Sonoma County
History
Source: History of Sonoma County....San
Francisco, 1880.
The pleasingly euphonious name of Santa
Rosa was first given to the stream which winds through the beautifully
wooded valley and from which it, as well as the township and city, derives
its cognomen. The story of the baptismal rite is thus told by Mr. Robert A.
THOMPSON, County Clerk, than whom no better authority on this part of the
county lives: It is recorded of Juan AMOROSO that he was one of those
missionaries who dared everything in behalf of the Cross; earnest, faithful
and bold, he preached the story of the Master without fear. He was a true
disciple of the Church militant on earth and believed in teaching the
heathen the practices of Christianity, and, as far as possible, the arts of
civilization, by force if they did not adopt them by persuasion. His zeal
led him, in 1824, to accept the difficult, not to say the dangerous, task of
founding the mission of San Rafael. He successfully accomplished that task.
Five years after, in 1829, he made an excursion northward in company with
one Jose CANTUA, hoping, doubtless, to find some stray heathen who by his
zeal might be brought into the fold of the faithful. He came to the
territory of the CAINEMEROS tribe of Indians who resided on the river
CHOCOALOMI, the Indian name of what is now Santa Rosa Creek. At the rocky
point opposite the "old adobe," a mile and a half from the present town, he
captured an Indian girl, baptized her in the stream and gave her the name of
Santa Rosa from the fact that, on that very day, the Church was celebrating
the fast of Santa Rosa de Lima. He was attacked by the natives and fled,
arriving safely at his mission of San Rafael.
In June, 1834, Governor FIGUEROA undertook
an expedition to the northern part of the county to survey the position of
the Russians and to make some preparations for the reception of colonists
who were reported as coming from Mexico to settle in California. He
personally explored the surrounding country and chose a site on the banks of
Mark West Creek - then called POTIQUIOMI - which he named "Santa Ana y
Farias" after the then President and Vice-President of Mexico. Shortly
after, the Governor returned to Monterey, having left the pueblo in charge
of a few soldiers under the command of Ensign (now General) M. G. VALLEJO;
he, however, finding his position untenable, being sore pressed by the
Indian tribes who had intercepted direct communication with San Francisco,
reported the State of affairs to the Mexican Government, when he was ordered
to take a position nearer the bay, and thus Santa Ana y FARIAS was abandoned
and the pueblo of Sonoma settled.
In 1838-9, the building already mentioned
as the "old adobe" was erected by Mrs. CARRILLO, a sister of General
VALLEJO'S wife, and mother of Julio CARRILLO, who was granted a large tract
of land, including the site of the present city of Santa Rosa, the country
lying between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol being given to Joaquin CARRILLO, her
brother. The adobe still stands on Santa Rosa Creek, a mile and a half above
the town, and was the first building erected in the valley, or indeed
anywhere north of the city of Sonoma, saving those constructed by the
Russians at or near Fort Rosa. It is now owned by F. G. HAHMAN of Santa
Rosa.
The following pen-picture of this
historical establishment, as it was in July, 1850, when in the possession of
Ramon CARRILLO, we reproduce as a graphic description of the manners and
customs of the pre-American occupiers of California:
"In front of the house was a court-yard of
considerable extent, and part of this was sheltered by a porch; here, when
the vaqueros have nothing to call them to the field, they pass the day
looking like retainers of a rude court; a dozen wild, vicious-looking
horses, with wooden saddles on their backs, stand ever ready for work; while
lounging about, the vaqueros smoke, play the guitar, or twist a new riata of
hide or horse-hair. When the sun gets lower they go to sleep in the shade,
while the little horses that remain in the sunshine do the same apparently,
for they shut their eyes and never stir. Presently a vaquero, judging the
time by the sun, gets up and yawns, staggering lazily towards his horse,
gathers up his riata, and twists it around the horn of his saddle - the
others, awakening, rise and do the same, all yawning, with eyes half open,
looking as lazy a set as ever were seen, as indeed they are when on foot. 'Hupa!
Anda! and away they go in a cloud of dust, splashing through the river,
waving their lassoes around their heads with a wild shout, and disappearing
from sight almost as soon as mounted. The vaquero wants at all times to ride
furiously, and the little horses' eyes are opened wide enough before they
receive the second dig of their rider's iron spurs.'
Let us briefly relate the further history
of this ancient landmark. In 1851 Don RAMON returned to his native clime,
and left the adobe in the possession of David MALLAGH, who had espoused a
daughter of Mrs. CARRILLO; and in the fall of that year, in conjunction with
Donald MCDONALD, he opened a public-house and grocer's shop within the
hitherto hallowed walls; this was the first launching into the mysteries of
merchandising in Santa Rosa valley. At this period the daughters had
succeeded to that portion of the tract lying between Santa Rosa and Bennet
Valley creeks, while Julio CARRILLO owned all the north side of the creek.
Before proceeding further with our record,
let us here interpolate a description of the Santa Rosa Valley. The plains,
as the fertile strath is ofentimes called, rise gradually for some sixteen
miles, the grade taking a southerly direction from the Russian River, there
being just enough inclination to shed the water back to the larger stream.
Two considerable streams flow into the Russian River, which having found
their source in the mountains on the east, pursue their way across the
plains into a sequence of lakes on the west, and debouching therefrom,
finally deposit their water into the river above named. The eye is
pleasantly relieved by groves of oaks, which in no wise interfere with the
cultivation of the soil, the yield under the shadow of the umbrageous trees
being very nearly, if not quite, as good as it is in the open ground;
cereals, fruits and vines all grow in the greatest profusion and perfection,
while on the eastern slope of the valley, built along the banks of the
creek, stands the county seat of Sonoma, the beautiful city of Santa Rosa.
Within easy distance of the town are Bennet, Guilicos, and Rincon Valleys,
all lands rich in agricultural results, and peopled by hardy, honest,
well-to-do farmers.
Up to the period when the district was
first settled Santa Rosa and the small valleys contiguous to it were very
different from what they are today. At that time the broad level plain was
one vast field of waving corn, in the months of March and April, looking
like an emerald sea, dotted with islands, as it were, formed from the clumps
of oaks among the only perishable landmarks which still remain, and limited
by a horizon of bold, wooded highlands and more noble mountains,
rocky-peaked, and clothed with dense chapparal to their summits. Roads there
were none, save the divergent trails which twisted through the luxuriant
growth of wild oats, that reached, on every side, shoulder high with passing
equestrian. Fences there were none, therefore the prospect was unbroken ,
save by those objects already noted. The low-lying land teemed with game of
every kind, both four-footed and feathered, that had scarcely known the
meaning of death, save by natural means; the rivers were stocked with finny
gambolers, whose numbers had been lessened by none, except the aboriginal
red man, while the canons and mountain sides gave shelter to the panther,
the puma, and the grizzly bear. Around the vista was variegated with flowers
of the richest perfumes, lending a pleasing sensation of sweet repose; the
smallest sounds were heard in the vast solitude, and each in concert - the
hard, grating noise of the cicada, the hum of bees, the chirping of
gorgeously plumed songsters - all these signs of animation made the solitude
still more profound and oppressive, until it became a relief to watch for
the obstruction of the path by an infuriated beeve or gaze in expectation
for the rapid stampede of a drove of elk or deer.
In the year 1846 the first immigration to
California from the Atlantic States took place, and a few found their way to
this district and settled in what is now known as Los Guilicos valley. This
influx to the population received no further impetus until 1848, the year of
the discovery of gold, when a few others arrived; notable among these being
David and William HUDSON, John YORK, and William ELLIOTT; these had
families. In 1848, in the fall, the small settlement had an accession of
strength in the arrival of Martin HUDSON, his wife and five children. In
this winter, Mrs. Martin HUDSON, a hale old lady with a wonderfully clear
and retentive memory, informs us that she and her family and her
brother-in-law and his four children, occupied small log huts. At this time
there also came Ben JEWELL and several others, whose names cannot be traced.
In 1849, William HOOD arrived and occupied land in Los Guilicos Valley. The
lives of these pioneers were anything but a bed of roses; the daily
recurring round of hardships was hard to face, but it had to be met. As time
went on, the mind was kept active in order to provide for their wants. Those
with families were frequently put to it to find comforts for delicate
females and helpless babes. Did sickness show itself, it had to be averted
with the simplest aid at hand, for physicians had not yet found their way
into the impenetrable wilds; therefore it is wonderful how many there are
who live to tell the tale. In the year 1848, or perhaps before that, we find
that William ELLIOTT had constructed a water-power grist-mill on Mark West
Creek, where his distant neighbors - if the almost antithetical expression
may be used - where wont to have their grain turned into flour. The raising
of wheat had not as yet taken any hold upon the settlers; indeed it was
doubted if it would grow at all. Barley was produced in, for those days,
considerable quantities, that is to say, little more than enough for home
consumption. Tea, sugar and coffee were luxuries indeed, a substitute for
the latter being frequently found in burnt corn or wheat; meat and game
were, fortunately, plentiful, while now and then the real treat of baked
bread would be indulged in. Most of the commodities in use were procured
from San Francisco, which was reached first by a horseback to the bay, and
after, by a rough passage in an open whale-boat to the city, yet with all
these difficulties to contend against, we are told that existence was by no
means unpleasant then, while now there are many who have almost retired from
active labor and lead a life of ease and comfort; there are others, again,
who have been called across the dark river after the passing of useful and
eventful years; while lastly, there are still those who, young then, are now
filling prominent positions in the world, each proving that their early
teachings have stood them in good stead in fighting the battle of light.
In the year 1850, a Presbyterian preacher
named TOWNLEY held services in Los Guilicos valley, under the shadow of a
spreading oak. The congregation which gathered to this sylvan church, though
few in number, were sincere in their devotion, and listened to these
expositions of Divine truth in the wilderness of unreclaimed solitude with
deep-seated feeling. It is pleasing to record that this early pioneer
minister had the doing good to his fellow-creatures at heart, for we are
told that in this same year he started a school on Cottonwood Creek, on the
edge of the valley, which he maintained for three months. In this year we
also hear of the first wedding. What a day of rejoicing must such a social
event have been. How easy it is to picture the friends, or even strangers,
hasting to the wedding, each mounted on his fleet steed, and all arrayed in
such fineries the like of which had not been hitherto donned in the new
country. While writing, we feel the generality which then prevailed pervade
ourself, and have, in our mind's eye, the hearty hand-shakings, the fervent
congratulations and loud-sung praises of bride and bride-groom. The
contracting parties on this occasion were Miss Celia ELLIOTT and Benjamin
JEWELL, mentioned above. The first birth is supposed to have been that of
Mary, now Mrs. MCCORMICK, daughter of William HUDSON, who is still a
resident of Sonoma County. This event occurred in 1846, while the first
death was that of the old English sailor and intrepid pioneer, Mark WEST,
whose name is so familiar in the mouths of the present generation. He died
of cancer in 1849. Marcus WEST is described as a tall man of commanding
presence, mild in manner and kind to a fault.
Let us now glance at the history of the
town of Santa Rosa, its location, progress, and present prosperity.
SANTA ROSA. - We have already said that
Mallagh and McDonald started a store in the old adobe in 1851; in June of
the next year Alonzo MEACHAM, who with his partner, Barney HOEN, suffered
disaster in San Francisco in the great fire of May, came up from that city,
and buying out MALLAGH and MCDONALD, opened a store and trading post for
general merchandise. Not long after this MEACHAM applied to Washington for
the establishment of a postoffice at this point, which was duly done, Donald
MCDONALD being appointed on the 22d of April, 1852; to it was given the name
of Santa Rosa, and thereafter the city succeeded to the cognomen. In the end
of that year MEACHAM'S former partner, Barney HOEN, landed at New Town, then
the limit of steamer communication, from the "Red Jacket," on her second
trip, and coming up to Santa Rosa, on horseback, purchased a half interest
of MEACHAM'S business, who had by this time acquired the right, by purchase,
from Julio CARRILLO, of the tract of seventy acres, comprising the site of
the city of Santa Rosa, for which he paid twelve dollars per acre. In this
year James COCKRILL owned a residence on a position near to the Pacific
Methodist College. At the time of the first survey it was considered a great
distance from town. Mr. COCKRILL died of small-pox during the epidemic in
1853.
