Riverside County CA Archives History - Books .....The Perris Valley 1912
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Book Title: History Of Riverside County California

CHAPTER  XVIII.
THE PERRIS VALLEY 
By Mrs. W. H. Ellis

   To study the history of Southern California, so full of legend and romance,
one naturally asks the question, when he pauses to look into the history of
Perris valley, does it have any legends; could a web of romance be woven into
its early history? The writer of this article has been led to believe by some
that it was here that Helen Hunt Jackson laid the scenes portrayed in the
closing chapters of her famous book "Ramona." One good pioneer assured the
writer he personally knew every character introduced into the story. Then there
are the "doubting Thomases" who urge that no mention of the people or places
described in the story are entwined in a true historical sketch of the Perris
valley. But Helen Hunt Jackson was not alone among the literary lights who saw
and appreciated the beauties of the hill-encircled Perris valley, for it was the
gifted Mrs. Churchill who portrayed its sublime beauty in "Purple Hills" that
brought her fame and fortune; and Joaquin Miller has told in dreamy poetic
fashion the story of the days of outlaw chivalry.

   It is not the intention of the writer to enter into minute details, or paint
a creation of fancy that would lead to erroneous ideas, but to record in a plain
practical manner the story of "Brave Little Perris."

   The Perris valley is a table land ranging from 1,300 to 1,500 feet above the
level of the sea, while the city of Perris has an altitude of about 1,440 feet.

   The valley is located in latitude thirty-four, being on the identical
parallel that passes through the sunny hills of Southern Spain. It is in the
heart of that portion of Southern California called the "citrus belt," in
Riverside county. It was in San Diego and San Bernardino counties until 1893,
when Riverside county was formed, the dividing line being a little north of the
Schneider school house. Perris is seventy-five miles southeast of Los Angeles,
one hundred miles north of San Diego, twenty-five miles south of San Bernardino,
and seventeen miles from the orange groves of Riverside.

   This valley was included in the San Jacinto Subranta grant, or was generally
known in the early days as the San Jacinto plains, which term included all that
level body of mesa or table land lying between Box Springs canyon and the
Temecula valley, a territory about thirty miles square, which has since been
given different names by settlers, such as Perris, Diamond, San Jacinto,
Menifee, Pleasant, La Belle, Paloma and Los Alomas valleys, although properly
speaking, the entire area of tillable land spreads out in a broad, level belt
from the foot of Box Springs mountains, stretching away to the southeast around
the mountain spurs and ridges that form but slight geographical divisions. Many
of the boundaries are purely imaginary. The San Jacinto river runs in a
southwesterly direction through the southern portion of the territory known as
the Perris valley, which is from six to ten miles in width from foothill to
foothill, and eighteen miles in length.

   Commencing at the northwest corner of the valley, near Box Springs, the
boundary between the Perris and the San Bernardino valleys is marked by a range
of low, broken granite hills extending eastward until merged into the plateau
known as Cajon pass, a natural gateway into this region lying between the
snow-covered peaks of San Jacinto and Grayback. These peaks stand like Titanic
sentinels guarding the less romantic and sublime works below. The valley proper
extends for a distance of ten miles along the range of low hills, that portion
lying farther to the east being called the San Jacinto valley. Another range of
higher hills forms a natural division of these valleys and terminates in a
lofty, rugged granite pile known as Twin mountain. To the southward it extends,
together with the Menifee country and plains of Leon, to the crest of hills
forming the walls of Temecula valley. On the west a low line of hills first
breaks the level expanse, and after an abrupt rise of one hundred feet or
thereabouts there is a mesa two miles or more in width, known as the Mountain
Glen country, beyond which rise in rugged outline the picturesque Temescal
mountains and gold-bearing hills of Gabilan.

   Prior to the year 1880 the Perris valley, or San Jacinto plains, as it was
then called, was a treeless desert; great bands of sheep roamed at will over the
level country, and Mexican miners worked the rich gold deposits in surrounding
hills. Before the plowshare had broken a foot of soil on the San Jacinto plains
it was known as a mining country. Prospectors tramped over ridge and ravine and
staked off claims in every direction. Fifty years ago a flourishing camp existed
in the Gabilan country, and the Mexicans for many years made a living by mining,
although their methods Were primitive, and fully one-half of the precious metal
was lost in its journey from the shining quartz bed to the sheepskin dustbag of
the miner.

   Evidences of a prehistoric people exist, and Indian relics are numerous.
Among the latter may be mentioned stone mills, almost identical with those
described in the Bible, used by the Indians to pulverize maize. These are quite
numerous and consist of shallow bowl-shaped depressions in the face of flat
boulders, and smooth oblong rocks which were held in the hand; the mode of
operation being similar to that now employed by apothecaries in compounding
drugs with mortar and pestle.

