1900 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, 1900

[p. 211] Chapter V. Expansion. 1900-1908.

     The year 1900 was an epoch-making one for Santa Monica since it brought with it many events which were far-reaching in their influence and which were important factors in the era of unprecedented prosperity and growth which has marked the first years of the new century.

     A radical change in the history of the town now brought about by the passage of the ordinance which made it a "no-saloon" town. Santa Monica had always been a "wide-open" town and while its citizens were just as respectable and law-abiding as those of any other beach town, the place had undoubtedly always been the favorite resort of the sporting element of Los Angeles. The proximity of the Soldiers' Home had also made it the scene of the "old boy's" license, when pension money was plenty. Every effort was made to suppress the disorderly element and as good order was maintained here, as a rule, as elsewhere, yet the town had long borne the reputation of being a "tough" place.

     With the opening of 1900 a determined effort was made to secure a better order of things. One of the leaders in this attempt, was the late F[r]ederick H. Rindge, a man of great wealth, sincere religous zeal and large philanthropy. He devoted his time, energy and money to this fight for the good standing of Santa Monica, which was then his home city. The campaign opened with an all day Sunday service devoted to temperance and local option. As a result of the meeting of this day a committee of citizens, consisting of J.F. Kiggens, E.J. Vawter, J.H. Clark, D.J. Twichell, J.S. Knesel, M.H. Kimball, W.I. Hull, Dr. N.H. Hamilton, C.I.D. Moore, J.O. Jennings, Dr. C.T. Wilson, T.H. James, H.P. Wilber, D.G. Holt. Dr. Glen McWilliams and J.F. Dunham, with F.H. Rindge, as chairman, was appointed to confer with the Board of Trustees and secure the passage of an ordinance submitting the question of saloons or no saloons to the people at the coming election. As a consequence of the action of these gentlemen, the requisite ordinance was passed.

     A vigorous, well organized, educational anti-saloon crusade followed. A series of public meetings was held on both the North and South sides at which such speakers as Bishop Montgomery, Dr. Chapman, Dr. Hugh Walker, J.F. Slauson, F.H. Rindge, the pastors of the city churches, particularly Dr. Glen McWilliams of the Christian church and Dr. Wilson of the Methodist church; and such business men as Roy Jones, W.S. and E.J. Vawter, D.G. [p. 212] Holt, and others took part. The churches of all sects; the anti-saloon forces of the county; the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the Good Templars, and a large number of the property owners and business men of the town, worked together heartily to secure the passage of the "no-saloon" ordinance. The Santa Monica Outlook took a vigorous share in the effort and many who looked at the proposition simply from a business standpoint ranged themselves on the anti-saloon side.

     Naturally the saloon element, and a good many citizens who honestly believed that the closing of the saloons would result in a financial loss to the town, put up a strong fight. Money was spent freely on both sides and the feeling was very strong; F.H. Rindge, in a public meeting promised to indemnify the town for the loss sustained by refusing licenses to saloons, and after the election, April 9th, which resulted in a vote of 305 to 218, a majority of 87 votes for "no license," he presented his check for $2,500 to the Board of Trustees. The trustees chosen at the election, J.C. Morgan, C.H. Sammis and T.H. Dudley had pledged themselves prior to election to carry out the expressed wishes of the citizens. It had been agreed that three restaurant licenses, permitting the sale of liquors with bona fide meals, costing 25 cents, exclusive of liquors; and one wholesale liquor license, under certain restrictions, should be granted. The ordinance passed by the new board was not exactly what the anti-saloon people had expected, as it permitted the sale of liquors at all hours and allowed this wholesale house to sell its original packages at its place of business, instead of simply delivering orders.

     It was to be expected that there would be violations of the regulations under this ordinance, which was certainly a great step in advance, although not all that had been hoped for by the movers in the "no license" fight. On August 6th, E. Gamberi of the Pacific Gardens was arrested for selling liquors without meals and was convicted and fined $175.00, while his license was revoked. Rudolph Hopf was also arrested for violation of the ordinance, but prior to his trial he became insolvent and was acquitted. This marked the downfall of the old firm of Eckert and Hopf, which had been in business in Santa Monica since the seventies.

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     [p. 215] Among the improvements of the year was the putting on of the mail car on the electric line which made three trips a day, taking in Colegrove, Sherman, Sawtelle and Soldiers' Home, Santa Monica and Ocean Park and which also carried express matter. The Hollywood line was opened for service in February thus giving Santa Monica three routes to Los Angeles and still further increasing her transportation facilities. The Southern Pacific and Santa Fe roads, in a desperate attempt to recover their traffic, issued a ten trip ticket for $1.50, good for one month. But the electric line met this with a ten ride ticket, good until used, and transferable, for $2.00. The railroads gained little but the people who traveled between the city and the beach were decided gainers. The United Electric, Gas and Power Company was incorporated this year and took over the Santa Monica Electric Light and Power plant, the directors being the same, F.H. Rindge, Alfred Steadman, H.V. Carter, G.I. Cochran and J.J. Davis. This company also secured control of the light and gas company of Redondo, Long Beach, San Pedro, and other towns.

     "Sunset" beach, lying norh of the North Beach Bath House, was improved [p. 216] with walk, gas, electric light and sewer service and divided into lots to be leased to tenants for five and ten years. The owners were R.C. Gillis and E.P. Clark and after these improvements were carried out a number of commodious and attractive cottages were built on the tract.

