Los Angeles County CA Archives History - Books .....Expansion 1908
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Book Title: Ingersoll's Century History, Santa Monica Bay Cities

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 was 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 Soldier's 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 Federick H.
Rindge, a man of great wealth, sincere religious 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 meetings 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 corning 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 the South sides at
which such speakers as Bishop Montgomery, Dr. Chapman, Dr. Hugh Walker, J. S.
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. Holt, and others
took part. The churches of all sects; the anti-saloon forces of the county; the
Womens 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, permiting 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 the
wholesale house to sell in 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.

    In 1901 the Board of Trustees modified the restaurant license so that it
merely required "something to eat," with the liquor. This, of course, led to the
service of the timeworn cracker and, it is claimed, that the cracker box alone
was considered sufficient in many cases. In 1902 the wholesale license was
raised to $1,200 and in 1903 the wholesale license was raised to $3,000, this
amount having been offered by Alexander Gunn.

    In the spring of 1903 the temperance people were so aroused by the changes
made, which practically restored saloons to the town, that they made a> strong
campaign before the annual election to secure candidates for trustees who would
support the law and take steps to carry out the provisions of the original
ordinance—which had been adopted to carry out the wish of the voters. Dr.
Chapman again took a vigorous, and as many thought, a not very wise, part in the
campaign, working for the election of men who had pledged themselves to vote
against issuing new licenses and removals of restrictions. After the city
election, another special election to again submit the question of prohibition,
by adopting what was known as the Long Beach ordinance, was called for. A brief
campaign was made by Dr. Chapman and the question was submitted on June 10th,
resulting in a vote of 831; 287 for, 544 against: This result, so different from
the previous one when this question was voted upon, was brought about by many
causes; chiefly the dissension of the temperance forces and the bitterness and,
in the eyes of many, the unfairness of the methods adopted by the prohibition
workers. As a consequence of this result, the Board of Trustees passed an
ordinance, granting restaurant licenses, with no restriction as to meals; buffet
licenses, which were practically saloon licenses; and the wholesale license.
While there are no open saloons in Santa Monica, and the business is much
restricted as compared with the old days when there were twelve or fourteen
saloons running "wide open," there is ample opportunity for those who wish it to
procure liquor and the town derives a considerable income from its various
liquor licenses.

    Another important question which came up for discussion and action this year
was that of the separation of the portion of the town lying south of Railroad
street from the " North side," or, as the Outlook puts it, the " legal
separation of Miss South Side from Mr. North Side, on the ground of failure to
provide." The citizens of the southern end of town felt that they had not
received due consideration from the town trustees and that they had no
representative on the board. There had long been a rivalry in growth, street
improvements and attractions. A committee consisting of Col. A. B. Hotchkiss, a
long-time resident of the South Side, Joseph Bontty and Captain Malim, were
active in urging this action, stating that the new town would remain a town,
governed by the Board of Supervisors, and would save the expenses of a city
government while improving her own streets and providing her own water, and
light supply. The active discussion of plans for building a city hall had a
bearing on the question, no doubt, and many other matters were connected with
it. A petition with sufficient signatures was presented and the question was
submitted to a vote of the people at the election of November 13th. A vigorous
campaign was made against the division by the North Side and many citizens of
the South Side also, and the election showed a very decided majority, the vote
being 400 to 59, against the legal partition of the town.

    One of the movers in this attempt at disruption, Captain George D. Malim,
frankly announced in the Outlook, after stating that others who had promised aid
had deserted the cause, "I have been at a loss of both time and money, fought
alone and single-handed against nearly the whole town and got licked, but have
one great satisfaction, that is, that I believe I have stirred people up to
argue questions, consider propositions, and stand up for their rights, which
they would not have done had it not been for the work done by myself." It was
generally agreed that the discussion of the question had brought about a better
feeling between the two factions and would result in a clearer understanding of
the common interests of the whole city.

    Another topic which engaged a good deal of attention and gave rise to a
great variety of opinions, was that of providing a suitable city hall. It was
generally believed, also, that the town could not prosper without having some
sort of public auditorium for large meetings. It was proposed to combine a city
hall and auditorium building. This met with opposition and an effort was made to
secure an auditorium as a private business venture. Bonds for the city hall were
proposed; but at last it became evident that the city affairs could be handled
more effectively under a new form of government and the subject of adopting a
city charter and becoming a city of the fifth class was taken up. Public
meetings to discuss the advisability of this step and the results following it
were held and a committee consisting of Frederick H. Rindge, George H. Hutton,
A. W. McPherson, W. S. Vawter and Fred H. Taft was appointed to formulate plans
for re-organization. It was agreed that the town should be divided into five
wards, as equally proportioned as to voters as possible, each to extend from the
ocean back to the east line of the town and the committee also stood pledged to
a general city convention to nominate officers, irrespective of party lines. But
when .the matter came to the test of the polls, January 16th, 1901, it was found
that the interest was small compared with its importance, 353 votes being cast,
of which 171 were for and 178 against, the re-organization plan being lost by
seven votes.

    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 north of the North Beach Bath House, was improved 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 was built on the tract.

    The death of "Bob" Eckert, April 27th, 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 politicion 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 Hapf'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.

1901.

    The more progressive citizens of Santa Monica were not satisfied to allow
the matter of re-organizing the city government to drop. They felt that the best
interests of the city demanded that the town be divided into wards which would
allow each district to select its own representative in the council. The new
charter would also permit the organization of a board of education which could
exercise powers not vested in the trustees of a district. A new petition for an
election was prepared and presented to the Board of Trustees February 4th, with
a guarantee from the signers that the expenses of the election would be met by
private subscription. The trustees, after due deliberation and examination into
the legal aspects of the case, refused to grant the petition. The movers for a
new charter were not discouraged, however. They continued the agitation and in
April organized a Good Government League, to look to municipal matters, with F.
H. Rindge, president; N. H. Hamilton, 1st vice-president; W. S. Vawter, 2nd
vice-president; Fred H. Taft, 3d vice-president; C. I. D. Moore, secretary and
J. C. Steele, treasurer. Mr. Rindge, who despite his many interests spared
neither time nor energy in forwarding any movement for the public good, took an
active part in this organization, which kept a sharp eye upon the restaurant
liquor licenses, that had been granted, as well as carrying on an educational
campaign among the citizens on the subject of public improvements. A petition
asking for a re-submission of the question of saloons or no saloons was received
by the trustees in March; but was not acted upon and although, there was a good
deal of discussion of the subject, the trustees seemed to feel that the
restaurant license permitting the sale of liquor with meals—which had rapidly
degenerated to empty cracker boxes, was the most satisfactory arrangement to be
made.