   In the year 1880 a pioneer named Copeland located a claim about three miles
north of where the city of Perris is now located. About the same time the
Frazees located on land near Twin mountain. These were the first families who
made permanent settlements in the valley. A few settlers came the following
year, J. H. Banks being among them.

   Mining and "dry farming" now began to attract the outside world to this
section, and people began to come in and settle on claims. In 1882 came Mr. and
Mrs. Henry W. Aikin and settled on a 160-acre tract in Menifee. Mr. Aikin is a
native of Wisconsin and Mrs. Aikin is a native daughter. They are the oldest
pioneers living in the valley. When they staked their claim not a tree was to be
seen growing in the valley. In November, 1882, they left their home in Los
Angeles county for Menifee, the party consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Aikin, a year
old babe, Mrs. Aikin's sister, Miss Mary Lee, and a young man by the name of
Shoemaker. They traveled with a canvas-covered wagon, bringing what farming
implements they could. They were two days making the trip, camping over night on
the plains between Pomona and Riverside.

   The next morning they drove a few miles to the river, where the horses were
watered and the party breakfasted. While preparing breakfast, Mrs. Aikin climbed
up to get something out of the wagon, and in stepping backward to the ground she
took hold of an iron rod and in some way her wedding ring was broken. No doubt
this was taken by the young wife as a peculiar omen.

   When they started on again, a hard north wind was blowing, so Mr. Aikin
fastened the canvas curtain down in front of the wagon, and they saw nothing of
the country through which they were passing until they reached the top of the
Box Springs grade. The wind had cleased [sic] blowing, so the curtain was
raised, and the San Jacinto plains stretched away before them, a barren plain
with rocky hills. You can imagine the disappointment of the young wife, who had
pictured a valley, surrounded by rolling hills, covered with live-oak trees.  
To her it seemed hardly fit for a sheep pasture.

   When the party neared the Copeland ranch, a man came running toward them
beckoning. When they had driven near enough, he told them an old man had been
killed in a well they had been digging, a large bucket of rock and dirt having
fallen on the old man while working down in the well. Mr. Aikin and Mr.
Shoemaker went at once to his assistance. Mr. Aikin took half of the windlass
rope and by means of it climbed down into the well, which was about forty feet
deep. The old man, whose name was Abe Reed, was not killed, but very badly hurt.
They brought him out of the well and put him on a moving machine, which Mr.
Aikin was trailing behind his wagon, and after making him as comfortable as
possible they took him to his own cabin a few miles farther on. He asked them to
drive to Pinacate station and tell his sister-in-law, a Mrs. Reed, about his
accident.

   When they reached Pinacate they found the Hickey and Reynolds families
celebrating the wedding of Prico Hickey and Miss Mattie Reynolds. Miss Mattie
Reynolds was the sister of A. W. Reynolds, who still lives in the Perris valley.
Leaving Pinacate they drove on a few miles farther south, and on the close of
Thanksgiving Day reached the place that for many years was to be their home.

   The writer can well imagine the loneliness of the days and nights that
followed their coming into this seemingly desert land. No doubt the young wife
bore it bravely, all for love's sweet sake—love for her husband and the baby
boy. That baby now is a successful business man in Los Angeles—the city of his
mother's birth.

   In 1882 also came Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Nance, with their baby daughter Evelyn,
natives of Tennessee. No history of Perris or Perris valley could well be
written without frequent mention of J. W. Nance. Having lost his health in the
Mississippi valley on account of malaria, he went to the mountains of his own
state, but receiving no benefit, he came to San Diego, Cal., in June, 1882, and
stayed there for three months without any improvement. He then went to Los
Angeles and there found himself much worse. Then he traveled all over
California, seeking a place that would benefit his health, when his physician, a
Dr. Worthington of Los Angeles, suggested that he needed a dry climate and high
altitude. Acting on this advice he came to Riverside, and in talking with a
merchant there, J. R. Newberry, he was told that the place he was looking for
was the San Jacinto plains, but that he didn't suppose he could live there, as
nothing but a jackrabbit could. He came to this desert plain, where nothing but
a jackrabbit could live, and when he saw the fair mountain valley he bought 200
acres of land, paying $1 and giving a mortgage back for $1,999 and went to
farming. Was it not a brave and courageous wife who could come with a sick
husband and a baby daughter of but a few months, into a treeless mountain
valley, with a capital of $1 down! They went to farming, sowed the ranch to
barley and harvested two and one-fourth tons of hay to the acre and sold it for
$22.50 per ton, making $4,000 from the first crop. Their place was paid for, and
in the years following they increased their holdings, and for many years they
continued to live in Perris and were associated in nearly every enterprise for
the upbuilding of the place.

