1889 (1888) (1890) (1880-1890) (1890-1900) Table of Contents
Donald M. Cleland A History of the Santa Monica Schools 1876-1951, Santa Monica Unified School District, February 1952 (Copied for the Santa Monica Library, July 22, 1963). 1913, 1892, 1890s, 1889 See Text
Robert Gottlieb and Irene Wolt* Thinking Big: The Story of the Los Angeles Times, Its Publishers and Their Influence on Southern California, G.P. Putnam's Sons: NY, 1977. 603 pp., 1909, 1889 See Text
Tom Moran and Tom Sewell Fantasy by the Sea Peace Press: Culver City, CA, 1980 (1979) (Originally published by Beyond Baroque Foundation with a grant from the Visual Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts) 1889 See Text
Les Storrs Santa Monica Portrait of a City Yesterday and Today, Santa Monica Bank: Santa Monica, CA, 1974, 67 pp., 1889 See Text
Betty Lou Young and Randy Young Santa Monica Canyon: A Walk Through History Casa Vieja Press: Pacific Palisades, CA, 1997, 182pp., 1889, See Text
Notes:
During that [1889-1899] time the fire department had to cope with many exciting blazes. One of the most serious was the Santa Monica Hotel which was burned in 1889 . . . p. 279, 1908a
Documents
Donald M. Cleland A History of the Santa Monica Schools 1876-1951, Santa Monica Unified School District, February 1952 (Copied for the Santa Monica Library, July 22, 1963) Copied, June 7, 2007. 1913, 1892, 1890s, 1889
In April, 1889, a Baptist Sunday school was called in the home of Mrs. Drane* on the south side of Santa Monica. For a time, the Sunday school was held in the old Washington school. From February 1, 1890 until November 3, 1892, the Reverend A.P. Brown*, pastor of the Baptist Church at Palms, preached alternate Sundays at Ocean Park. On September 5, 1892, the first "Baptist Mission" was dedicated as a branch of the Palms church. The church cost $700.00 and was furnished with one hundred chairs, a pulpit, and an organ. p.16
. . . First, although adult classes were held as early as 1889, it was only in 1913 that the adult education program and evening high school were officially organized."
Robert Gottlieb and Irene Wolt* Thinking Big: The Story of the Los Angeles Times, Its Publishers and Their Influence on Southern California, G.P. Putnam's Sons: NY, 1977. 603 pp., 1909, 1889
"The need for the harbor became more pressing with the anouncement of the government's plans to help construct a canal across the Isthmus of Panama . . . In the fall of 1889, the Chamber helped organize an expedition of United States senators to the port. The group included California Senators Leland Stanford and George Hearst (father of William Randolph Hearst); Senator William Frye from Maine, chairman of the Rivers and Harbors Committee; Senator John P. Jones* from Nevada; and several other officials. . . . "
Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals), 1908, 1908a, 1889
[p. 164] Chapter II Laying the Foundations. 1870-1880.
In 1889, he [Edwin Jackson Vawter, Jr.] took a position with the First National Bank of Santa Monica.
" . . .
Of these projects, the Los Angeles county road, or the Los Angeles & Pacific road, as it was later known, which was capitalized by Los Angeles men, completed its track to Santa Monica and in 1889 went into operation. But its career was short-lived. On January 29th, 1889, its first passenger train came [p. 175] into Santa Monica and was greeted with enthusiasm; the officers, E.E. Hand, president, S.W. Luitseiler, vice-president, R.C. Shaw, superintendent, and Cornelius Cole, J.M. Hale, W.T. Spillman and Arthur Gaylord, directors, being on board. The road ran through Burbank, the Ostrich Farm at Kenilworth, Prospect Park, Hollywood, Cahuenga, Morocco, Sunset and Soldiers' Home, a distance of 27 miles. Its terminus in Santa Monica was on the bluff near Utah avenue. In September, 1889, it went into the hands of a receiver and in October all trains but one a day were taken off. Soon afterward the rolling stock was taken possession of by the creditors and one more disastrous failure was added to the wreakage of the 'boom period."