    The matter of voting bonds for a city hall continued to be discussed. There
was also great need of a new bridge on Ocean Avenue in place of Bridge No. 1, as
it was known. This had become imperative as this street was the main
thoroughfare between the North and South ends of town. Storm drains were also
greatly needed, and after one or two mass meetings, in which matters were fully
discussed and it was shown that the large tax payers of the city were all in
favor of these improvements, an election was called for November 19th to vote on
the question of issuing bonds in the sum of $25,000 for Bridge No. 1; $10,000
for Bridge No. 2; $29,000 for storm drains, and $35,000 for City Hall and Jail.
At this election the bonds for town hall and bridge No. 1 were carried, the
others defeated.

    The Board of Trustees at once called for bids for a site for the public
building and was flooded with offers. They spent some very strenuous hours
before finally determining on the lots at the corner of Oregon and Fourth. The
South Side felt that since it must pay taxes for this improvement, it should at
least be as near them as possible. The question of town division was still a
live one. The marvelous growth made during the year 1901 at Ocean Park was
putting that division of Santa Monica in the front rank in importance and the
old rivalry between the two sections was enhanced in many minds by the growing
wealth and many impovements of the "sand hills." The South Side had voted almost
solidly against all the improvements, because of the desire to have its own town
organization.

    A strong effort was made to secure the city hall for the corner of Third and
Utah street, where a site was offered by Roy Jones for $12,000. The business men
of the place generally endorsed this site and offered to guarantee that it
should cost the city but $7,000. The matter was hotly contested by the citizens
and the trustees seemed to be hopelessly divided in opinion—or interests. In
February 1902 Roy Jones withdrew his offer of sites and thus removed the corner
at Third and Utah from consideration. Still the board could come to no decision
and a straw vote was called for to decide what site would best please the
voters. Condemnation proceedings to secure the property-at Third and Utah were
talked of and the fight waxed hotter than ever. A majority of 68 out of 441
votes cast was for Lots V. W. and X., of Block 196, being the southeast corner
of Third and Utah, at the price of $6,500. At the next meeting of the Board of
Trustees, it was reported that the chosen site could not be secured at any
price, except by condemnation proceedings, which meant long and expensive
litigation, therefore the Board, by a vote of three to two, selected the site at
Fourth and Oregon, offered by J. C. Crosier for $4,800. Although there was much
dissatisfaction over the result, it was final and steps were at once taken to
proceed with the building, the bonds having already been sold to the Oakland
Bank of Savings at a premium of $3,000.

    Among the more important improvements of the year on the North Side was the
building of the long looked for Auditorium, in connection with the North Beach
Bath house. The cost was about $7,000 and it gave a large room for public
meetings. It was opened by an entertainment given by the newly organized Y. M.
C. A. and was then taken possession of by a Vaudeville troop which made a
brilliant failure and soon vanished. The people of Santa Monica seem always to
have been able to provide their own entertainments and an outside attraction
must be very unusual indeed to draw any large number of Santa Monicans from
their own homes and amusements.

    The Academy of the Holy Names, established by the "Sisters of the Holy Names
of Jesus and Mary," was completed and dedicated February 22nd. It was a handsome
two and a half story building, beautifully finished and furnished and was
dedicated with elaborate ceremonies, including a public parade and testimonials
from the city officials and citizens generally of Santa Monica.

    At South Santa Monica, or Ocean Park, the Los Angeles Times estimates that
the improvements for the year amounted to $232,555, including the new power
house of the electric line, costing $25,000; the Holborow Hotel. $10,000, the
Casino, $10,000, waterworks and other improvements of Kinney & Dudley; $18,500
and 207 other building.

    Among the notable events of this year was the visit of President McKinley to
the Soldier's Home, at which time the citizens of Santa Monica aided in the
reception which was there given him. And on September 20th, 1901 the people of
this city held Memorial services in honor of the president whom they had so
warmly welcomed. All business was suspended and the mourning was general. One of
the incidents of this occasion was the services of the newly formed Spanish
Society, which had arranged for an elaborate celebration on September 16th, the
Mexican Fourth of July, but changed their program to a Memorial service, after
which they burned the murderer in effigy.

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 carried 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 had been based upon the United States census of
1890, which gave Santa Monica a population of 3057. Cities must have a
population 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 promoters of the movement, however, asserted that this census did not
count, as by law, the population 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 to by H. X. Goetz, enjoining them from canvassing
the votes and declaring 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 Attorney 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
their free and sovereign right during the years of 1901-2. Beside the regular
state election in November, 1901 and the municipal election the next spring,
rive 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, heart 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 Woman's Auxiliary 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 two
large storerooms on the ground floor and a pleasant hall for public purposes
upon the second floor.

    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 Ingle-wood
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 promoters 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 $2500 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. Hotch-kiss 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
right of way through Santa Monica and Ocean Park, the Los Angeles-Pacific
railway, alarmed for its supremacy, also began suits to contest 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 reelection. 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 anti-saloon party, there was rejoicing in the temperance
ranks. It soon developed that the railroad situation 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 franchises granted to the 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.

1903.

