hours of 7 A. M., 12: 20 P. M., 2 P. M. and 9 P. M. These aggregate 14,612 observations, in the ten years. Of these, 1,730 showed north wind, 3,252 northwest, 3,280 west, 1,614 southwest, 1,044 south, 458 southeast, 846 east, 1,510 northeast, 878 calm. Now, the westerly winds, blowing from off the ocean, are the prevailing winds, and, notwithstanding their source, they are called the "dry" winds, because they do not bring rain; the damp or rain winds blow from the east, southeast, and south.

The Signal Service tables classify winds having a velocity of 1 to 2 miles per hour as light; of 3 to 5 as gentle; of 6 to 14 as fresh; of 15 to 29 as brisk; of 30 to 40 as high; of 41 to 60 as a gale; of 61 to 80 as a storm; of 81 to 150 as a hurricane. Keeping in view this table, the mildness of the San Diego breezes may be judged from the following two facts: During the 14,612 observations taken ranging through ten years, as already stated, only 878 occurring at a windless moment, the daily average velocity for the whole period was only 139 miles, or less than six miles per hour. The highest daily velocity was 423 miles, or less than 18 miles per hour. The least daily velocity was 17 miles, or only three-fourths of a mile per hour.

The mean per cent of relative humidity for each month in the year at San Diego for fifteen years is as follows: January, 71.2; February, 74.3; March, 73.5; April, 72.4; May, 73; June, 73; July, 70.4; August, 71.7; September, 67.4; October, 71.5; November, 66.4; December, 67.2. The average number of clear, fair and cloudy days during the year, for fifteen years at San Diego, is: Clear, 184; fair, 136; cloudy, 45. The average number of days on which rain fell was thirty-four. The average depth of rainfall is between nine and ten inches. There are few " rainy days " so depressing to the invalid, and so inconvenient to the person of business; for a large proportion of the rain comes down in the night-time; then, too, the character of the soil and the natural slope of the land are such that the surface of the ground dries in a few hours after even the heaviest rain. This comparatively small rainfall, which adds no little comfort and charm to life in San Diego, must not be understood to indicate the rainfall for the section at large. For, going back from the coast, the rainfall is found to increase in volume, so that at a distance of forty miles from the coast the occurrence of a dry year is as rare as it is anywhere else in California. Even within twenty miles of the city the rainfall averages over fifty per cent more than in town.

COMPARATIVE WEATHER.

The following table shows the temperature of the past two years by months:

1888.

1889.

The average mean temperature for the different months of the year has remained practically the same for a decade or more.

The rainfall for December, 1889, was something abnormal and unprecedented. Two storms during the month gave each over two and one-half inches of rainfall. The total rainfall during the month was 7.65 inches, and there were eighteen days on which rain fell. The highest temperature reached was 68.7 degrees on the 5th, the lowest 41.8 degrees on the 30th, the average mean temperature being 57.5. There were eight clear days, seven fair days, and sixteen cloudy days.

To speak of the rainfall during the month of December it is proper to say that the rainfall during the twenty-four hours ending at 5 o'clock on the morning of the 15th, amounted to 2.31 inches, which has been exceeded only three times in the history of the signal office here. The heaviest rains during any twenty-four hours of previous years is given below:

VITAL STATISTICS.

The deaths occurring in this city, including all transients, however remote, are recorded, and are as follows for the year 1889:

CAUSES OF DEATHS.

I.-Zymotic or Epidemic:

Cholera Infantum       5         Diarrhoea                  1

Dysentery                 7         Scarletina                   1

Erysipelas.                1         Fevers-Typhoid          7

Cerebro-Spinal         1

II-Constitutional Diseases:

Hydrocephalus         2         Tubercular Meningitis   1

Phthisis Pulmonalis  34         Marasmus                   2

Rheumatism              1         Cancer                        3  

III.-Local Diseases:

Pneumonia              11         Bronchitis                    5

Other diseases of the re‑      Enteritis                       2

spiratory organs        6         Gastritis                       1

Gastro-Enteritis         1        Peritonitis (non-puerperal)    2

Diseases of the Liver 3        Bright's Disease and Ne-

Other diseases of stomach   phritis                          3

and bowels               8        Heart Diseases           11

Other diseases of brain       Convulsions                  6

and nervous system   9

IV-Developmental Diseases:

Puerperal Diseases    2      Old age                        5

V. External Causes:

Suicide                     3       All other causes not classi‑

                                        fied....... .                    35

The deaths during the year were apportioned among the several months as follows:

January                    19                July                12

February                  19               August            14

March                     13                September      26

April                        12               October          11

May                        11                November      20

June                        13                December       15

Total deaths for the year...................................179

During this year of 1889 the city was entirely free from all contagious diseases, except a few cases of typhoid fever and one or two cases of measles and whooping-cough.

