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, 1888, 1877
Chapter II Laying the Foundations. 1870-1880.
" . . . [p. 152] This unfortunate affair [the murder of the carpenter, Fonck, in 1877] gave rise to much feeling, as it had been believed by many that purchasers of [Santa Monica] lots were entitled to put up a bath house for private use on the beach. The question of beach ownership continued troublesome and there were constant difficulties over it until the courts decided in 1888, that the boundary of the San Vicente ranch extended to the water and therefore Jones and Baker had the ownership to that point.
" . . .
[p. 159] In 1888, he [Sen. J.P. Jones] built his beautiful home, Miramar, here and since that time has been the residence of his family. Here the senator has himself come for rest and pleasure, when he could escape from his many public duties.
Senator Jones has been twice married, his first wife being the daughter of Judge Conger, the second a daughter of Eugene A. Sullivan and a most accomplished and benevolent woman. The family consists of one son, Roy, and three daughters.
" . . .
" . . . [p. 163] [W.S. Vawter] was interested in the First National Bank formed in 1888 . . .
" . . .
" . . . [p. 163] he [E.J. Vawter] was cashier of the First National Bank of Santa Monica until it was sold to Senator Jones in 1893.
[p. 173] Chapter III. From Town to City. 1880-1890. 1888
The year of 1888 was one of prosperity and advancement. While real estate movements were not so rapid nor so sensational as in the previous year and some of the wild schemes fell through, much solid and permanent development went on.
One of the most important indications of the change from village to city was the formation of a bank, the directors being mostly local capitalists. The First National Bank of Santa Monica was organized in January, with G.H. Bonebrake of Los Angeles, president; John Steere, vice-president; E.J. Vawter, cashier; G.S. Van Every, John Steere, Nathan Bundy, H.C. Baggs, G.H. Bonebrake, W.S. and E.J. Vawter, directors. It opened for business in March in the Central building on Third street and at once began to plan for a handsome building of its own. In April the contract was let for the erection of Senator Jones' new home on a block that had been reserved in the original town plat as a hotel site. This house was to cost between $30,000 and $40,000, and the fact that the senator had selected Santa Monica as a permanent home went [p. 174] far toward insuring the future of the place, as the Jones interests were still the dominant factor in the town. The Santa Monica Improvement Company was organized that year with Abbot Kinney, P. Robertson and Thomas Rhodes as the controlling committee. This association at once began work in improving the grounds of the lawn tennis courts and in erecting the "Casino" on Third street. This was a substantial and beautiful club house, costing some $6000 and for many years was the center of much social gayety and the scene of many festivities.
In April, after a rather lively contest, three new trustees were elected, Thomas A. Lewis, Thomas Rhodes, and J.J. Carrillo, the latter of whom served as trustee continuously until 1900-twelve years. The new board organized with W.S. Vawter, president, and at once again a vigorous campaign for the improvement of the streets. Before the end of the year active work had been begun and contracts let for the grading, curbing and graveling of streets to the amount of $23,000 while over $30,000 had been expended, or called for, in the putting down of cement sidewalks. The present day population owes much to the board of trustees of 1888-89 who, in the face of much opposition from people who thought the town wold be bankrupted forever by such extravagance, and in the face of many difficulties, persisted in making the streets of Santa Monica the best thoroughfares in the country.
Railroad schemes were always on the tapis [sic] and hopes for rapid transit were afforded abundant material for building upon. The Outlook of July 18th talks cheerfully of the situation: "Santa Monica has excellent railroad accomodations. The S.P. trains now make four round trips on week days and six on Sundays. The round trip fare is 75 cents except on Sundays when it is 50 cents. . . . The Los Angeles County Railroad will in a short time have another route completed to Santa Monica. The entire distance is now graded and the material and rolling stock is now on hand. This road starts from the terminus of the Temple street cable road in Los Angeles and skirts along the foothills, running over a most charming route and passing close to the Soldiers' Home. And yet this is not the end. The Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe, which is now within five or six miles of this place, promises to extend its line to Santa Monica in the near future. The company already has a right of way along Lucas avenue in South Santa Monica and have graded a short section to hold their franchise. Nor does this close the programme. A rapid transit road is in prospect which will start from some eligible point in Los Angeles and, paralleling the Southern Pacific as far as The Palms, will then cross to the south side, making a beeline for South Santa Monica."
" . . .