    The year 1903 was marked by an unprecedented growth. With the new city
government and the occupation of the beautiful new city building, came an
expansion in every direction that approached dangerously near to the fated word
"boom." The new city hall, a substantial structure whose simple lines and
graceful curves are dignified and beautiful, was complete in its fitness and
space for the needs of the city affairs and was regarded by all—those who had
opposed the bonds, the plans and the location, as well as those who had worked
hard to settle all difficulties and secure the building—with pride. On the
evening of its dedication, March 19th, 1903, the people of Santa Monica and many
visitors from Los Angeles inspected the building with approval and listened to
the exercises with pleasure. A program was -rendered and Mr. W. I. Hull gave a
resume of the history of the building, in which he humorously recalled the
various agitations which had led up to this happy finale. He closed by hoping
that "those who take possession of it next month will keep it clean — clean
inside and out. Let every record made here be as white as the paper on which it
is written. Let those who are elected to office fulfill their duty as a public
trust and not as a private snap. Municipal government is the weak spot in our
American system. Selfish and corporate interests seek to control elections that
they may enrich themselves at the expense of the people. If we are careful that
such conditions do not occur in Santa Monica, we shall the more quickly realize
the grand destiny that awaits us—the Queen Seaside City of Southern California."
Beside the municipal offices, the public library was provided with pleasant
quarters, which were greatly appreciated by the public. The city hall was built
by H. X. Goetz, the contractor, and with its site, cost about $38,000.

    The city government under the new form required an election of new city
officials throughout. The railroad and saloon questions had already become
important factors in this municipal election. The many affairs of importance
which the new board of trustees would be required to handle made their selection
more than ever of the deepest importance to the town. Yet it must be feared that
a large number of the voters were swayed by self-interest and personal feeling,
rather than by the "greatest good to the greatest number." The ticket chosen was
as follows: Trustees, T. H. Dudley, H. X. Goetz, A. F. Johnston, J. C. Steele
and W. S. Vawter; school board, W. E. Devore, J. H. Hassinger, Dr. J. S. Hunt,
J. H. Jackson and S. F. Carpenter; clerk, J. C. Hemingway, re-elected; assessor,
C. S. Dales; treasurer, Frank W. Vogel; recorder, A. M. Guidinger: marshal, M.
K. Barretto, who had served in the same office since 1898; for city attorney,
there was a sharp contest between F. H. Taft, the incumbent, and Benjamin S.
Hunter, who it was claimed was a non-resident of the city. Mr. Taft was elected,
but the position was contested in the courts by Mr. Hunter, without avail.

    With the organization of the new board of trustees on April 2Oth, the
history of Santa Monica as a city of the fifth class began. T. H. Dudley was
chosen president of the board; the salaries to be paid city officials were,
after some discussion, fixed: City clerk, $1020.00 per annum; attorney, $600.00;
assessor, $520.00; marshal, $1200.00; treasurer, $400.00; recorder, $300.00;
chief of fire department, $120.00 per annum.

    The disastrous anti-saloon campaign which followed the inauguration of the
new government has already been described. In view of the talk of incorporating
the section south of Santa Monica into a town, a petition was prepared by some
of the property owners in the strip of territory between Marine avenue, the
southern line of the city limits, and Rose avenue, asking that this territory be
annexed to the city. At the same time a largely signed petition from citizens of
Santa Monica making the same request was presented. Acting upon these a special
election was called for December 14th, which resulted in a vote of 30 in the
proposed territory—19 against annexation. This result had been anticipated as a
strong fight had been made by the "incorporationists" against the measure.

1904.

    The rapid growth of the town had made the old water system entirely
inadequate to the demands upon it, particularly in the case of fire, and for a
year or two there had been more or less talk of municipal ownership of the
plant. The dissatisfaction with the conditions was so general that February 5th
a mass meeting was called to discuss the situation and the possibilities of the
city acquiring a water system of its own. At this meeting a communication from
Mr. Rindge, president of the Artesian Water Company, then supplying the city
water, was read, in which he stated that his company would guarantee the city an
adequate supply and would at once enlarge their facilities for supplying water.
After considerable discussion it was decided to suspend further action by the
citizens until it was seen whether the water company fulfilled its promises.
During the next two years the Artesian Company laid a 16-inch main down Nevada
street and distributed a large amount of new pipe, replacing the old system and
extending it to new districts. Nevertheless, it was still felt that the water
supply was not equal to the demands of the rapidly growing city and the board of
trade appointed a committee, who after a thorough examination into the matter,
reported favorably upon the proposition to bond the city for a sum sufficient to
secure its own water system. The city engineer prepared a careful estimate of
the cost and reported that he thought a complete plant could be provided for
$240,250. At the request of the requisite number of voters, the council ordered
an election to vote upon the proposition of bonding the city for $250,000. But
many citizens felt that this was moving too rapidly, as the city was already
heavily bonded and was now considering the adoption of a new charter,
consequently the date of this election, January i6th, 1906, was recalled and the
matter permitted to drop for the time being. The feeling is still strong that
Santa Monica must soon have a more adequate supply of water, owned by the
municipality; but the building of school houses and the disposition of sewage
must first be completed.

    After the incorporation of the town of Ocean Park, including the settled
territory south of the Santa Monica. city limits, there was still much talk of
town division. Many of the people residing in the section which had first been
known as "Ocean Park", felt that they had built up that portion of the "sand
hills" into a prosperous business and residence district with very little aid
from the "old town" of Santa Monica. The rapid growth of the last two or three
years had brought in a new element who knew little of the past history of the
town and did not realize that the question of town division had already been
thoroughly canvassed and, it was hoped, settled by the decisive vote of November
13th, 1901. Ocean Park had already secured a portion of the Santa Monica school
district and it was now proposed to divide the city at Front street. It was the
common belief that this section, if cut off from Santa Monica, would join the.
new Ocean Park municipality, although there were those who talked of a third
corporation which should go it alone. Some of the older residents of the
territory, who had already paid taxes for street improvements, schools, city
hall, and sewers in Santa Monica, did not care to repeat the payments for the
same purposes in the new town. The new corporation of Ocean Park was already
voting bonds with a free hand; there were dissensions among business
interests—the causes were various but the result was—death to the division
proposition. The petition was circulated but was never presented and the
election did not take place. The Outlook of January 21st, 1905, pays its tribute
to the division question thus:

    "Poor little thing dead. The last sad rites performed over fatherless and
motherless babe. There is crepe on the door of a suite of upstairs rooms on Pier
avenue. The fight to divide Santa Monica is ended. The 'executive committee' for
the division of Santa Monica has passed in its checks. The last meeting of this
august body was held on Wednesday, when it was decided that the idea of dividing
this city was a forlorn hope and the committee adjourned 'sine die.' While the
meeting was secret, it is learned that the executive committee positively
decided to abandon the project."