   In 1882 the California Southern Railway was built from San Diego to Colton,
and it was then that the settlers began to dot the plains with cabins. The
hopeful expectations from this road, however, were doomed to disappointment. It
had no direct eastern connection, and there was much opposition from other
sections, so that travel over it was practically nil. As a climax, the winter of
1882 and '83 was a very dry one, and the crops failed on all unirrigated
lowlands. Finally, early in 1884, most of the railroad in Temecula canyon and
Santa Margarita was washed out by a flood, having been built too low by-eastern
engineers who did not understand the requirements of the Pacific coast climate.
It took something like nine months to replace the road and restore traffic, and
even then very dull times continued. But even though the railroad was not a
paying investment at that time, its coming through the Perris valley meant the
beginning of permanent settlements there.

   It was not long before the demand for a postoffice and general supply store
became urgent, and in the winter of 1882 L. D. Reynolds, father of A. W.
Reynolds of Perris, located a claim. He built a house 10x12 and bored a well 119
feet deep, hoping to secure artesian water, but bedrock was encountered at that
depth and work ceased. He was appointed postmaster, and the new settlement was
named Pinacate (Pinacartee), taking the name of the gold mines near by, which
were then running night and day, and employing a force of twenty men. The
California Southern railway had a box car on a side track, and dignified it by
calling it the "station." The trade of the miners and increasing settlement led
to the establishment of a store by Albion Smith, and a saloon was the next
enterprise to be launched. Pinacate was now dignified by the title of "town,"
and bade fair to become a busy little city. A Texas surveyor, A. Jul. Mauermann,
arrived about this time, and after securing land near the "station," laid out
the town site.

   The railroad company had put down a switch, a commodious hotel had been
erected by Mr. Mauermann, trade was on the increase, and Pinacate was catching
the first pulse-waves of the great Southern California boom, when trouble arose
over the title to the land upon which it was located. Albion Smith, the
storekeeper, filed a contest on the land held by Postmaster Reynolds, which
affected all property in the townsite except that owned by Mr. Mauermann. At
this juncture several settlers in the central and northern part of the valley
conceived the idea of starting a new town. Among these settlers were J. H.
McCanna and F. H. Carpenter, and after some agitation, they succeeded in
interesting a number of San Bernardino business men in the project. So it came
about that Dr. I. W. Hazlett, Dr. S. G. Huff, W. R. Porter, J. P. Hight, James
E. Mack, Frank Volk, T. J. Forthing and W. J. Guthrie, all of that city, made a
proposition to the railroad company to donate a large number of lots, build a
depot, and sink a well, if the railroad company would remove the sidetrack to a
point two miles north of Pinacate. Fred T. Perris of San Bernardino, chief
engineer of the railroad company, favored the proposition, which was soon
accepted, and the new town was named in his honor. In the month of April, 1885,
the switch was taken up and moved from Pinacate, and the new station was
declared by the general manager of the California Southern Railroad to be the
stopping place for all trains, and the history of Perris dates from that period.

   The new town was mapped and platted by E. Dexter and surveyed into lots and
blocks by George A. Doyle, in December, 1885, and January, 1886. J. H. McCanna,
in 1886, built the first store, now owned and occupied by M. L. Mapes with his
general merchandise stock. The Town Company gave Mrs. Albion Smith, a former
resident of Pinacate, two lots, on which she built, in 1886, the Hotel Perris.
The Perris Pharmacy, in the Sharpless Block, is now located on these lots. Mrs.
Smith was appointed postmistress, with- Frank H. Carpenter, deputy. Mr.
Carpenter owned a general merchandise store; L. D. Reynolds moved from Pinacate
to the new town, and James E. Mack and John H. Banks opened a real estate
office. About this time J. W. Nance and George B. Knight opened a land office,
and Charles E. Gyger, now of Los Angeles, E. E. Waters and O. G. McEuen embarked
in the same business. Mrs. B. Bernasconi built the Southern Hotel in 1886, and
has continued to run it ever since. J. A. Peron opened a hardware store, and for
many years was engaged in that business. C. E. Gyger was the first telegraph
operator at the new station. Mr. McCanna opened his grocery store and business
became lively. In November, 1886, H. Stephens Ehrman issued the first number of
the Perris Valley Leader. One year later the paper was sold to Julius C. Rieger
and Edmund L. Peebles. Mr. Rieger came to Perris in 1884 and took up 160 acres
of government land, on which he built a house and barn and planted trees and
shrubs and made other improvements. He stayed on the ranch a year, when he
formed a partnership with Mr. Peebles and purchased the Perris Valley Leader. He
published the paper for one year, when he sold out and afterward purchased an
interest in the firm of Mapes & Coppel, which firm was then running a fine
grocery and provision store, giving up one front corner to the postoffice.

   During the fall and winter of 1887 and 1888 the town doubled in population.
Drs. Perry and Sherwood opened a first-class drug store. Dr. Perry, now of Los
Angeles, who was a descendant of Commodore Perry, came to Perris in 1887. He was
a practicing physician in Chicago, but having serious throat trouble,. came to
California in December of 1887. He improved greatly in health and heartily
recommends Perris valley as a very healthful place to live.