[p. 177] February 1st, 1888, Geo. S. Van Every and T.A. Lewis, two well known residents of Santa Monica, made an application for a franchise to build a wharf at the foot of Bicknell avenue. At the next meeting of the city trustees a petition was presented by the Santa Monica Wharf Company, signed by forty-five citizens, asking that an election be called for the purpose of submitting the questions of voting $10,000 bonds to be given to the company on the completion of the wharf according to the franchise asked by Messrs. Van Every and Lewis. The discussion and public meetings that followed this action were lively and some warm language must have been used, for a few weeks later the following note was published: "To the Honorable Board of Trustees of the town of Santa Monica. Gents: Whereas we hear it talked by divers persons that the proposition to vote $10,000 subsidy to the 'Santa Monica Wharf and Shipping Company' was simply a scheme to extort and obtain money from the said town for personal purposes; and, whereas, from the said talk, we are advised and believe that the decision will be against us, therefore, we beg to withdraw our proposition to construct a wharf and here announce that we will have nothing to do with the matter; but would recommend that the town vote bonds necessary to build and maintain a wharf of its own. George S. Van Every, T.A. Lewis."
After more discussion and public meetings, it was generally agreed that it would be feasible for the town to vote bonds for a wharf; but this scheme was decided by the city attorney to be illegal and, nothwithstanding their little "defi" [sic] Messrs. Van Every and Lewis again came to the front with an application for a franchise, which was granted, to build a wharf at the foot of Front [p. 179] street. Mr. Van Every started north to investigate the cost of piles and the Outlook ventured a cautious blast of triumph-with strings on it. Past experience was beginning to tell. After which there is an ominous quiet on the subject of a wharf until the organization of the Board of Trade in December, 1888, which began an immediate agitation of the subject. The "Wharf Committee" reported in favor of organizing a stock compnay, which proposition was at once acted upon. Papers for subscription were circulated, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade were entertained by the Santa Monica Board of Trade and, incidently, urged to subscribe. More public meetings, more discussion, pro and con.
" . . .
[p. 181] Pedro C. Carrillo [ - 1888], father of Juan J., was born in Santa Barbara and was educated in Honolulu and Boston. On his return to California he took an active part in affairs, filling various offices in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles and being the grantee of Alamos y Agua Caliente, Camulos ranchos and San Diego island. During the American conquest, he favored the Americans and was active in their behalf. In 1847 he was the guide who led a messenger from Stockton to Fremont through the enemy's country. He was made receiver of the port of San Diego, after the American occupation and later served as receiver of the port at Santa Barbara and at San Pedro. He spent the last years of his life in Santa Monica and died here May 28th, 1888. His wife was Josefa Bandini, a sister of Mrs. Arcadia de Baker and the oldest one of the famous Bandini sisters. It was she who made the American flag which was used by Commodore Stockton at San Diego-the first American flag raised in Southern California.
" . . .
[p. 182] . . . In 1888 he [Juan J./John Carrillo] was elected as city trustee and for twelve years thereafter he was re-elected regularly, thus serving the city longer than any other trustee ever chosen.
" . . .
. . . [p. 182] When the first board of trade was organized in 1888, Mr. Carrillo was chosen as secretary, an office which he filled for seven years. He was one of the active movers in the efforts to secure a wharf and a sewer system, and has always been a strong advocate of good roads and parks.
" . . .
[p. 247] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park
. . . February 25th, 1888, the board of school trustees voted to purchase two lots, 12 and 13 of the Santa Fe tract, at $1,000.00 each. Nothing further in reference to providing a school for the south side appears until February 10th, 1890.
. . . [p. 248] In 1888, Messrs. Lewis and Van Every proposed to build a wharf from the foot of Bicknell avenue.
" . . .
[p. 266] Chapter VII Public Institutions
Schools
[p. 266] In 1888 the rapid increase in population made even the new accomodations inadequate and a tax of $2,500 was voted to still further enlarge the school building, after which six teachers were required.
. . . [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
1887-88: W.O. Baxter, Geo. D. Pendleton, E.J. Vawter (clerk).
1888-89: W.O. Baxter, Geo. D. Pendleton, W.S. Vawter (clerk).
" . . .
. . . [p. 271] The work [subscriptions, entertainments, fundraising] was carrried on for some time [after 1884] by the women interested [in providing a public library]; but after the organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the reading room was turned over to their charge.
[p. 271] Public Library
It was then removed to the building still occupied by the organization, being located in the down-stairs room. Of their work, the Outlook notes:
[p. 272] "A few unselfish ladies of the W.C.T.U. have been engaged for some time in establishing a library and free reading room in Santa Monica. They have labored faithfully and already there is gratifying evidence that their work has not been in vain. Their free reading room is handsomely fitted up and is one of the specially inviting places in Santa Monica. For a time they rented a room but they finally concluded to purchase a lot and building and take the chances of paying for it. In accordance with this plan they bought a 25-foot lot and a two-story building on Third street for $2,500. Mr. John Steere, of whom they made the purchase, has given the ladies their own time to pay for the property, only exacting the interest. By renting a portion of the building, they have reduced the rent to a small amount per month. On their shelves there are about 400 volumes of well selected books and the tables of the pleasant reading room are supplied with many popular magazines and papers. The only charge is two bits a month for books taken from the room, while all are allowed free use of everything within the library. The officers are Mrs. Jane Austin, president; Mrs. D.B. Hubbell, vice-president, and Miss E.A. Dow, secretary. A number of other ladies are taking an active interest in the institution which deserves a most liberal support from our own residents, and it is to be hoped that some benevolent visitor will come along some day and determine to help this worthy undertaking.-Outlook, July 18, '88.