    And from this date a more solid faith in "greater Santa Monica" has grown up
in both sections of the town and it is only a matter of a few years before the
memory of "north" and "south" feuds will have faded and Santa Monica will
present an undivided front to the world.

    This year was marked by the breaking up of large tracts and the opening to
settlement of many fine pieces of land hitherto unoccupied. In April it was
announced that the Jones and Baker lands, including the San Vicente rancho, Boca
y Santa Monica and Santa Monica rancho, over 30,000 acres in all, had been
transferred to a consolidated company formed of the Artesian Water Company, the
Santa Monica and Sawtelle Water Companies, Frederick H. Rindge, Gen. M. H.
Sherman, E. P. Clark, G. I. Cochran, R. C. Gillis and others. The purpose of the
new water company was to supply water to the Ballona country, between Western
avenue in Los Angeles and the sea coast, and to supply domestic water to Santa
Monica and the entire coast southward to Playa del Rey. It was stated that the
lands coming into possession of the new company would be subdivided and put upon
the market at once and soon afterward a sale of 1000 acres of the San Vicente
rancho was made to R. C. Gillis. This tract extended from Fourteenth street to
Sawtelle between Oregon avenue and the Southern Pacific right of way, and was at
once cut up into lots of from two to forty acres and offered for sale. The Santa
Monica Land and Water Company also subdivided 450 acres between the Soldiers'
Home lands and Twenty-sixth street.

    A number of other tracts and additions were put on the market this year
also, among them the Irwin Heights tract east of the city, which was improved by
Irwin and Towner; the Artesian tract continued to attract buyers and the Oregon
avenue tract between Thirteenth and Sixteenth streets was opened, streets paved
and many lots sold and houses built during the year. Six new houses, costing
about $15,000, were put up in Washington Place. This portion of the town, east
of Tenth street and north of Oregon, became, indeed, a new city within a very
short period. The land east and north of the city limits had also become
desirable residence property and many homes had been established on "villa"
lots, or small ranches. The talk of annexation of this district grew and was
brought to a head finally by the attempt on the part of Ocean Park to secure a
division of the town of Santa Monica at Front street, and by the necessity of
supplying school accommodations for the many new residents.

    It was estimated that during the year from April, 1904, to April, 1905, two
hundred building permits were issued for the city of Santa Monica, the
expenditure reaching $300,000. During the same period, four miles of streets
were graded and several miles oiled; 260,000 square feet of cement walk were
laid, 40,000 lineal feet of concrete curbing were put in, 30,000 square feet of
crosswalks, 12,000 feet of sewer pipe laid, 22,000 feet of gutter and 40,000
square feet of paving put down. This was done by the city and it is probable
that the work done by private contract in the various new subdivisions almost
equaled this record.

1905

    This is the banner year in the existence of the Santa Monica bay cities. It
was a year of wonderful growth and unprecedented development in every direction.
The "old" town of Santa Monica passed forever from the ranks of "country" towns
and became a city in fact as well as in form during this year. The southern part
of the town, commonly known as "Ocean Park", which was already an important
business center as well as a popular summer resort, with the completion of the
bath house and the Decatur Hotel, the building of the Masonic block and many
other business blocks on Pier avenue, Marine street and the ocean front began to
put on a metropolitan aspect; while the creation of Venice—the "Dream City" of
Abbot Kinney's fancy, made the new town of Ocean Park the center of attraction
for the entire state.

    Another remarkable feature was the continued opening up of subdivisions
which found rapid sale as suburban homes. Much of the San Vicente and Ballona
ranches which had been barley fields, or, later, bean patches, was now platted,
graded and improved to be sold as lots or in small tracts. Westgate and Westgate
Acres, Irwin Heights, Towner Terrace, the Artesian tract, Serra Vista,
Palisades, Brentwood Park and Green Acres, to the north and east of Santa
Monica; Ocean Park Heights, East Ocean Park, Venice Park tract, Vineland,
Clarkdale and many other subdivisions between Ocean Park and Los Angeles were
put on the market. Most of these subdivisions were on or near the line of the
trolley cars. In the case of Westgate, the promoters, in conjunction with the
Los Angeles and Pacific, built a branch line from Sawtelle through the tract and
along the edge of Santa Monica canon and Ocean avenue to connect with the
Montana-avenue branch, thus giving the public the most picturesque trolley ride
to be found in Los Angeles county. This line was completed and opened for use
August 9th, 1906. This company also constructed San Vicente boulevard from the
Soldiers' Home to the city limits of Santa Monica, a distance of several miles,
one of the finest stretches of roadway in the country.

    All of these tracts along the base of the Santa Monica sierras command
magnificent views of ocean, mountains and valleys. They are improved with graded
and oiled streets, cement walks, parks, trees, shrubbery and offer every modern
conveniences—water, electricity, car service, as well as the unequaled location,
the air, the space, the quiet and seclusion of country life. Building
restrictions were placed upon all these tracts so that only desirable homes
mighT be built and the rapidity with which magnificent country places, as well
as artistic bungalow and cottage homes have sprung up proves that there was a
demand "for just such a residence section. The amount of money spent in im:
proving these lands and putting them on the market would probably reach a
half-million dollars and the expenditure in buildings and improvements by
purchasers would perhaps reach the same figure.

