1878 Ingersoll

Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals), 1908, 1908a, 1878

Chapter II. Laying the Foundations. 1870-1880.

[p. 143, Santa Monica Beach, 1878, 1908b]

     ". . .

     [p. 154] During 1878 Santa Monica struggled against the hard fate that had befallen her. The Southern Pacific removed the depot from the wharf to its present location and gave, as a concession, a round-trip fare of $1.00 good for three days. Many excursions from interior towns were brought to the coast during the summer and Santa Monica remained the most popular resort, although it could no longer hope for a great commercial importance. But worse was to come. The S.P. sent one of its engineering force to examine the wharf. After a careful inspection, he reported that the condition of the piles was most alarming, owing to the ravages of the toredo, and that it was unsafe for trains unless at least three-fourths of the piles were replaced. As this would entail a large expense, he advised that the use of the wharf be abandoned. On September 9th, the Senator made its last landing and the name of Santa Monica was taken off the steamer lists.

     It was a crushing blow that had been dealt the town which had started out so propitiously. Naturally, business dropped off and many people moved away. Partnerships were dissolved, mortgages foreclosed, a number of business houses sold out to satisfy their creditors. The population of the town melted away and the editor of the Outlook, who had made a brave fight for the town of his adoption, announced on December 19th, 1878, that, the next week being Christmas, the paper would be omitted for a week. It was "omitted" for eight years.

     " . . .

[p. 248] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park

     . . . After the abandonment of the "old wharf," in 1878, five acres of land were donated by Mrs. Lucas and others and Juan Bernard began the construction of a wharf which it was fondly hoped might restore Santa Monica to the shipping lists of the Pacific coast. But the structure was never completed and no boat ever landed there.

     ". . .

[p. 266] Chapter VII Public Institutions

Schools

      . . . February 14th, 1878, a special tax for school purposes was voted. The school continued with two teachers until 1884, when the upper room was furnished and three teachers employed.

     ". . .

[p. 269] School Trustees of Santa Monica

1877-78: M.D. Johnson, J.W. Scott, George Boehme (clerk).

1878-79: Loren Heath, J.W. Scott, George Boehme (clerk).

    " . . .

[p. 270] Supervising Principals of Santa Monica Schools:

1878: A. McPherson.

1878-79: Chas. H. Hall.

     ". . .

[p. 281] Newspapers

      . . . December 19th, 1878, he [L.T. Fisher] announces that the next issue [of the Outlook] will be omitted, as the week is a holiday. The next issue did not appear until January 5th, 1887.

    ". . .

[p. 288, 1878-79] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies: Methodist Church

     Rev. Crum was succeeded by Rev. S.S. Russell [1878-79], who only remained a year, and then for three years the [Methodist] church was pastorless and practically disorganized.

     ". . .

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 Kelyn Roberts 2017