The interest of Alonzo MEACHAM in the
business of the "old adobe" was sold to F. G. HAHMAN on May 1, 1853, the
firm then becoming HOEN & HAHMAN, but in a few weeks, HARTMAN purchasing an
interest from them, the designation of the copartnership was changed to HOEN
& CO. During the summer of this year a prosperous trade was carried on at
the "old adobe;" it became the mart to supply all the country to the north,
while their goods found ready purchasers in the adjoining counties. Trains
of pack mules daily passed their doors, while they themselves did a
considerable freighting business, not only on receiving accessions to their
stock of goods, but also in despatching commodities to the Russian River
Valley and Lake and Mendocino Counties. In the month of August, 1853, HOEN &
CO. purchased from MEACHAM the seventy acres already alluded to, for the sum
of sixteen hundred dollars, being at the rate of twelve dollars an acre, the
balance being paid in consideration of the fence which had been constructed
around it. The western boundary of this property ran through the plaza.
We now come to the reasons of the laying
out of the town. The "old adobe" was sold to a man named WALKINSHAW, from
Santa Clara, by David MALLAGH, and on the new landlord's taken possession he
demanded a rental of three hundred dollars a month from HOEN & COMPANY for
the whole of the building, instead of twenty-five dollars per Mensem,
which they had hitherto been paying for a portion thereof. This
extortionate price they refused to listen to or acknowledge, therefore, as a
solution of the difficulty, the above mentioned purchase was made on the 9th
of August, as appears by the books of the firm, and the determination
arrived at to lay out a town, Julio CARRILLO agreeing to give a like
quantity for that purpose. In the original survey of the site, Mr. Robert
THOMPSON tells us, "the creek was taken for a base and a line was run
northerly from an oak stump, which stood near the old Masonic Hall, to
Fourth Street - leaving the Plaza trees on land of HOEN & COMPANY. The price
of lots was fixed at twenty-five dollars a piece, without any regard to
location. Julio CARRILLO'S house on Second Street - now owned by J. P. CLARK
- was built by John BAILIFF in the summer of 1852. This was the only house
in the town when it was first surveyed. Achilles RICHARDSON had a small
store near the creek, which was outside of First Street - the southern limit
of the embryo city." In the natural sequence of things, transactions in land
follow the laying out of a town. The first sale made was six lots to Henry
VALLEY, who paid at the rate of twenty-five dollars each for them; on one of
these he constructed a house which still stands on the south-west corner of
E and Second Streets. In the winter of this year (1853) a quiet
determination had fixed itself upon the minds of the residents of Santa Rosa
that theirs was the true point at which the county seat should be located;
to gain this they strove secretly and manfully. J. W. BENNET had beaten
"Joe" HOOKER in the race for the Legislature, and the bill he introduced
after his election was one of great moment to Santa Rosa. The city of
Sonoma, where from time immemorial had been gathered all the county's
perfection, feeling a presentiment of impending evil, were afraid to raise
the issue, but awaited the result: the Santa Rosans were keen, cautious and
confident. The bill introduced by BENET provided that the question of the
removal of the county seat should be submitted to the votes of the people at
the next general election; the long looked for and anxiously expected
September day dawned and waned, the Santa Rosa sympathizers were in the
majority and she became the capital of Sonoma, the bill legalizing her as
such being passed in March of the following year.
In the spring of 1853, there arrived in
the Santa Rosa Valley one John W. BALL, who located on the south side of the
Santa Rosa Creek, but losing several of his children here from small-pox,
which was epidemic in this year, removed to certain land, about
three-fourths of a mile from the present city, the property of Oliver BOLEAU,
a French Canadian, a part of whose house (now in the occupation of Dr.
SIMMS) he rented, at one hundred and fifty dollars per month, and opened a
small store and public house. The then direct road from the Russian River,
the districts to the north of it, and Bodega country, to Sonoma, at that
time the only place of export from the county, met at this point, therefore
BOLEAU conceived the idea of here establishing a town. He had about half a
mile square surveyed, and named it Franklin, after a brother in Canada; it
was placed at the junction of the Sonoma Road with the Fulkerson Lane. That
spring, S. G. CLARK, Dr. J. F. BOYCE, and Nute MCCLURE bought out BALL and
erected a small dry goods store of split redwoods, in size, twenty-four by
thirty-six feet, where they continued business until the Fall, when the firm
of CLARK, BOYCE, & MCCLURE was bought out by MCCLURE and COULTER. In the
same season John BALL erected a wooden hotel, there being then in the town
H. BEAVER, who kept a blacksmith shop, and W. B. BIRCH, a saddle-tree
manufacturer, while in the early part of 1854 S. T. COULTER erected a
dwelling-house.
The selection of Santa Rosa as the capital
of the county, put an end to all rivalry which may have existed between
Franklin, the old adobe, and it. One by one the buildings erected
in Franklin were transferred to Santa Rosa, until in 1855 their entire
removal was effected; the first house in that short-lived city being now
located on Eighth, between Wilson and Davis Streets, occupied by J. T.
Campbell, while that erected by COULTER is now the Boston saloon, on Fourth
Street. A Baptist Church, free to all denominations, which had been there
constructed in the Fall of 1853, was also moved, and after serving the
purpose for which it was originally built, on Third, between E and D
streets, was, in 1875, sold and converted into two tenement houses. This was
the first church built in the township and city.
The first event of any importance which
occurred in the year 1854 was the passage of BENNET'S bill authorizing the
taking of a vote on the all-important question of transferring the county
seat from the now waning Sonoma to the rising Santa Rosa. As the Summer
advanced the fight between the partisans of the contending parties became
keen, the citizens of Santa Rosa counting so far ahead that grand
arrangements were made for holding a barbecue on the fourth of July. Mr.
THOMPSON says: "It was a master-stroke of policy - the people came and saw,
and were conquered by the beauty of the place and the hospitality of the
people. who, on that occasion, killed the fatted calf and invited to the
feast the rich and poor, the lame and halt and the blind - in fact everybody
who had or who could influence or control a vote. The smoke of the sacrifice
of whole sheep and huge quarters of beef ascended to heaven freighted with
the prayers of the Santa Rosans to dispose the hearts and ballots of the
people in their favor, and, like the pious Greeks of old on similar
occasions, when the smoke had ceased to ascend and the offering was cooked
to a turn, they partook of the sacrificial meat - the incense of which had
tickled their nostrils, whetting at the same time their appetites and their
devotion." It is said there were present not fewer than five hundred people
from all parts of the county around; the oration was delivered by a Baptist
minister named A. A. GUERNSEY; the Declaration of Independence was read by
James PREWITT, and speeches were made by Joe NEVILLE, John ROBINSON and
Sylvester BALLOU. So great a success was this entertainment, that taking its
beat from the date, the barbecue has become the standing feast of Sonoma
county. This feast was held in a magnificent grove of oaks which stood on
the HASSETT place, then belonging to Commodore ELLIOTT. In this year masonry
made its start in Santa Rosa, a fact which may be considered as peculiar
when we regard the very short time which had elapsed since the laying out of
the town. The third house built in Santa Rosa was the Masonic Lodge. It was
constructed by John INGRAM, and was weather-boarded with eastern pine,
according to the specifications, and at immense cost, the durability of the
redwoods not having as yet been fully proven. After working under
dispensation for some time, Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 57, F and A. M. was
granted a charter on May 2, 1854, among the original officers being,
Achilles RICHARDSON, Worshipful Master, John INGRAM, Senior Warden, and
William NOEL, Secretary; a full list of these, however, will be found
elsewhere. The lower floor of the hall was, immediately on completion,
opened as hotel by E. COLGAN, but he afterwards moved and erected another
hotel - the fourth house to be put up in the city - on the ground now
occupied by the Santa Rosa House on C Street. The building was constructed
also by John INGRAM. Early in the year, Barney HOEN disposed of his share in
the business conducted at the old adobe of historic memory to his partners
HAHMAN and HARTMAN, and moving into Santa Rosa, put up the first store in
the city - for it must not be forgotten that the store of Achilles
RICHARDSON was just without the surveyed limits - erecting it on C Street on
the site of John RICHARD'S barber shop. HAHMAN and HARTMAN, however, quickly
took in the situation, and perceiving that Santa Rosa was the coming town,
they too moved from the adobe. HOEN, however, had occupied with his building
the site intended to be used by the other firm, HAHMAN therefore purchased
and built upon the lot situated on the northwest corner of Second and C
Streets, opposite to the livery stable of J. P. CLARK, at that time
belonging to Julio CARRILLO. The building was completed and thrown open on
the memorable fourth of July; a grand ball wound up the earlier barbecue, at
which some forty or fifty couple tripped the light fantastic until daylight.
On September 18, 1854, the die was cast; the Supervisors met in Sonoma and
having duly canvassed the votes polled, declared that henceforth Santa Rosa
was the capital of Sonoma County. So soon as the news went abroad that
Sonoma was vanquished, beeves were slaughtered by HOEN and Julio CARRILLO,
and a sumptuous feast got up, and great was the rejoicing, which we are told
was kept up unceasingly for two days. We have stated above that the
Supervisors met on the 18th of September. At this session it was moved by S.
L. FOWLER, one of their body, that the archives be removed to the new county
seat on the 22nd, which was unanimously passed. How were they removed? Mr.
Robert THOMPSON graphically tells us: "On the day appointed, Jim WILLIAMSON,
with a four-horse team and wagon, accompanied by Horace MARTIN and some
others, went down to Sonoma, captured and brought up the archives, amid due
threats of injunction and violence from the Sonoma people who saw with
little or no chagrin, the county seat slip through their fingers. The Santa
Rosans had the law, wanted only possession, and would not have hesitated to
use all the force necessary to get at that; as it was, they captured the
archives by strategy, and the dry and dusty documents of former drowsy old
Alcaldes were whirled over the ground as fast as Jim WILLIAMSON'S
four-in-hand could take them to the new capital, where they safely arrived,
and were deposited pro tem, in Julio CARRILLO'S house, which was
rented for that purpose." On the 20th of September, at a meeting of the
Board of Supervisors convened in the above named house of Julio CARRILLO,
Barney HOEN bound himself to have a court house erected within the space of
six months, the building to occupy the lots presented by himself and HAHMAN
and HARTMAN; happily the work was accomplished inside the specified time,
and at once occupied by the government of the county. The building stood on
Fourth between Mendocino and D Streets, and was afterwards removed across
the railroad track to HEWITT'S addition, where it is now a dwelling house.
In the year 1856 the lower story of the present court house was built by the
county by J. M. PHILLIPS, a contractor of San Francisco, at a cost of nine
thousand dollars, the old one being sold, as well as the lots on which it
stood. The upper story, which cost twenty thousand dollars, was erected in
1859, while the Recorder's office was built, for a like sum, in the years
1871-2.
Early in the year 1855, G. N. MILLER
purchased the store of Barney HOEN, and therein started on his own account,
but he dying, his business was purchased by Dr. HENDLEY. From him an
interest was purchased by E. T. FARMER, and the firm, who conducted their
affairs on the east side of the Plaza, became HENDLEY & FARMER, the
partnership being ultimately carried on by Mr. FARMER alone.
In 1856 HAHMAN & HARTMAN sold their
business to B. GOLDFISH, and being joined by Henry WISE, the firm was styled
WISE & GOLDFISH, who are at present the oldest mercantile establishment in
the city. The lower story of the first house mentioned above, built in this
year, was the first brick building constructed in the city; the second, is
that brick building next to the office of the Sonoma Democrat,
originally erected for Buck WILLIAMSON by John INGRAM. The first saddler was
a man named BERNARD; in 1856 he was succeeded by T. B. HOOD.
The first lawyers to practice in the city
were Colonel W. ROSS, who removed hither on change of the county seat, in
1854. In the following May, Judge Jackson TEMPLE commenced the practice of
his profession, since when his rise has been steady, until he has attained
that position on the District Bench which he fills with dignity and
impartiality, a living example of uprightness and sterling worth, respected
and loved by all, irrespective of political creed. As far back as the year
1851, Doctor J. F. BOYCE arrived in the township, and pursued his calling as
a physician, it was not until 1854, that he came to the city of Santa Rosa,
since which year, he has continuously practiced there. The second permanent
medical man to arrive was Doctor WILLIAMS in 1855, but previous to his
coming there had been an itinerant medico named MARTIN, who used to attend
to the wants of the halt, the lame and the blind. The first merchants were
Achilles RICHARDSON, B. HOEN, HAHMAN & HARTMANN; the first saddler was
____________ BERNARD; the first school was taught in the Masonic Hall by W.
M. WILLIAMSON; while the first term of court was held in the residence of
Julio CARRILLO by Judge Frank SHATTUCK. The first Postmaster was Donald
MCDONALD, appointed April 23, 1852.
