r 0' * ' -■■■■ ^ ' o 0> - * Y I J 3 ' ^ ^ v - . ^ . '^>.< 0°'-. .% ' V <&> - % ^v. \%^ i(J ,2 ^ : ^ 0^ - :/= "^0* FOR SALE ONLY By WHEEDON & LITTLE CO. 204 SOUTH SPRING ST LOS ANGELES THEN AND NOW BY *} & ATCHISON & ESHELMAN (HISTORIANS, ETC.) ILLUSTRATED L"S ANGELES: PRESS GEO. RICK & SONS (INC.) 1897 Y5 r V 2» 3 2 " PROLEGOMENA^ HLMIGHTY truth, coupled with ad- miration for the onward strides of the metropolis, which sits at the foot of the majestic Sierra Madre montana. ex- hilarating with her genial climaiic munificence all who come within its range, is the plea for this souvenir. The aim has not been so much to illustrate as to point out the widely-extended possibilities of Los Angeles from a commercial and manufactur- ing aspect, recognizing the great truth that legiti- mate industries ever lie at the base of trade su- premacy. An intelligent and conservative consideration of the best means of expanding traffic tends to induce careful, practical men to thoroughly inves- tigate the opportunities for profitable investments of capital. To this purpose " Los Angeles Then and Now" is partial, fully realizing that the only correct and successful basis of permanent and gratifying growth is strict adherence to sound business principles. LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW THElNb* THE BEGINNING c HE seed precedes the plant, the shrub the tree no less certainly than the ** ^^ discovery and the peopling lead the expansion and high estate of country and city. Equally true it is that in California, with her 1 51,- 801 square miles, pastoralism and cross-bearing joined hands in removing obstructions for the advancing culture and civilization. Generations have rapidly passed from feudal- ism and knight-errantry into the realm of moral, mental and material felicity, studying ways and means to remove obstructional ignorance and discovering eternal principles and applying them to the up-lifting of mankind. In this evolution- ary process the cross has not necessarily suffered. Its interests have been especially promoted by enlarged liberties and judicious protection. THE FIRST COMERS. The annals of events which transpired under Spanish authority in the settlement of California are not interwoven with the very warp of details. It is a question of any recordal warp. LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW IO I.OS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW In 1602 the Spanish admiral, Vizcaino, sailed into San Diego Bay and noted its boundaries. One hundred and sixty-five years later another citizen of Spain, Father Junipero Serra, fitted out an expedition in Lower California, divided it into four parts, two going by land and two by sea, for Upper or Alta California. Junipero Serra accompanied one of the parties by land. His lieutenant in things temporal was Galvez who thoughtfully carried with the enter- prise two hundred head of cattle and a large va- riety of seeds and cuttings. From the latter sprang many of the beautiful flowers, palms, and other semi-tropic flora which now shed their be- neficence on thousands of California homes. The two vessels of Junipero Serra sailed into San Diego Bay, April 11, 1767, and the union of the land and sea forces became the nucleus at that point of a new civilization for the aborigines. This scheme of improvement con^mplated the cross for its center and territorial expansion for its circumference. California became the child of Spain and the Indians, whether voluntarily or otherwise the unrecorded events deponeth not, became neophytes of the cross. Evidences, however, are not wanting as to the unselfish and emendatory conation of the pio- neer civilizers, who, up to the close of the last century, strove to elevate the minds and hearts of the natives rather than seek pecuniary advan- tages for themselves. Doubtless these removers of obstructions in the interests of a higher civiliza- LOS ANGEI.ES : THEN AND NOW 9m ^ — 52; — ? ■-" l3r ;: 12 LOS ANGEI.ES : THEN AND NOW tion preferred to be called the Sons of Pharoah's daughter rather than enjoy the pleasures of sel- fish greed for a season. The death of Junipero Serra and his associates was the ushering in of selfish and personal exal- tation, which, in time, degrades, banishing the practical and imperishable principle of seeking the welfare of others. Such a condition could not otherwise than produce a decline of the In- dian race. Unable to resist the ravages of sel- fishness, the red man gradually disappeared, so that now there is but a remnant, — a handful of aimless, listless beings, the tailings of the high purpose and extraordinary efforts of the Padres to eliminate low conditions and transfer into a better and nobler state. Thus the California In- dians have gone through every grade of experi- ence except that of abiding. EXTENSIONS. Soon after the founding of the San Diego Mis- sion, the promoters of Spanish interests pushed their way northward and arriving at a river, whose source is in the Sierra Madre mountains, named it San Gabriel, in honor of the Angel Ga- briel. Here a mission was planted, but in Sep- tember, 1771, it was moved to the point where it now is, near Alhambra. PROSPERITY. The rich soil, perfect climatic conditions, and abundance of water with frugal management, enabled the Padres to gather wheat, and cattle, and sheep, and goats, and horses in plentitude. I/)S ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 13 14 LOS ANGEIyES I THEN AND NOW The