Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals), 1908, 1908a, 1890
[p. 176] Chapter III. From Town to City. 1880-1890.
The Soldiers' Home improvements were now fully under way and a number of veterans had already been received. A brick kiln had been put into operation in Santa Monica by Messrs. Sam Cripe and C.F. Geltner, which supplied a large number of brick for the new buildings on the Soldiers' Home grounds. A franchise was secured to build a street railway from the terminus of the Vawter line at Seventeenth street to the Home and this line was put into operation in 1890.
. . . .
The Outlook of January 8th, 1890, says: "The popularity of Santa Monica as a seaside resort is shown by the large travel over the Southern Pacific and the L.A. & P. railroads. After careful estimates by the agent, we find the Southern Pacific brought 200,000 visitors to the beach during the year. To this must be added about a fourth as many for the L.A.& P. during the time. Then there were thousands who came by private conveyance. The highest number of visitors on any one day was on the first Sunday of the ballon ascension, when the crowd was estimated at 12,000. When Los Angeles shall have doubled her population (as she will within a few years) and the lines of railways have quadrupled, and the fare has been reduced to one-half, it is easy to imagine what an immense crowd will visit this beach each week."
It is interesting to note that all of the above predictions have been fulfilled long ago, except the reduction in railway fare.
. . . [p. 177] The Wharf Fight. During the eighties the question of a wharf at Santa Monica was considered the most vital one of all that presented themselves. The people, the trustees, the Board of Trade, the contributors to the papers, and above all the editor of the Outlook, discussed this question in all its phases. The Outlook alternated between arguments to prove the necessity and the profits to be accrued from building a wharf; schemes for the building [p. 178] of a wharf and discourses upon the advisability of a harbor, or a breakwater at Santa Monica.
" . . . [Many wharf matters, see 1880s]
After whch matters seem to have simmered until March, 1890, when the Outlook indulges in this mysterious language: "There is music in the air! Glad tidings float on the breeze. Rumor says Santa Monica is to have a wharf! Our people generally believe it. So does the Outlook. We are not at liberty to enter into details, as everything is not beyond the possibility of failure. There is every reason to believe, however, that our wharf scheme, for which the Outlook and many zealous residents of Santa Monica have so striven, will be a most gratifying success, at an early day, and that, too, in a shape more satisfactory than any of us have dared hope for."
At a public meeting of the subscribers to the "wharf fund" held May 6th, Messrs. L.R. Vincent, D.L. Bancroft and W.D. Vawter were elected commissioners to act for the subscribers, and S.W. Luitweiler, representing the Los Angeles & Pacific Railroad, was present with a proposition. In June articles of incorporation for a new wharf company were filed. This was the "Santa Monica Wharf and Railway Terminal Company," the incoporators being J.A. Stanwood, E.E. Hall, Elwood Chaffy, Arthur Gayford and W.L. Corson; the capital stock fixed at $300,000, $80,000 of which had been subscribed. "The company have acquired an ocean frontage of about a mile and a half, and [p. 180] a large tract of land" (the present site of Ocean Park and Venice). In the meantime many rumors were afloat as to the intentions of the Southern Pacific Company, which had again sent representatives to Santa Monica and looked at the old stump which still represented past commercial importance. During 1890 the town was in a fever of expectation as to the possibilities of the Southern Pacific action and the probability of the Santa Monica Wharf and Railway Terminal Company actually doing something.
" . . .
. . . [p. 182] During this time he [Juan J./John Carrillo] was for seven years, from 1890 to 1897, president of the board [of trustees] and thus acting mayor of the city. During his entire service he gave much time and energy to city affairs and Santa Monica has never had a more disinterested and honest official.
" . . .
[p. 247] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park
. . . Up to 1890 this section had no school facilities and the children were obliged to attend the Sixth street school in Santa Monica-a long and difficult journey. After a good deal of discussion and several petitions for relief, the school trustees finally decided, February, 1890, to establish a school in South Santa Monica.
" . . .
. . . when the [1890] minutes state that a proposition was received from E. Emerson, to build a house at South Santa Monica suitable for school purposes and to rent the same to the district for six months at a rental of $50.00 per month. This proposition was accepted by the board and February 28th they elected Miss Ellen L. Huie as teacher, at a salary of $60.00 per month. What happened in the interim does not appear but on the records under date of March 4th, all the "above action" is rescinded, and Miss Huie was allowed $7.50 to reimburse her for her expenses in coming to Santa Monica. At a special meeting of the board held August 21st, 1890, Miss Huie was again employed to teach "the south side" school at a salary of $50.00 per month, the "school to be discontinued at the pleasure of the board."
[p. 248] A small school house was built on the school lots, probably during the summer of 1890.
" . . .
[p. 266] Chapter VII Public Institutions
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
1889-90: Geo. D. Pendleton, John C. Morgan, W.S. Vawter (clerk).
1890-91: John C. Morgan, Dr. H.G. Cates, N.A. Roth (clerk).
" . . .
[p. 270] Supervising Principals of Santa Monica Schools:
1886-90: E.P. Rowell.
1890-92: Leroy D. Brown.
" . . .
[p. 273] Public Library
In 1890 the ladies who were interested in the library proposed to turn it over to the city, provided the city would carry it on. The proposal of the ladies who had gathered together a well selected library of 800 volumes was as follows:
"It appearing to the members of this society that said society is unable to pay the current expenses of the library belonging to them, and believing it will be for its best interest to donate the said library to the town of Santa Monica, a municipal organization duly incorporated and existing under the laws of this state, to be carried on by the said town in accordance with the laws of this state regulating public libraries, it is therefore
"Resolved, that this society does hereby give, donate and bequeath to said town of Santa Monca all its said library, together with all appurtenances belonging thereto, for the purpose of maintaining a public library in connection with a free reading room.