Robert A. THOMPSON, the able County Clerk,
informs us Santa Rosa grew quite rapidly from 1854 to 1859, having that
year, by actual account, two churches and two resident preachers, nine
lawyers, five doctors, one academy for two hundred and fifty pupils, two
notaries, one newspaper (the Sonoma Democrat, which had been
established in 1857, by A. W. RUSSELL), nine dry goods and grocery stores,
one drug store, two hotels, two restaurants, two saloons, one saddle shop,
one butcher shop, one shoemaker, one jeweler, one paint shop, one carriage
shop, and three carpenter shops, one pump factory, two livery stables, one
bakery, seventy-four residences, and a population of four hundred.
The number of houses having increased so
rapidly, and the value of perishable property trebled, the organization of a
Fire Department was urged early in the year 1860, but it was not until after
the burning of Doctor Todd's house, on Third Street, on January 20th of the
following year that anything was done. On the 1st of February, 1861, a
meeting of citizens was convened, at which the following names were enrolled
as a hook and ladder company: W. G. ALBAN, C. N. SICHRIST, W. H. CROWELL,
Thomas L. THOMPSON, T. W. BROWN, D. MCDONALD, G. H. MATTHEWS, D, SCHULTY, A.
BROMBERGER, J. BOSER, W. P. BULL, M. A. MARTIN, J. H. J. RICHARDSON, F. W.
SHATTUCK, W. A. BUSTER, W. M. WILLIAMSON, James MCCOY, E. T. FARMER, Charles
W. WHITE, B. GOLDFISH, John F. KEESING, Andrew EARTON, C. W. MATTHEWS, H. B.
MARTIN, C. G. AMES. On the 9th the organization was completed by the
election of the following officers: President, W. H. CROWELL; Foreman,
Thomas L. THOMPSON; First Assistant Foreman, James P. CLARK; Second
Assistant Foreman, T. W. BROWN; Secretary, R. M. MARTIN; Treasurer, J. T.
KESSING; Standing Committee, C. W. WHITE, C. W. MATTHEWS, J. H. J.
RICHARDSON; and Trustees, W. G. ALBAN, A. BROMBERGER, Fenwick FISHER.
In this year, as has been mentioned in
our history of Petaluma, the question of moving the county seat from Santa
Rosa to that city occupied a considerable share of public attention; the
matter had been carried to the Legislature of the State, and a petition put
in circulation requesting that body to aid the passage of the bill, against
which the sympathizers with Santa Rosa placed the following protest in one
of their principal stores, and asked those in favor of its purport to attach
their names: "To the Honorable the Legislature of California - The
undersigned, citizens of Sonoma County, earnestly protest against the
passage by your honorable body of any act requiring the people of Sonoma
County to vote upon a change of location of the county seat of said county,
as being unnecessary, unwise and burdensome to the citizens of the county,
already heavily taxed, because of a large county indebtedness. The present
county seat is located as nearly as possible in the geographical center of
said county, and is equally as near the center of population, and could by
no possibility be located at any other point so convenient of access to the
mass of the citizens of the county." The bill was passed on April 10th,
notwithstanding the objections put forth. It was severely criticised in all
parts of the county, and when put to the vote of the people, in the month of
September, at the general election, was lost and Santa Rosa sustained.
Throughout the year 1861 the city still
continued on the increase; the erection of houses was still the order of the
day, while in the month of August we find a new Methodist Church, fifty-four
by thirty-two feet in dimensions, and eighteen feet from floor to ceiling,
was being proceeded with. A visitor at this period writes: "Santa Rosa is as
pretty as its name. A romantic bridge greeted us at the entrance, overhung
by oaks, whose branches were festooned with the graceful Spanish Moss. A
pretty stream circles round the village, celebrated for its delicious
mountain trout; it reminds us of a quiet little hamlet 'far away from the
noisy world, pursuing the even tenor of its way.' " On December 8th, Santa
Rosa was visited by a freshet in the creek, which flooded the streets and
houses, and caused damage to the extent of eight thousand dollars. Such
devastation and its immediate cause being without parallel in the
recollection of the proverbial earliest inhabitant.
The hook and ladder company established in
1861 not proving enough to maintain the prestige of the Fire Department in
the rapidly increasing city, Santa Rosa Engine Company No. 1 was added to
the organization on January 9, 1862. Onward being the watchword, we find
them on the 15th adopting a constitution, passing by-laws, and electing the
following officers: W. H. CROWELL, President; Thomas L. THOMPSON, Foreman;
Frederick FRASER, First Assistant; Fenwick FISHER, Secretary; B. GOLDFISH,
Treasurer; John LEDWEDGE, C. W. WHITE, George MATTHEWS, Investigating
Committee; and Trustees, A. BROMBERGER, J. S. VAN DOREN, C. W. MATTHEWS.
During the early part of the year
strenuous attempts were made to effect a division of the county,
apportioning certain townships in the lower part to Marin, and desiring to
name the upper division of Sonoma County, Sotoyome. The boundary line
proposed to be run was from the mouth of Russian River up to the mouth of
Mark West creek; up Mark West Creek to the Laguna; thence along the Laguna
to the southern boundary of Santa Rosa township; and thence in a direct line
cast to Napa County, thus taking in the townships of Analy, Bodega,
Petaluma, Vallejo, and Sonoma. A petition being circulated to this effect, a
remonstrance was put in circulation, with what outturn the present boundary
line of the county best shows. On the 30th April, at two o'clock A.M., the
slumberers of Santa Rosa were aroused by the dread cry of "fire." It was
discovered that the Eureka Hotel, owned by RIPPETO & BILLS, and occupied by
J. S. VAN DOREN, was in flames. Notwithstanding the indefatigable exertions
of the Fire Department, the flames gained so complete a mastery that the
Eureka was entirely destroyed, at a loss to the proprietors of four thousand
five hundred dollars, and to Mr. VAN DOREN of twenty-three hundred, only one
thousand dollars of which was covered by insurance; besides these, J. G.
MAXWELL sustained damage to the extent of two thousand dollars, while O.
REICHARDT and J. BURGESS lost fifty and seventy-five dollars respectively.
On June 6, 1862, the first exhibition of the Santa Rosa Seminary was held,
under the superintendence of Mr. and Mrs. R. K. MARRINER; while, on October
11th, a military company named the Washington Guard was organized under the
following officers: Captain, W. A. ELIASON; First Lieutenant, O. T. BALDWIN;
Senior Second Lieutenant, H. T. HEWETT; Junior Second Lieutenant, N. W.
BOSTWICK; Orderly Sergeant, B. C. WESTFALL; Second Sergeant, W. WILKS; Third
Sergeant, C. KESSING; Fourth Sergeant, W. E. COWPER; Fifth Sergeant, J. A.
WOODSON; First Corporal, J. LINVILLE; Second Corporal, J. G. MAXWELL; Third
Corporal, W. H. H. WHITLOCK; Fourth Corporal, W. T. SCOTT. Among the other
matters which showed the onward march of the city was the increase in the
number of churches; on November 30th, the building of the Methodist
Episcopal denomination was dedicated by the Rev. Mr. THOMAS of San
Francisco; and in the end of the year death crept in, and on December 7th
took Donald MCDONALD, that old pioneer and almost first settler in the city.
He it was, it will be remembered, who joined MALLAGH at the "old adobe" in
business, as he was also the first to receive the official appointment of
postmaster for Santa Rosa.
In the year 1863, matters proceeded surely and quietly; the project of a
railroad was first publicly discussed by a meeting of the citizens, the
subject however, to remain for some time longer in abeyance, while still
another matter of benefit to the community was reported in November by the
contemplated establishment of a Seminary by Mr. MCCORKLE, of the Christian
Church, in the old Academy building. The succeeding year was hailed with yet
one more improvement; on February 15, 1864, Santa Rosa was connected by
telegraph with the outside world. The office was located in the Court House
under the supervision of Melville JOHNSON, who performed the duties of first
operator. The influence of electricity soon made itself felt, the local
newspaper began to devote a special department to these messages, and all
felt a strong desire to correspond by this novel method. We find that the
incubus of debt had fastened itself around the neck of the Fire Department
and that the ladies had with their usual generosity come to their
assistance, and by holding a fair and a festival raised a sum sufficient to
defray the expense of erecting a new engine-house which they presented to
the "flame-fighters" on July 2, 1864. On August 1st, died the Honorable C.
P. WILKINS, who had been County Judge in the year 1853 and represented
Sonoma in the State Legislature in 1860, positions which he filled with
satisfaction to all. His remains were followed to the grave by a large
concourse of friends, the pall bearers, members of the legal profession,
being Messrs. Jackson TEMPLE, L. C. REYBURN, W. D. BLISS, G. W. REED, L. D.
LATIMER, and John BROWN.
We find that on February 7, 1865, Mrs.
RYAN was brutally murdered by her husband, Michael RYAN, by striking her on
the head with a pick. They had been but a short time resident in the town,
and lived unhappily together, the husband being addicted to dissipated
habits. On the 29th June he was arraigned before Judge SAWYER and sentenced
to death, this being the first conviction of murder in the first degree
which had taken place in the county since its organization. The murderer was
decreed to pay the extreme penalty of the law on the 17th August, but in the
meantime a stay of proceedings was granted upon motion for a new trial. He
was hanged on March 23, 1866, within the jail-yard at Santa Rosa - the first
execution in the county. In the month of March the popular voice was once
more heard on the subject of railroads; while, on April 15th, intelligence
of the assassination of President LINCOLN was received amid the profoundest
grief. On the 18th a public meeting of the citizens of Santa Rosa was held
at the Court House, W. A. ELIASON in the chair, when a committee, consisting
of T. H. PYATT, L. D. LATIMER, T. B. HOOD, and William ROSS, was appointed
for the purpose of making general arrangements for the due observance of the
obsequies of the lamented dead, and William CHURCHMAN, C. W. LANGDON, and
Rev. Thomas FRASER, a Committee on Resolutions. In the evening an adjourned
meeting was convened, at which the following resolutions reported by the
committee were adopted and ordered published: "In the hour of National
triumph we are suddenly called to mourn with a deep and bitter mourning. Our
beloved and venerated Chief Magistrate, Abraham LINCOLN, the choice and hope
and pride of the American people, has been slain by an assassin. Our hearts
are smitten and crushed, but we bow in humble submission before Him who
raised up, guided and prepared our deceased President of the United States,
he was the property and friend of every man, woman and child in the nation;
his death is therefore a national calamity, a universal bereavement, and
demands universal sorrow. Resolved, That we sorrow under the
dispensation of Providence, not only because of our high estimate of Abraham
LINCOLN as Chief Magistrate of our nation; because by his wisdom, firmness,
and prudence he had guided and was guiding our troubled country through
perils which threaten her existence to safety and perpetuity; but because by
his death we have lost one who happily united the good man, the patient and
the exemplary citizen with the highest statesmanship and executive ability.