The ladies of Santa Monica did, indeed, labor hard to aid this work. They gave dinners and suppers, socials and fairs, and worked harder to earn money for this purpose than they would have dreamed of working to earn money for themselves. One instance is told of an auction sale on the South Side, where the W.C.T.U. ladies furnished the dinner. One of the owners of the tract, Mr. Tom Lewis, offered to give a commission of $100 to the ladies if they would sell the house and lot on the tract offered. After dinner, one of the ladies, Mrs. D.B. Hubbell, heard of the offer, rounded up a purchaser for the property and made a sale. In course of time the $100 was paid over to her and she asserts that the day on which she spent a hundred dollars all at once for books for the Santa Monica library, was a red letter day in her life.
In 1888, the ladies of Santa Monica, under the direction of Mrs. Chapin, Mrs. W.S. Vawter, and others, and with the aid of Mr. Tyler, prepared a floral exhibit for the second Floral Festival held in the old Hazard Pavilion, in Los Angeles. A full-rigged ship was seen floating on the ocean, the wharf and the bluff were represented-all in the most exquisite of flowers. The Santa Monica booth was unanimously declared the most beautiful among many elaborate exhibits and received the first prize, $200. This after deducting expenses the ladies turned over to the reading room fund.
" . . .
[p. 281] Newspapers
. . . [p. 281] His [l.T. Fisher] paper was always strictly non-partisan, except for one number in September, 1888, when it was proposed to start a new newspaper in Santa Monica, the Review, to be Republican in policy. Then the Outlook announces that it will support the Democratic [p. 282] ticket-Cleveland and Thurman. But the new paper tried to materialize and the Outlook continued to follow its old policy which is outlined as: "The Outlook is doing its best-and is doing it in its own way. Our chief desire is to advance Santa Monica in the line which will exemplify the good old democratic doctrine, "The greatest good to the greatest number.'"
" . . .
[p. 283] PostOffice
[p. 283] In July 1888, the [ Santa Monica post] office was raised to the third class.
" . . .
[p. 283, 1888] Board of Trade
December 6th, 1888, the citizens of Santa Monica, after some preliminary discussion, organized a Board of Trade, selecting Mr. M.R. Gaddy as president and J.J. Carrillo as secretary. After a general discussion as to the needs of the community and what could be done to aid in building up the place, a committee of six was appointed to take up the matter of securing a wharf-that being regarded as the most important improvement that could be made at this time.
" . . .
[p. 286] [Santa Monica] City Officials.
1888. Board of Trustees, T.A. Lewis, J.J. Carrillo, Thomas Rhodes were elected, Dr. E.C. Folsom and W.S. Vawter held over, Dr. Folsom was president of the board. Rhodes soon resigned and E.J. Vawter took his place. Fred McKinnie, clerk; Col. E.K. Chapin, treasurer; attorney, J.C. Morgan.
" . . .
[p. 292] Chapter VIII Churches and Societies:Catholic Church
In May, 1886, came Father Patrick Hawe as pastor of the church, and since that date Father Hawe has been the mainspring of the parish and the church work in this vicinity. Under his supervision was built the parochial house adjoining the church and the addition to the original church building which was dedicated August 19th, 1888, by Bishop Mora.
" . . .
[p. 329] Chapter XI Venice of America and Its Founder
In 1888, Mr. Kinney was one of the organizers of the Santa Monica Improvement Company which built the Casino on North Third street and laid out the grounds and tennis courts above it. This was the forerunner of "Country Clubs" and was for years the center of tennis interests in Southern California. About this time he was appointed road commissioner in the district of Santa Monica and devoted much time and energy to the opening up and improvement of the roads of the vicinity. The boulevard to the Soldiers' Home was laid out under his supervision and during his administration he set out some nine miles of trees along the public roads and started them growing-a Herculean task in this country of sheep, squirrels, and other hungry varmints-to say nothing of the lack of water.
Mr. Kinney was a member of the first library board of Santa Monica and was also instrumental in establishing the public library at Pasadena and in providing a free library at the Soldiers' Home.