Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals), 1908, 1908a, 1875
[p. 144] . . . Consequently, when in January, 1875, it was announced that Senator Jones had purchased a two-thirds interest in the San Vicente rancho, paying therefore about $150,000, and that a new railroad was assured, there was rejoicing long and loud throughout Southern California.
The Los Angeles and Independence railroad was organized in January, 1875, with F.P.F. Temple, a banker of Los Angeles; John P. Jones, Robert S. Baker, T.N. Park, James A. Pritchard, J.S. Slauson of Los Angeles, and Col. J.U Crawford, as directors.
Right of way between Los Angeles and Santa Monica was secured at once and without difficulty, it may be added, and Col. Crawford, the engineer and general manager of the road, at once began active operations. It was announced that the road would be pushed through to Independence, where were located the Panamint mines, owned by Senator Jones, and then supposed to rival the Gold Hill district in richness. There were rumors also that the line wold be carried across Nevada to Salt Lake and the papers frequently referred to it as the beginning and ocean terminus of a transcontinental line.
As soon as the railroad work was fairly started the construction of a wharf was begun. [p. 145] This was located near the old "Shoo Fly" landing and near the present foot of Colorado street, where a stub of the old wharf still remains. The first pile wa driven April 22nd, 1875, and the first boat landed at the wharf in June. The wharf was 1700 feet in length and reached a depth of thirty feet at low tide. It was substantially built, with [the LA & I RR] depot, and warehouses at its terminus and cost abot $45,000.
[ The U.S.C. Special Collections has photographs of the downtown Los Angeles terminal of the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad before 1888, and a photograph of a drawing of the Baker and Jones Wharf, c. 1877. The Los Angeles Terminal of the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad burned in 1888. I don't know when the Southern Pacific Railway changed the name on the building if it ever did. The link to the photo is given here. The link to the photo of the drawing is given in 1877. KR]
Los Angeles terminal of the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad
In the meantime, Messrs. Jones and Baker had laid out a townsite which extended from the bluff back to Twenty-sixth street and from Montana avenue on the north to the arroyo, or Railroad street, as it was then called, on the south. The original plat of Santa Monica was planned on a generous scale. The blocks were 320 by 600 feet; lots 150 by 50, with twenty foot alleys. A plaza, the present Seventh-street park, blocks for hotels, one on the ocean front, the present location of Miramar, and one on Eighth street, facing the plaza; for public buildings, the block between Fifteenth and Sixteenth, Nevada and California; also blocks for a university and a young ladies' seminary, were reserved on the map. The ocean front was kept intact and Ocean avenue was made 200 feet in width, the other streets and avenues 80 and 100 feet in width. A water system had already been planned and work begun on a large reservoir to be filled from San Vicente springs. The slope of the land gave ample water pressure and provided excellent natural drainage. Much of the present desirability of Santa Monica as a residence town is due to the liberal allotment and unequaled natural advantages of this original townsite.
The establishment of this new "commercial center of the southwest" and the ambitious plans of its projectors, together with much wild conjecturing by the Los Angeles papers, had attracted wide attention. On the day announced for the first sale of lots, July 15, 1875, several hundred people gathered about the stand on the bluff. Many of these were from Los Angeles and Southern California points, although the only way to reach the spot was by a long and dusty drive. The steamer, Senator, which is remembered by all old settlers, came in from San Francisco that day with a number of parties who had come down especially to attend this sale. This was the first landing of the Senator at Santa Monica. It was also the last boat to land at the "old wharf."
A dry and barren plain rolled away from the bluff and there was no shade from the blazing July sun. One board shack-the beginning of the Hotel Santa Monica, and a few tents were the only "improvements" aside from the partially-built wharf, visible. The Honorable Tom Fitch, the "silver-tongued" orator, made the great speech of the day-a speech in which he let his rich imagination run riot, as may be gathered from the following extract:
"On Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock we will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder, the Pacific ocean, draped with a western sky of scarlet and gold; we will sell a bay filled with white-winged ships; we will sell a southern horizon, rimmed with a choice collection of purple mountains, carved in castles [p. 146] and turrets and domes; we will sell a frostless, bracing, warm, yet unlanguid air, braided in and in with sunshine and odored with the breath of flowers. The purchaser of this job lot of climate and scenery will be presented with a deed to a piece of land 50 by 100 feet, known as 'lot A, in block 251.' The title to the land will be guaranteed by the present owner. The title to the ocean and the sunset, the hills and the clouds, the breath of the life-giving ozone and the song of the birds, is guaranteed by the beneficient God who bestowed them in all their beauty and affluence upon block 251, and attached them thereto by almighty warrant as an incorruptible hereditament to run with the land forever."