   F. M. Coppel, now a practicing physician in Illinois, and M. L. Mapes, in
1887, bought the store of F. H. Carpenter, Mr. Carpenter entering the real
estate firm of C. E. Gyger & Company. Mr. Coppel was the second postmaster to be
appointed in Perris, with Mr. Mapes as deputy. Mr. Mapes and Judge Vermason
afterwards owned this postoffice store, while now Mr. Mapes is sole proprietor.

   This same winter Hook Bros. & Oak built a large two-story brick and iron
building and put in a complete line of general merchandise. In the fall of '87
Ora Oak was looking over Southern California for a place to engage in business.
After considering the merits of the many new places that were starting in
California at that time, he returned to Oakland most favorably impressed with
San Jacinto. In San Francisco he met Joseph F. Hook, an old acquaintance, who
was also desirous of exchanging city for country business, so they went to San
Jacinto with the intention of going into business there, but real estate values
were so high they came to Perris instead. Here they bought property in January,
1888. In February and March they built their store, and in April the Perris
Valley Supply Company's general merchandise store was opened for business. In
May, A. W. Hook came up from his ranch in Sierra Madre, and J. F. Hook returned
from San Francisco, where he had gone to dispose of his business. In August of
the same year they bought lot 2, block 3, which made them owners of all
available land in the railroad Y, thus securing valuable warehouse property.
From the start they grasped the idea of what Perris needed in the way of a
general supply store, and they were successful beyond their highest
expectations. The men who made up the firm were hard working, pushing-men, who
do business on the live-and-let-live basis, and not only have their eyes open to
their own interests, but also to the interests of the community in which they
live. Ora Oak is now located in Col-ton, while J. F. and A. W. Hook still
continue in the business, which has grown to such proportions that they now have
a large department store besides the store in block 3.

   C. D. Bevier bought a lot on Main street and the land company gave him
another. He moved his stables from Pinacate and started the first livery in
Perris. He also built the brick building now owned and occupied by the Hook
Bros, department store.

   In time all the business places in Pinacate were moved to Perris and other
lines of business were started. The Perris Valley Bank opened August 11, 1890,
with James Patterson, Jr., as cashier. A meat market opened in 1888. Mesdames
Banks & Norton supplied the needs of the gentle sex in the millinery line, as
also did Mrs. J. C. Reynolds. There were blacksmith shops, one saloon, a boot
and shoe shop, and the only Chinese resident was Gee Lee, the laundry-man. There
were several contractors and builders in Perris, among them T. M. Mott, A. L.
Broch, F. T. Merritt, J. R. Moore, Harry McCanna, M. A. Penny, Charles S. Hoag,
B. Gardener and B. M. Velzy. Mr. Schmutzler was a first-class painter who lived
in the north end of the valley on a fine ranch, but was always on hand when his
services were needed.

   This Perris valley was an exception to the general rule in Southern
California, inasmuch as it always kept ahead of the town in matters of
development. The few scattering claims of 1884 soon grew to hundreds, and every
section of level government land in the valley was located. Alternate sections
belonged to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, under the terms of the land
grant, and these were eagerly purchased by homeseekers. A majority of the
settlers came into the valley because they were poor and could not afford to pay
the speculative prices asked for land in better known localities, and it was
only the wonderful fertility of the soil and its adaptability to grain culture
that enabled the settlers to make a living and improve their homes. Every
rancher who had the will to work and manage gained ground year by year, and each
season was marked by some improvements. The board shanties gave place to
substantial frame houses, trees were planted and the ranches gradually assumed a
homelike appearance. Little orchards and vineyards were set out and
industriously cultivated by the thrifty settlers, wells were bored and windmills
set up, and thus water was secured for irrigation in a small way. During this
period the business of the valley had enormously increased. A branch line of the
Santa Fe Railroad was built through the valley, from Perris to San Jacinto, a
distance of twenty miles, and great quantities of barley, wheat and rye were
marketed yearly. Large shipments of gold ore from the adjacent mining country,
and wool from the sheep ranches added to the volume.

   The first white child born in Perris was Lucy Renuia Kingston, now Mrs. Ray
Small of Riverside. Mr. and Mrs. John Kingston, with their little daughter,
Grace, came from Illinois to Perris, February 28, 1886. Mr. Kingston had come to
find a place where he might regain his health, but within six weeks from the
arrival of the family in Perris, on the 9th of April, a few hours after the
birth of the baby girl, Mr. Kingston died. A few months later Mrs. Kingston,
with her two little girls, went to her Eastern home, but was soon obliged to
return on account of her own health. She reached Perris the second time May 8,
1888, her father and mother returning with her. Miss Grace Kingston is now a
most efficient bookkeeper in the George N. Reynolds Department store in
Riverside, and Mrs. Kingston is now Mrs. M. L. Mapes of Perris.

