1902 Ingersoll 

ngersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals), 1908, 1908a, 1902

[p. 212] Chapter V. Expansion. 1900-1908.

     [p. 212] In 1902 the wholesale [liquor] license was raised to $1,200

[p. 220] 1902

     The history of 1902 was largely municipal. As has been seen, the difficult task of settling on a site for the city hall was carrried over into this year. But before it was decided the still more important matter of re-organization came up. The new election was called for January 28th. In the meantime, the Board of Trustees ordered a census of the town to be taken. The call for re-organization of the city was based upon the United States census of 1890, which gave Santa Monica a population of 3057. Cities must have a pupulation of 3,000 at least, in order to be raised to the rank of fifth class. Opponents of the change had insisted that the town did not now have the requisite three thousand and the census of the Board resulted in but 2,717 names. The promotors of the movement, however, asserted that this census did not count, as by law, the population [which] would be taken from the United States census. At the same time the Good Government League claimed that the census taken by the Board was defective and set men to work to re-take the census. After a long and very thorough canvas, in which, we are certain every nose was counted , the result was reported as 3,260.

     The election resulted in a decided victory for the Good Government League and the progressive citizens generally, the vote standing 231 for and 118 against, giving a majority of 118 as against the majority of seven the other way at the previous election. But votes do not settle the question voted upon in Santa Monica. At the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees when it was in order to officially canvas the vote, that long suffering body was served with a writ of injunction, sworn by H.X. Goetz, enjoining them from canvassing the votes and declaring that the election to have been illegal. When the Board had recovered from the shock of this attack, they engaged counsel to defend them in this case and in another action, brought by Attorny Fred H. Taft, demanding that the city fathers count those votes, or show cause why. The courts decided that the election was all right and on February 10th, the last act in this long drawn-out drama took place, and the returns of the election were duly declared although the new city government could not, by the terms of the law, go into effect until the year 1903.

     The voters of Santa Monica certainly had ample opportunity to exercise [p. 221] their free and sovereign right during the years of 1900-2. Besides the regular state election in November, 1901 and the municipal election the next spring, five special elections gave them a chance to express their opinions. In view of the important matters under the control of the Board this year, a good deal of interest was taken in the annual town election. Mr. W.S. Vawter was nominated as the representative of the Ocean Park district by an enthusiastic public meeting. There were numerous other candidates for the trusteeship and for all the other city offices. The question of a special tax for the repair of the outfall sewer and the wharf at Pier Avenue was also submitted and voted on favorably. Messrs. Vawter and J.C. Steele were elected trustees, J.C. Hemingway, clerk; E.W. Boehme, treasurer and M.K. Barretto, marshal. In the re-organization of the board, T.H. Dudley was elected president and F.H. Taft was chosen as attorney. One of the first acts of the new board was to raise the wholesale liquor license to $1,200 per year.

     During the summer of 1902 especial attention was called to the safety of Santa Monica Beach as compared with other beaches. It was shown that very few accidents, due to undertow, had ever occurred on this beach and that every precaution to prevent accidents was taken, a guard being maintained on the beach at all times, life boats being at hand in case of need. The Los Angeles Times stated: "It is safe to say that since this little city was laid out, nearly a million people have bathed in the surf there; and while there have been a number of fatalities due to suicide, heat failure, and apoplexy or cramp, there has not been one authenticated instance of any person being overcome by a treacherous current or tide, or any person having been lost who was bathing from any public bath house."

     Among the conventions entertained this year were the Women's Auxillary of the Episcopal church and also the Summer Institute of Sunday Schools of the Episcopal diocese; the annual convention of Christian churches of Southern California, lasted eleven days and brought a large number of visitors to attend its sessions. In October, the grand Lodge of the Good Templars, a state organization, held its annual session here.

     The "short line" of the Los Angeles-Pacific was opened in August, thus giving a new and considerably shorter route to Los Angeles. An important land deal of the year was the sale by the Pacific Land Company to the Erkenbrecher syndicate, of a tract, of 390 acres of land, lying just east of the then town limits and including 38 acres within the town limits. A portion of this was divided into town lots and the rest was made into five and ten acre tracts. Another very decided improvement was the paving of Oregon and Utah streets which had long been discussed but, as usual, with a variety of opinions. The Columbia building near the corner of Third and Oregon was built by Bishop Montgomery on ground adjoining the Catholic church. This was a three story brick with [p. 223] two large storerooms on the ground floor and a pleasant hall for public purposes upon the second floor.