Late this year a Board of Trade was organized and at once began to take an active part in pushing the vital interests of the town, which at this particular time were generally conceded to be the building of a wharf and the completion of the new water system. Work had begun on a new reservoir, new pipe was being laid and the Water Company, otherwise Jones & Baker, proposed to expend some $60,000 in providing a suitable water supply. The Santa Monica Mill Company's plant was put in operation this year at a cost of fully $25,000. The Cates block on Third street was put up at a cost of $10,000 and other building improvements tothe amount of about $100,000 made the town begin to assume the airs of a city.
[p. 175] Chapter III. From Town to City. 1880-1890. 1889
The year 1889 opened with the burning of the Santa Monca Hotel which occurred January 15th and was a complete loss on account of insufficient supply of water. This swept away one of the oldest landmarks of the place, as the hotel was the first building erected, having been put up by Jones and Baker in the spring of 1875. It had been added to at various times and was valued at some $25.000. The proprietor, T.R. Bennington, lost heavily on his furniture, and Mrs. Senator Jones was a heavy loser of clothing and jewels. The place had had many ups and downs, having been "run' by many different parties, taken over for debt, and closed entirely during 1880-81. Till the building of the Arcadia it had been the best hotel of the town and had been enlivened by many gay and festive scenes. The Outlook, in a reminiscent mood, recalls: "'Jim' Eastman in his palmy days, used to drive there in his fine turnout and throw up one or two hundred at a whack for champagne and swell dinners. Ledyard and Bullock, the once noted financiers of the Temple and Workman Bank, et id omnes genus, would also come down periodically and indulge in a little hilarity and the disbursement of some of their easily gotten wealth."
On February 11th, the First National Bank moved into its new two-story building, which was handsomely fitted up for its purpose. This spring the Jones mansion was completed and the family moved in. It at once became a social center whose hospitality was enjoyed by many distinguished people from [p. 176] all parts of the world. Among its first visitors wer Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, Senator Allison, of Iowa, and Governor and Mrs. Stoneman, who were entertained in a party by Mrs. Jones.
One of the most exciting questions of the year was that of the proposed outfall sewer from Los Angeles which was to be discharging into the ocean in the neighborhood of the present site of Venice, the city being vigorously campaigned for votes on the bonding proposition to build the outfall. Santa Monica citizens entered a decided protest against such a plan as destructive to their beach interests; meetings were held, the board of trustees and the Board of Trade passed vigorous resolutions and the town hired counsel to defend their rights. Citizens of Santa Monica attended anti-bond meetings in Los Angeles and took an active part in the fight. The question was settled in October, for the time being by the defeat of the bond issue.
[p. 176 Santa Monica Hotel, 1908b]
During this year, the street railway, or the "mule line" as it was popularly known, was extended to Seventeenth street, thus giving the town four and a half miles of street railway. The driveway to the Soldiers' Home was also completed this year, a boulevard 100 feet wide, lined with trees set out under the supervision of Abbot Kinney, then road commissioner, and with four substantial bridges. It was proposed to complete this boulevard to Los Angeles and a number of other roads were opened and improved and set with shade trees about this time.
" . . .
Among the social events of the year may be chronicled the visit of Senator Hearst, who was entertained by the Board of Trade and of Fanny Davenport, who was so delighted with Santa Monica that she purchased a cottage and announced her intention of passing her old age here. The Polo Club, Tennis Associatin and a race course provided amusement for sport lovers. The town now had five churches, and among the many church entertainments the Floral [p. 177] Festival, held in the new Presbyterian church, was an event that lingers in the memory of participants and beholders.
One of the most magnificient of the many hopeful prospects of the year wa the apparent certainty that this place had been chosen as the site for one of the largest Catholic schools in the country. In September it was announced that the Sisters of St. Joseph, a St. Louis order, had made arrangements with Messrs. Crippen, who were to donate a tract of twenty-two acres of the East Santa Monca tract for the location of a large school. Mr. John F. Hogan, who had been instrumental in bringing the Sisters to this location, reported that work would begin on a building. The Outlook of September 25th says: "Heretofore rumor said that at least $350,000 would be expended upon the building alone, with a possibe increase to $500,000. But it seems that even these figures are too small. The Mother Superior is so captivated with the location that she thinks the Sisters may decide to spend over a million before the improvements shall have been completed." December 11th, it is announced that the final arrangements for the location of the Catholic College of Santa Monica have been completed and Mother General Agatha, of St. Louis, drove the first stake in the grounds, which "is the beginning of a series of dedicatory services that will close with the final imposing ceremonial that will be held at the completion of the grand edifice." The final grand dedicatorial service has not yet taken place; Sister Agatha seems to have been too enthusiastic.