business interests, as well as the spiritual beneficences, were managed by the Fathers, and so successful were they in temporal accretions that in 1825 the value of the live stock was $8,- 850,000; church ornaments and money, $1,500,- 000, or a total of $10,350,000. Nine years later, 1834, there were 66,345 horses, 1,044,470 head of cattle and a large number of sheep and oher do- mestic animals, grazing on the hills and in the valleys — a vast pastoral domain uninvaded by the hum of industry's wheel, yet paving the way for the Now. LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 15 r* LOS ANGELES^ EUSTRA Senora la Reina de Los An- geles (Loce-ang-he les) was first set- 1 tied by twelve familes of mixed people whocame from Senora, Mexico. Th^-y were not possessed with an insatiable desire to know and understand the source and relations of the funda- mental law of things, but were wholly dependent upon the intelligent class for subsistence. Their dwellings were made of adobe covered with brea found near their habitations. In 1790 the pop- ulation numbered 140. In 1800 it amounted to 315 whites. In 1809 Samuel Workman was the first American to arrive. The development was slow. Education did not find favorable admit- tance until 1817, when the first school w r as opened. In 1822 the fiist town council was or- ganized. The old church near the Plaza was completed. THE CAPITAL. In 1835 the Mexican Congress passed an act designating Los Angeles as the capital of Alta California; but Monterey disputed this edict and effort and retained the seat of government until Pio Pico became governor in 1846, when the first, I«OS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 1 7 R. W, BURNHAM LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 19 and, what proved to be the last, session was held here, the United States coming into possession of the territory in 1847. SANTA FE TRAIL. During 1835 the great Santa Fe trail came into existence, thus establishing connection be- tween Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Alca Califor- nia points. By 1846 the trail had gained some overland traffic, hides and tallow going eastward and a few articles of manufactured goods coming westward. These might be termed the "seeds" of the present "Santa Fe" traffic. CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT. Spain may be said to have been a leader in territorial acquisition during the sixteenth, seven- teenth and eighteenth centuries, but her methods of colonization and perpetuation are extraordi- nary only in decay. In Alta California, as else- where in her dependencies, the obtaining of reve- nue was the prime consideration. Nourishing and developing Alta California was not a part of Spanish policy. Her soldiery was recruited from the criminal class. They were poorly fed, rarely paid and illy provided. This condition was not fruitful of patriotism; hence when Commodore Stockton and General Fremont resolved . to possess the land in the name of the United States in 1846, the difficulties readily vanished. Gen. Kearney arriving at the close of the year, his forces and Commodore Stockton's were united and on January 10, 1847, Los Angeles passed 20 LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW into their possession and the change of govern- ment brought about improved commercial- con- ditions. GOLDEN CRESTED. In 1849 the discovery of gold changed the en- tire aspect of affairs, since which time California may well be denominated golden-crested; for this addition of wealth-getting to her flocks and herds, and the subsequent cereal and fruit productions, have placed her in the foremost ranks of afflu- ence. All her developments and opulence are golden-hued with high attainments. The popu- lation of Los Angeles at this time was 2500. FIRST OVERLAND STAGE-COACH. October 7, 1858, the first overland coach by way of the Texas Staked Plains through El Paso and Yuma arrived. Thus the ploughshare of overland transportation made its first furrow in the native glebe and became the heralder of a coming enormous traffic. ARRIVAL OF TELEGRAPHY. October 3d, 1860, the small, sharp noise of the telegraph was first heard in the city of Angels. This was an additional evidence of the arrival of new conditions and the waning of the old. The discovery of gold, the production of wheat and cattle, the incursions of the invincible Saxons who speedily opened up transportation facilities by sea and land stimulated trade and brought prosperity with great rapidity. I,OS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 22 LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW FIRST RAILROAD. The first railroad into the city was built by the people. The county issued bonds to the amount of $225,000, and built a road therewith to Wilmington, San Pedro Harbor. The eyes of the people have not ceased looking at San Pedro harbor as the natural gateway of the coming ori- ental commerce. October 6th, 1869, marked the completion of the people's railway. The natives were astounded on seeing a locomotive and cars speeding over the country. Admiring the sim- plicity of their fathers and dreading the terrors of innovations, they clung, with tenacity, to their wooden-wheeled carretos, their wooden plows, ox yokes, and rawhide. The iron age had not come to them. That which they needed they made. Rawhide served instead of nails, and screws and bolts and hinges. Nature's inswinging and out- swinging door was ever open to