    In the spring of 1905 it was announced that Frederick H. Rindge would build
a wagon road through the Malibu ranch and there was a general feeling of
satisfaction that at last communication north along the coast would be opened
up. But it soon developed that this wagon road was not for the public, and
rumors that it was to be a railroad or a trolley line were rife before the death
of Mr. Rindge in August. In October the Outlook rejoices greatly in the fact
that the "Hueneme, Malibu & Port Los Angeles." electric line will be a great
acquisition to Santa Monica. Mr. H. W. Lemcke of Santa Monica was appointed
general manager, and for some months the papers were kept busy asserting and
denying facts about this new road which was—and remains—an enigma to the public.
The new passenger depot of the Los Angeles-Pacific located in Linda Vista park
was a substantial improvement which was greatly appreciated. Many improvements
in the electric line service were made during the year, not the least of which
was the completion of the Playa del Rey-Redondo line and the establishment of a
five-cent fare between Santa Monica and Playa del Rey.

    One of the most important real estate transactions of the year was the
formation of a syndicate by F. E. Bundy which was made up largely of Ocean Park
capitalists, including E. S. Tomblin, R. W. Armstrong, A. E. Robinson, H. L.
Miller & Co., Robert F. Jones, A. W. McPherson, E. A. Wilson, Dana Burks, J. W.
Tomblin, Smith Realty Co., I. E. Warfield & Co., and F. E. Bundy. This later
took the name of the "United Land & Water Company" and marked a community of
interests between the two factions of the Santa Monica bay region. This company
purchased a tract of land south of the Oregon-avenue line between Twenty-sixth
street and Sawtelle. They planned to make this a model village site and spent a
large sum in improvements. The tract was put on the market as the "Serra Vista"
and many sales were made. It became a part of the city when the new territory
was taken in and is a valuable addition to the city's wealth. The Irwin Heights
tract continued to settle up and many improvements were made in this vicinity. A
large sum was expended by the Irwin Heights Company in developing water and an
excellent system was provided for this district.

    Another important real estate move was the opening up of the original
Palisades tract, lying between Ocean avenue and Seventh street, north of Montana
avenue. This was improved by a company composed of H. D. Lombard. R. A. Rowan,
W. S. Vawter, T. H. Dudley, W. T. Gillis and H. W. Keller. They spent $100,000
in improvements, grading and oiling streets, sewering, cement sidewalks and in
planting trees, etc. Linda Vista park was also improved in front of this
addition. Later the balance of the land lying between this tract and the Santa
Monica canon and extending north to Seventh street was improved at a very large
expense, thus placing this, the most desirable beach property on Santa Monica
bay, on the market. The large amount of money expended by private parties in
public improvements in the Palisades, as well as the high order of buildings and
improvements made by purchasers, added largely to the aggregate expenditures for
the year. The Towner Terrace tract lying between Eighth and Fourteenth streets,
Front and Colorado, was another addition within the new city limits which added
to the population and wealth of the place.

    The building of the White Star pier, now known as Bristol pier, was
completed in July and its attractions were added to those of the other points of
interest on the beach. A good band was installed here and a number of
"amusements" provided, but there were now so many rival attractions that it was
not a paying investment during its first season. A number of new business blocks
were added to the business center during the year. The Odd Fellows hall, a
substantial two-story brick; the Guidinger block, on Third, north of Oregon; the
Bundy block, a three-story brick; the Johnston block on Third, beside two or
three new business buildings on Oregon avenue were constructed.

    The organization of the Santa Monica Investment Company on February 27th was
    an important step in the development which was marking the north side. This
company was made up of- leading business men and capitalists who proposed to
buy, build, sell, lease and otherwise handle real estate. Its stockholders
included J. Euclid Miles, who was made manager of the enterprise; W. T. Gillis,
W. E. Sawtelle, T. Horace Dudley, E. H. Sweetser, George Boehme, E. W. Dike, N.
R. Folsom, F. Niemann, R. R. Tanner, W. H. Dosing, J. P. Jones, Dr. N. H.
Hamilton, Dr. J. S. Hunt, Frederick H. Rindge, B. A. Nebeker, H. X. Goetz, Roy
Jones, Robert F. Jones, R. M. Miller, Sherman & Clark, George H. Hutton. The
company at once purchased a tract on Fourth street, north of California, which
they improved and built a block of six cottages upon. During the year they built
a dozen pretty, modern cottages north of California street, thus providing what
had long been needed, modern homes at reasonable rates for newcomers. During the
year much property changed hands at a good figure and many handsome residences
were erected. The Carnegie library was well under way on Oregon and the property
on the corner of Third and Oregon had been purchased and the handsome
three-story brick block for the Merchants' National Bank had been planned. This
new bank was organized in' May with T. H. Dudley president; W. S. Vawter,
vice-president; George F. Doty, cashier; Carl F. Schader, Louis Blenkenhorn, W.
C. Durgin, R. R. Tanner and William Mead, directors. It opened for business in
the newly completed Columbia block about August 1st.

    The Pacific Land Company placed on sale a tract of 400 acres lying between
Sawtelle and Twenty-sixth street and the W. T. Gillis Company reported sales
during the year of over thirty pieces of property, ranging from a single lot to
twenty-two acres and valued at $45,000. The establishment of a large brick and
tile manufacturing plant added a solid factor to the resources of Santa Monica.
A company was formed by R. F. Jones, W. T. Gillis, J. H. Spires, C. H. Sweet and
R. M. Miller. They secured a tract of twenty-two acres of land and began putting
up an extensive plant, known as the "Sunset Tile and Brick Company." This later
passed into the hands of the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company, one of the most
extensive manufacturers of clay products in the state. The clays of Santa Monica
had long been known to be superior; but it is now fully demonstrated that they
are of the finest grade for the best class of pressed and vitrified brick and
that they are also susceptible of being used for a fine grade of pottery, under
proper handling.

    The consolidation of the United Electric, Gas and Power Company with the
Edison Company this year put the lighting and heating of Santa Monica upon a
more metropolitan basis and marked the end of any local interest in the company.
An important industry inaugurated this year was the organization of a stock
company, known as the Plant and Floral Company, to carry on a nursery business
and deal in plants and cut flowers. Ten acres of land were secured near Oregon
and Twenty-first streets, which were later increased to twenty acres, so
successful was the enterprise, now known as the Golden State Plant Co.