Of this same effort, L.T. Fisher said in the Outlook, of July 13th, 1887: "Under his eloquence many were led to believe that Santa Monica woud at once leap to the front as a full-fledged seaport and commercial center. In fact, so strong was the impression that not a few prominent men of Los Angeles, who had large possessions there, were actually afraid that the precedence of the "city of the Angels" would slip away from her and be transferred to the seacoast. And, if we may be allowed the suggestion, it would have been a good thing for the country if it had. Here would have sprung up the great commercial city of Southern California. It had all the advantages of climate, drainage and all of the best elements that should exist where a large population is concentrated."
Hon. Joseph Lynch, Major Ben Truman and Col. J.J. Ayers, the historic trio of Los Angeles editors, were present and also made glowing speeches as to the future of Santa Monica and Southern California.
The first lot sold, lot M in block 173, the northeast corner of Utah and Ocean avenue, went to E.R. Zamoyski for $500. Other lots on Ocean avenue brought from $400 to $500, and the prices ran down to $75.00 for lots back from the shore. Among the first purchasers were Major Hancock, Judge O'Melveny, W.J. Broderick, I.W. Hellman, George Boehme, W.D. Vawter and sons, H.T. Giroux and others. The sale continued on the ground for three days and on Saturday an auction was held in Los Angeles. Probably about $100,000 worth of lots were disposed of during the week.
The first building in Santa Monica was a rough board shack put up in April by J.C. Morgan, next to the Santa Monica Hotel and used as a boarding place for workmen. The first business house completed was that of H.T. Giroux on Second street, still occupied by him. The first general store was opened by W.D. Vawter, who purchased three lots on the last day of the auction on Fourth street between Utah and Oregon, paying $125.00 apiece for them. Two weeks from that day his store was ready for occupancy. Later this building was removed to Third street, where it is still used. The first brick building in the town was built by William Rapp, on Second street, between Utah and Oregon. It is still in use. A postoffice was established at once and [p. 147] W.H. Williams served as the first postmaster, the office, being located in a building on Second street where the Union livery stable now stands.
The growth of the new town was most promising. A Los Angeles paper of September 14th thus summarizes the advances made:
"Two months since the site of Santa Monica was a plain under the dominion of a sheepherder. Today nearly one hundred substantial houses line its broad streets. Two hotels are overflowing with guests. Its lumber yards are doing the business of a metropolis and dealers in coal, wood, drygoods and groceries are rushing about in energetic ardor to keep up their stock of goods which are bought out as rapidly as exposed for sale. The price of town lots continues. The fare from San Francisco is $12.00 by boat, while it is $20.00 by continuous. (The fare from San Francisco is $12 by boat, while it is $20 by rail, including a stage ride of 110 miles (the S.P. was not yet completed)."
Allowing for newspaper exaggeration, we may conclude that the first two months of the new town's existence were certainly lively ones. While buildings and businesses sprang up so magically, the new town also provided for the mental and moral needs of its citizens. On October 13th, 1875 appeared the first number of the Santa Monica Outlook, a neat and well-filled four-page weekly, with L.T. Fisher, as editor. He began at once that consistent and persistent support of the interests of the town which can only be supplied by a first class local newspaper.