     [p. 216] The death of "Bob" Eckert, April 27, 1900, removed one of the best known characters of Santa Monica, or indeed, of Southern California. Mr. Eckert was born in the Fatherland. He came to Los Angeles in 1872 and soon acquired a reputation there as a caterer, a politician and a teacher of gymnastics in the Turn Verein. His connection with the Turners made him known among the Germans of Southern California, and his genial, kindly nature won him many lasting friendships, not only among his own people, but with all with whom he came in contact. He opened a restaurant in Santa Monica in the later seventies and his fish dinners soon gained renown. For many years a feed at Eckert and Hopf's Pavilion was the best treat one good fellow could offer another. He catered to many distinguished guests and for many notable banquets, and was acknowledged as a past master in the art of serving a dinner. With his death and the canceling of saloon licenses, the Eckert and Hopf Pavilion which had been known from Alaska to Mexico, was closed.

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p. 243] Annual Assessment of City of Santa Monica, 1887-1907, 1908a

1900 1,910,158.00

[p. 254] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park

1900.

     Early in the season improvements began to multiply in "Oceanpark" as the growing settlement was now officially known, although it was in reality a part of the city of Santa Monica and more properly "South Santa Monica." The Santa Fe company astonished its tenants, who had erected cottages on leased lots, by ordering them to vacate at once; the unfortunate cottage owners had to hustle to find new locations for their buildings. The company leveled the ground and made some improvements; but in August it was announced that the entire South Santa Monica holdings of the Santa Fe company had been purchased by Messrs. Hart and Fraser, of Los Angeles. The new proprietors named the tract "Central Beach" and immediately began grading and putting streets through it. The first street opened through and paved between the beach and the railroad tracks was India, now Hill St. In a short time lots on the ocean front were selling for $1,000, and lots on the side streets at from $300 up. Building restrictions were put on the property, which included 185 lots 25 by 100 feet in size, extending from Hart avenue on the north to Grand on the south and between the beach and the railway tracks.

     In February, the Oceanpark Fire Company was organized with A.N. Archer, president; J.H. Hassinger, secretary and treasurer; William Menzies, foreman; C.J. Marvin and J. Rudisill, assistants. A "bucket brigade" wass organized, later a hose cart and hose was procured.

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     [p. 254] Oceanpark now had her own water systems, fire company, school, churches and business houses. Many of its residents were newcomers who knew little about the past history of the place or about the "north side." It was quite [p. 255] natural that they should think that they might better manage their own affairs and pay their taxes for the improvements in their own section. As a consequence, it was not surprising that a movement for the division of the territory south of Front street from "old" Santa Monica should arise. Petitions for the division were duly drawn up and presented and then the people on both sides began to discuss the question in all of its bearings. When the election came on November 12th, 1900, to the surprise of the principal movers in the action who, by the way, were all old settlers and were actuated perhaps more by personal feeling in the matter than by any serious consideration for the good of the community at large, the proposition was snowed under. The vote stood 341 against division and only 59 for it. Even the warmest advocates of division were compelled to admit that they had been mistaken in the sentiment of the people of South Santa Monica; and the possibility of creating two towns out of Santa Monica was forever settled by this decision.

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[page 269] Chapter VII. Public Institutions: Schools; Fire Departments

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[p. 269] School Trustees of Santa Monica

1899-00; R.P. Elliot, S.F. Carpenter, D.G. Holt (Clerk).

1900-01: S.F. Carpenter, F.K, Rindge, D.G. Holt (Clerk).

     " . . .

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

1893-00: N.F. Smith.

1900-02: C.I.D. Moore.

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[p. 279] Santa Monica Fire Department

[p. 278 Fire House, Dept. No. 11908b]

     In 1900 the board of trustees after careful consideration purchased a new combination hose wagon and chemical engine and also a team of horses. Mr. A.J. Myers was installed as driver. The engine house was rebuilt, a new fire bell had been put in place and an electrical fire alarm system had been installed in 1896. Mr. W.I. Hull served as president of the company for fifteen years 1892 to 1907. The board of fire commissioners is made up of Mayor Dudley, president; A.N. Archer and H.G. Dunston.

     " . . .

     A volunteer fire department was organized in Ocean Park February 3rd, 1900, with an enrollment of eighteen members, its officers being A.N. Archer, president; Wm. H. Menzies, foreman; C.J. Marvin, assistant foreman; J.H. Hassinger, secretary and treasurer; E, Rudisill, second assistant foreman. The city trustees turned over to this company the old four-wheeled cart and 600 feet of hose, and furnished lumber to put up a small building which was erected on private property by voluntary labor and subscription. This company was increased to thirty members and did efficient service many times, although much hampered by lack of water pressure. The present fire house is fully equipped.

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[p. 283] PostOffice

      . . . February 19th, 1900, the electric postal service was inaugurated, which gave much better service than had before been enjoyed.

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[p. 287] [Santa Monica] City Officials.

     1900.-Board of trustees, Robert F. Jones, C.H. Sammis, J.C. Morgan, T.H. Dudley, N.R. Folsom; clerk, John B. Proctor; treasurer, E.W. Boehme; marshal, M.K. Barretto; library trustees, J.C. Hemingway, P.S. Lindsey, C.I.D. Moore, Fred H. Taft, T.H. Wells.

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 Kelyn Roberts 2017