Having thus reviewed the natural characteristics, the improvements due to men's enterprise, liberality, wealth and desire for improvement, may next be touched upon. First in order should come those material enterprises of more than local influence or results-railways, steamship companies, light-houses and other similar institutions, whose existence affects wider circles than those of San Diego city and county. Then should follow in proper sequence the enumeration of such features as affect the wider district, viz.: exports, imports, travel, traffic, commerce at large. Next in order appear the local or municipal institutions which are of common use to all the citizens; and last, such enterprises as banks, street railway systems, hotels, etc., which, while they are the property of individuals or private corporations, yet constitute a notable and important element in the comfort, convenience and general prosperity of the community. As far as possible this plan will be followed in the description of  San Diego under its present aspect and in the outlining of its future prospect and outlook; and any deviation therefrom will be due to the  ramifications of the subject, and the subjects may be treated in inverse order.

THE WHARVES --

WHERE THEY ARE, WHAT THEY COST AND WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMMODATE.

San Diego is provided with ample wharves. The wharf of the Spreckels Brothers Company is 3,500 feet long. Its width gradually becomes greater as it runs out from the shore, commencing with fifty feet and terminating with seventy-five feet at the twenty-six-foot water line. It will accommodate eight of the largest vessels afloat. It was built at a cost of over $90,000. The coal bunkers on the wharf have a capacity of 15,000 gross tons. They are 650 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet in depth. The machinery is of the most modern and best improved type, and in point of efficiency second to none in America. The warehouse is 150 by 100 feet, but this will soon be increased to double its present size. The wharf is situated at the foot of G street. A track is being built to connect with the Santa Fe, so that cars can be loaded directly from ships.

The Santa Fe wharf, situated at the junction of H and Atlantic streets, has two spurs, one 2,500 feet long, the other 800 feet in length. In breadth this wharf varies from twenty-five feet to seventy-five feet, and can accommodate eight deep-sea vessels and six coasters. The estimated cost of this wharf is $80,000. The track of the California Southern extends upon this wharf, and vessels are unloaded directly into the cars.

The Pacific Coast Steamship Company's wharf is at the foot of Fifth street. It was one of the first wharves built in San Diego, but has been entirely rebuilt, at a cost of something over $30,000. It is 2,000 feet long and has accommodation for four deep-sea vessels and four coasters. There is also a railway track on this wharf, which greatly facilitates the transhipment of freight from vessels to cars.

The Pacific Dock Company's wharf (generally known as Jorres' wharf) was this year rebuilt, at a cost of $35,000. It is 2,216 feet long, has a twenty-four-foot driveway and an eight-foot walk. It can accommodate four deep-sea vessels and has room for eight coasters at its twenty-foot water line. The wharf is situated at the foot of F street.

The Russ Lumber and Mill Company's wharf is situated at the foot of I street, and is 600 feet long; that of the San Diego Lumber Company, foot of Sixth street. 1,200 feet long, with a T" fifty feet by seventy-five feet. The two wharves are intended for coasters only, and were built at an aggregate cost of $36,000.

The Carlson & Higgins (Commercial) wharf is situated at the foot of H street, is 940 feet long, 35 feet wide, with a 580-foot T. It will furnish accommodations for six deep-water vessels and six coasters. The estimated cost is $40,000.

The San Diego Wharf and Storage Company's wharf, at the foot of Twenty-eighth street, is 1,400 feet long, from 76 to 140 feet wide, and cost $20,000.

In addition to these there are two excellent wharves at Coronado and two at Roseville. The San Diego & Eastern Terminal Railway Company and Crippin Jennings have wharves now in course of construction at Roseville. The projected wharf of the San Diego Land and Town Company, at the foot of Twenty-sixth street, will be one of the most complete in the city. It is to be 950 feet long, 660 feet wide, and will extend the entire block to Twenty-seventh street. It is to have three slips at the end and will furnish dockage room for nine deep-sea vessels, besides accommodation for a large number of coasters. There will be a track  for the California Southern, and also one for the National City & Otay road, built thereon. The estimated cost is put at $60,000. The railroad company also has a fine wharf at National City.

The depth for all these wharves enumerated above for deep-sea vessels are at the twenty-six-foot water line, mean low tide.

There is a projected wharf also at the foot of Ninth street, for which a franchise was granted to William A. Bailey. It will be 2,795 feet long and seventy-five feet wide.

MUNICIPAL - CHARACTERISTICS AND INSTITUTIONS.

Most of the streets of San Diego are upon an inclined plane. The slope is not great enough to fatigue a walker; but yet it is sufficient to lend a pleasing variety and perspective to the vision, and to throw the city in elevation to the eye of him who sees it from the ocean or the bay. The nomenclature of the streets is pleasing, practical and convenient. From the water front back to the outskirts they are called numerically, First street, Second, etc.; starting from a given point the southward streets are named alphabetically, A, B, C, etc. Their continuations to the northward of the point stated have arboreal names, as Ash, Beech, Cedar, etc., each one of which begins with the letter assigned to its complementary portion. Thus the geography of the streets is readily learned, and intelligent movement through them is greatly facilitated. While a great deal has been done in the matter of putting down suitable pavements, there is, naturally, much to be yet completed in this respect. The lack of adequate pavements is, however, partially compensated by the quick-drying porosity of the soil, already cited. No doubt the year 1890 will witness a great advance in the direction of proper guttering and paving.