He records in his first number the business houses and advance already made and the prospects for the future. Some extracts from early numbers of the Outlook will give a clear idea of the new town. "On the 15th of July, 1875, the first lot was sold at Santa Monica. At the date of this writing, October 11th, 1875; six hundred and fifteen lots have been erected. The water of San Vicente springs has been collected in two large reservoirs, forming pretty lakes in the proposed park, and the flow of half a million gallons per day is in process of being distributed in iron mains all over the townsite." -Outlook, October 13th, 1875
"Santa Monica continues to advance. We now have a wharf where the largest Panama steamers have landed; a railroad completed to Los Angeles; a telegraph station, a newspaper, postoffice, two hotels, one handsome clubhouse, several lodging houses, eight restaurants, a number of saloons, four groceries, three drygoods stores, two hardware stores, three fruit stores, one wool commission house, one news depot and book store, one variety store, one bakery, one jeweler and watchmaker, one boot and shoe maker, one tin shop, two livery stables, one dressmaker, two tin shops, several contractors and builders, three real estate agencies, one insurance agency, one coal yard, one brick yard, two lumber yards, two private schools and in a short time we shall have two churches and a public school." -Outlook, November 24th, 1875
[p. 148, Rev. J.D. Crum, 1908b]
[p. 149] Among the merchants of the first year we find W.D. Vawter & Sons, Fourth street, dealer in dry goods, clothing, etc.; M.J. Bundy, dealer in paints, oils, glass; tin shop, Boehme & Kilgariff; M. Boufosky, groceries, liquors, etc.; H. Giroux & Bros., groceries, liquors, etc.; Wilson news depot, which handled everything form eastern periodicals to gents' furnishing goods, drugs and medicines; Tell's "Lookout," which combined "native wines and brandies, fresh fruit, vegetables and fish," with a "livery and feed stable." The hotels were the Santa Monica House, kept by J.C. Morgan and C.M. Monroe for a few months and then by J.W. Scott and the Ocean View House, corner of Oregon and Second, kept by Malcom & Harper.
The first child born in Santa Monica was Earnest Majors, who made his appearance on August 2nd and who grew to manhood in this city . . . The first sermon was preached by the Rev. A.F. White in September. In October, the Rev. Mr. Crum began holding Methodist services in Brady's hall, over a store on the corner of Oregon and Fifth streets . . . A private school, known as the Santa Monica Academy, was opened by D.G.C. Baker and wife, November 8th, 1875.
October 17th, 1875, the first railroad left Santa Monica for Los Angeles, flat cars being used, as the passenger coaches had not arrived. Three trips were made that day and passengers from the steamer Senator were landed in Los Angeles, twelve hours in advance of those who went on to San Pedro. On November 3rd the Outlook exults over: "A Busy Scene. We watched a lively scene on Santa Monica wharf last Thursday that is decidedly encouraging. On one side the schooner John Hancock was discharging a large cargo of lumber; on the opposite side the schooner Newton Booth had just arrived with railroad ties; further along the barkentine Ella was unloading coal. The Senator was discharging a large cargo of passengers and freights, including several race horses. A train of cars was waiting to transport the whole into the back country. And it must be remembered that only a few months ago the site of this growing town was a sheep pasture and the spot occupied by wharf and vessels a lonely waste of waters."
The same month the coast steamers began to make regular stops at the new town, and the Outlook states that at one time 28 mule teams were loaded with freight for San Bernardino. On Sunday, December 5th, the new road was so far completed that an excursion of 400 people, the first one entering Santa Monica, was brought in. Two trains a day were put on and the fare was $1.00; freight $1.00 per ton between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The Southern [p. 150] Pacific, when the Jones road and wharf were assured had dropped the freight rate between Los Angeles and San Pedro from $5.00 per ton to $2.50 and on the completion of the line it dropped to $1.00 for freight and 50 cents for passengers, thus forcing the new road to begin operating at losing rates. The people of Los Angeles in their gratitude for the loosening of the Southern Pacific monopoly, declared that they would stand by the Jones road and handle their trade over the Santa Monica wharf.
" . . .
In this connection [the threat of the LA & I railroad to the Central Pacific], some extracts from letters written by Crocker and Huntington will show the odds against which the promoters of the L.A. & I. railway struggled. On May 18th, 1875, Charles Crocker wrote: "I notice what you say of Jones, Park, etc. I do not think they will hurt us much, at least, I should rather be in our places than theirs. I will ventilate their "safe harbor."" And on May 25th, Huntington responded: "I shall do my best to cave him (Jones) down the bank."