Resolved, That we wear a badge of mourning on the left arm for
thirty days. Resolved, That this community assemble at the
Methodist Church, Santa Rosa, to-morrow, at noon, the hour appointed for the
funeral of our beloved President, and together humble themselves in prayer
for the restoration to health of William H. SEWARD and for the direction of
the judgment of Andrew JOHNSON, now President of the United States, and for
the direction and guidance of Ulysses S. GRANT, the present leader of the
army, and for the restoration of our distracted country to peace and
prosperity." At the appointed hour the impressive ceremonies took place, the
stores and public buildings being closed, and every other mark of respect
paid to the lamented President. Under the caption, "The National Calamity,"
the Sonoma County Democrat of April 22, 1865, has the following:
"The sad tidings flashed across the wires since our last issue have stricken
with horror the popular heart of the great Pacific States. The effect of the
terrible tragedy enacted at Washington on the 14th instant, by which the
nation was brutally robbed of its Chief Magistrate and a murderous assault
made upon its next most responsible functionary, has been felt in every
hamlet and in every household. Never before had our people such cause for
lamentation as on this occasion. Coming upon us as it has, at a time when
the popular pulse throbbed with joy at the bright prospects of a speedy
peace, and the reuniting of our distracted country upon terms of brotherhood
and affection, the blow is even more severely felt, and the heart that does
not deeply deplore this unparalleled tragedy in the history of nations, must
indeed be devoid of all feelings of national pride. To assume that there is
any party or body of our people who do not sympathize with the nation in
this its hour of trial, or to attempt to fasten the responsibility of the
deed upon any considerable body of our citizens, is an outrage upon the
American people, and such an idea could only emanate from the crazed brain
of a fanatic, who would rejoice at the sight of more blood and lamentation
in the land. By all means let those who are guilty atone for the heinous
crime they have committed, by suffering the severest penalty known to the
law, but let not the hand of the avenger be imbrued in innocent blood. We
have heard but one expression, and that of the deepest sorrow, over the sad
calamity and disgrace which has befallen us as a people. The humiliation is
shared in alike by every party and sect. No pen is adequate to the task of
portraying the deep sorrow and humiliation of our citizens, and we must rely
alone upon a just God, who presides over the destinies of all mankind, to
deliver us from the fearful complications in which we are involved on every
side."
In May of this year HOOD & CO. commenced
the erection of a new mill on the south side of the creek, the apparatus and
machinery of the Santa Rosa mills being removed; while, in view of the
erection of brick buildings in he town, houses being in great demand at the
time, August KOHLE had established a yard in the outskirts of the city. In
October we find the new public school-house for court-house district was
fast proceeding towards completion in the hands of HEWITT and PETIT. The
following are the dimensions then given of the structure: The main building
is forty-one feet nine inches in breadth by forty-six feet three inches in
depth, exclusive of the porches in front, which are nine feet six inches
wide, with an outward projection of six feet. The edifice is two stories
high, the first being eleven feet and the second, thirteen. The front story
has two school rooms, twenty by thirty-four feet, and a room ten feet six
inches by twelve feet six inches. The foundation is of stone laid in cement,
which is three feet wide at the base and two feet at the top, and two feet
high.
During this month railroad affairs still
attracted attention, while on account of the large attendance at the courts
the want of proper hotel accommodation was making itself felt, and,
notwithstanding the offer of a large bonus to any one who would expend ten
thousand dollars on such a building, it was a considerable time before any
one with sufficient public spirit would make the attempt.
On March 24, 1866, the propriety of having
Santa Rosa incorporated was first discussed; and at a meeting called on the
9th of April, to consider the matter, Judge ROSS was elected chairman, and
H. WISE, secretary. On motion of J. W. MORRIS, a committee was appointed by
the chair, composed of James M. WILLIAMS, Murray WHALON, Thomas L. THOMSON,
and Judge ROSS, to define the boundaries of the town, make a plot of the
same, to be circulated with a petition for the signatures of voters, to be
presented to the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County for their approval -
a sure sign of the steady increase of prosperity. On October 17th, the
Democrat says: "We are gratified to observe the amount of business
transacted daily in our thriving little town, and the numerous evidences of
substantial prosperity and improvement in our midst. New buildings are in
process of construction, and material improvements are being made in almost
every quarter. Numerous wagons and horses, and crowds of persons on the main
street give an appearance of considerable life to the place, while business
men speak well of matters in the way of trade. In addition, the stages come
in every morning filled with passengers, and hardly a day passes but bands
of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs are driven through town, on the way to the
market below. All things considered, Santa Rosa is getting along very well,
and her citizens have no cause to complain. There is not a vacant house in
town, and rents pay a handsome interest on the investments, and property
commands a good price."
In the month of March, 1867, the prayer of
the petitioners for the incorporation of the town of Santa Rosa under the
laws of the State was granted by the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County,
and an election ordered to take place on the 11th for provisional officers,
which resulted in the following choice: C. W. LANGDON, J. F. BOYCE, T. B.
HOOD, B. MARKS, A. P. PETIT, Board of Trustees; E. T. FARMER, Treasurer; H.
G. PARKS, Marshal; J. H. RICHARDSON, Assessor; C. W. LANGDON being elected
President; B. MARKS, Clerk; and P. B. HOOD, Attorney. The first duty of the
Board on organization was the passage of an Ordinance, No. One, providing
for the establishment of a pound, and prohibiting the running at large on
the streets of cattle, hogs, horses, vicious dogs, etc., and making it an
offence against the authority of the town to leave saddle horses unhitched
or unattended by reliable persons. On the 11th of May following the first
regular election of Trustees was held, when J. F. BOYCE, C. W. LANGDON, A.
P. PETIT, B. MARKS, and F. G. HAHMAN were selected to be the Board of
Trustees; H. G. PARKS, Marshal; Z. MIDDLETON, Recorder; E. T. FARMER,
Treasurer; P. B. HOOD, Attorney; William SEE, Assessor; and John TAYLOR,
Pound-keeper.
In the early part of the year the "Kessing
Hotel," situated on Main Street, was opened by F. H. COE, formerly
proprietor of the Geyser Hotel, and supplied a desideratum long felt and
acknowledged. This sign of the times was by no means a solitary instance,
however, for during the latter part of 1867 there were no less than ten
buildings being proceeded with at one time, while in the matter of trade,
the busy hum of business was to be heard from morn till night.
On April 20, 1868, the annual appointment
of the municipality resulted in the election of John T. FORSTON, Thomas N.
WILLIS, W. E. COCKE, George NOONAN, and A. C. RANEY, Board of Trustees; C.
G. AMES, Treasurer; J. H FARMER, Marshal; D. S. SACRY, Assessor; G. P.
NOONAN, Clerk, and A. W. MIDDLETON, Attorney.
It would appear that the plaza had, up to
this period, been allowed to get into a state of much disrepair, so much so
that it was thought that the citizens had ceased to take any pride in its
beauty or ornamentation. Such being the case certain parties obtained, for a
consideration, a cession of all rights, present and prospective, which he
might have in the plot, from Julio CARILLO, who originally granted one-half
the square - it is unnecessary to enter here on the subject of how he
claimed such right, suffice it to say that on the night of the 14th April, a
few individuals commenced the erection of a frame building thereon. Marshal
PARKS immediately arrested Wesley WOOD, James HAYWARD, Edward MINOT, and
William HARROW, workmen on the house, who were bound over for trial. Three
of them were carpenters employed to do the work by those who claimed the
plaza under Julio CARRILLO'S bill of sale. On the 21st they were tried
before Recorder MIDDLETON, charged with violating a Town Ordinance, and
after much difficulty in impaneling a jury was experienced, Wood was found
guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of thirty-eight dollars and seventy-five
cents, the bare cost of the proceedings. The all-important subject of
railroad communication at last took tangible shape in this year. On May 19th
the route from Petaluma, or that from Vallejo, Solano County, was left to
the people, the choice being for the first named. Prompt proceedings were at
once instituted, a full description of which will be found in our history of
Petaluma, and on the 4th of July ground was broken at the Petaluma end of
the line. In the midst of prosperity some event will occur to prove to us
that we do not fashion our coming or our going: on July 6th a fire broke out
on Main, between Second and Third streets, which might have laid the
principal portion of the town in ashes; however, owing to the strenuous
efforts of the Fire Department the flames were subdued, but not until damage
to the extent of four thousand dollars had been sustained, principally by
Kessing & Tupper, Wise & Goldfish, and H. VAUGHAN. Notwithstanding this
calamity, the Democrat, of the 25th July, says: It is very
gratifying, in looking around us, to notice the steady march of improvements
in Santa Rosa and its vicinity, which have taken place within the past three
years, giving evidence of the progress of our county and the good taste and
prosperity of our citizens. The alterations and improvements made in our
county buildings, both for beauty and convenience, cannot be surpassed by
any county in the state. Our new county hospital is everything that could be
desired for beauty and comfort. Among the many handsome residences which
have been erected we have merely space enough to mention those of J. M.
WILLIAMS, Dr. J. F. BOYCE, and A. P. PETIT, all of which are beautiful
structures, with all the latest improvements of first-class dwelling houses,
and compare favorably with the finest residences in the county. The business
portion of our town is also improving rapidly. We have a handsome, large and
comfortable school house, which is occupied by three flourishing schools.
Two new churches will be erected here this year, one of which, the
Presbyterian, is now in the course of construction."
May 8, 1869, the following corporate
officers were elected: Board of Trustees, Z. MIDDLETON, George P. NOONAN,
William SEE, J. P. CLARK, Edward NEBLETT; Marshal, J. CLAYPOOL; Assessor, J.
H. RICHARDSON; Treasurer, E. T. FARMER; Clerk, G. P. NOONAN.
In regard to the prospective arrival of
the railroad, a meeting of citizens was held in the court-house, on January
2, 1869, and a committee appointed to consult with the residents of the
town, and those owning lands suitable for the purpose of a railroad depot,
in respect to the location of the same. On the 6th they reported: "Your
committee, to whom was referred the matter of soliciting a depot for the
Sonoma County Railroad, near the town of Santa Rosa, beg leave to report the
following as the result of their service: From James P. CLARK and Dr. J. F.
BOYCE they received an offer of two acres of land immediately east of the
west line of the corporation, lying between the extension of the streets
bounding the south and north side of the plaza, also streets up to the
railway. This location is deemed by your committee as suited to the business
interests of Santa Rosa, and is easily approached on both sides of the land
proposed to be located. Messrs. KLUTE and MORGAN propose to donate to the
company five acres, to be located four hundred yards from the bridge, at the
end of the street leading toward Healdsburg, and in a northwest direction
from said bridge, and agree to permit the company to take it in any shape
they desire to have it. They also offer to give the right of way through
their land, if their offer of land for a depot is accepted. Mrs. LACEY
offers to donate two acres of land near the said bridge. Dr. WILLIAMS offers
to donate eight lots aggregating about one acre of land, on condition that
the company and the people of Santa Rosa to a depot, satisfactory to all
parties, when they ascertain fully what will be demanded. Respectfully
submitted, C. W. LANGDON, E. NEBLETT, G. A. TUPPER." Upon motion, the land
offered to be donated by Messrs. CLARK and BOYCE was accepted.
May 2, 1870, the annual election of town
officers took place, the following forming the municipality: J. F. BOYCE, E.
T. FARMER, M. JOHNSON, F. G. HAHMAN, G. P. NOONAN, Board of Trustees; G. T.
PAULI, Treasurer; Taylor HARDEN, Assessor; Theodore PARKS, MARSHAL.
On January 8th, the Santa Rosa Water
Company was incorporated, the object being to supply the town with pure and
fresh water. The capital stock was thirty thousand dollars, divided into
three hundred shares of one hundred dollars each, the Trustees being: J. M.
WILLIAMS, L. D. LATIMER, A. THOMAS and F. G. HAHMAN. In the month of April
following, another association, having the same object in view, named the
Santa Rosa and Guilicos Water Company, filed articles of incorporation. This
company which intended to supply the wants of the town from the Santa Rosa
Creek, had a capital of fifty thousand dollars, divided into five hundred
shares, and a term of existence limited to fifty years. The Trustees were:
H. W. SPENCER, William HOOD, Martin HUDSON, and Melville JOHNSON.
A meeting of citizens was had on May 28th
of this year at the courthouse to confer with the committee having the
business in charge, of moving the Southern Methodist College from Vacaville,
Solano County, to Santa Rosa, should such be deemed advisable. To this end,
Honorable R. C. HAILE, Colonel Charles RAMSEY, and Reverends O. P.
FITZGERALD, W. R. GOBER, and George SIMMS, the committee on the location of
the college, paid Santa Rosa a visit on June 1st, and after a thorough
examination and consideration of the inducements offered, resolved to locate
the seat of learning in that town, the Santa Rosa committee conferring with
them being Judge A. THOMAS, W. S. M. WRIGHT, H. T. HEWITT, John S. TAYLOR,
and Henry MIZER. In a short time the sum of fifteen thousand dollars was
raised for the purpose of erecting the college building, which was in due
course, accepted by the Directors. The committee in whose hands was placed
the responsibility of choosing a suitable location whereon to erect the new
structure, selected a portion of the northeast tract of land adjoining the
town, belonging to Messrs. AMES and FARMER. Mr. LEONARD, of San Francisco,
made arrangements for the immediate commencement of work on the edifice,
which was promised to be both handsome and substantial, and to cost about
the sum mentioned above as having been subscribed. The corner stone was laid
with full Masonic honors on the first October, with much ceremony. The
building was to be when finished, three stories in height, each room to be
well ventilated and furnished with every requisite for the convenience and
comfort of students, while an able corps of professors had been secured.