The sewer system which was adopted some two years since is that known as the Waring system, in use in Memphis and various other large eastern cities. For the purpose of its construction, the city contracted a bonded indebtedness of $400,000, the bonds bearing interest at five per cent., payable annually. They may run till 1907, or they may be redeemed sooner, at the option of the city. The bonds were negotiated without difficulty, during the most enthusiastic period of San Diego's late phenomenal prosperity, and great anticipations existed as to the successful and satisfactory operation of the system. It appears, however, that it has not proved altogether satisfactory. But the engineer, Colonel George E. Waring, Jr., who contracted for its construction, avers that the defects are incidental, not constitutional, so to speak, and due to causes which may readily be removed, when, he declares, the present sewer system will be found complete, good, effective, and satisfactory to the citizens.

San Diego's water supply for domestic purposes comes from wells sunk in the gravel bed of the San Diego river. The watershed of the valley where these wells are sunk is nearly 300 square miles. The wells are at from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. For six months of the year the water runs on the surface, while during the remainder of the year the gravel bed of the river, which has a slight fall, and is between seven and eight miles long, is fully charged with pure mountain water, which gives a constant supply to the wells. These are thirteen in number, sunk in a line across the lower end of the valley. They average an inside diameter of twenty-eight feet, and are fourteen or fifteen feet below the water level of the summer months. The wells are all connected with the pumps by pipes of cast iron. There are four covered reservoirs with a total capacity 4,206,000 gallons, and a standpipe thirty-six inches in diameter, 136 feet high, its top being 401 feet above tide. It is supplied from the large pumps at the main station, and has pressure enough to reach the highest parts of the city. The pump mains run to the standpipe and the Old Town reservoir. They can be used independently, if so desired. The company has over 296,680 feet, or about sixty miles, of pipe lines, at an approximate cost of $800,000. Connected with this system are fire hydrants, for which the city pays $100 per year each. Everything that can be done in the way of plant, apparatus, protection, etc., is done to preserve the purity and sweetness of the water. The reservoirs are covered, and they have cemented walls, with proper facilities for draining and cleansing. According to the engineer's record, some 30,000,000 of gallons were pumped by this company during each month of the year 1888. It can to-day supply 6,600,000 gallons every twenty-four hours. If the above were not sufficient—and the supply even now would meet the wants of 100,000 souls population—there are other water resources. The Sweetwater reservoir, which supplies National City, covers an area of 700 acres of land, and contains about 6,000,000,000 gallons of water, a portion of which could very readily be diverted to San Diego. The San Diego Flume Company has a large reservoir in the Cuyamaca mountains, about fifty miles from San Diego, with a capacity of 4,000,000,000. This water is conducted to a point near the city by means of a large flume, and thence into the city through a thirty-inch iron pipe. The Flume Company furnish water for irrigating purposes along their line. Their source of supply could easily furnish water enough to irrigate 100,000 acres.

There are, moreover, the San Luis Rey and the Pamo Water Companies, neither of whose systems is yet completed. But when they begin to operate, they will double the present water supply of the city.

The lighting system of San Diego is under the auspices of the San Diego Gas and Electric Light Company, successor to the San Diego Gas Company, and the Coronado Electric Light Company, whose respective plants it has absorbed. The coal gas works are what is called a ten-inch plant, being thoroughly equipped with all the machinery, etc., necessary for efficiency and safety. The gas-holder has a capacity of about 50,000 cubic feet. The estimated capacity of the coal-gas plant is about 250,000 feet daily. The water-gas plant has a capacity of 150,000 feet daily, making a total of 400,000 feet every twenty-four hours. The company has in use twelve miles of street mains, and some 600 meter connections. The electric light works has a ground area of 100 feet by 85 feet. The power is one 250-horse­power Corliss engine, and one Buckeye high­speed engine, all the necessary Brash-light machines, dynamos, etc. There is a system of about twenty-five miles of poles and wires. The city street lighting is excellently performed by means of ten towers, each one having six 2,000-candle-power lamps. There is, moreover, the Electric Light Company, with a capital of $3,000, over four miles of wire and all needful equipments, which is doing a steadily increasing business.

The Point Loma lighthouse, which marks the entrance to San Diego harbor and which is, with one single exception, at a higher altitude from sea level than any other in the world, will soon go into disuse and be superseded by two others, one to be placed near the base of the promontory, the other at Ballast Point. This change will make the entrance to the bay as absolutely safe by night as it is by day. During the last six months of 1889, several contracts have been let for the work in question, which covers the lighthouses themselves as well as the dwellings for the use of the keepers. The first contract calls for the construction at Point Loma of two dwellings, of five rooms each, for the light keepers. The buildings are to be of wood with brick foundations and are to be finished in brass and bronze, after the style of Government lighthouse finishing. Each building will be supplied with a large water tank, twelve feet in diameter by ten in height. The total cost of the two buildings will not exceed $7,500.

The second contract embraces in its conditions the construction at Ballast Point of two buildings similar to those at Point Loma, with the addition to one of a light tower, to be fitted with the regulation stationary light. The total cost of these buildings, to be constructed by a San Diego firm, will be $8,500. Besides these there is to be placed at the outer entrance to the harbor, built by a Jersey City firm, an iron light-house, with a light of the revolving pattern, like that in use at San Pedro. Its total cost is estimated at $13,000, and it is to be completed by April 1, 1890.

THE COURT HOUSE.