    Another new industry, which has brought much wealth into the community was
the culture of the Lima bean. It had been supposed until this year that Ventura
county was the banner bean county and need fear no rival. But in 1902 R. C.
Gillis made some experiments with bean culture on lands near the Soldiers' Home,
which resulted in a net income of $40.00 per acre. As a consequence, Mr. Gillis
leased 1500 acres of land to be put into beans in 1903, and it was estimated
that nearly 8000 acres of beans were planted on lands lying between Los Angeles
and the Santa Monica bay region. The yield was not so large as was expected, on
account of the season being unfavorable; yet the profits were large enough to
justify a still larger acreage in 1904. The bean raising industry is now
firmly-established in this district and is one of the most important sources of
revenue. The acreage of 1904 was estimated as 10,000 acres and the yield was
valued at $400,000. As the cultivation and harvesting is all done by machinery,
the percentage of profit is large and Los Angeles county is now closely ranking
Ventura in the matter of bean culture.

    Street improvements were the order of the day during this year, over $72,000
having been spent and contracts let for $40,000 more, according to the estimate
of the Times, exclusive of the work done by private contract; 184 building
permits were granted, covering an expenditure of $265,000. The Dudley building
was in process of erection. The Santa Monica Bank was improving its building at
a cost of over $12,000. The Carnegie library building was completed and occupied
in July. The Hollister-avenue pleasure pier was under way, to extend 900 feet
from shore and to cost about $25,000.

    In the Pier-avenue district, much street work had been done and many
improvements were made. The Hammel building, a three-story brick, cost about
$20,000; the Hanniman and Volk blocks each cost about $5000; the Powell
building, the Wisconsin and Metropole, and the Maier & Zobelein buildings were
all substantial structures. There was talk of a hundred thousand dollar hotel
between Navy and Marine avenues, which would place part of the building in Ocean
Park and part in Santa Monica. This proposition was merely talk, however, until
1905, when the Hotel Decatur was finally built, thus giving this section a
hostelry suited to its demands. After several attempts to secure a franchise,
the Home Telephone Company began work in July under a permit, and a franchise
was granted later in the year.

    The Municipal League had been revived and during the spring held a number of
meetings in which needed municipal improvements were discussed. Largely through
the action of the league a bond issue was called for, to secure funds to build
two fire engine houses, additional fire apparatus and a fire alarm system. The
cost was estimated at $14,500. Included with this was a proposal for bonds to
fill in around bridges No. 1 and 2 and build retaining walls at a cost of
$14,250; to repair and extend the sewer system, and build septic tanks. $21,000;
to improve Linda Vista, Seventh street and South Side parks, $20,250, and to
construct water works and secure its own' water plant, $150,000. After a short
and not very enthusiastic campaign, the entire bond proposition was defeated on
August i6th. It was, of course, solidly opposed by the district which it was
proposed to include in Ocean Park, and this election gave a hint of the relative
strength of the divisionists and the advocates of a "greater Santa Monica."

    The question of repairing the outfall sewer was now forced upon Santa
Monica. There had been much discussion of possible sewage disposition during the
year. Ocean Park was still using the Santa Monica outfall sewer, although the
council had demanded that their sewer be cut off the first of August. In the
meantime the new town was making desperate efforts to solve the problem. At one
time it was proposed that a main trunk line be constructed along the beach to
connect with the Los Angeles outfall. But this was blocked by the Playa del Rev
interests and found impracticable, although Los Angeles was willing—for a
consideration. The sewage farm method was also considered, but proved
impracticable. So Ocean Park continued to depend upon Santa Monica for sewage
disposal under the old agreement between the city and Kinney & Ryan, made
December 28th, 1897, which permitted those land owners to connect with the Santa
Monica outfall sewer. The singular reversal of conditions which has later made
Santa Monica dependent upon Ocean Park for sewage outfall is one of the many
anomalies arising from the peculiar relations of the mother town and its
offshoot. But Santa Monica maintained that the old agreement was with Messrs.
Kinney & Ryan and not with the town of Ocean Park, and in November, 1904,
demanded a rental of $50.00 per month for the use of their outfall. As the
rental was not forthcoming the city finally took steps to sue to collect the
money. But the great storm of March, 1905, which almost destroyed the sewer
wharf (at Pier avenue) and caused a break near shore in the sewer pipe, changed
the aspect of matters. The Ocean Park bath house was newly completed and the
discharge of sewage at Pier avenue proved dangerous to its success. The city
trustees ordered the city engineer to temporarily repair the breaks: but the
complete restoration of the outfall required a sum which could only be obtained
by a bond election and the bond election for that purpose having been defeated
the previous August, another election for such bonds could not be called within
the year. In February, Fraser and Jones had entered into a twenty-year contract
with the city for the use of the Pier-avenue wharf as the foundation for a
pleasure wharf, they to keep the same in repair. But on the destruction of the
wharf, Messrs. Fraser and Jones declined to keep the contract and there was no
apparent prospect of the wharf being again rebuilt, unless the city was able to
do it.

    The newly incorporated town of Ocean Park had already voted bonds for a
septic tank and sewer system and in order to save the situation at Pier avenue,
the trustees of the town now offered Santa Monica the use of their new septic
tank for six months, or until the older city could make some arrangements for
caring for her sewage. After some discussion the Santa Monica trustees decided,
June 27th, 1905, to accept this proposition. The new septic tank was not
completed as soon as was expected and rather than have the sewage turned into
the sea at Pier avenue, it was turned into the Ocean Park mains and discharged
on their dump—thus creating a nuisance which caused complaint from the people of
South Ocean Park and Playa del Rey.