   It must be admitted here that Mathew Lutz was the pioneer settler near the
townsite. He came here to work on the railroad, and liked the country so well
that he took up a claim and became a resident. When the Kingston family arrived
the first time the only trees in or around Perris were to be found at the Lutz
home about a mile north of town on the Riverside road.

   Another pioneer to be mentioned in the history of the valley is William
Newport, a rancher in Menifee. Mr. Newport was born in England in 1856. He came
to this country in 1876, and came to Perris valley in 1885 and purchased 2,000
acres of land. When he moved to Menifee, although a young man, he resembled the
patriarchs, as there were twelve wagons in his train, loaded with implements,
provisions, lumber, and his cook-house on wheels was a building 9x18 feet. He
found the valley very dry, and inhabited only by a few poor people; but poor as
they were they pitied the young man who, as they thought, was to make a failure
of farming. After unloading .the caravan he built a good ranch house and two
large barns, and began farming his 2,000 acres, nearly every foot of which was
tillable. Could you see this same ranch today you would find a beautiful home
presided over by a dignified, queenly wife, who was Miss Katherine Lloyd, also a
native of England. There are four fine, manly boys, sons of Mr. and Mrs.
Newport, and one daughter, Katherine. The house is filled with many luxuries and
interesting curios, and the grounds about the place are large and beautiful. Mr.
Newport has been a most valuable factor in showing what can be done with land in
that section when properly handled.

   For years it was believed that irrigation was unnecessary upon the greater
portion of Perris valley lands. Trees and vines made a good growth without
water, save that which fell during the rainy season, but when the trees and
vines reached a bearing age they produced little or no fruit. It became apparent
that lack of water was the cause of barrenness, for the average trees picked out
in an orchard and plentifully watered made a bounteous yield, while those on dry
land, a few rods distant, would be barren. One by one the advocates of "dry
farming" began to discover they were mistaken. About that time the sentiment in
favor of irrigation became so strong that public meetings were held, and it was
decided to form an irrigation district under the Wright act. Many obstacles were
encountered, however, and it was not until about a year and a half that the
boundary lines were definitely established and the work of organization was
begun in earnest. And this brings us to perhaps the most important period in the
history of Perris and the valley, the bringing in of the Bear Valley water and
the results following its being taken away.

   The Perris Irrigation District comprised 13,000 acres of land, and was
organized by order of the board of supervisors of San Bernardino county, on May
20, 1890, under the provisions of an act of the legislature of this state,
entitled, "An Act to provide for the organization and government of irrigation
districts, and to provide for the acquisition of water and other property, and
for the distribution of water thereby for irrigation purposes, approved March 7,
1887." This act is familiarly known as the Wright act. By an order of the board
of supervisors the district was divided into five divisions, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5. An election was held in the district May 20, 1890, to fill the various
elective offices, namely: Five directors, one for each division or precinct of
said district, and a treasurer, collector, and assessor. The following were
elected to fill these offices. Directors—J. W. Nance, first division; Israel
Metz, second division; George P. Oakes, third division; W. F. Warner, fourth
division; C. T. Gifford, fifth division. Officers—D. G. Mitchell, treasurer; H.
N. Doyle, assessor; and Julius C. Rieger, collector.

   On June 13, 1890, the board of directors organized by electing J. W. Nance,
president and Dr. W. F. Perry, secretary. The question of water supply was the
question before the directors, and the entire board resolved- itself into a
committee of investigation to ascertain the most reliable, and at the same time
the cheapest water supply.

   To facilitate matters O. G. Newman of Riverside and James Taylor of Pomona
were selected as advising engineers. On the 17th day of June they left Perris to
examine all available and known water sites of the San Jacinto mountains, such
as Lake Hemet and the proposed works of the Soboba Water company, on Indian
creek. On July 3rd they left Perris for Redlands, from which point they
proceeded up the Santa Ana canyon to the summit and to Bear valley to examine
the Bear Valley dam and reservoir. It was while standing on that magnificent
piece of masonry and looking over the vast expanse of water that they mutually
agreed that it was the safest, best and most feasible system of water supply yet
examined, and further agreed that if it could be had at a satisfactory cost the
Perris valley lands should have no other. The Bear Valley reservoir at that time
was the largest irrigation reservoir in the United States, and plans were then
on foot to enlarge it, which would so increase its capacity that it would be the
largest of any kind in the world.