The first session of the Pacific Methodist
College commenced in Santa Rosa on February 1, 1871, under the
superintendence of Prof. Chas. S. SMYTH, in a large brick building, the
property of Messrs. AMES and FARMER, the college not being completed yet. It
was, however, duly inaugurated August 9th of that year, when addresses were
delivered by Governor H. H. HAIGHT, Doctor FITZGERALD, State Superintendent
of Schools, and Rev. W. R. GOBER, of Sacramento. The faculty was then
composed as follows: President, A. L. FITZGERALD; Professor of Mathematics,
Charles S. SMYTH; Professor of Languages, Charles KING; Primary Department,
Miss Florence MILLER; Musical Department, F. F. ZELNER; Teacher of French
and Spanish Languages, Miss Louisa PARKS.
In the month of February, 1870, work was
commenced on a new public hall by Mr. KLUTE, and the building of a Catholic
church was fast progressing toward completion. W. B. DENISON had started a
factory about a mile from town on the Healdsburg Road, where he was
manufacturing all kinds of crockery ware. In the month of October gasoline
was first introduced into the city, and four lamps for its use erected on
the plaza, many more being erected on Main Street during the following
month; while in November the Santa Rosa Bank was established, having as
Trustees, David BURRIS, T. N. WILLIS, E. T. FARMER, C. G. AMES, and A.
THOMAS, the capital being one hundred thousand dollars.
At this period, July 1870, says one of
the many writers on Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is one of the prettiest little
towns in the State of California. It is the county seat of Sonoma, and the
second largest town in the county. Santa Rosa is sixteen miles from
Petaluma, which latter place is the principal shipping point for the county,
and a large portion of Mendocino and Lake Counties, twenty miles from the
town of Sonoma, sixteen miles from Healdsburg, and twenty-six from Bodega.
The town was originally laid out by Julio CARRILLO, HOEN, HARTMAN, and
HAHMAN, in 1853; since that time it has grown steadily, and now contains a
population of fifteen hundred, it having been incorporated for upwards of
two years. There is a regular line of mail coaches running from Petaluma to
Cloverdale, and a daily mail, Sundays excepted. Between five and six hundred
votes are polled at this place. The county property here is valued at sixty
thousand dollars.
The public school is kept open for eight
months of the year. Four teachers are employed during the winter months, and
five in the summer, with an average attendance of two hundred and
seventy-five children. Besides this, two private schools are well supported.
The Catholics, Baptists, Methodists Episcopals, South Methodists,
Presbyterians, Christians and Seventh-Day Adventists have each a church
building, while the Episcopalians held their services in the court-house.
The Santa Rosa Library contains about two
hundred volumes of historical, biographical, poetical and other instructive
works. There are five brick buildings occupied by dry goods and provision
stores, one brick building used as a livery stable, one for a drug store,
and one for a bookstore, while there is a two storied brick unoccupied, one
brick engine house, and two brick residences. The largest and finest
residence is owned by Dr. J. F. BOYCE and the second largest is the property
of Henry KLUTE; the other dwellings are one and two story frame buildings.
It has five dry goods and provision
stores, three family grocery stores, three drug-stores, one bookstore, three
hotels, and two restaurants, one wholesale and retail liquor establishment,
five retail liquor saloons, one billiard saloon, three wagon manufactories,
one carriage and buggy manufactory, five blacksmith's shops, two saddlery
shops, two tailor shops, two tin and hardware stores, three boot and shoe
store, two lumber yards, five carpenter shops, one cabinet and furniture
establishment, one chair factory, one bakery, three livery and feed stables,
two barber shops, one daguerrean gallery, two millinery and dress making
establishments, two paint shops, one cooper shop, one jewelry and watch and
clock maker's store, one public hall, one fire-engine, and the largest
interior newspaper published in the State, having a circulation of one
thousand two hundred copies, and a liberal advertising patronage. The Masons
and Odd Fellows have each a prosperous Lodge located here. There are three
physicians and eight lawyers.
In the month of August we find the Board
of Supervisors negotiating for the purchase of a lot on the corner of Fourth
Street and Exchange Avenue whereon to erect a new hall of records, in
accordance with a bill passed by the Legislature, providing for the issuance
of bonds, etc., for this purpose. On the 6th September, James M. PALMER, a
member of the Board of Supervisors, protested against the purchase of any
real estate for the purpose of constructing a hall of records thereon, and
also against the construction of said hall on any lot except the court-house
lot. Notwithstanding this protest, matters progressed, for on the 13th of
the month the bid of A. P. PETIT for its construction was accepted; on the
21st he filed his bonds and the work was directed to be proceeded with. The
corner-stone was laid with Masonic ceremonies on March 4, 1871, and the
building was finished in November of that year.
In the year 1870, there was a wish
expressed that the Odd Fellows' College and Home should be located in Santa
Rosa; a subscription list was started and a considerable sum of money
subscribed to get it here, but as there were very many other places
competing for this honor, a more favored spot has been thus hallowed.
On November 22, 1870, the first passenger
car bearing the name "Donahue" arrived at Santa Rosa amid considerable
rejoicing, thus making connection through to San Francisco boats, CLARK and
BOSTWICK running stages to the terminus. Up to this time the iron-horse had
not actually been brought to the city; on the 12th November the question of
the site for a railroad depot was settled at a public meeting. The company,
it was resolved, was to have seven acres of land situated half-a-mile from
the court-house and lying between Third and Fourth Streets. The property
formerly belonged to Messrs. BOYCE and CLARK, each of whom gave one hundred
dollars towards its purchase for the use of the railroad company. The
citizens of the town subscribed three hundred dollars and the Board of
Trustees became responsible for the balance. With this matter arranged,
property contiguous to the site of the future depot was at once laid off
into town lots, while the city itself appeared to gain new life, the
business places increasing and the hotels doing a thriving trade through the
increase of travel, etc. Freight increased and considerable traffic was
inaugurated in real estate.
It may be remembered that about the year
1868, Wesley WOODS and several other parties claimed to be the owners of the
plaza, basing their claim on the purchase of all the right, titles, and
interest of the original owner, who had previously given the land to the
town, the claimant asserting that the town had never formally accepted the
gift, and, furthermore, that the conditions precedent to its taking effect
had not been complied with. About that time WOODS and others hastily erected
a shanty on the plaza and claimed to be in possession. Considerable
indignation was aroused by this proceeding and the building was summarily
torn down and the parties arrested for violating a local ordinance.
Subsequently, they brought a suit in ejectment to recover the land and were
non-suited when the case came up. Then a change was made to Marin where the
matter rested for a time. In the latter part of November, 1870, the case
came up in that county, and again the plaza "jumpers" were non-suited.
Returning immediately to Santa Rosa they once more entered on the disputed
ground and shortly after day-light on the morning of December 2, 1870,
another rough board shanty presented an ugly appearance on the plaza. The
parties, this time, appeared determined to maintain their supposed rights,
and an old citizen of the town who attempted to demolish the structure on
his own account was knocked down and driven out of the inclosure in a very
rough manner. The town Trustees soon after took the business in hand; a
warrant was issued for the arrest of the "jumpers," and Marshal PARKS was
ordered to remove the building, all of which was done in a vigorous and
summary way. On December 6th, WOODS and others were tried before Justice
BROWN, and after a protracted trial were discharged, the case remaining
where it was - the only preventative to future operations of this nature
being the passage of an ordinance by the City Fathers which made any attempt
to build on the Plaza more certain of punishment and conviction.
May 1, 1871, the city election took place
and the following officers elected: F. G. HAHMAN, J. M. RONEY, M. JOHNSON,
R. M. MARTIN, and R. K. HAYES, Board of Trustees; Treasurer, G. T. PAULI;
Assessor, J. H. RICHARDSON; Marshal, Theodore PARKS.
This was a year of general progression to
Santa Rosa; the impetus given to business of all kinds continued, peace and
plenty reigned, and the town prospered. In May the establishment of the
Christian College was first mooted, but more of this as we proceed.
On January 31, 1872, pursuant to a call
made by the chairman of a committee appointed at a previous meeting to draw
up a city charter, the citizens of Santa Rosa met at the court-house to
receive and act upon the results of the labors of said committee. Judge
ROSS, the chairman of that committee, drew up the charter and read the
provisions of the bill under which it was proposed to incorporate. Another
committee, composed of J. P. CLARK, Robert MORGAN, C. G. AMES, J. M.
WILLIAMS, Mr. DAVIS and Mr. SPRINGGINS, were appointed to consult and decide
upon a boundary line, and report at a meeting to be held on the following
evening. At seven in the evening on February 1st this meeting was convened,
and after assembling discussion was had as to the prosperity of making the
north bank of Santa Rosa Creek the south boundary of the city. On this a
motion, announced from the chair and seconded by Mr. FARMER, was adopted,
fixing the boundaries of the new incorporation as follows: Commencing in the
middle of MATANZAS Creek, at the northeast corner of the lands of John BROWN
and John RICHARDS; thence southerly on the eastern line of the lands of
BROWN and RICHARDS to a point in continuation of the northerly line of the
Santa Rosa and Sebastopol Road; thence westerly in a direct line to the
northerly line of said road, and along the northerly line thereof to a point
thirty feet westerly from the middle of the railroad track of the San
Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company; thence northerly, parallel
with the middle of said railroad, to the northerly bank of Santa Rosa Creek;
thence westerly and northerly along the bank of said creek to the land of
James P. CLARK; thence northerly in a direct line across the lands of J. P.
CLARK and J. F. BOYCE to the southwest corner of Wesley MOCK's land; thence
northerly along the westerly line of MOCK and MORGAN'S land to MORGAN'S
northwest corner; thence easterly along the northerly line of MORGAN'S land,
and a continuation thereof, to the westerly line of said road to a point in
continuation of the southerly line of H. WILSON'S land; thence easterly to
and along the southerly line of said H. WILSON'S land to his southeast
corner; thence in the same direction on the land of G. W. DAVIS to a point
due north of the northeast corner of J. M. WILLIAM'S land; thence south to
WILLIAMS' northeast corner; thence southerly along the easterly line of J.
M. WILLIAMS' land to Santa Rosa Creek; thence down the middle of said creek
to a point due north of the place of beginning. At this meeting John BROWN
was Chairman and F. P. THOMPSON Secretary.
The first entry in the only book of
records of the city of Santa Rosa to which we have been able to gain access,
reads: "Board of Trustees, City of Santa Rosa, April 8, 1872. In conformity
with the provisions of an Act of the Legislature of the State of California,
entitled 'An Act to incorporate the city of Santa Rosa,' approved A.D. 1872,
prescribing the time the time and method of organizing; the Board of
Trustees of said city under said Act, Messrs. J. M. WILLIAMS, A. RUNYON, J.
BEAM, G. A. TUPPER and J. W. ROBINSON, Trustees elect. These were duly sworn
into office by John BROWN, Justice of the Peace; J. M. WILLIAMS elected
President; and George A. THORNTON, City Clerk; committees were at once
appointed to procure a suitable room for Board meetings, and the examination
of the calaboose; on the 12th it was reported by them that the fire company
had tendered the use of the room in rear of the engine-house, free of
expense, on condition that the Board should furnish and otherwise fit it up;
this was accepted, and the necessary repairs ordered. On the same date the
bonds of the following city officers were accepted: G. T. PAULI, City
Treasurer; J. H. MCGEE, City Recorder; J. T. FORSTON, City Attorney; A. C.
RANEY, Street Commissioner; P. MCDOUGALL, City Assessor. We find the
following on record under this date: "On motion of Mr. TUPPER, seconded by
Mr. BEAM, the Board, then took up the matter of the contested election in
case of City Marshal, notice having been filed with the City Clerk by J. M.
WHITE, declaring his intention of contesting the election of W. H. MEAD, to
whom the Judges of Election had issued a certificate as City Marshal elect.
The parties to the contest having been notified by the Board, through the
Clerk, of the time at which they would proceed to determine said matter of
contest, and being present either in person or represented by counsel, Mr.