them. The Mes- tizo is always Spanish; hence mix the blood as you will, the Moorish comes to the top. Their industry was mixed with uncomplaining quali- ties, their habits and customs having been hewn out of a pastoral and patriarchal life. The age of steel, if not steal, has well-nigh rooted them all out. The iron horse did its share. THE FIRST FINE FABRIC. The Pico block, corner of Main street and the Plaza, rose into magnificence in 1869, and was utilized for business and a hotel. Thirty years have not yet fled into the unreturning time, yet 2 j LOS ANGELES - . THEN AND NOW FRANK G. SCHUMACHEK LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 25 scores of structures have overshadowed the Pico. In its day it was pre-eminently a leader, and as the city takes on age perhaps even the Pico House may be permitted to enlist in the ranks of the Landmark Club. THE INITIAL BANKS. Exclusive ruralism was now giving place to manufacturing and commerce. Trade relations were established and a bank became a necessity; hence, in 1869, Governor Downey opened one in the D.twney block. This was soon followed by the Farmers' and Merchants' bank under the direction of I. W. Hellman and others. The mod- ern American had come. He came planting. His plants were carefully watered and culti vated. They accreted. They abide. MORE STAGE LINES. Connections with San Diego, Havilah, San Bernardino and San Francisco were established by means of omnibuses. The Concord stage sup- planted the caballero. Six or ten might ride in- stead of one. RAILROADS. The Southern Pacific Company was an early arrival and has proven a persevering stayer, first securing the people's railway to San Pedro, and then obtaining control of the Santa Monica line which had been built by Tom Scott. September 8, 1877, this company made connections with its Central Pacific line in San Francisco, this giving Los Angeles an all-rail route eastward. 26 I > a C 66 I,OS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW showing the healthy growth of financial institu- tions during this period. " In the report of the Staje Banks to the Commissioners, of September 1st, 1890, the as- sets and liabilities were shown-to be $113,015,- 945.33, and in the report dated September 1st, 1895, the assets and liabilities were reported as $135,160,130.28, an increase of over $22,000,000. "By comparison in report it will be seen that the Southern part of the State has kept pace with the Northern section. "The report of the Savings Banks for 1890, shows assets and liabilities of $103,071,296.75; for 1895, $148,517,147.36, an increase of over $45,000,000. The same comparison as of Com- mercial banks will attest the healthy growth of Southern California Banks. " Some portion of the increase above set forth may be due to the changing of private to State banks, but there is sufficient growth to denote a healthy condition of our finances, and to indi- cate that the conservatism of oar bankers has not proved prejudicial to the banking business in this section. " In the early days of State formation in the Western part of our Union, the history of bank- ing was not such as to inspire confidence in the community, and the many failures of finan- cial institutions at that time, created confusion and entailed great hardships, which in most cases continued for many years. " Happily for us, no such condition confront- LOS A NGELES : THEN AND NOW 67 ft * 68 los Angeles : then and now ed us here to any marked degree, and we hav^ been comparatively free from the ill effects aris- ing therefrom. "I think we are to be congratulated upon our good fortune in the possession of men of ability and integrity to conduct our financial institu- tions." The above is certainly a credit to the city, and will doubtless be read with interest by every reader of " Los Angeles Then and Now." THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY OF LOS ANGELES, IN COM- PARISON WITH THAT OF OTHER CITIES OF THE SAME SIZE. BY D. W. EDLEMAN, A. B., M. D. The Medical Fraternity of Los Angeles, in- cluding all who practice medicine here — of all schools or of no schools — will reach in number beyond four hundred. This means an average of one practitioner to each two hundred and fifty of the population ; a proportion so large as to be unsurpassed, no doubt, in that respect by any city of equal size anywhere. This is attributable to the fact that our mild climate calls from the severe summers and severer winters of the East many physicians as health seekers; and among these there are always some who are enticed by our sunshine to remain. The result is readily conceived : A medical fra- ternity replete with men whose ability and stand- ing range from that designated "best in the LOS ANGELES ; THEN AND NOW OW 70 I/)S ANGELES : THEN AND NOW United States," to the very lowest of the worst quack-ridden city. Though far from what are popularly under- stood to be the seats of scientific learning, Los Angeles with, and to a certain extent because of, its metropolitan population can claim, with jus- tice, to have among its medical men surgeons as bold, and withal as skillful; physicians as well read, and as thoroughly able as any city of simi- lar size in the world. They are drawn to Los Angeles from all countries, and were the better class alone to come, the medical profession here would be unsurpassed. But with the best have come also the worst ; and as the city is peopled by many health seekers, the quacks, irregulars