[p. 222, J.G. Hemingway, 1908b]

     Another matter which the city fathers were called upon to meet this year was the question of allowing the Santa Fe road to abandon its line from Inglewood into Santa Monica. The road had petitioned the State Railroad commission to be allowed to do so, on the ground that it was operating the line at a loss. There was considerable opposition to permitting this action on the part of the donors of the right of way, and at the same time a petition from many other citizens of Santa Monica prayed that the abandonment be allowed. It was generally believed that this would result in a competing electric line coming into Santa Monica, and rumors that the Traction Company were looking this way were frequent during the summer. In August Abbot Kinney made application for a franchise for a steam or electric line through the town to be operated by the Redondo and Santa Monica Beach line, of which he was the chief incorporator. After some investigation this franchise was refused. In July it was announced that the right of way had been secured for a line direct from the city to the Ocean Park district, through La Ballona and Palms. The promotors were a company of whom Frederick H. Rindge was the chief.

     In September the Traction Company made an offer of $3,500 for a franchise in Santa Monica. The Board of Trustees, being hard up for cash as usual, were disposed to look favorably upon this proposition; but it was recalled that Mr. Hook had offered $5,000 for a similar privilege in Long Beach and it was also pointed out by interested citizens that, according to law, any franchise must be sold to the highest bidder. Lawyers differed as to this point and the discussion waxed warm. A franchise was drawn up, granting the company all that was asked, for a consideration of $2,500 and an electric current sufficient to supply 12 arc lights of 2000 candle power. While the discussion was going on, Captain John Cross, of the Terminal road appeared and offered $5,000 for a franchise; but the Board of Trustees passed the Hook franchise without considering this offer and despite strong opposition on the part of many citizens.

     A day or two later John C. Morgan, one of the trustees, and a man who was always ready to fight for his convictions, brought suit against the Board of Trustees to restrain them from making the proposed "Hook" franchise a law. Meanwhile the first payment was made on the franchise and the Traction road began making preparations for entering Santa Monica. The Los Angeles-Pacific also began to move, removing the poles which had long been a bone of contention, on Oregon street; double tracking and otherwise improving their service-in anticipation of competition. In February, 1903, Col. A.B. Hotchkiss took steps to test the validity of the Hook franchise, since it was granted without competitive bids. When it appeared that the Traction Company had secured their rights of way through Santa Monica and Ocean Park, the Los Angeles-Pacific railway, alarmed for its supremacy, also began suits to contest [p. 224] the right of way, and in retaliation, the Los Angeles, Ocean Park and Santa Monica Company, which had been incorporated to handle the Santa Monica end of the Traction Company, began suit to condemn certain tracts in Ocean Park, needed for the Traction right of way. The officers of this company were W.S. Hook, Abbot Kinney, T.J. Hook, C.A. Sumner and E.E. Milliken, and it was generally known as "Abbot Kinney's Company."

     The Hook franchise was sustained by the attorney-general and the contest between the two trolley line companies became a bitter one. The annual election of city officials was approaching and the attitude of the trustees toward the railroad question became the vital question. The Herald announces: "The railroad election battle is on and that it promises to be hotly contested is evidenced by the fact that each of the rival companies has established boarding camps within the city limits and is registering every available man in their employ. Three registrars have been working for the last thirty days and on March 4th the city registration shows an advance of 343 votes over the registration of last November. Since March 4th fifty additional names have been added and before the registration closes it is conservatively estimated that over 400 increase will be shown."