MEAD being represented by J. BROWN Esq., and Mr. WHITE by C. W. LANGDON,
Esq. Upon a careful recount of the ballot by the Board the result was found
to be a tie vote. In accordance with the provisions of the charter, the
Board then proceeded to elect one of the two contestants to the office of
City Marshal with the following result: MEAD, three votes; WHITE, one vote;
Mr. RUNYON voting for WHITE. On motion of Mr. BEAM, seconded by Mr. TUPPER,
W. H. MEAD was declared to be the choice of the Board for the office of City
Marshal, and the following order directed to be spread upon the minutes of
the Board: Resolved, That W. H. MEAD be, and he is hereby declared
to be Marshal of the city of Santa Rosa."
The regular meetings of the Board were, on the 17th, ordered to be convened
on the first Wednesday of each month; and a committee appointed to draft
resolutions defining the order of business, and the making of rules and
by-laws to govern the Trustees in their deliberations. On April 19th, the
following is minuted: "That C. G. AMES be, and is hereby employed to survey
and establish the grades and corners of the streets;" at which time the
following resolution was also offered by Trustee TOPPER: "Resolved,
That an iron pin, some three feet in length, driven in the ground its full
length, and standing near the south-westerly corner of Colgan's Hotel, in
the city of Santa Rosa be, and the same is hereby declared the initial point
of the survey of the town of Santa Rosa, being the south-westerly corner of
block No. sixteen, as surveyed by John A. BREWSTER, be and the same is
hereby declared a point in the southerly line of Third Street of said town
and the north-west corner of block fifteen." On the first of May, Mr.
ELIASON was engaged to establish the grade of the streets. On the 7th, it
was "Resolved, That peddlers of fish, vegetables, and other minor
articles of trade used as food, engaged, or to become engaged in selling the
products of their own labor, be exempted from paying a license-tax, and that
all persons engaged or to become engaged in selling such articles, not the
product of their own labor, shall pay a license-tax of five dollars per
quarter." On the same date, the following ordinance was unanimously passed:
"The Board of Trustees of the city of Santa Rosa do hereby ordain as
follows: That any person who shall be convicted of the violation of any of
the ordinances of the city of Santa Rosa, and sentenced to pay a fine or
imprisonment in the city prison, or both, may, during the term of his
imprisonment, be compelled by the City Marshal to work on the public
streets." The survey of Mr. ELIASON was accepted as the official grade of
the city on May 9th, and on the same date, the grading of Second, Third,
Fourth, Fifth, A, B, C, D and E Streets was ordered. On the 23d of May, W.
A. ELIASON was appointed City Surveyor; and the City Marshal allowed salary
at the rate of eighty dollars per month. June 14th, the committee for that
purpose reported that the Gas Company would light street lamps at nine
dollars a lamp per annum, an offer that was accepted; On July 3d, permission
was granted to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows to erect an iron
stairway on Third Street, to lead up to the upper story of a building about
to be erected on the corner of that thoroughfare and Exchange avenue; it was
then ordered that the street on the east side of the plaza, extending from
Third to Fourth street, be called "Hinton Avenue," and that to the west be
called "Exchange Avenue;" while on the 8th August the Marshal's salary was
raised to ninety dollars per month. At the previous meeting the City
Attorney had been directed to confer with the proper authorities in regard
to the repairs to the bridge across the Santa Rosa Creek (on the Petaluma
Road) repaired, and pay one-half the cost of such repairs, the city paying
the other half, and leave the final decision of the question as to whom the
bridge belonged, county or city, to the District Judge, the party against
whom decision is rendered to pay back the amount paid by the party in whose
favor decision is rendered." The proposition was accepted. On same date
notice was given to the Supervisors to have the sidewalk around the hall of
records lowered to the grade of the streets and that around the court-house
repaired. An ordinance of the streets and that around the court-house
repaired. An ordinance was adopted on August 19th, fixing the tax on
property within the corporate limits at sixty-five cents for one hundred
dollars; a street tax of two dollars was ordered to be levied on every male
over twenty-one years of age residing in the city, except the active members
of the Fire Department; and a tax of two dollars on each dog owned and kept
within the city. October 2d, it was ordered that all boys, eighteen years of
age and under, found on the streets after nine o'clock P.M., without
permission of parents or guardians, should be arrested and locked up; on the
following day, Trustee ROBINSON resigned, and F. H. COE appointed in his
stead; and on December 4th James HILL presented a demand against the city
for damages in the sum of five hundred dollars sustained by him through the
breaking in of the top of a cistern on Main Street, at its intersection with
Second Street. Hill made a statement on oath that the damage did not exceed
one hundred dollars, which sum was tendered to him in gold coin, but he
refused it, and his original demand was rejected by the Board.
Of the events of general interest which
occurred in the year 1872, we find that on the 28th of February the Maxim
Gas Company of Santa Rosa was instituted, under a Board of Trustees,
consisting of John BROWN, E. T. FARMER, F. H. COE, C. KESSING, and H. B.
STANLEY, which organized by electing John BROWN, President; C. G. AMES,
Secretary; F. B. LYLE, Treasurer. The company having purchased a lot of
land, situated on Fifth Street, near Mendocino Street, commenced to build
thereon, and in the second week in March began the laying of pipes in the
streets, the town being first lighted on the night of Tuesday, the 9th of
April. The Democrat, of March 23, 1872, has, in enumerating the
buildings erected during the year 1871, the following: The cost of these
buildings have ranged from five hundred up to twenty-seven thousand dollars,
the Methodist college, in Farmer and Ames; Addition, having cost the latter
sum. This college is in a most flourishing condition, and enjoys the
reputation of being one of the best educational institutions in the country.
In the Morgan Addition, the Christian denomination have purchased a lot and
will this summer erect a college building, at a cost of twenty thousand
dollars. Contracts have already been entered into for the erection of a
large number of new buildings, and work will be commenced on the same as
soon as the lumber can be placed on the ground. There is a large amount of
capital here, which those who control it, if they act wisely, will employ in
starting some manufacturing enterprises, thereby giving another and new
impetus to the spirit of progress which is already in our midst.
As has been said, a Christian College was
to be started; the Board, under whose auspices this work was to be
commenced, met on May 15th, and organized, Elder A. JOHNSON being elected
President; G. A. TUPPER, Treasurer, A. MCMEANS, Secretary. A Building and
Finance Committee being then chosen, and on the 28th of the month the
contract for the building was let to J. E. JOHNSON, of San Francisco. The
dimensions of the new structure are: Length of building, one hundred and
three feet six inches; depth, sixty-nine feet six inches, through the
center, which projects in front from each end of the building. From ground
line to the top of the cornice the measurement is fifty feet three inches,
and from thence to the top ball of the dome, thirty-two feet six inches. On
either side of the projection mentioned are two handsomely ornamented
porches, forming the main entrances. Through these are entered two cross
halls, ten feet in width; from each of these halls a stairway leads to the
upper story. They are connected through the center of the building by
another hall, eight feet wide; on the outer side of each of these cross
halls are three large recitation rooms. On the front side of the connecting
hall is a large room which will be used as a boy's preparatory department;
on the rear side are two large rooms, connected by folding doors, which may
be used separately, or together, as the occasion may require for a girls'
preparatory class. On the second floor the cross halls and recitation rooms,
six in number, correspond with those below. The chapel, sixty-nine by forty
feet, occupies the whole space between the cross halls on this floor. It is
a handsome room; the ceiling is rounded; across the front there is a gallery
which is entered by stairways from the cross halls. The whole building is
thoroughly ventilated. The architecture is of the modern style. The cornice
is supported by moulded brackets. The windows in the lower story are
segment, and in the upper circle halls, all the center windows are of the
circle head uillion pattern. On the top of the building is a handsome
cupola, ornamented with sixteen circular dormer windows. The contract price
was nineteen thousand dollars, complete. The building is an original design
by A. P. PETIT; the plan of the interior was arranged by Elder JOHNSON; J.
E. JOHNSON, of San Francisco, is the contractor, and Barton ENGLAND, the
superintendent for the Board of Trustees. On September 30th the college was
dedicated with much ceremony, and a learned and exhaustive address delivered
by T. H. LANE, of San Jose.
On the 14th of November yet another
dedication took place, the hall of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
being opened with all the ceremonies consonant with that fraternity. It is a
spacious building, well proportioned, while the Order is in a most
flourishing condition.
During this month preliminary steps were
taken to organize a parish at Santa Rosa under the Episcopal Church, by
electing the following gentlemen as officers: Dr. R. P. SMITH, Senior
Warden; W. H. BOND, Junior Warden; E. W. MASLIN, G. W. JONES, F. G. NAGLE,
L. A. MARTIN, and F. P. THOMPSON, Vestrymen. The Rev. G. C. LANE, who had
been officiating, notified the bishop of the election of church officers,
and requested his consent to the organization, which was granted by Bishop
KIP on the 18th December, and the vestry formed by electing F. G. NAGLE
Secretary and L. A. MARTIN Treasurer, the parish, on the motion of Dr.
SMITH, receiving the name of "The Parish of the Incarnation," and Rev. G. C.
LANE appointed Rector for the ensuing year.
We once more turn to the city records. On
January 2, 1873, the following resolution of the trustees, adopted at a
meeting held on November 13th of last year, was ordered spread upon the
minutes of the Board, viz: "At an especial meeting of the Board held
November 13, 1872, the Board employed THOMAS BROTHERS to make a survey of
the corporate limits of the city of Santa Rosa, together with all the
portions of farms or lots divided by the city line and lying inside the city
limits; also, to resurvey the old town and all additions thereto on file in
the Recorder's office, and make a map of the same, said map, when completed,
to be delivered to the City Clerk; and for the above work the city shall pay
THOMAS BROTHERS three hundred dollars."
On April 5th, the following corporation
officials were elected: James P. CLARK, Preston DAVIS, Jeremiah BEAM, F. J.
PROCTOR, and A. RUNYON, Board of Trustees, Mr. BEAM being chosen President;
George A. THORNTON, City Clerk; J. F. FORTSON, City Attorney; G. T. PAULI,
Treasurer; James H. MCGEE, Recorder; J. M. WHITE, Marshal; Peter MCDOUALL,
Assessor; Wesley BROCK, Street Commissioner.
May the 7th, the Santa Rosa Water Company
request the privilege to lay water pipes; while on the same date the
following ordinance was passed; "That the owners of each house situated
within the city limits shall provide and keep on the premises, in a place
where it can be readily reached, a ladder of sufficient length to reach the
top of the house, to be used in case of fire, and the occupants of each
house shall keep not less than three buckets in some place of easy access,
for use in case of fire." Tees for hydrants were ordered to be placed in the
streets on June 10th; on August 6th, certain petitions in regard to
sidewalks were accepted, and the prayers therein contained granted, and an
ordinance passed requiring property-owners to put up a good and substantial
hitching-post in front of their respective houses, within ten days of
notice. On the 20th of the month, it was resolved that a survey be made of
the south side of Fourth Street, from the east corner of the hall of records
to the west end of that street, in view that it may be widened, so that it
should run parallel with the north side of that building; while on the 30th
a resolution was passed that any person should have the privilege of
erecting a post and gas-lamp on the corner of Fifth and Mendocino Streets,
and when so completed the city would supply the gas for the same. September
13th it was directed that the word less be struck out in the
ordinances wherever it occurs, so that a smaller fine than the penalty named
may be imposed by the Recorder; on the 16th, suit was ordered to be
commenced against the county of Sonoma for amount expended by the city in
widening sidewalk around the hall of records. On October 7th, the day of
Board meeting was changed to the first Tuesday in of each month, and on
December 15th, J. G. PRESSLEY, ESQ., was appointed City Attorney.
The first meeting of subscribers to the
Savings Bank Of Santa Rosa met on January 18, 1873, and the following
resolution adopted: Resolved, That this bank incorporate ad the
"Savings Bank of Santa Rosa," of discount and loan, under subdivision of
twenty-seventh, section two hundred and eighty, Civil Code. A. RUNYON, John
BROWN, H. WISE, A. P. OVERTON, Lew W. MILLER, Daniel BROWN and W. A. ELIASON
were elected Directors for the year ending December 31, 1873, and a Board
organized by the election of A. P. OVERTON, President; John BROWN,
Vice-President; F. G. HAHMAN, Cashier.