and incapables fatten on the unfortunate. To sum up : Los Angeles has physicians and surgeons galore, — good as well as bad ; but on the whole, and taking many things into con sideration which should be considered, the fra- ternity is a credit to the city and to this section of the United States. GREAT POSSIBILITIES. Griffith J. Griffith, a retired capitalist, says : "There can be no doubt that Los Angeles, with her many advantages of location and con- nection with the outside world, together with an inevitable improvement and enlargement of the latter factor in the near futute, offers opportu- nity for, and invites a wide diversity of manu- W>S ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 71 STOWELL BLOCK 72 LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW factures, and controls an extensive field for the marketing of their products. Trade is not created, but rather is evolved by the expansion of consuming ramifications, oth- wise, the enlargment of purchasing territory, therefore manufactures, in a comparatively new- country like the southwest, cannot be launched into exis'ence on a large scale at once, but in- stead must have small beginnings and grow with the development and extension of the marketing area. Under such conditions there are certain indispensible factors necessary for the success of a manufacturing center, foremost of them being accessibility to raw materials, convenient and cheap means of transportation, plentiful supply of fuel at small cost, and the possibility of devel oping an extensive consuming market. These atributes are possessed by Los Angeles to a re- markable degree, with an infallible assurance of great improvement and rapid growth in all with- in a short time. Her location in the center of the greatest hor- ticultural section of the world, a section which also produces abundantly all cereals and farm products, places her in a position now for the economical and profitable manufacture of all ar- ticles of commerce having such products for a base, while the completion of a road to Utah, which cannot be much longer delayed, will bring her into easy connection with the great iron fields of that state, thereby permitting her to en- gage advantageously in the manufacture of the LOS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 73 74 LOS ANGEI.ES : THEN AND NOW great number of articles having that staple for a base, and also making her the best point for the location of works for reducing the precious metals. The petroleum fields of Southern Cali- fornia, which must now be conceded to be prac- tically inexhaustible, have solved the question of cheap fuel, and the opening of the Utah coal fields will improve even the present excellent conditions of affairs in this particular, by plac- ing the very best coal in our market at small cost, for employment in lines where the use of oil is impracticable. In the matter of trans- portation she is already the best equipped city on the coast, having two transcontinental lines and being connected by rail with three shipping points on the Pacific, all within twenty-five miles of her business center. The construction of a road to Salt Lake City, already referred to will soon add a third transcontinental line and the new harbor at San Pedro, which will prob- ably be in use by the end of the century, will give to this city as good a harb >r as any on the Pacific Coast. This will naturally bring into ex- istence lines of water transportation connecting with the Latin republics on the south and with trans- Pacific ports, and taken with the great ter- ritory on the east which the railroads will make tributary to this city, will gradually develop a great field for commercial activity. " The present magnitude of our manufactur- ing industry is not appreciated by the casual ob- server for the reason that most of the enterprises I.OS ANGELES : THEN AND NOW 75 LOS ANGELES THE AT KB 76 I v OS ANGEI.ES : THEN AND NOW are still on a small scale, comparatively, and the last few years of business depression have caused a contraction of operations which have obscured, to some degree, our present resources, but the widening of the field of consumption will soon infuse new life into all of these and the showing that we can make then, with what we have now, will be decidedly noticable. There are many lines as yet untouched here and while it is unneces- sary to enumerate any great number of them, mention of a few of the more important may not be amiss. "One leading commodity for which Los An- geles is well equipped for producing, is glass. The very best sand for this purpose is obtainable in unlimited quantities and sulphur is to be had at very low prices. These, w T ith our cheap fuel and unsurpassed transportation facilities, should give us a glass factory very soon. Iron manu- factures of all kinds, from the least to the great- est, should be produced here, and our extensive sheep ranges should enable us to engage profit- ably in the manufacture of woolen fabrics of all sorts and grades. Full} 7 as important as any of these will be the extensive line of prepared edi- bles which our abundance of raw materials will enable us to produce, and when the expansion of our market has developed consumption sufficient to call these and many others not named into active operation Los Angeles wiM indeed be what she should — a large manufacturing center. " Another element which adds greatly in an LOS anget.es : THEN and now 77 A \V. BAILEY 78 I