     The campaign that followed was one of the most strenuous ever known in Santa Monica. George D. Snyder, H.X. Goetz, A.F. Johnstone and J.C. Morgan were candidates for the trusteeship and were pledged "not to put any impediments in the way of the Traction Company's building and operating a line in Santa Monica, according to the terms of the franchise recently granted them." W.S. Vawter, T.H. Dudley and J.C. Steele were candidates for re-election. The saloon question was again involved and much type was used by the press and much talk was poured out on the streets and in public meetings over the situation. Messrs. Dudley, Vawter, Goetz, Johnstone and Steele were elected, and as at least three of them were pledged to the anit-saloon party, there was rejoicing in the temperance ranks. It soon developed that the railroad stiuation had already been taken out of the hands of the city officials by the sale of the Traction road and its interests to Clark and Harriman, who having no use for a competing line, were not expected to push the road to Santa Monica. Abbot Kinney, however, still retained the franchise granted to Ocean Park, Santa Monica and Los Angeles road and made an attempt, which was promptly put a stop to by the city trustees, to occupy them. But in 1904 he sold his railroad interests to the Los Angeles Pacific road, thus putting an end to the hope, still maintained by Santa Monica, of a competing line.

     ". . .

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

1902 $1,220,431.00

     " . . .

[p. 253] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park

     . . . The city and citizens later built walks [along the beach] and thus about 1902 easy communication was at last established betwen the "north side" and the "south side."

     ". . .

     . . . [p. 254] In 1902, Mr. William Martin, owner of the Martin block, on the corner of Ash and Second streets, gave the use of a part of a lot for a fire house and the board of city trustees provided the lumber for a small building, and bought a fire bell.

[ p. 257] 1902.

     But, as rapid as was the pace set in 1901, the advance made in 1902 excelled it. A change took place at the beginning of the year, which meant much in the history of this section. This was the sale announced February 12th, of Mr. Dudley's interests in the Kinney and Dudley property to Messrs. A.R. Fraser, H.R. Gage and G.M. Jones; Abbot Kinney retaining his half interest. This sale included the beach from Azure street, now Fraser avenue, to a point 700 feet below the Country Club house, now Horizon avenue, and the club house and grounds.

     If such a thing were possible, new energy was given to the developments along the ocean front by the new management. It was announced that the wharf would be rebuilt, a bath house and pavilion built at Pier avenue, and the old plank walk on the ocean front rebuilt. The entire tract was to be sewered and the alley between the front and the tracks, now Speedway, would be improved. But the most important move was the change of policy with regard to leasing lots. It was announced that no more lots would be leased and that leasers would be given until May 1st to purchase their lots or vacate. Hereafter lots would only be sold with building restrictions which would put an end to the building of cheap "beach cottages." Many of the lease holders purchased their lots and removed the old buildings to put up modern cottages which would yield an income on the increased valuation of the property. Many of those who did this realized handsomely on the investment. To many, however, the prices charged for lots and the building restrictions seemed prohibitive and the cottages were removed to cheaper property. During 1902-03, it was a common sight to find a cottage on wheels moving back from the ocean front to the hills, under the escort of William Menzies.

     In March, 1902, the Ocean Park bank was organized with T.H. Dudley, Abbot Kinney, Martin Dudley and Plez James as stockholders. It opened for business April 8th in a building on Second street; but work was soon begun on a brick and steel building on Pier avenue and before the end of the year the new bank was occupying handsomely fitted quarters and had added a savings department.

     The previous year the old school house had proved inadequate and the Baptist church was rented for the higher grades. The rapidly increasing school population made a new building for the Ocean Park school imperative, and after an enthusiastic public meeting on the South Side, followed by another public [p. 258] discussion of the question on the North Side, the school trustees called for a bond election to vote $12,000 for a suitable school house for Ocean Park. The bonds were carried, practically without opposition; the two old buildings were disposed of and the handsome eight-room structure, now known as the Washington school house, was built on the old location, the corner of Ash and Fourth streets. Two additional lots were purchased for the grounds and the entire building and grounds cost over $16,000.

     The election of W.S. Vawter as city trustee to represent the South Side, and the fact that T.H. Dudley was president of the board of city trustees, assured this section of full representation in civic affairs and still further obliterated the old feeling of estrangement between the two sections of the city. The building boom continued. June 12th, the Los Angeles Saturday Post writes thus of the beach:

     "There are seven hundred cottages at Ocean Park. They are all tasteful and many of them are pretentious. Ocean Park is not a place with a stiff, ceremonious air. There is a hospitable individuality, a generous atmosphere, in their architecture that shows as much as anything else that the good people of Ocean Park are not divided into social cliques or factions."