    In the meantime the matter of voting bonds for the repair and completion of
the sewer system was again agitated in Santa Monica. The necessity of better
fire protection was also urgent and October 31st, 1905, the city voted bonds to
the amount of $100,000 to be expended—$37,500 for sewer system and septic tank;
$6500 for repairing bridge No. 4 and for retaining walls for bridge No. 1:
$17,500 for two fire engine houses, fire alarm system and apparatus; $10,000 for
garbage incinerator. It was supposed that this would settle the sewer question
and soon result in relief for Ocean Park. But, after a careful consideration of
the situation, it was found to be impossible to provide a septic tank and
outfall sewer for the sum provided. As the residents of the Pier-avenue region
were strongly opposed to the further use of the old outfall sewer, Santa Monica
trustees continued to use the Ocean Park septic tank, now completed, and put in
a pumping plant at Pier avenue to raise the sewage into the Ocean Park mains.
But the new septic tank failed to deodorize the sewage, as was expected, and
although a wharf and outfall extending into the sea was built at Center street,
there was still complaint of odoriferous breezes and other things, which finally
culminated in a bitter factional fight in the city of Ocean Park, leading to the
attempt to disincorporate the municipality, and which placed the city of Santa
Monica in a most unpleasant predicament, as she was ordered by the courts to
cease using the Ocean Park mains, while she had still no provision for caring
for her own sewage.

    During 1906 the garbage incinerator was completed for Santa Monica and
various mains were constructed in preparation for the erection of a septic tank.
But a suitable location for the septic tank and outfall system could not be
found. The entire community was canvassed; innumerable suggestions were made by
the citizens, the council and by outsiders; but no solution of the matter that
promised to satisfy all was reached until September, 1907, when the board of
trade presented a plan, which was adopted by the council and which promises to
be a complete success. This was. in brief, the building of a substantial pier at
the foot of Colorado street; the location of a septic tank and pumping plant at
the shore end of this wharf and the discharge of the outfall at the extremity,
1700 feet from the shore. This plan met with approval all around and was
ratified by the voting of $160,000 bonds for carrying it out, September 3Oth,
1907. Bids have been called for and the work will be pushed on the completion of
the system as rapidly as is possible.

    It was natural that when Santa Monica found herself surrounded by a thickly
settled district which was demanding school facilities, she should begin to
think of expansion. The demand for school buildings to accommodate the children
of the Irwin Heights settlement and of the district east of Seventeenth street,
led to the proposition to annex these districts to the city before attempting to
vote bonds for school purposes. April 14th, 1905, a mass meeting of citizens
decided that at least two new school buildings must be provided, and that an
election should be called to vote $60,000 bonds for that purpose. The board of
trade immediately afterward proposed that the boundaries be extended from Eighth
and Marine streets to Twenty-seventh and Montana avenue. A petition for
annexation was presented by the people of the district and on August 29th, 1905,
an election was held which resulted in an addition which nearly doubled the size
of the corporation.

    On September 12th the bond election was held and $60,000 was voted for
schools. But after consideration, it was decided that it would be economy to
construct the new buildings of brick and that at least three buildings were
needed. December 9th $15,000 additional was voted to complete the three
buildings. But expanison in population and territory was not enough. It was felt
by many citizens and by the board of trade that an expansion in the form of city
government would give greater advantages to the municipality. It would, require
the division of the city into equitable wards, give the people a chance to
govern themselves according to their own special needs, instead of under state
laws and give the municipality powers which it would not have under the
incorporation as a city of the fifth class. In order to secure such a charter, a
city must have a population of 3500 and to determine the present population of
Santa Monica, the trustees ordered a special census. May 15th this census was
completed and a total of 7208 inhabitants reported. The charter must be prepared
by a board of fifteen freeholders, each of whom must have resided in the city
and voted here for five years consecutively. They are to be elected by the
people at a general or special election. A committee of the board of trade
submitted the following list of freeholders as candidates for election: T. H.
Dudley, C. A. Stilson, George D. Snyder, R. R. Tanner, George H. Hntton, H. X.
Goetz, W. I. Hull, A. M. Jamison, W. S. Vawter, Robert F. Jones, D. G. Holt, B.
A. Nebeker, E. J. Vawter, Roy Jones, A. N. Archer. This was known as a
non-partisan ticket. A "citizens' " ticket was also put up, but seven of the
nominees declined to serve and three of those left were on the non-partisan
ticket, which was elected by a large majority at a special election held October
i8th, 1905. November 3rd the board organized for duty, C. A. Stilson was made
president and committees on law, boundaries, offices, public utilities, taxation
and election, education and libraries, were announced. After several weeks of
strenuous work on the part of the board of freeholders, the proposed charter was
submitted to the consideration of the people in January, 1906. There was some
opposition to certain of its terms—it was held that it too greatly centralized
power; but it was felt that generally its provisions were wise and that it was
best to adopt it. At the election March 28th, 1906, the instrument was adopted
by a vote of 376 for to 183 against. At the same time the uninhabited territory
known as the "Palisades" was annexed to the city and the uniform shade-tree act
was adopted.

    Santa Monica, with her new charter, with an area of eleven square miles;
with an assessment which increased from $3,830,677.00 in 1905 to $6,523,186.00
in 1906; with her rapidly growing population; with ample school facilities, the
best streets in the country and as fine public buildings as are to be found in
any city of the same size, was now fairly on the way to become the ideal city of
homes.

    The building of a new brick manufacturing plant by an eastern corporation,
the Simmons Brick Co., added largely to the clay manufacturing possibilities. A
large sum was expended in improved machinery and in buildings. To this company
and to the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company plant were awarded the contract for
furnishing 18,000,000 brick required for the Los Angeles outfall sewer. Another
company was also formed this year to utilize the Santa Monica clays in making
pottery, but this industry is not yet established. It is only a question of
proper handling, however, as it has been demonstrated that Santa Monica clays
have no superior for fine work, in the hands of experienced workers.

    Among the incidents of the year may be mentioned the visits of the Knights
of Columbus, a national Catholic organization, the members of whom were royally
entertained by Santa Monicans and carried away golden memories of this city by
the sea. One of the worst fires on record in the city took place September gth
when Budy's livery stable on Third near Utah, was burned and six horses lost
their lives, while a large quantity of hay was destroyed. On June 4th the city
was startled by the news that their postoffice had been robbed of more than
$3000 worth of cash, stamps and registered mail matter. This was one of a series
of exceedingly bold postoffice robberies which occurred during this summer.

1906.

