[p. 98 "Old" Court House, 1908e]
The first court house of Los Angeles was the adobe house which had been used as a govenment building during the later days of the Mexican rule. In 1859 the offices were removed to the Temple building, which was known for many years as the "court house"; this was located on the block where the Bullock block now stands. During the sixties the county purchased the building and it was occupied until the erection of the present fine building in 1890, at a cost of $550,000.
The first school in Los Angeles, taught in English language, was under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Wicks and J.G. Nichols, in 1850. In 1854 there were four schools in the county, two of them being taught in English. In 1855 there were three school districts, Los Angeles, San Gabriel and El Monte, with 1191 school children. Antonio F. Coronel acted as first superintendent of schools, succeeded in 1855 by Dr. John S. Griffin. In 1856 there were seven schools, four of them being in the city. In 1866 the county had 12 school districts and in 1876 123 teachers with a total valuation of school property of $202,262. In 1906 the county had 1616 teachers and school property amounting to $4,715,015.
Many of the earlier settlers of the county were southern in sentiment and as the question of slavery began to threaten difficulties, there was much unrest and dissension. Another element of the population came from the mining districts of the north-mostly of those who had failed to find wealth. The spirit of lawlessness which prevailed in the state was not absent in this county. Crime [p. 99] was rampant and robbery and murders were every-day occurrences. The courts seemed unable to meet the stiuation and the best citizens were uneasy. The pro-slavery sentiment led to the attempt at state division in 1859; but on the breaking out of the war, the people generally rallied to the Union and there was no open disloyalty in this county. In 1861 a union club was organized and a regiment of volunteers was raised. Camps were maintained at Drum Barracks, Wilmington, and at Camp Latham on the Ballona grant, and troops were stationed in the city at times, and at Fort Tejon. The agitation against the Chinese was not as aggressive in this county as in the north, the celestials were too useful in the vineyards and orchards; yet there was much discussion and public meetings were held to uphold the anti-Chinese movement. The terrible Chinese massacre of October 24th, 1871, was not a direct result of feeling against the race; but originated in a quarrel between two Chinese factions over a woman. In an attempt to quell the disturbance an officer and two citizens were wounded by the Chinese. This aroused a mob, who rushed into the Chinese quarter and slaughtered right and left, without regard to right or mercy. Their houses were looted by the mob and nineteen deaths resulted from the affair.
[p. 99 Antonio F. Coronel, 1908e]
The population of the county more than doubled during the seventies, the census of 1880 showing 33,454 souls. The completion of transcontinental lines and the "boom" swelled the population to 101,381 in 1890, despite the 13,000 taken out by Orange county the previous year. Since that date Los Angeles county has rapidly advanced until now she stands second in the state, and is a power to be reckoned with in all political questions.
[p. 100, Hon. Pio Pico, 1908, 1908a, 1908b]