Articles of Incorporation of the Santa
Rosa Water Company were filed on February 27, 1873, the capital stock being
one hundred thousand dollars, divided into one thousand shares of one
hundred dollars each, the Directors being E. T. FARMER, C. F. JUILLARD, F.
G. HAHMAN, Jackson TEMPLE, and James P. CLARK; term of existence, fifty
years. In reference to this undertaking the water is taken from the junction
of the Alamo and Santa Rosa Creeks and conveyed on the south side of the
latter to the reservoir, one mile below, on the lands of the GIBB'S estate.
The fall, from where the water is taken at the creeks, to the reservoir, is
thirty-five feet; the supply-pipe to the reservoir is eleven-inch, and the
mains, from the reservoir to the town, are nine-inch for a portion of the
way and seven-inch for the remainder. The reservoir has a capacity of not
less that thirty millions of gallons. The next in order of improvements are
the Santa Rosa Empire Mills, which were established by H. F. SCHULTE and
Thomas DOBBINS on October 29, 1873. Their capacity is one hundred and
twenty-five barrels of flour per day, while barley there may be ground in
the same time thirty to thirty-five tons. The mills contain four run of
stones and a seventy-five horse-power engine.
Early in the year 1873, the Trustees of
the Baptist Church of Santa Rosa purchased a lot on the corner of B and
Center Streets on which, in the month of February, they commenced the
erection of a building, Gothic in style of architecture, and of the
following dimensions: The main church building, fifty-six by thirty-seven
feet, with an elevation of thirty-two feet. Adjoining the main building, in
the rear, is a chapel thirty by forty feet, containing, besides
accommodation for the Sunday School, the library and committee rooms. Over
the front entrance to the church is a large Gothic window. From the base to
the elevation of tower and spire, located at the left front corner of the
edifice, is sixty-nine feet. The building cost about five thousand dollars.
We append a few interesting reminiscences in regard to the Baptist church
and congregation in this city: The first house of worship was built in 1854
at Franklin, a mile and a half from Santa Rosa, but, in 1855, it was removed
with the rest of that short-lived village, to this town and placed upon the
lot on Third Street where it now stands, being used as a tenement house. It
was the third Protestant church erected in the county, James CRANE being the
contractor. The cost of the building was defrayed by public subscription,
with the provisions that it should be free to all denominations when not in
use by the Baptists. Elder J. MCCORKLE held the first services in the
building. The first Baptist State Conference was held at Franklin and
shortly afterwards a Sunday-school was organized there. Among the organizers
of the church were Martin HUDSON and Mrs. HUDSON, William HUDSON and wife,
Alexander DUNBAR and wife, Frank BEDWELL and W. C. CATTRON. It was used for
a number of years by other denominations. Reverend O. P. FITZGERALD preached
his first sermon in this county in that church. Elder Stephen RILEY was the
first Pastor, EATON the next, then followed Elders Joseph ROBERTS, TRIPP,
C. KING, John LUKE, S. A. RINGO, N. A. BAILEY; the present incumbent is S.
A. TAFT, D.D.
The last item of interest for the year
under notice is the eventful storm of December 3d, which covered the streets
of Santa Rosa and the surrounding country with several inches of snow. Ere
the sun got too hot the citizens were to be seen reveiling in the luxury of
snow-balls, while we are told that J. P. CLARK, with a keen remembrance of
gone-by sleigh rides, improvised such a vehicle out of an old packing-case
and was seen steering his way through the public thoroughfares with relish
to himself and satisfaction to his friends.
On February 3, 1874, the contract and
agreement between the city of Santa Rosa and the Santa Rosa Water Works was
ordered to be signed by the President of the Board of Trustees and the City
Clerk, while in this regard the following Ordinance was passed: "The right
to lay down water pipes in and through the streets of the city (of Santa
Rosa) is hereby granted to the said Santa Rosa Water Works, provided the
said water pipes are put down under ground, and so as to not obstruct the
passage of the said streets or in any way injure the same; and provided
further, that the said Santa Rosa Water Works furnish the said city with
water to the extent of their means in case of fire or other great necessity,
free of charge, and in all respects, conform to the laws of the State in
relation to water corporations. The right granted by this Ordinance
shall continue for fifty years."
The annual election of a municipality was
held on April 6th, when the undermentioned gentlemen were selected: J. BEAM,
E. L. DAVIS, P. R. DAVIS, James MORROW Jr., and A. NEECE; J. BEAM, President
of the Board of Trustees; George A. THORNTON, City Clerk; J. M. WHITE, City
Marshal; J. G. PRESSLEY, Attorney; H. G. PARKS, City Assessor; W. MOCK,
Street Commissioner; and G. T. PAULI, Treasurer.
August 21st, the property tax was fixed
by the Board in meeting assembled, at fifty-five cents per one hundred
dollars; the street tax at two dollars for male adults between twenty-one
and sixty years of age, and the dog tax at four dollars. The appended order
was made on the 4th of September: Section 1. - That the privilege
of laying a street railroad along the middle of Fourth Street from the
present depot of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad to the eastern
line of the city limits, and in the middle of the street around the Plaza,
and along C Street from the Plaza to Second Street, be, and the same is,
hereby granted to John T. FORTSON and his associates for the term of twenty
years, provided the said road is constructed, equipped, and cars placed
thereon in running order in six months from the date hereof, and provided
further, that the cars thereon be propelled by horse or mule power.
Section 2. - The grant of the privilege in Section One shall be subject
to all the restrictions, conditions, and limitations mentioned in section
four hundred and ninety-eight of the Civil Code of California. Section
3. - That the right to regulate freights and fares on said railroad is
reserved to the Board of Trustees of the city of Santa Rosa. Section 4.
- That a discontinuance of the running of the cars upon said railroad
after the same is built and equipped for the space of ten days without the
permission of the Board of Trustees of said city, shall work a forfeiture of
this franchise. On October 6th the following was ordained: Section 1. -
Every keeper of a saloon, dram-shop, or tippling house, and every
person who within the limits of the said city sells or disposes of any
spirituous, malt, or fermented liquors or wines in quantities of one quart
or less, shall pay a license of five dollars per quarter, in advance.
Section 2. - Any person who shall sell and dispose of any liquors
mentioned in Section one of this ordinance in quantities of one quart or
less, without having first obtained a license, shall be subject to the
penalties mentioned in Section forty-seven of an ordinance passed by the
Board of Trustees on April 19, 1872.
Santa Rosa would appear to be still going
ahead in the year 1874. On the 6th October a handsome new brick building was
commenced by J. RIDGEWAY behind the hall which bears his name, and opposite
to the residence of Doctor J. F. BOYCE, the contractor being Arnold
CHILDERS; and death had come in and removed one of her oldest citizens,
Judge William ROSS, a resident of the county since 1852, and the first
lawyer to establish himself in Santa Rosa, died in the town on the tenth of
April. He was a native of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and when quite a
young man studied law and was admitted to practice in the State of Ohio,
whither he had moved with his family. He filled the office of Auditor in
Perry County, Ohio, from 1840 to 1849. In April of that year he came to
California and first settled in El Dorado County; in 1852 he removed to
Sonoma County; in 1854 he came to Santa Rosa; and in 1860 he was elected to
the State Legislature. He afterwards served the county for two years as
District Attorney, filling, to the satisfaction of his constituents, the
duties of that important position. Judge ROSS was among the last of a number
of lawyers of more than average ability, who practiced at the bar on the
organization of the county government, in the town of Sonoma. Ex-Governor
BOGGS, MAUPIN, COOK, and the brilliant WILKINS, pioneers in Sonoma County,
one after the other have fallen before the Destroyer; to this list is now
added William ROSS. At the meeting of the court on the 13th, the District
Attorney in bringing the news of his death to the knowledge of the court,
moved that "out of respect they now adjourn"; Judge LANGDON seconded the
motion, and paid a touching tribute to his memory. He said that while Judge
ROSS had faults common to mankind, he had also many redeeming traits of
character. The blighted breath of slander never escaped his lips against any
man. He was true to his friends and generous to his enemies.
March 2, 1875, we are informed by the city records that gas lamps and
drinking hydrant were ordered to be placed in the center of the Plaza.
On April 5th the following corporate
officers were sworn in : C. C. FARMER, President; A. KORBEL, A. H. SMITH, F.
B. MORGAN, and W. B. STANLEY, Board of Trustees; G. A. THORNTON, City Clerk;
G. T. PAULI, Treasurer; J. M. WHITE, Marshal; J. G. PRESSLEY, City Attorney;
J. H. McGEE, Recorder; Street Commissioner, Wesley MOCK; Assessor, P.
McDOUALL.
An Ordinance regulating a drainage
system was passed on May 7th, and on the same day it was directed that that
portion of the city lying to the south of the creek should be known as South
Santa Rosa, and the street from the bridge, southerly, be called Santa Rosa
Avenue. September 9th, the property tax was set at sixty cents per one
hundred dollars; the street tax at two dollars, and the dog tax to be
reduced to two dollars. On the 19th October, W. G. ATKINS was appointed Fire
Marshal, with instructions to assume charge of the fire hydrant, while on
the 30th the resignation of J. G. PRESSLEY was accepted, and J. T. CAMPBELL
appointed City Attorney in his stead. A new bridge was ordered, on November
8th, to be built across the creek on C Street, and on December 7th, the plan
of Z. KING & Co. for an iron bridge was adopted.
In the matter of general history below
will be found the location by streets and the names of the owners of such
business houses as had been erected in the year 1874. Beginning with C
Street, (or as it is improperly called Main Street), we have first the
three-story addition to the Grand Hotel, making it larger by thirty rooms.
Messrs. A. NEECE and Robert WEST own the property; Luke KELLY is landlord,
to a house always full of guests. Next on C Street is the wine house of
White & Atkins, remodeled and built over this year. On the opposite side of
the street is the large carriage and wagon factory and blacksmith shop of
Ross & Co., steam power and complete in all its appointments; J. P. CLARK,
proprietor of the ground and buildings. On Third Street we have J.
RIDGWAY'S ten brick stores, twenty feet front by sixty deep. At west end of
Third Street is the immense feed store and hay warehouse, owned by Dr. J. F.
BOYCE, and kept by Charles CLARK. On the west side of the plaza is the
elegant and complete banking house of the "Savings Bank of Santa Rosa," a
building which would do credit to San Francisco. Three doors above, on the
same side of the plaza, is the Democrat building on the north A.
KOHLE has made an addition of twenty-four by thirty-two to his two-story
brick. On Fourth Street first is the postoffice block, fifty feet front by
seventy-five feet deep, two-story brick, owned by Mrs. SPENCER. The stores
on the ground floor are occupied, one by Rufus Temple, druggist, and J. M.
Roney, wholesale liquor dealer. On the corner of fourth and B Streets is a
handsome and elegant two-story brick, forty feet front by seventy-five feet
deep, owned by Gen. D. H. PARKS. Adjoining PARKS, on the east, is the
two-story brick belonging to Mrs. BYRNE, twenty by seventy-five; it has the
same finish as the PARKS building, making a most creditable appearance.
Messrs. James P. DUNCAN and A. L. STEPHENS were the contractors. Next east
of Mrs. BYRNE'S building is the store put up by GENTRY & MORRIS, and
occupied by Mr. DAVIS as a dry goods and fancy store. On the south-west
corner of B and Fourth Streets, S. A. RENDALL has a two-story frame,
formerly on the corner of Third and B Streets. On the south-east corner of
the same streets, T. W. SMITH has fitted up a market. Further down on
Fourth, L. WILDE has a building used by him for his business, shoe-making.
On the corner of Davis and Fourth Streets is the American Exchange Hotel, a
large two-story frame, put up and owned by J. E. PERKINSON. On the opposite
side of Fourth Street is the building occupied by Jas. BROWN, as a meat
market, put up and owned by Thomas DUFFY. Two doors above, on the same side,
is the large addition to Santa Rosa Carriage Factory, put up, owned and
occupied by D. C. NICHOLL. Two doors further west is the building erected by
L. B. HALL, and occupied by FISHER & REAGAN, for their marble works.
Directly opposite which is the building occupied by J. HEALY, shoe-maker,
put up and owned by John BOYLAN. Next west of the marble works is the
building erected, owned and occupied by Santa Rosa Hose Company. On the west
side of the railroad track is the large foundry and machine shop, put up,
owned and occupied by W. H. SMITH and H. F. SHULTE.