" . . .
. . . [p. 182] In 1889 he [Juan J./John Carrillo] took an active part in the contest made by Santa Monica against the proposed outfall sewer of Los Angeles, with its discharge on the beach between what is now Pier avenue and Venice. Mr. Carrillo personally canvassed the Ballona district and secured the signatures of the property owners to a protest against this action and to an agreement which prevented Los Angeles from securing the proposed right of way for the sewer.
" . . .
[p. 246] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park
In the spring of 1889 the Ostrich Farm [1889-1895] was established at South Santa Monica. A tract of seven acres, known as the "Santa Monica Tract," was fenced in and thirty-four birds, with the nucleus of what was intended to be a menagerie, were brought here from Kenilworth, in the Cahuenga valley, where they had been located. In 1882, Dr. Charles S. Sketchley, an Englishman who had been engaged in ostrich farming in South Africa, came to California and selected a site near Anaheim as the best location he could find in California for an ostrich farm. His attempt here was so successful that about 1885 a syndicate was formed and Dr. Sketchley was sent again to Africa to secure new birds. He [p. 247] returned with thirty-four fine birds which were placed on the Los Feliz rancho in the Cahuenga foothills. A park and menagerie were planned and it was hoped to make this one of the leading attractions of Los Angeles. In 1887 the Ostrich Farm railway was built to Burbank and Kenilworth as the station at the Ostrich Farm was named; but this location proved too out of the way and the venture was not a financial success. Then South Santa Monica was chosen as a more accessible spot, offering other attractions as well.
About thirty birds were brought here under the management of Mr. Henry Beauchamp, also English. But the Outlook states that Mr. Beauchamp was a "Moody and Sankey convert" and refused to keep his place open on Sundays, "which is good religion but poor business." After a couple of years the ostriches were removed to a new location near the Southern Pacific depot and under the management of Mr. Harold Perry, the place was made very attractive. Later Mr. Frank Ellis became manager, and in 1893 sold six birds to Sells circus, which were declared by the circus people to be the finest ostriches they had ever seen. Many old residents will remember the chase which followed the escape of a full grown African bird from the enclosure. The frantic creature, after being driven over the hills in the vicinity of the Soldier's Home was finally headed homeward, only to dash past the farm, into the ocean-to its death. About 1895 the remaining birds were removed to Anaheim and this attraction ceased to be counted among the charms of South Santa Monica.
" . . .
Schools
. . . [p. 266] In 1889, after a good deal of agitation, steps were taken to provide the south side with a school. This was opened in a private house; but in 1888 lots had been secured at the corner of Ash and Fourth streets and in 1890 a small building erected.
" . . .
[p. 269] School Trustees of Santa Monica
" . . .
[p. 272] Public Library
[p. 272] But the purchase of the building and the maintenance of the reading room and library proved too heavy a burden for the women to carry indefinitely. In [p. 273] 1889, Mr. Steere very generously returned the money which had been paid on the building and cancelled the sale.
" . . .
[p. 278] Santa Monica Fire Department
No other fire company wa organized here until March 22nd, 1889, when Santa Monica Hose, Hook and Ladder Company was formed with forty -six members, many of whom were leading business men of the city. "Bob" Eckert, who had been a pioneer fireman in Los Angeles, was the first foreman. The first equipment of this time consisted of a four-wheel hose cart and 1,000 feet of hose, with ladders, axes, etc. Hydrants had been provided and the old engine house, back of the bank building on Oregon avenue, had been built in 1888. The first officers of the company were Robert Eckert, foreman; William Jackson, first assistant foreman; George B. Dexter, second assistant foreman; Fred C. McKinney, secretary, and A.G. Smith, treasurer.
" . . .
[p. 283, 1889] Board of Trade
. . . During the year the Board met rather irregularly and discussed many plans for the wharf, for a boulevard to Los Angeles and for various possible advance moves. In 1889, E.J. Vawter was elected president, J.J. Carrillo retaining the secretaryship.