The San Diego court-house, which is now being rebuilt, will have a total length, including the wings, of 106 feet. The main building, which includes the jail, has a width of 110 feet, while the wings are 57½ feet wide. It will be 126 feet from base to dome. The cost of the new building, not counting the value of the material used from the old building, will reach about $150,000. There will be three court­rooms, each measuring 63½ feet long and 33½ feet wide, and these will, when completed, be among the finest, if not the finest, in the State. The style of the architecture is Italian renaissance, and the building when completed will be by far the handsomest in the city. At present work is temporarily stopped, owing to litigation between the Board of Supervisors and the contractor, but this delay is brought about by the powers that be, in order that the specifications in the contract may be strictly enforced and perfect workmanship and material put into the new building.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The Free Reading-Room Association was organized March 1, 1872, the first officers being: Charles S Hamilton, President; George W. Marston, Vice-President; R. C. Grierson, Secretary; E. W. Morse, Treasurer.

The San Diego Public Library was first opened July 15, 1882. Bryant Howard was the first President; E. W. Hendrick, Secretary; G. N. Hitchcock, Treasurer, and G. W. Marston and Dr. R. M. Powers, Trustees. The Consolidated Bank, then the Commercial Bank, donated free use for six months of the room then used; Judge Alfred Cowles presented the library with forty volumes of standard works, and other public-spirited ladies and gentlemen tendered gifts of books and money.

The institution has been under the successive management of four different librarians, the present incumbent being Miss Lu Younkin, to whose energy is due in no small measure its present condition of usefulness. During the year 1889 this institution has been installed in new and commodious quarters in the Consolidated Bank building. The quarters are comfortably furnished, and well lighted and heated. There are reading-rooms for ladies and gentlemen, and in this department alone the record shows the use of 4,717 books during the latter seven months of the year, since these rooms have been opened. One of the features of improvement under this arrangement is the presence of attendants to issue the books, instead of the old system by which the patrons were allowed access to the shelves for that purpose, which was most conducive to the loss of books, now stopped almost entirely. The following table shows the extent of the use of the library during the past two years. The notable decrease in May, 1889, was due to the temporary closing of the library during the process of removal:

NUMBER OF BOOKS DRAWN.

Fiction is the branch most sought by the patrons of the library, with historical and biographical works holding a good second. The present number of volumes is 7,000, or 1,500 more than last year, and this library supplies more reading matter in proportion to its size than any other in the State.

THE SAN DIEGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

was organized on the 20th day of January, 1870, by David Felsenheld, E. W. Morse, Aaron Pauly, A. E. Horton, G. W. B. McDonald, J. W. Gale, D. Choate and Joseph Nash, who assembled at the rooms of the first named gentleman upon his invitation, on the day above named " to take some practical steps to unite the business men of this city for the better promotion of the public interest; to aid in the development of our back country and make known its resources; to give reliable information of the commercial advantages of our harbor, and of our natural position as an overland railroad terminus on the Pacific coast." Aaron Pauly was elected President, O. W. B. McDonald, Vice-President, and David Felsenheld, Secretary. The membership in a few weeks embraced nearly every business man and capitalist in the city, and the organization, from the very beginning has been faithful to the purposes set forth by its founders. "It has taken a leading part in the railroad negotiations of the past twenty years; it largely promoted the construction of the first important highway to Arizona, the Fort Yuma wagon road, which for several years, until the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad, was the only avenue for freight and passenger traffic between California and southern Arizona; it has published numerous reports and pamphlets of information, which have rendered most valuable service in advertising throughout the world the singular salubrity and rare equability of our climate, the various and prolific resources of our soil; the peculiar advantages of our location as a trans­continental railway terminus, and of our harbor as the natural seaport of southern California, and of the certainty of our development as a great commercial and manufacturing city; it has maintained correspondence with the representatives of our State in Congress, and with the departments of the Government upon all matters relating to harbor and other public improvements, commercial development, mail facilities, public land surveys, etc., in this section; and it has constantly promoted the development of our back country by the encouragement of exhibitions in the cities of California and the Eastern States as well as at home, and more recently by aiding the establishment of horticultural societies throughout the county, in correspondence with the chamber, and by the maintenance of a permanent exhibit at its rooms in this city of the varied productions of our soil. It has from the first relied upon the voluntary contributions of the citizens of San Diego for the means to carry on its work, and it confidently appeals to their public spirit to enable it to continue and increase its usefulness."

The presidents of the Chamber of Commerce have been Aaron Pauly, 1870; G. W. B. McDonald (deceased), 1871–'72; J. S. Gordon, 1873–'74; W. W. Stewart, 1875–'76; James M. Pierce (deceased), 1877–'78; Charles S. Hamilton, 1879; George W. Hazzard, 1880–'81; S. Levi, 1882; A. Wentscher, 1883; George W. Marston, 1884; D. Cave, 1885; J. H. Simpson, 1886; G. G. Bradt, 1887; J. A. McRae, 1888; Douglas Gunn, 1889; John C. Fisher, 1889; John Kastle, 1890.

The Annex has pledged its support to home products and industries when they are equal in quality and price to the imported articles; also to encourage the starting of manufactories, the building of a market-house, procuring cheaper water, improving public parks and effective advertising are branches of its work.