" . . .
[p. 161] Chapter II Laying the Foundations. 1870-1880.
In 1875 he [W.D. Vawter] came to California and was one of the original members of the Indiana colony which was the forerunner of the city of Pasadena. Mr. Vawter purchased a sixty-acre ranch in that colony, which is now occupied by the business portion of that city. Drawn by report of the great advantages offered by the new settlement of Santa Monica which was to become the commercial metropolis of Southern California, he with his sons located here and opened the first general store in the town, in a building on the lots on Fourth street still occupied by the Vawter . . . [p. 161] Mary Ellen Vawter, [1836- ], the first child of W.D. and Mary C. Vawter, was born at Vernon, Ind., October 28th, 1836. At the age of eighteen she began teaching school. At twenty-three, she married Ward Leavitt [ -1896] of Chatauqua, N.Y. In the spring of 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt with their daughter, Florence, removed to California. They were stockholders in the Indiana colony, but after . . . [Page 162] a brief residence there located in Santa Monca. In 1880 they returned to Pasadena and lived for some years upon their orange ranch. In 1887 they again located in Santa Monica, where Mr. Leavitt died, October 23th, 1896.
[p. 162] May Vawter [1838-1884] was born in Vernon, Ind., March 4th, 1838. She was educated in the schools of her native town and received a special musical training. After teaching school and traveling through the southern and eastern states and Canada, she accompanied her family to California in 1875. In the spring of 1876 she married Switzer S. Harwood, M.D. Dr. and Mrs. Harwood lived at San Pablo and in San Francisco and Yreka. They finally removed to Sydney, Australia, where they made their home. Mrs. Harwood was a self-reliant woman, adventurous from childhood, and she several times made the voyage between Sydney and California. She [May Vawter] early united with the Vernon Presbyterian church and was a charter member of the First Presbyterian church of Santa Monica. She died in Sydney, Australia, March 1st, 1884.
[p.162] Jane Cravens Vawter [ - ] is a native of Vernon, Ind. She received her education in private and public schools of her native town and later studied under Dr. J.C. Burt, following a college course. She also took a special course of reading extending over several years. When very young she was interested in political and national questions and became a staunch abolitionist. She was for several years a teacher in the public schools of Indianapois.
She [Jane Cravens] united with the Presbyterian church at Vernon and was the projector and one of the founders of the first Sunday-school in Santa Monica. This was organized and carried on for some weeks in the home of W.D. Vawter. Miss Vawter was a charter member of the First Presbyterian church and served for some time as its Sunday-school superintendent. She was long a teacher in this school, taking children from their tenth year and holding them until they reached majority. She was one of the two solicitors who collected funds for the present beautiful Presbyterian building.
[p. 162] William S. Vawter [1845- ], the eldest son of W.D. and Mary C. Vawter, was born near Vernon, Ind., April 1st, 1845. He passed through the graded schools of the town and graduated from a commercial college in Cincinnati, Ohio. Returning to his native place, he was appointed deptuy county clerk of Jennings county. Later he became editor and proprietor of the Vernon Banner, a weekly [p. 163] paper, which he conducted with success for a couple of years. He then entered the manufacturing business, which he continued until he came to California in 1875.
[p. 163] After making investments in the Indiana colony, now Pasadena, the Vawters, father and two sons [W.S. and E.J.], opened the first general store in Santa Monica and conducted an extensive mercantile business for ten years [1875-1885]. They remained here during the long period of depression, succeeding the abandonment of the wharf by the Southern Pacific Company and, in spite of the most discouraging conditions, retained their faith in the future of this region.
" . . .
[p. 160 E.J. Vawter, 1908b]
[p. 164] Edwin James Vawter [1848- ] was born in Vernon, Ind., November 25th, 1848. After being educated in the public schools, he showed a decided tendency for business and made his first venture as a newspaper man, on the Vernon Banner. He was soon taken into partnership with his father W.D. Vawter, in his general merchandise business, at the old "Vawter's Corner," in Vernon. On the removal to California in 1875, the partnership between father and son was continued, and he was also one of the stockholders in the Indiana colony. He located in Santa Monica when the family decided upon this as a residence. . . .