   O. G. Newman of Riverside, in his report, said: "On July 3, 1890, we examined
the Bear Valley and its water supply, visiting the dam and the lake. The lake is
now about five and a half miles in length, with an average width of two-thirds
of a mile, having a depth of water at the dam of fifty-three feet, which is
equal to a supply of about 3,334 inches under a four-inch pressure, for a six
and two-thirds month irrigating season, or about 5,560 inches for a period of
four months, according to an official map of Bear Valley reservoir, in addition
to the waters wasting into Bear creek during the winter season. The present dam
is sixty feet in height. The contour of Bear valley and of the narrow canyon
leading to Bear creek is such that a dam of considerable additional height can
be constructed at a minimum cost, to store almost an unlimited amount of water.
The valley above the dam is large and nearly level; the slopes of the entire
valley, especially to the south, are heavily timbered, preventing the melting of
the snow, which falls in abundance during the winter months. The gaugings of the
rainfall of Bear valley, taken during a period of six years prior to November,
1890, show an average of about fifty-two inches, with a maximum annual rainfall
of 94.6 inches. The average rainfall for the year 1889 was 42.8 inches. The
drainage area, or the water shed of the valley, is estimated at about
seventy-five square miles, and the present dam is located at an elevation of
6,450 feet above sea level. The cool atmosphere and the frequent summer rains
compensate to a larger degree for the natural loss by evaporation, and the water
supply is also largely augmented by the numerous living streams continually
pouring into the lake from the mountain's side, whose crest reaches an elevation
of 7,500 feet above sea level.

   "The water from the Bear valley would be conducted to the Perris Irrigation
district by means chiefly of an open canal, piping and fluming possibly a small
portion of the distance. The entire distance to be overcome and the grade of the
canal necessary for the most feasible route, render the expenditure heavy in the
construction of the required conduit. However, it is our opinion that the most
permanent supply of water, and by far the largest supply, can be delivered to
the Perris Irrigation District at a minimum cost from the Bear valley when a new
dam is constructed.

   "The present water supply of the reservoir reaches only the fifty-three foot
contour, representing the depth of water at the dam. The eighty-foot contour
shows a capacity about four times present capacity, and the higher contour shows
a proportionately larger capacity for storage. Much more might be said, in a
general way, and estimates of cost of delivering the water at the district from
the different sources referred to can only be obtained by a more extended and
careful research and surveys."

   A preliminary survey was at once ordered, and the same made by A. H. Koebig,
showing cost from San Mateo tunnel to the end of the district, and in his report
of same he says:

   "A canal with the capacity of 5,000 inches over the line described in my
report would cost $344,752, to which I have added twenty per cent for
incidentals and general superintendency, which amounts to $68,950. Adding this
to the first amount the entire cost will be $413,700. This would cover the cost
of construction of a canal of the capacity of 5,000 inches from the entrance of
the same into San Jacinto valley, to the south boundary line of Perris
Irrigation District, covering the entire district. The cost of a canal over the
same line, with a capacity of 15,000 inches; would be $774,427. One-third of
that, which is the pro rata of 5,000 needed by the Perris Irrigation District,
would be $258,142, so that 5,000 inches, delivered through a canal of 15,000
inches capacity would cost $86,610.80 less delivered through a canal of only
5,000 inches' capacity." James T. Taylor, engineer for the Perris Irrigation
District, in his report on estimated cost of canal, etc., for the delivery of
2,000 inches of water, says: "Upon examination of maps, profiles and estimates
of preliminary surveys, I am of the opinion that $175,000 is sufficient to
conduct the entire amount of 2,000 inches of water from the point of delivery
from the Bear Valley company to the district, and also to the south end of the
same and across the valley to the east side. The total distance, estimated to be
about nine miles to the district, six or seven miles along the western boundary,
and about five miles across the valley. The water to be conducted by means of
canals and pipes, either of wood or iron."

   On August 5, 1890, Dr. W. F. Perry handed in his resignation as secretary,
and Col. H. A. Plimpton was appointed in his place. Owing to circumstances
beyond the control of the board matters progressed slowly, and no definite
arrangements were entered into with the Bear Valley Water Company until the 7th
of October. In the meantime, the Bear Valley and Alessandro Company, asked
through petition presented by various petitioners, to have all lands north of
the county line, except a portion of section 36, township 3, south, four west,
excluded from the district. At the same time a petition was presented by various
owners to have 4,150 acres east of the San Jacinto river annexed to the
district. Both being duly advertised and no objections having been filed the
said petitions were granted, leaving the district's present area about 17,680
acres.

   Several propositions were made to the board by the Bear Valley Water Company,
and it was only on October 7th that finally a proposition was presented which,
in the judgment of the board, is the best, surest and cheapest proposition of
any colony in this, the orange belt of the state. The following is the
proposition in full, and the same was duly accepted by the board.

                                     Perris, Cal., Oct. 6, 1890. 
To the Board of Directors of the Perris Irrigation District:
   The Bear Valley Land and Water Company hereby offers to the Perris Irrigation
District sixteen thousand (16,000) of its class "B" acre water right
certificates (a copy of the resolution of the Bear Valley Land and Water Company
providing for the issuance of said certificates hereto and made a part hereof),
with the option unto the Perris Irrigation District of increasing the number of
said certificates to twenty thousand (20,000) certificates; provided the said
Perris Irrigation District shall exercise said option on or before July 1st, A.
D. 1891.