The Annex has obtained from the city a grant of ten acres, oat of a large park reservation, to beautify for a public park. A water company has also given free water for their park, and a San Francisco gentleman has promised a $7,000 bronze statue.

The Annex offered a prize of a handsome, hand-painted, silk banner to that horticultural society or district maintaining the best exhibit at the Chamber of Commerce for a stated time. The efforts of the chamber, thus seconded by the Annex, resulted in the formation of new horticultural districts, and created a healthy rivalry among all the districts to win the banner.

CHURCHES.

On Sunday, November 8, 1868, the Rev. Sidney Wilbur, who had very lately arrived in San Diego, celebrated the service of the Episcopal Church in the barracks, where the services were held for some time after. It appears that he organized a parish early in 1869, but the precise date is not obtainable. The church building was erected in 1871.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in January, 1869. For some time its services were held in a hall over Julian's store on Fifth street, and later they were held in Dunham's Hall. The first pastor of this congregation was Rev. D. A. Dryden, who reached San Diego in October, 1869. Immediately he set about the enterprise of erecting a church edifice, and his parishioners co-operated with him so zealously that within four months from the inception of the work the church was built and paid for. The pastor made with his own hands the pulpit and its chair. The church was dedicated on Sunday, February 13, 1870.

On June 5, 1869, the first Baptist Church in San Diego was organized. W. S. Gregg and Jacob Allen were chosen to serve as deacons, and E. W. S. Cole as clerk. The Baptists had the honor of building the first church edifice in the new city. It was begun in August, 1869, and by October 3 of that year it was opened for worship, Rev. Morse preaching the first Protestant sermon ever heard under a church roof in San Diego County. The building was not dedicated until a later period. Rev. O. F. Weston was its first pastor.

The First Presbyterian Church was organized with thirteen members on June 7, 1869. Charles Russell Clarke, David Lamb and Samuel Merrill were elected elders. The church building was erected in 1871, being dedicated on Sunday, June 8 of that year. Rev. J. S. McDonald was the first pastor.

The Roman Catholic Church at “New Town" occasionally enjoyed the celebration of services in Rosario Hall on F street, but it was not until 1875 that their fine church edifice was completed, since which time services have been regularly held there. It stands on the mesa in the western part of the city. Rev. Father Ubach is the incumbent.

First German Methodist Episcopal Church is located at the corner of H and Thirteenth streets, the Rev. L. E. Schneider, pastor. The society was organized in February, 1887, with a membership of two, under the leadership of Rev. L. C. Pfeffenberger, holding its meetings Sunday afternoons in Keener Chapel. This was the home of the society for one year; at the end of that period the present edifice was erected, and on April 4, 1888, the first services were held therein. The membership had now increased to fifty. During the fall of 1889 the present pastor took charge, immediately succeeding the Rev. Mr. Pfeffenberger. At the present time the membership is seventy-five, with an average attendance at the various church services of 100, and a Sunday-school attendance of seventy-five.  The church property, valued at $12,000, is owned by the society, and is free from debt.

The Coronado Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Coronado Beach, was organized in 1888, with a membership of twenty. The present membership is forty.

The average attendance is 150 at the various services. Rev. A. Inwood is pastor.

The Scandinavian Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1880. Owing to depression in business of late, many of the members of this church have left the city, and the society is thus somewhat crippled. The Rev. A. Peterson is the present pastor. Membership twenty-five, with an attendance of forty at the Sunday services.

The Central Methodist Episcopal Church is located at Harrison avenue and Twenty-sixth street, Rev. D. H. Gillan, pastor. The church was established January 12, 1887, with a membership of twelve, under the direction of Rev. J. I. Foote. At present the membership is 150, with an average attendance of 300.  The society owns property valued at $10,000.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was established in 1888 with a membership of nine, which has since increased to twenty-three. The present attendance numbers eighty-five. Rev. W. E. De Claybrook is the pastor.

The Middletown Methodist Episcopal Church society was organized in 1887, and at present worships in a hall, corner of Ash and Front streets, San Diego. Services are on Sunday, conducted by Rev. W. Pittenger, of National City. Present membership, twenty.

The National City Methodist Episcopal Church, located in National City, was organized in 1882, and in 1887 moved into its present edifice. Membership, forty. Rev. W. Pittenger, pastor.

Keener Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized under the Rev, J. W. Allen in October, 1882, and held its first service in Hubbell's Hall. Afterward a hall on Fifth street, known as the old Masonic Hall, was rented and used by the then small congregation until the completion of the present house of worship, in May, 1884, and dedicated as Keener Chapel.  This church is located on very valuable property, corner of D and Seventh streets, the gift of Bishop Keener, of New Orleans, for whom the edifice is named.  The church membership is seventy-five, with an attendance at its services of 100.  Property valued at $30,000 is controlled by the society.  Rev. James Hesley is the pastor.

The New Jerusalem Church was organized in 1883, at a private residence, with a membership of thirteen. Prior to this organization regular meetings had been held for three years by the promoters of the society.  From 1883 to 1890 services were held regularly Sundays, and, to suit the convenience of the members, from house to house.  In January, 1890, the Rev. Mr. Savory was called as the first pastor of the church, and the meetings of the society were then held for the first time in public at Keener Chapel.  Mr. Savory is still the pastor, and church services are conducted every Sunday. The church membership is fourteen, with an attendance of about twenty-five.