"We, the undersigned members of the foregoing society, do hereby consent to the disposition opf the library.
"Signed by Laura E. Hubbell, president; J.A. Austin, secretary; Rebecca B. Guilberson, I.D. Richmond (per Mrs. Richmond, his wife), Trustees, Mamie E. Guilberson, Mrs. I.D. Richmond, Mrs. J.A, Dexter. November 14th, 1890."
The town trustees accepted the gift and appointed W.W. Webster, E.H. Sweetser. H.A. Fisher, Abbot Kinner and L.T. Fisher as library trustees. Two rooms were engaged in the bank building and December, 1890, Miss Ellie Mosse was appointed librarian.
The first monthly report of the library after it was turned over to the city, December, 1890, reads: "Report of Santa Monica Public Library, commencing December 5th. The book list names 808 books; the records show fifteen books taken that have been out for several months. The list of subscribers during month is twenty-eight-sixteen of them new on the list. Receipts for the month $7.25. Donations of a year's subscription of the following magazines by Mr. Abbot Kinney: Scribner's, Popular Science Monthly, The Forum, Harper's Monthly, Puck and Judge. Mr. H.A. Winslow donated American Encyclopedia, 10 volumes; Mr. T.A. Lewis, Memoirs of W.T. Sherman, 2 volumes, Elfie Mosse, librarian."
A subscription of twenty-five cents a month was still required . . .
" . . .
[p. 276] Miss Elfie Mosse, who has had it in charge [of the library] since 1890. For fourteen years she was entirely without assistance except during the summer months. Alone and unaided she has striven zealously to keep the Santa Monica library in the front rank and to keep pace with the growth of the city.
" . . .
[p. 278] Santa Monica Fire Department
. . . [p. 278] In 1890, George B. Dexter was made foreman, a position which he held continuously until 1903 when the department was organized under the the new city administration.
In 1890 a two-wheel car and a hook and ladder wagon were added to the equipment. The two carts with 2,000 feet of hose made it a very heavy task for the firemen to pull the apparatus to a fire, especially when they had to plough through a mile or two of sand or dust to reach South Santa Monica. Yet for [p. 279] ten years the firemen were obliged to meet these conditions, added to which was often, perhaps usually, an inadequate supply of water, or a pressure too weak to be effectual. This company was volunteer and received no compensation for their services, except such funds as were raised in various ways through the efforts of the firemen or by contribution.
" . . .
[p. 282] Post Office
. . . In February, 1890, W.S. Vawter received the [Post Master] appointment, and assumed the office April 1st, 1890. He removed it [the Post Office] to the new bank building [p. 283] on Third street and established it in handsomely fitted up quarters, with J.S. Summerfield as acting deputy.
" . . .
[p. 283, 1890, 1890s] Board of Trade-Chamber of Commerce
In 1890, M.R. Gaddy was again president. In February, 1890, the Board of Trade passed a resolution declaring that Santa Monica was the most advantageous location for a harbor and requesting Representative Vandever to use his influence towards securing an appropriation for that purpose. This Board of Trade continued to exist and to hold semi-occasional meetings until March, 1895 . . .
" . . .
[p. 286] [Santa Monica] City Officials.
1890.-J.L. Allen, John Steere, J.J. Carrillo, T.A, Lewis and E.J. Vawter were trustees, with J.J. Carrillo president of the board; Emmet Pollard, Clerk; Col. Chapin, treasurer; M.K. Barretto, marshal; attorney, J.C. Morgan.
" . . .
[p. 288] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies: Methodist Church
The [Santa Monica Methodist] church continued to gain slowly under pastors [in the 1880s] until 1890, when a serious disagreement occurred between the pastor, the official board and the membership, and as a result thiry-one of the fifty-three members withdrew and formed the Prohibition Congregational church. The blow was a severe one and the church did not recover its strength for two or three years.
" . . .
[The Prohibition Congregational Church [1890- ]
" . . .
[p. 291] Chapter VIII First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica
. . . [p. 291] The succeeding year [1890] a Kalendar Kirmess was given [by the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica], lasting three days, the booths representing the months and the whole conception most artistically designed and carried out.
" . . .
[p. 293] Chapter VIII Catholic Church
September 26th, 1890, the ground was broken for the building of the Academy of Holy Names on the corner of Third and Arizona streets.
" . . .
[p. 297] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies: Baptist Church
. . . [p. 297] Sunday, January 12th, 1890, a call having been made by G.B. Studd and J.O. Mathewson for a Sunday school in South Santa Monica, about forty-two persons gathered at the home of Mr. Mathewson, at the corner of Bay and South Sixth streets. A school was organized and Mr. Andrew Mills was chosen as superintendent, a position which he filled for six years [1890-1896]. For a time the school was held in the old school house and then in the house of Captain Clark, Fourth and Strand. This rough cottage was adapted for Sunday services as far as possible and neighboring pastors were frequently invited to preach here.
From February 1st, 1890, until November 3rd, 1892, Rev. A.P. Brown, [p. 298] pastor of the Baptist church at Palms, preached on alternative Sunday afternoons at Ocean Park. Three pupils were baptized from the Ocean Park school into the membership of the Palms church.
" . . .