   The water represented by the before mentioned certificates will be delivered
by the Bear Valley Land and Water Company, at its own expense and free of all
expense to the Perris Irrigation District, at the southeast corner of section 2,
township 3 south, range 3 west, S. B. M., in the county of San Bernardino, State
of California.

   The water, represented by eight hundred (800) certificates, will be
delivered, as above set forth, by the Bear Valley Land and Water Company, on or
before April 1st, A. D. 1891.

   The water, represented by twenty-two hundred (2,200) more certificates, will
be delivered, as above, on or before April 1st, A. D. 1892.

   The water, represented by two thousand (2,000) more certificates, will be
delivered, as above, on or before April 1st, A. D. 1893.

   The water, represented by two thousand (2,000) more certificates, will be
delivered, as above, on or before April 1st, A. D. 1894.

   The water, represented by two thousand (2,000) more certificates, will be
delivered, as above, on or before April 1st, A. D. 1895.

   The water, represented by the remainder of said sixteen thousand (16,000)
certificates, and also of the additional four thousand (4,000) certificates, if
the Perris Irrigation District shall have, as hereinafter set forth, exercised
its option to take twenty thousand (20,000) certificates, shall be delivered, as
above set forth, in such quantities and at such times after April 1st, 1895, as
the Perris Irrigation District shall direct; provided, however, that the Perris
Irrigation District shall take all of the water represented by the remainder of
said sixteen thousand (16,000) certificates, or by the remainder of said twenty
thousand (20,000) certificates, as before set forth, on or before the first day
of April, 1890; and provided that the Perris Irrigation District shall never
cumulate a demand for the water represented by the remainder of the sixteen
thousand (16,000) or twenty thousand (20,000) certificates during any one year,
and shall never demand more than the water represented by three thousand (3,000)
certificates during each year of said remaining period.

   Said certificates shall be paid for by the Perris Irrigation District, as
follows, to-wit: Fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars in cash January 1st, 1891, and
the balance of payment shall be made by the delivery, upon said last named date,
of bonds of the Perris Irrigation District, at par, bearing interest at the rate
of six per cent per annum, the issuance and validity of which bonds shall have
been passed upon and approved by a court having jurisdiction in such cases, said
bonds to be issued on a basis not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per acre.

   It is further made a part of this offer that said certificates hereinbefore
mentioned, and the whole thereof, shall be collateral security for the
performance by said district of its obligations and the payment of said bonds,
and shall be held by the Board of Directors of Perris Irrigation District, with
such charge imposed thereon, until said obligations shall have been fulfilled
and discharged by said district.

                                   AMMON P. KITCHING,
                              Vice-President Bear Valley Land and Water Co.
                                   F. E. BROWN,
                             Chief Engineer of Bear Valley Land and Water Co.

   The following resolution of the Bear Valley Land and Water Company, referred
to in the foregoing proposition, is a part thereof:

   RESOLVED: That this company authorize the issue of one hundred thousand
(100,000) certficates, to be called " Class B, Acre Water Right Certificates,"
which shall be sold to such parties as the Board of Directors shall hereafter
determine, for the price of $15 each, and the payment of an annual sum of $2.78
on each certificate, payable equally April 1st and October 1st of each year.
Said certificates to be subject to and subordinate to the rights, under
contracts of the company with the North and South Fork Ditch Company's class "A"
certificates, contract for 200 1-7 inches of water, held by Domestic Co., and
contract for 57 1-7 inches of water held by Crafton Co.

   Said certificate shall express on the face thereof from what canal, ditch,
pipe line or other source of supply other than that expressed on the face thereof.

   Each certificate of said " Class B, Acre Water Right Certificates" shall
entitle the holder to one acre foot, or 43,560 cubic feet, of water per year, to
be called for at such times and in such amounts as the owner thereof shall
desire; provided, however, that this company shall not be compelled to furnish
more than one-eighth of an inch per day to each of such certificates, an inch
being equal to a flow of one-fiftieth of a cubic foot per second.

   These certificates shall always be personal property. All of said above
conditions to be expressed on the face of said certificate.

   The amount realized from the sale of said certificates to go into the
construction fund of the company, and to be used in the construction of dams,
ditches, canals, pipe lines, reservoirs and the purchase of such property as may
be necessary or useful in the carrying on of the business of this company, or in
the payment of such indebtedness as has or may be incurred in the construction
of dams, ditches, pipe lines or reservoirs, or reservoir sites, or the purchase
of the same or rights of way.