The Unitarian Church is located at the corner of Tenth and F. Rev. B. F. McDaniel, pastor. The church was organized March 4, 1877. The Rev. David Cronyer was the first pastor of the church and officiated from the date of the organization up to January, 1887, when the present pastor succeeded him. The society after its organization held services in Horton Hall, up to the year 1883, when they moved to quarters on Tenth and F. In 1888 the present edifice was built, at a cost of $14,000, a fine building with a seating capacity of 600. There are 150 families in the society and an average attendance at the Sunday services of about 250.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is located in the Old Town of San Diego. The organization of this church dates back to the year 1774: At that time meetings were held in the chapel attached to Fort Stockton, and they continued to be held there until the year 1840. Shortly after this date the buildings of the fort went to decay and the church held its meetings in the house of José Maria Estudillo, at the corner of the plaza, a building still in existence. This house was used as a chapel up to the year 1858, when a wealthy Spaniard named Jose Antonio Aguirre, purchased it and donated it to the Roman Catholic congregation to be used as a parish church, and it has been so used up to the present day. This church is under the direction and management of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and under the ministration of Rev. Father Ubach. The present membership is some 200.

St. Peter's Mission Hall is located at Coronado Beach. This mission was organized July, 1887, with twenty members, under the direction of Rev. H. B. Restarick and is a mission of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church of San Diego. Services were first held in the Hotel Josephine, afterward in a store room on Orange street, neatly fitted up as a chapel, where they are at present conducted. The organization receives some aid from the diocese. At present there are fifty-two communicants in the church. The Rev. Mr. Brown succeeded Mr. Restarick after the organization of the mission.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, located at South San Diego with Rev. W. F. Chase in charge, is a mission of St. Paul's in San Diego, and was organized in March, 1889, under the direction of Rev. H. B. Restarick. Average attendence fifty.

St. James' Mission, located at Logan avenue and Twenty-fourth street, with Rev. S. H. Ilderton in charge, is a mission of St. Paul's and was organized in July, 1888, by the Rev. H. B. Restarick. The attendance on the different services is about forty, there being thirty communicants. The work of the mission is divided up among the assistants of St. Paul's church.

St. Matthew's Church, located at National City, with Rev. J. R. Cowie rector, was organized in July, 1886, by Rev. H. B. Restarick of San Diego, with ten communicants; they number at present forty-one. The property owned by the church is valued at $7,200.

The Jewish synagogue is a building at the corner of Beech and Second streets, and is in charge of Max Moses, Rabbi. The society was organized in 1885, with a membership of forty, M. Schiller being President and Dr. Friter Rabbi. At this time the society worshiped in the building of the Unitarians at Tenth and F streets. In October, 1889, they moved into their present quarters. The congregation now numbers eighty and M. Schiller is still the presiding officer; in January, 1890, the present rabbi was settled in charge of the synagogue. Services are held Friday evenings at eight and Saturday mornings at eleven. The Sunday-school connected with the synagogue numbers fifty scholars.

The First Congregational Church is located at the corner of Ninth and F streets, and is at present without a pastor. The society was organized in August, 1886, in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, under the direction of Rev. J. H. Harwood, D. D., and the membership in October of the same year numbered seventy-six. In February, 1887, the society moved into their present Tabernacle, remaining under the charge of Rev. Dr. Harwood until February, 1888, when Rev. J. B. Silcox succeeded to the pastorate. The present membership is 200. The church conducts and supports a small mission school, with a membership of thirty at Middletown.

The Second Congregational Church, located at Twenty-sixth street and Kearny avenue, with Rev. F. B. Perkins as pastor, was organized February 9, 1888, by Rev. A. B. White, with seventeen constituent members; the present pastor succeeded Mr. White the following year. Present membership forty-two.

Congregational Chinese Mission School. This school is situated at No. 639 Thirteenth street, under the auspices of the First Congregational Church; it was organized in 1886, by Rev. W. C. Pond. The mission owns a lot and commodious school-house on the site above noted. For three years Mrs. M. A. McKenzie was in charge of the school. Miss M. E. Elliott succeeded her and now directs the institution. Classes for study in English are held on different evenings during the week and religious services Sunday evenings. Thirty members are in attendance.

Seventh Day Adventist. Elder W. M. Healey is in charge of this church, which is located at Eighteenth and G streets. The society was organized January 21, 1888, with a membership of ten and at once moved into their present building. The property is valued at $5,000 and the society has it under its own management and control. The present Membership is seventy.

The First United Presbyterian Church is situated at Nineteenth and G streets, Rev. R. G. Wallace being its pastor. The society organized in 1888, with a membership of twenty, and worshiped in the court-house on D street for a short time. The building now used for worship was erected in 1889, but it is still in an unfinished condition, owing to the very large decrease in membership caused by the exodus from the city of a number of families of the church, the great depression in business and the consequent lack of employment being directly responsible for this.  The average attendance at the Sunday services is about forty.