     During this year Pier avenue became the leading business street. Among the business blocks of the year were the Rice and Kellogg block, of three stores, with housekeeping rooms above; a two-story building put up by Gillett & Co.; the new bank building, occupying four lots and costing $10,000; a two-story block erected by Abbot Kinney. The rapid rise in values is well represented by Pier avenue property. In 1900, lots on this street sold for a few dollars; in 1901, $500 would have been considered a high price for a lot; in 1902, twenty-five-foot lots sold for $40 per front foot; in 1903, a lot which had been purchased for $30 per front foot, was sold for $85 per foot. In 1904, C.J. Wilson sold a block on Pier avenue with a two-story frame building and a lot of 54 feet frontage for $21,000, and it is stated that the property was then yielding 10 per cent, on the investment.

     The company spent several thousand dollars this year in improving the sewer service. Twelve miles of new sidewalks were laid by the city and private parties and many streets were graded. It is estimated that street improvements reached about $20,000. On Saturday, November 15th, 1902, appeared the first issue of the Ocean Park Review, with A. Bert Bynon as editor.

     On August 2nd, the new line of the trolley road by way of Palms, was opened, the event being celebrated by an excursion of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles, and distinguished citizens, who were entertained with a fish dinner at the country club. The Ocean Park Country Club sent out elaborate[p. 259] invitations, announcing a polo match, tea, dinner, and reception, with speeches and dancing, in honor of the occasion. The invitation read:

     "The Los Angeles-Pacific Railway company will open its Short Line cut-off from Los Angeles to Ocean Park, tomorrow, Saturday, August 2nd, 1902. And in honor of this event the Los Angeles Country Club has arranged for a demonstration that will mark the epoch as the most important in the history of Ocean Park up to this date.

     "The opening of this line of railway communication is recognized as of such importance to the future welfare and prosperity of Ocean Park that the head moulders of the present and future greatness of that noted beach resort appreciate the necessity of this great proposed demonstration.

     "And these head moulders of the present and future greatness are Messrs. Fraser, Jones, Kinney and Gage, the proprietors of the Country Club, and it is these gentlemen who extend a cordial invitation to participate in the exercises and the recepton of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles and the other guests."

[p. 267] Chapter VII Public Institutions

Schools

     [p. 267] In 1902 $12,000 bonds were voted for a new building on the south side and the next year [1903] an eight-room building, costing when complete about $16,000 was ready for occupancy.

     " . . .

[p. 269] School Trustees of Santa Monica

1901-02: S.F. Carpenter, F.K. Rindge, D.G. Holt (Clerk).

1902-03: S.F. Carpenter, F.K. Rindge, D.G. Holt (Clerk).

     " . . .

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

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

1902-07: D.A. Eckert (superintendent).

     ". . .

[p. 276] Public Library

     [p. 276] In August 1902, Miss Grace Baxter was made asssistant librarian and a student's class was inaugurated.

     " . . .

[p. 283] PostOffice

     . . . [George B. Dexter, appointed 1886] to be succeeded in April, 1902, by the present incumbent, K.B. Summerfield. . .

     " . . .

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

     1902.-Board of trustees, T.H. Dudley, W.S. Vawter, J.C. Steele, C.H. Sammis, J.C. Morgan, T.H. Dudley serving as president; clerk, J.C. Hemingway; treasurer, E.W. Boehme; marshal, M.K. Barretto; attorney, Fred H, Taft.

     " . . .

[p. 298] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies: Baptist Church

     In January, 1902, Prof. C.S. Taylor, vice-principal of the Santa Monica High School, and Mr. F.C. Marvin came to Santa Monica to reside. They interested themselves in looking up the Baptists of the community and in December, 1902, Rev. George Taylor, of Sawtelle, preached in the Baptist chapel, and again organized a Santa Monica Baptist church, fourteen members. This church was brought into connection with the Southern California Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission society. It was served by various preachers . . .

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 Kelyn Roberts 2017