" . . .
[p. 164 ] Emma Knowlton Vawter [1853- ] was born in Vernon, Ind., August 21st, 1853. She received her education in the public schools of Vernon, Ind., and in the Western Seminary and Oxford College, where she graduated in 1873. She came to California with her father's family and has since that time been a resi- [p. 165] dent of Santa Monica. Having received a good musical education, she acted as organist for the First Presbyterian church from its organization until 1903. She resides with her sister, Jane Cravens, in the old home at Santa Monica.
[p. 164 ] Charles Knowlton Vawter [1855-1879] . . .
" . . .
. . . [p. 164] Edwin Jackson Vawter, Jr. [1871- ], son of Edwin James and Laura Dixon Vawter [ -1886], was born in Vernon, Ind., June 10th, 1871. He came to California with his parents and after his mother's death in 1886, lived for a time with his grandfather, W.D. Vawter. At sixteen [1887] he entered Purdue University, Indiana. In 1888, he entered the State University at Berkeley, but owing to an attack of typhoid fever did not complete the course.
" . . .
[p. 244] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park
" . . . and in 1875 she [Mrs. Nancy Lucas] erected a house on the highest point of her ranch-the hill between what is now Strand and Hill streets and Third and Fourth. The house was an ambitious two-story affair, costing some $12,000, and was for years the finest residence in the vicinity of Santa Monica and a landmark of note until its destruction by fire in December, 1904.
" . . .
[p. 245] In 1875 Mrs. Lucas sold a fifty-acre tract, adjoining the new town and fronting the ocean, to Ivar A. Weid, a well-known Los Angeles capitalist. He at once advertised, "South Santa Monica-Five minutes' walk from the new Wharf. Block No 4, with Ocean Frontage of 370 feet." Later he changed his ad to "SOUTH SANTA MONICA, Lots 60 x 150 feet. Villa Sites purchased by Judges Bicknell and Glassell, Captain Thom, and others."
" . . .
[p. 265] Chapter VII Public Institutions
Schools
As in every other American community, one of the first interests of the new settlement of Santa Monica, in 1875, was to provide school advantages. The first shack to house the men working on the wharf was put on the ground in April, 1875; the first lots in the new town site were sold in July. On November 3rd, the citizens of the town held a meeting in the dining-room of the Hotel Santa Monica to discuss school matters and take steps to secure the formation of a school district. As a result of this effort, the Santa Monica School District was formed by the board of supervisors. It included within its limits the San Vicente, Santa Monica and Malibu ranchos, the tract of land belonging to Mrs. Lucas, and a portion of the Ballona grant-a somewhat extensive domain.
On December 3rd the first school election was held and John Freeman, L.T. Fisher and J.W. Scott were chosen as trustees; at the same time it was reported that there were seventy-two children in the new district.
" . . .
. . . [p. 265] In the meantime, the children had not lacked for educational opportunities. November 8th, 1875, the "Santa Monica Academy," D.G.C. Baker, principal, opened for its first term of twelve weeks, prepared to give courses "in all branches, including the Fourth Reader and Hebrew," and "with accommodations for a very few young ladies to board and lodge at reasonable rates." Mrs. M.J.D. Baker was instructor in elocution and Miss Ida M. Atkinson taught music and drawing. Thus every need of a full school curriculum was supplied.
" . . .
[p. 278] Santa Monica Fire Department
The first fire company in Santa Monica was the Crawford Hook and Ladder Company, organized October 27th, 1875, with J.C. Morgan, president; S.B. Adams, secretary; W. Beach, treasurer; Harry DuPuy, foreman; John Mott, first assistant; Johnny Doyle, second assistant. Their outfitting was very simple, being buckets and axes, but they were enthusiastic and on occasions made a brave fight with their buckets.
" . . .
[p. 279] Newspapers
The newspaper history of Santa Monica is practically the history of the Santa Monica Outlook. The first number of this paper was issued October [p. 281] 13th, 1875, with L.T, Fisher as editor. Outside of the Los Angeles Express, started in 1871, and the Herald, first published in 1873, it is the oldest newspaper in the county and one of the oldest papers in Southern California.