The Presbyterian Chinese Mission, organized in 1888, and located on Eighth street, between D and E, is connected with the First Presbyterian Church, and supported by it, and at present in charge of Mrs. McKenzie.  There is an attendance at the present time of about twenty pupils.

The Presbyterian School for Chinese Children, organized in 1888, is located on Third street, between K and L, connected with the First Presbyterian Church, and supported by it, and now in charge of Miss Johnson.  There are about fifteen pupils in the school in regular attendance at present.

In both of these Chinese institutions sessions are held during the day. In the Mission is conducted on Sunday evenings a gospel service, with a large number in attendance.

The National City Presbyterian Church was organized March 18, 1886, at National City. Pastor, Rev. Mr. Long. The church membership numbers forty, and there is an attendance of about 100.

The Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church is located at Pacific Beach, Rev. R. Dodd, pastor, The church was organized in 1888, and its membership at the present time numbers thirty.  The congregations on Sunday number about fifty.

El Cajon Presbyterian Church was organized in 1883, by Rev. Dr. Dodge, and is located in the valley of the Cajon—the only Protestant church in the valley. The society owns its fine edifice, which is free from debt. There is a membership of fifty, and an attendance of 100. There is no pastor here at present.

The Coronado Presbyterian Church was organized March 18, 1888, at Coronado Beach, under the direction of Rev. H. L. Hoyt. At present there is no pastor.

Present membership, forty-five, with an attendance of sixty.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1887, Rev. L. Clay, pastor. Present attendance, fifty; membership, twenty.

The National City Baptist Mission is located at National City, with Rev. J. F. Childs in charge. It was organized in 1889, with a membership of thirty. The present attendance does not exceed this number.

The Grand Avenue Baptist Church is located on Grand avenue, between Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth streets, and is a mission of the First Baptist Church.  It was organized in February, 1889, with a membership of thirty. Clifford Hubbell, superintendent.  The congregation worshiped at first in a store-room on Olive avenue, and on the completion of its own house of worship, in August, 1889, moved into its present quarters.  The present attendance is eighty. The superintendent is W. R. Guy.

The Coronado Baptist Mission, located at Coronado Beach, has Rev. J. F. Childs for pastor. It was opened September, 1888, with a membership of twenty, being a mission of the First Baptist Church of San Diego. The congregation at present worship in a school-house. Present attendance, thirty-five.

The Old Town Baptist Mission is located in the Old Town of San Diego, and under the direction of Mrs. L. Crego. The mission was organized in 1888 with a membership of twenty-five, under the auspices of the First Baptist Church of San Diego, and in charge of H. S. Hanson.  The congregation worship in a chapel of their own, erected in 1888, and number about thirty-five. It is a fact of some importance that this is the only Protestant religious organization in the town, and the only one that was ever in existence there.

The Chollas Valley Baptist Mission, located in Chollas valley, was organized November, 1887, as a mission of the First Baptist Church of San Diego, with a membership of twenty.  The present house of worship is a school­house, near the cemetery. Attendance at the Sunday services numbers thirty. C. B. Allen is the superintendent.

The Second Baptist (Colored), organized in 1888, has Rev. W. E. Sykes as pastor.  The present membership is fifty-five, with an attendance of about seventy-five.

The Central Christian Church is located on Thirteenth street, near F. The elder in charge is A. B. Markle. It was organized October, 1886, with a membership of thirty-five, under the eldership of G. R. Hand. The present edifice was erected in 1888; previous to that time meetings were held in the Louis Opera House. The present membership is 180, with an attendance of seventy-five to 150. The society controls property worth $5.000.

The Lutheran Church was organized in 1888, with a membership of thirty-two. Services are held in the old Methodist Church on Third street, under the direction of Rev. E. R. Wagner.  The society is a flourishing one, with a membership of 125, and an attendance of about 100.  The Sunday-school connected with the church is an unusually large one, there being 166 scholars enrolled.

The Theosophical Society has three branches in the city, known as Point Loma Lodge, Guatama Branch and Upasana Branch.

The Point Loma Lodge is the pioneer branch and was established in 1887. Meetings are held at No. 643 Sixth street every Sunday afternoon and led by Thomas Docking, M. D., the president of the branch. The membership of this branch is five, and there is an attendance of twelve at the Sunday meetings.

The Guatama Branch is an offshoot of the Point Loma Lodge and composed mainly of its disaffected members. It was organized in 1889, with G. H. Stebbins as president. Meetings are held at Ash and Second streets every Sunday, being open to the public only on alternate Sundays. This branch has twelve members.

The Upasana Branch is the largest in the city, having a charter membership of nineteen. It was organized in 1890, with the aid of Bartram Keightly, private secretary to Madam Blavatsky. The meetings of this branch are held in the Winona House, and are always open to the public. Sidney Thomas is the president.

THE BENCH AND BAR.

The organization of the bench a  of San Diego County took place September 2, 1850, when the First Judicial Court convened, the Hon. O. S. Witherby, Judge, presiding; Richard Rust, Clerk.

This court was in session, as also were the Court of Sessions and Probate Court, which convened October 14, 1850, until January 6, 1880, when the Superior Court was established; this court up to the present date has absorbed the work of the earlier courts and is able to accomplish all the work.