    During this year a determined effort was made to improve the streets of
Santa Monica by the latest methods of oiling and surfacing. In pursuance of this
object about 12,000 barrels of oil were used and many streets which had hitherto
been dusty in summer and muddy in winter became practically as hard and clean as
paved streets. The Santa Monica system of oil-paved streets became widely known
and was rated as having an important bearing on the problem of road
construction. This method was used in improving San Vicente road, the new
boulevard from the Soldiers' Home to Ocean avenue. This street was 130 feet
wide, with the trolley lines in the center, was curbed and lined with trees and
when completed made one of the finest drives in the county. It was proposed to
extend Sunset boulevard and improve it to connect with this new road. There was
also much talk during the year of a finely improved boulevard from Washington
street, Los Angeles, to Ocean Park to join the Del Rey speedway. A scheme for a
boulevard to extend southward along the coast to Redondo and thence to San Pedro
was also proposed and discussed, but has not yet materialized. Much talk of the
Gould line which was supposed to be coming down the coast via the Malibu road
which was in course of construction, and which would give Santa Monica a new
"transcontinental" line, was indulged in. There was also much talk of Huntington
purchasing everything in sight and building a new trolley line to Los
Angeles—all of which served to fill the papers.

    One of the most beautiful suburbs of Santa Monica, located just to the north
and within view of the ocean, is Brentwood Park. This is a tract of several
hundred acres which has been highly improved. Streets have been graded and
oiled, curbs and gravel walks laid and many hundreds of trees and shrubs planted
out. Water is piped to every lot and electric lights have been installed. A
number of handsome homes have been built here.

    In January the Odd Fellows dedicated their handsome new building on Third
street and January 3ist the Merchants' National Bank moved into its own quarters
in the Dudley block, a structure that would do credit to any city. The
Kensington apartments, an attractive apartment house containing all the latest
devices for comfort, was built on the ocean-front south of the Arcadia, at a
cost of $15,000. Several new blocks were put up on Pier avenue. The building
permits from January to June reached the sum of $194,277, aside from the three
new school buildings, which were to cost $75,000, and the $50,000 pavilion at
Pier avenue. Two new fire engine houses were also constructed and the garbage
incinerator completed. One of the most notable improvements of the year was the
Santa Monica hospital building, which was begun, after long planning, and was
completed in the spring of 1907. This is a handsome two-story brick structure,
standing on a commanding eminence on South Fourth street. It is completely
equipped in the most modern style and is fast taking rank as one of the leading
hospitals of the south coast- The handsome two-story brick building which took
the place of the old Sixth-street school house was completed and occupied in the
spring of 1907, as was also the Roosevelt school building on the Palisades.

1907.

    The most important advance of this year has been the final action in the
matter of sewage disposal. After long agitation a plan1 which seemed to the
majority to be feasible and desirable was suggested and on September 3Oth bonds
to the amount of $150,000 were voted for the building of a 1700-foot pier at the
foot of Colorado avenue which will carry the outfall sewer pipe from the septic
tank at the foot of Colorado avenue. A number of other improvements will follow
the completion of this wharf. During the year building permits to the amount of
$250,000 were granted. These included the $10,000 addition to the M. E. church;
a new garbage incinerator, the new postoffice building and many private
residences. The Santa Monica Development Company is engaged in the construction
of a large reservoir, for impounding additional water for the city supply, in
Sepulveda canon. It will have a capacity of about two million gallons and will
cost $75,000. An independent gas company has been organized and promises to
become a factor in the situation. The demand for real estate, while not so
active as during previous years, has been steady and property in "old Santa
Monica" continues steadily to increase in desirability.

    The city of Santa Monica, after passing through many stages of development,
is now a clean, well ordered, and most attractive place of residence. At present
it has no hotel, no first-class restaurant and offers few attractions to the
transient, or the crowd; but it draws a constantly increasing number of
permanent residents of the better class; while attractive cottages and
apartments are filled by the people who wish to pass a restful season at the beach.

THE VISIT OF THE ATLANTIC SQUADRON.

    The visit of a fleet of sixteen first-class war vessels of the United States
navy, in April, 1908, was one of the greatest events in the history of the
coast. Elaborate preparations for the reception and. entertainment of the guests
were made and Santa Monica and Ocean Park took an active part in the occasion.
An executive committee consisting of David Evans, chairman; Abbot Kinney, R. A.
Phillips, W. T, Wheatley, Mayor T. H. Dudley, R. W. Armstrong and H. B. Eakin,
was appointed. It was largely through the efforts of this body-that the
arrangement was made to divide the fleet and station it at different points. As
a result of this plan the third division, consisting of the Maine, Ohio,
Missouri and Minnesota, anchored off these shores for a week.

    The citizens of the Bay region, under the direction of various committees,
elaborately decorated streets and buildings; planned entertainments for men and
officers and were hosts to thousands of visitors. Balls for the enlisted men
were given in the pavilions and a most elaborate ball was arranged for the
officers, at the country club. The W. C. T. U., under Mrs. Hesther T. Griffith,
maintained headquarters at Venice for the sailors and the ladies of the Bay
cities welcomed the guests with masses of flowers and many courtesies. Friday,
April 23rd, was observed as a legal holiday and was given up to entertaining the
guests.

    On Saturday, April 24th, the entire squadron, in the presence of the largest
crowd, ever assembled on Santa Monica Bay shores, maneuvered and then sailed
silently away to the north.

ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF CITY OF SANTA MONICA.

1887                    $2,405,048.00
1888                     2,351,108.00
1889                     1,807,228.00
1890                     1,771,332.00
1891                     1,565,773.00
1892                     1,648,846.00
1893                     1,654,274.00
1894                     1,705,467.00
1895                     1,830,503.00
1896                     1,799,545.00
1897                     1,869,132.00
1898                     1,871,588.00
1899                     1,896,844.00
1900                     1,910,158.00
1901                     1,991,310.00
1902                     2,220,431.00
1903                     2,887,574.00
1904                     3,472,124.00
1905                     3,830,677.30
1906                     6,523,086.00
1907                     7,886,310.00



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities: prefaced with a brief
history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County,
1542 to 1908: supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and
embellished with views of historic landmarks and portraits of representative
people.

Los Angeles: Luther A. Ingersoll (1908)


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