The editior had published a paper at San Pedro before locating in the then embryo city of Santa Monica. His first number was a -four-page, seven-column sheet, well filled with news and advertisements. The office of the Outlook at this time was on Third street between Arizona and Nevada, the property now known as the General Sargeant place. The editor rejoices, in his early numbers, in the fact that he-for the first time in his life-owns his own home, and in the rapid growth of his trees and shrubbery. The magnificient trees on this place will bear mute testimoy to Mr. Fisher's energy.
The Outlook boosted Santa Monica manfully during those early years of existence. The editor as convinced that the progress of Santa Monica, the completion of the Los Angeles and Independence road and the supremacy of Santa Monica as a commercial port, were the most important subjects to himself and his readers and he wrote editorials on these which were masterpieces in their way.
" . . .
[p. 282] PostOffice
The first postoffice in Santa Monica was located in a building still standing on the east side of Second street, near Colorado. The first postmaster was W.H. Williams [ -1877], who held the office until his death in January, 1877.
" . . .
[p. 288] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies: Methodist Church
The oldest record of the Methodist church of Santa Monica reads: "Minutes of the First Quartlerly Conference for Santa Monica, held October 26th, 1875, at the residence of D.G.C Baker. The presiding elder, A.M. Hough, in the chair. The session was opened with a prayer by the presiding eleder. On motion Rev. J.D. Crum was appointed secretary. Organization: The following named persons, members of the Methodist Episcopal church, being present, proceeded to organize a society: J.D.D. Crum, pastor; O.A. Snow, local preacher; D.G.C. Baker, A. Dutton, M.J.D. Baker, Eliza Corey, Ida May Atkinson, Margaret Atkinson, Minnie Atkinson and Mary A. Crum. Abner Dutton was appointed class leader. Stewards: D.G.C. Baker, O.A. Snow and Margaret Atkinson. D.G.C. Baker, recording secretary. Trustees: O.A, Snow, R.M. Widney, Samuel Atkinson, D.G. C. Baker and J.D. Crum. [p. 289] It was resolved that the trustees be instructed to incorporate and secure lots from the Santa Monica Land Company and erect a church building thereon, Margaret Atkinson and Mrs. M.J.D. Baker were appointed a committee to secure subscriptions to aid in the erection of a church."
[p. 289] The Reverand Crum preached for the first time in Santa Monica, October 15th, 1875, in an upper room of the building, then occupied as a hardware store, on the corner of Oregon and Fifth street. On October 29th, Rev. Hough preached.
" . . .
[p. 290] Chapter VIII First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica
[p. 290] The history of the Presbyterian church of Santa Monica dates back to September 12th, 1875, when a Sunday school was organized at the house of W.D. Vawter, on Fourth street, in the present home of the Misses Vawter. Later this school met in a hall on the corner of Fifth and Oregon, generously offered to them by Mr. J.O. Brady.
On September 24th, a petition signed by twelve persons, was sent to the [p. 291] Rev. Dr. White, chairman of the committee of the Presbytery, asking him to come to Santa Monica and organize a Presbyterian church. On Tuesday, September 28th, Dr. White met with the petitioners and organized them in accordance with their request into the "First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica." The names of the petitioners were as follows: Mr. R.S. Bassett, Mrs. E. Bassett, Miss Rose Bassett, Mr. T.H. Clark, Mrs. E. Mountain, Misses Mattie A. Mountain, Mr. L.M. Perkins, Mrs. S.P. Perkins, Mrs. C.A. Vawter, Miss May Vawter, Miss Jennie Vawter, Miss Emma Vawter. The trustees of the new organization were: Y.S. Grinshaw, E.J. Vawter, G.W. Brady, W.S. Vawter.
[p. 291] The new society proceeded at once to provide themselves with a permanent place of worship. Messrs. Jones and Baker presented the church with two lots at the corner of Third and Arizona, and on these were erected the chapel which for eleven years [1875-1886] was used, and was then moved to the rear of the lots, enlarged, and used for infant classes, mid-week meetings and socials.
" . . .