In the early history of the courts Los Angeles and San Diego counties comprised the First Judicial District; San Bernardino County then being a part of Los Angeles County. The first judge also was appointed by the Legislature and not elected by the people as is the present custom. Judge Witherby, the first presiding judge, has related some very interesting experiences of his early years on the bench; at that time, the only means of traveling long distances in this section was in the saddle. The judge was obliged to travel three times a year to Los Angeles to hold court, and the round trip occupied about seven days,—a very lonely journey, the country being but sparsely settled, not more than half a dozen houses being seen during an entire day.

During this period there were about 150 voters in San Diego County; any man of the proper age was permitted to vote without regard to nationality. Judge Benjamin Hayes was the first judge elected by the people and he immediately succeeded Judge Witherby, January 20, 1853.

There seem to have been few acts of lawlessness of especial interest to note during the early history of this court; but two criminal executions, sanctioned by the court, have occurred in the history of this county and district up to the present day. One was for murder; the other (in 1850) for stealing. In the latter case the criminal was tried under Judge John Hayes in 1850, in the Court of Sessions. The charge was that said criminal (an American) broke into a store and stole some property.

The law at that time providing that a man convicted of stealing should be hung, the court had no alternative in the matter and was obliged to pronounce the sentence of death.

Below are named the judges of all courts in this district, from the organization of the bench to the present day:

FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT.
JUDGE.                        APPOINTED.

0. S. Witherby               September 7, 1850

Benjamin Hayes             January 20, 1853

Pablo de la Guerra         January 11, 1864

Murray Morrison           July 13, 1868

Horace C. Rolfe            April 8, 1872

W. T. McNealey           January 12, 1874

SUPERIOR COURT-January 6, 1880.

JUDGE.                       APPOINTED.

W. T. McNealey, holding over.

John D. Works             October 4, 1886

Edwin Parker .             August 29, 1887

John R. Aitkin              December 19, 1888

George Puterbaugh      April 3, 1889

W. L. Pierce                April 3, 1889

THE COURT OF SESSIONS AND PROBATE COURT.

JUDGE.                       APPOINTED.

John Hayes                  October 14, 1850

C. S. Couts, presiding  March 29, 1854

D. H. Rogers               March 29, 1854

John Curry                  March 29, 1854  

D. B. Kurtz, presiding  November 19, 1854

H. C. Ladd                 November 19, 1854

C. G. Saunders           November 19, 1854

W. H. Noyes, presiding    October 1, 1860

A. B. Smith                 October 1, 1860

D. H. Hollister, presiding   June 10, 1861

W. H. Noyes              June 10, 1861

P. W. Huddleston       June 10, 1861

Julio O'Suna               March 7, 1864

Thomas H. Bush         November 4, 1867

Moses A. Luce           January 3, 1876,
to December 31, 1880, when the Superior Court was established; during the present year (1889), the new law giving to San Diego three Judges and three Superior Courts, has gone into effect.

MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND CITY AND COUNTY SCHOOL
BOARDS.

CITY OFFICERS‑

Mayor                                      Douglas Gunn

City Attorney                            James P. Goodwin

City Clerk                                William M. Gassaway

City Auditor and Assessor        G. W. Jorres

Treasurer and Tax Collector     J M Dodge

City Engineer                            T M. Shaw

Police Judge                             M S. Rawson

Health Officer                           Dr. D. Gochenaner

Chief of Police                          James Coyne

Sewer Inspector                       I. T. Goldthwait

Street Superintendent               Amos Pettingill

Plumbing Inspector                   J H. Ponder

City Justice                               T. J. Hays

The Board of Aldermen comprises nine members, elected at large, and a "Board of Delegates", consisting of two elected from each of the nine wards.

The Board of Public Works is composed of four members.

The police commissioners are four in number, besides the Mayor, president ex officio. There are three fire commissioners, and seven members of the City Board of Health.

The amount paid out monthly to maintain the city government is, in round figures, $5,000.

COUNTY OFFICERS-‑

W. W. Bowers             Senator Fortieth District

Nestor A. Young         Assemblyman "        "

W. D. Hamilton           County Clerk

S. A. McDowell          Sheriff

Ely Haight                   Recorder and Auditor

S. Statler                    Treasurer

H. W. Weineke          Tax Collector

J. M. Asher                Assessor

H. C. Sangrehr           Surveyor

O. J Wellsworth         Constables

Jose Cota

W. A. Sloan               Justices of the Peace

T. J. Hays

SUPERIOR COURT

Department No. 1

John R. Aitken                         Judge

J. W. Girvin                             Clerk

F. K. Gallagher                        Reporter
Department No. 2

George Puterbaugh                  Judge

S. C. Foltz                               Clerk

F. Meakin                                Reporter
Department No. 3‑

W. L. Pierce                            Judge

J. McNulty                               Clerk

W. W. Whitson                        Reporter

J. S. Callen                              Court Commissioner

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

J. S. Buck                                First District

J. H. Woolman                         Second District

Chester Gunn                           Third District

J. M. Woods                            Fourth Dist., and Chairman

A. J. Stice                                Fifth District
E. H. Miller, Deputy County Clerk and ex officio Clerk of Board.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.