" . . .
[p. 291] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies: First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica; Catholic Church; Episcopal Church-Saint Augustine-By-The-Sea; Baptist Church; Women's Christian Temperance Union
. . . In 1889, a "Feast of Flowers" was held in the new church building, then unfinished, which was arranged by the ladies of the town under the auspices of the Presbyterian ladies and which was acknowledged as one of the most beautiful floral exhibits ever made in Southern California.
" . . .
[p. 295,] Chapter VIII Catholic Church
The chapel at the Soldier's Home is also included in Father Hawe's parish, he having held the first servies on the grounds of the Home, soon after it was instituted in 1889.
" . . .
[p. 296] Chapter VIII Episcopal Church-Saint Augustine-By-The-Sea
Mr. Jefferys resigned in the early part of 1889 and the Rev. Orrin Judd, of North Carolina, succeeded him. Mr. Judd had come to California broken down in health; but he was a most eloquent preacher, which gift led to his resignation of this charge a year later to accept the new church of St. John on West Adams street, Los Angeles, which had been built in order to find a place for him in the city. During Mr. Judd's incumbency the work prospered and considerable additions were made to the membership of the church.
" . . .
[p. 297] Chapter VIII Baptist Church
In April, 1889, Mrs. Drane living on South Third street, near Sand street, gathered together a number of the children in that neighborhood and started a union Sunday school in her home.
" . . .
[p. 299] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies: Women's Christian Temperance Union
. . . (p. 299) when dull times came in 1889, they [W.C.T.U.] found the burden [purchasing the building] too much and Mr. Steere took back the building and returned the money, $350, which they had paid on it. They continued to occupy the same room as their reading room, however, . . .
" . . .
Tom Moran and Tom Sewell Fantasy by the Sea Peace Press: Culver City, CA, 1980 (1979) (Originally published by Beyond Baroque Foundation with a grant from the Visual Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts) 1889
"Ryan died in 1889 and his widow's new husband, Thomas Dudley, became Kinney's partner. Dudley and Kinney did not get along well and eventually the partnership was dissolved. Dudley's interest was transferred to three Santa Monica investors, Alexander Fraser, Henry Gage and George Merritt Jones. But these three men did not get along with Abbot Kinney either.
"Finally, ownership of the property was completely divided. Kinney became sole owner of the undeveloped southern half of the acreage . . ."
Les Storrs Santa Monica Portrait of a City Yesterday and Today, Santa Monica Bank: Santa Monica, CA, 1974, 67 pp., 1889
"By 1889 that (the Veterans' Administratration) facility was rapidly taking form, and this gave a tremendous boost to Santa Monica's first industry, the making of common bricks and other clay products.
"Much of the brick used in the construction of the home was provided by two enterprising Santa Monicans, Sam Cripe and C.F. Geltner, whose kiln was considered to be a model of efficiency.
"[1889] The year had begun with the total loss of the Santa Monica Hotel, a wood building which stood not far from the railroad station. Insufficient water supply was blamed for the fact that the fire of Janurary 15 of that year resulted in a total loss.
P.2 {Photo caption: "These buildings at Ocean and Railroad (Colorado) Avenue were the early pride of Santa Monica. Built by Jones and Baker as the Santa Monica Hotel in 1875, they burned to the ground in 1889. Sign "Santa Monica Hotel".}
Betty Lou Young and Randy Young Santa Monica Canyon: A Walk Through History Casa Vieja Press: Pacific Palisades, CA, 1997, 182pp., 1889
"A polo club was organized in Santa Monica in 1877, but the members were so humiliated at losing a match the next year to Manual Marquez and his team of four Californio canyonites that it was disbanded. In 1889 the Southern California Polo Club was formed with play held on grounds donated by Senator Jones and Arcadia Bandini de Baker. Interest in horse-related sports persisted, and nearly forty years later polo came into its own on several playing fields in Rustic and Santa Monica canyons.
" . . . the establishment of Canyon School . . . The process began in 1889, when the school board instructed two of the trustees, E.J. Vawter* and R.P. Elliott, to investigate the need. . . ."