The elegant and commodious public
school-house, with accommodation for six hundred pupils, is also on Fourth
Street. Dr. W. T. COCKE occupies an office next to the new meat market of
MATHEWS & SEAWELL, both erected this year. Further down on Fourth Street is
the lumber-yard of MURPHY BROTHERS, and necessary office buildings and
sheds, to be accredited to 1874. Of the above-mentioned business houses, A.
P. PETIT was the contractor and builder of the Grand Hotel, Savings Bank,
Postoffice Block, Public School-house, Democrat building, and also
that of A. KOHLE; and Arnold CHILDERS, of RIDGWAY'S ten stores, on Third
Street. We think there is not another interior town in the State which can
show an equal number of business houses, and of the same costly character
put up in 1874.
On February 17, 1875, occurred the death
of another old resident in Doctor John HENDLEY. He was born in Lexington,
Kentucky, September 20, 1820; came to California in 1850, and then located
in Sonoma County, settling in the following year on his farm, where he died.
He was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits in Santa Rosa, and
served one term as County Clerk, and for two years as County Treasurer. His
death was sorrowfully felt throughout the county, and many marks of esteem
and affection were manifested at his untimely demise.
On the night of December 7, 1875, the
usually quiet and orderly city was thrown into a state of great excitement
on the occasion of the stabbing of Charles STEVENS, a native of England, by
F. A. HEFLIN, clerk to David CARITHERS. The cause of the quarrel is thus
stated: About two months previously STEVENS had purchased a vehicle, which
he ran as a job and express wagon. He purchased a horse from HEFLIN when he
started this business. The difficulty which led to his death originated
about this purchase. HEFLIN sold the horse to STEVENS for thirty-five
dollars; STEVENS paid twenty dollars on account, leaving fifteen still due.
HEFLIN had asked STEVENS for the money several times. STEVENS wanted HEFLIN
to take the horse back. So the matter stood when the fatal occurrence took
place. The accused was admitted to bail, tried on March 2, 1876; a new trial
was had on the 16th, May; when he was found not guilty.
The year 1876 is profile with the doings
of the city. On January 6th an ordinance amending license ordinance; also
one prohibiting obstruction of streets was passed; on April 12th the
following resolution was unanimously adopted by the Board of Trustees on the
occasion of the retirement of their President, C. C. FARMER. "Resolved,
That the thanks of this Board be tendered to C. C. FARMER, our
honorable President, for the impartial manner in which he has presided over
our meetings for the past year, and for the faithful performance of those
duties devolving upon him, with an eye single to the best interests of the
city at large, and in retiring from the position as President of this Board,
he carries with him the highest regards of each and every member as an
honorable man and faithful officer." The resolution was ordered published.
April 12, 1876, the following members of
the Common Council and the Mayor elect took and subscribed the official
oath: E. NEBLETT, Mayor; A. H. SMITH, W. B. STANLEY, A. KORBEL, F. R.
MORGAN, G. A. TUPPER, and William GABLE, Councilmen; John B. DAVIS, Clerk;
John Tyler CAMPBELL, Attorney; Charles G. AMES, Treasurer; John BROWN,
Recorder; John W. WHITE, Marshal; J. S. SIMONS, Assessor; A. SHEPHERD,
Street Commissioner. The members then proceeded to determine the length of
the terms of their offices by lot, as provided in the charter of the city,
with the following result: For two years - A. H. SMITH, G. A. TUPPER,
William GABLE. For four years - W. B. STANLEY, F. R. MORGAN, A. KORBEL. At
this meeting a committee was appointed to select a place wherein the
meetings should be held, and the Marshal was authorized to appoint four
policemen. A proposal from D. D. DAVIDSON to furnish water for the plaza was
accepted, at fifty cents per thousand gallons, on the 2d May, while at the
same time the license for circuses was raised to twenty-five dollars for
each exhibition. On the 26th it was carried, on motion, that all houses
advertising for boarders should pay a license of five dollars per quarter;
it was ordered that any person selling less than a quart of liquor should be
considered a retailer, and made to pay a tax of fifteen dollars per quarter.
June the 6th a Finance Committee was created, and Messrs. SMITH, STANLEY,
and KORBEL appointed to serve on it; on the same day the sum of three
hundred dollars toward the centennial celebration; also, An Ordinance in
revision of the ordinances governing the city of Santa Rosa," was read a
third time and passed. On motion, His Honor the Mayor was authorized to have
the charter and ordinances published in book form.
The charter in present use was adopted in
the year 1876, and declares that the town of Santa Rosa shall be a body
politic and corporate under the name and style of the city of Santa Rosa,
and by that name shall have perpetual succession, and by that name may sue
and defend in courts, etc. It defines the corporate limits of the city to be
as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point three-fourths of a mile due north
of the northwest corner of Fourth and C, or Mendocino Streets; thence due
east three-fourths of a mile; thence due south one and a half miles; thence
due west to the westerly line of said railroad to the north bank of Santa
Rosa Creek; thence westerly, following the meanderings of the north bank of
said creek to the westerly line of a tract of land known as the Hewitt
addition to the city of Santa Rosa; thence along the westerly line of said
Hewitt addition and the land of Dr. J. F. BOYCE, to the center of the county
road, known as the Redwood or Laguna Road; thence due north to a point due
west of the point of beginning; thence due east to the point of beginning.
The corporate powers of the city consist of a Mayor and six Councilmen, any
four of whom constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; besides
which there are a Recorder, Treasurer, Street Commissioner, Attorney, Clerk,
Marshal, and Assessor, to hold office for two years. The Councilmen, after
the first election, to be chosen for four years.
On the 4th October the prayer of Mark L.
McDONALD and Jackson R. MYERS, to construct a street railroad within the
city limits, was granted, while at the same session a petition from the
retail liquor dealers, and their prayer, viz: the lowering of licenses,
granted. Licenses were thereupon ordered to be lowered to ten dollars per
quarter.
On March 11, 1876, the iron bridge
mentioned above was formally dedicated amid much ceremony. It is what is
known as Z. King's Patent Wrought-Iron Tubular Arch Bridge, manufactured by
the King Iron Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the materials being brought
over with, and the construction personally superintended by, George E. King.
It is the first and only iron bridge on the Pacific Coast, and Santa Rosa
has reason to be proud of it. It cost in the vicinity of three thousand
dollars, is situated over the creek on C Street, and its dimensions are one
hundred and twenty-five feet in one span, with a carriage-way of sixteen
feet and foot-way five feet wide. In this same month, coal gas was
introduced by J. E. AGER and L. A. KELLY, they having bought out the Maxim
Gas Company and their gasoline paraphernalia. A new company was formed with
E. T. FARMER, President; C. F. JUILLARD, Vice-President; L. A. KELLY,
Secretary; and the Santa Rosa Bank, Treasurer. New buildings were soon
commenced on First Street, which when completed would cost twenty-five
thousand dollars. The city was first lit with gas from coal on May 29, 1876.
In June, the Mark West Water Company was established, the incorporators
being William RECTOR, S. T. COULTER, H. T. HEWITT, A. KORBEL, and John K.
SMITH. The capital stock was fifty thousand dollars, and the fluid to be
brought from Mark West and Wallace Creeks and their tributaries. In the
month of April, the Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated, and the
Occidental Hotel, a large and commodious establishment, opened; while, we
may here remark, that during the year 1876, the following new industries
were started, namely: a large and extensive manufactory of wine; a large
fruit-drying establishment; a boot and shoe factory calculated to employ
from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty men and women; a fruit brandy
distillery with a capacity of three hundred gallons per day; a glove
factory, and an extensive broom factory.
The annals of this year, 1876, we will
close with the following record, an unhappy one at best. About midnight on
the 9th June an armed and masked mob entered the town, cut the bell-rope to
the engine-house to prevent alarm, captured the city watch, went to the
house of Jailor Wilson, who kept the jail keys, took him prisoner, forced
him to open the doors of the jail, to point out the cell of Charles W.
HENLEY, who had surrendered himself for the killing of James Rowland, which
occurred May 9, 1876. Wilson was told to unlock the cell of the prisoner,
which he did. HENLEY was bound and gagged, and in his night clothes was
taken to a wagon in the street and thence just outside the limits of the
city, where he was hanged to the limb of a tree. The affair would appear to
have been well planned, the members of the mob answering to numbers instead
of names, while several other precautions were taken to prevent
identification.
On February 10, 1877, the records of the
mayoralty show the following resolution, which was adopted: "Resolved,
That hereafter whenever any street or streets shall be ordered graded
and graveled, that the work be let out by contract. That those taking said
contract shall hold the parties owning property on said street for their
pay, thereby relieving the city of the responsibility of the same." Dr. J.
F. BOYCE was elected Health Officer of the city on March 10th, and an
ordinance passed on the same day relative to the prevention of small-pox,
and on the 14th a pest-house was reported completed.
May 1st, the petition of E. T. FARMER and
his associates asking for franchise for street railroad through certain
streets was referred to a special committee, as was also a remonstrance on
the part of A. P. PETIT and others, residents on Third Street, against the
allowing the T rail, by FARMER and others. On June 5th, the following
ordinances were passed and adopted: "An ordinance granting the right to
build a street railway to Mark L. McDONALD and associates." "An ordinance to
prevent obstructions in the slough." "An ordinance requiring sidewalks on
graded streets to be kept clean of weeds and obstructions," while, on the
16th, an ordinance in relation to beef peddlers was read and passed. August
7th, C. C. FARMER was appointed in place of Councilor GALE, who had
resigned. It was also, on the same day, announced that C, Mendocino and Joe
DAVIS Streets should be changed to Mendocino Avenue, from the north side of
the plaza to the north line of the city. The taxes were fixed on September
7th as follows: for city purposes, fifty cents in one hundred dollars; and
twenty-one cents in one hundred dollars for school purposes.
On March 11, 1878, an ordinance regulating
the license of circuses, menageries, etc., was adopted; and on the 19th,
others were passed defining the liabilities of junk-shop keepers, pawn
brokers, etc.; and establishing the grade of Fourth Street, between the east
line of I Street and the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company.
April 4th, the election of a corporation
was held, with the following result: Mayor, George A. JOHNSON; Recorder, C.
B. COX; Attorney, James H. McGEE; Clerk, Oscar MORRISON; Marshal, William C.
BECKNER; Street Commissioner, John McILMOIL; Assessor, G. A. TUPPER;
Treasurer, F. G. HAHMAN; Councilmen, C. F. JUILLARD, E. H. SMYTHE, T. J.
PROCTOR, for four years each; on the 16th, the undermentioned committees
were chosen: Finance - Councilors STANLEY, KORBEL and SMYTHE; Public Works -
Councilors JUILLARD, PROCTOR and MORGAN; Ordinances - Chairman, the City
Attorney, with Messrs. PROCTOR and JUILLARD.
Permission was granted, on April 18th, to
the Latter Day Saints to use the council chamber for church services on the
Sabbath Day, free of charge, the Literary Society being also granted its use
on certain evenings of the week, provided that they pay one dollar per night
for the gas consumed. On May 7th, the resignation of Councilor KORBEL was
laid on the table; on the 10th, ordinances establishing a Surveyor's office,
and preventing the hitching of animals to hydrants, and relative to the
Board of Health, were passed; while, on the 21st, Doctor R. S. YOUNG, A. L.
COX, J. B. ARMSTRONG, Henry WISE, and E. T. FARMER were appointed that
Board. June 4th, Ben. FARMER was appointed City Surveyor; on August 6th, a
petition was received from the Santa Rosa Gas Light Company, asking that a
franchise be granted the company for the term of fifty years from date. With
reference to this prayer, Mr. STANLEY stated that a franchise had been
formerly granted, but that no record of the same could be found; therefore
to grant the petition would be but to renew the former franchise, which, on
motion, was adopted. On the same date the Board of Education was given the
use of the city hall as a place wherein to hold their meetings; and on the
23d, the Board of Health reported the completion of their organization.
Mayor JOHNSON tendered his resignation on
the 24th September, 1878, on account of possibly prolonged absence from the
city, when T. J. PROCTOR was elected to the civic chair in his stead. On
this date the following ordinances were adopted: O