   The total cost per acre, counting interest on amount invested, water and
maintenance of canals included, will be $4.28 per acre, or $2.78 per acre amount
actually paid for water. Immediately after accepting the foregoing proposition
the board passed a resolution ordering a special election to be held on the 1st
day of November, 1890, for the purpose of determining the question whether or
not bonds to the amount of $442,000 shall be issued for construction of the
necessary canals, works, etc., amounting to a bonded indebtedness of $25 per
acre—of these bonds $240,000 to be used to pay for the water certificates, and
$202,000 will be used, or as much as will be required in distributing it on the
land; and in accordance with notice duly published and posted a special election
was held Saturday, November 1st, in the five precincts of the Perris Irrigation
District. The whole number of votes cast were seventy —sixty-nine votes in favor
of the issuance of bonds and one vote against bonds.

   At a special meeting of the board of directors immediately thereafter it was
resolved that in pursuance of said election, and by virtue and in pursuance of
the authority vested by law in said board, bonds of said district to the amount
of $442,000 be issued; that said bonds shall be payable, in gold coin of the
United States, in installments as follows, to-wit:

   At the expiration of eleven years, five per cent of said bonds; at the
expiration of twelve years, six per cent; at the expiration of thirteen years,
seven per cent; at the expiration of fourteen years, eight per cent; at the
expiration of fifteen years, nine per cent; at the expiration of sixteen years,
ten per cent; at the expiration of seventeen years, eleven per cent; at the
expiration of eighteen years, thirteen per cent; at the expiration of nineteen
years, fifteen per cent; and for the twentieth year, a percentage sufficient to
pay off said bonds, and that said bonds shall bear interest at the rate of six
per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, on the first day of January and July
of each year. The principal interest of said bonds shall be payable at the
office of the treasurer of the district; said bonds shall be each of the
denomination of $500, signed by the president and secretary, and the seal of the
board of directors shall be affixed thereto; and it was also resolved by the
board of directors at same meeting to sell $227,000 of the bonds, and notice of
the sale of said amount of bonds was sent by the secretary to a daily paper in
each of the cities of San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles, as well as our
own paper, the New Era, to the effect that sealed proposals will be received by
the board at the office in Perris, up to 10 a. m., January 2, 1891.

   In accordance with the provisions of the Wright act, under which this
district is organized, the matter was at once taken into the courts for a review
of the proceedings of the board of directors, and to test validity, etc., of the
bonds; and on the 13th of December the court decreed that all the proceedings of
said board, from the organization of the district up to and including the order
for the issuance and sale of its bonds, be and the same are hereby approved,
confirmed, and declared legal and valid.

   The following report made by the assessor of the Perris Irrigation District
to the board of directors at a special meeting called to receive the same, will
give something of an idea as to the real value of property within said district,
a most gratifying-showing for the growth and development of the valley in a less
period than half a decade.

                                   Perris, Cal., Dec. 9th, 1890. 
To the Honorable Board of Directors, Perris Irrigation District:
   Gentlemen—In accordance with your request I made a careful assessment of all
real property in the Perris Irrigation District. I have taken cash values for my
guide, and have made the same equitable, and herewith report:
   Total acreage and improvements thereon, $979,052.55.
                                   Respectfully,
                                              HORATIO N. DOYLE,
                                                       Assessor.

   The board of directors unanimously passed a resolution endorsing and
accepting said report and ordered same spread on the minutes of the board.

   They said further: "No question can now be raised against the work done in
the past, and we need fear nothing as to the final outcome of the water
question, for the bonds will be sold, and work will then begin, and. in the not
very distant future Bear Valley water will come rippling down our avenues, and
flowing-through our orange groves, and Perris valley, from Moreno to our own
thriving town, will be dotted with groves and beautiful homes, for all the
fruits and flowers for which Riverside and Redlands are celebrated can be raised
here to perfection. For natural beauty there is not a valley in all Southern
California which excels, if it equals the Perris valley. Our climate is-truly an
anomaly. In all the seasons, including the rainy days of the winter months,
sunshine is the rule; and we only know it is the time of winter by seeing his
white mantle glistening in the bright sunlight on the distant mountain peaks. We
close this report with an invitation to our eastern friends to come and be one
of us, 1 for the Lord hath spoken good concerning this fair land, and his smile
is upon us, for it is in very truth   God's country.' "
                                        J. W. NANCE, President,
                                        GEO. P. OAKES,
                                        W. F. PERRY,
                                        ARNOLD E. COLBY;
                                        ISRAEL METZ,
                                        H. A. PLIMPTON, Secretary.

   Isn't this glorious prophecy a bit pathetic to those who know the trouble the
Bear Valley water transactions brought to this fair land? In this instance, as
is always true where the interests of the people are concerned, sides were taken
for and against the Bear Valley water proposition. The people were united on the
fact that Perris valley must have water, but there were those, shall we not say,
who were a little the wiser, who believed a subterranean body of water could be
found at an average depth of about forty feet, which would be inexhaustible,
since a flow of about twenty miners' inches was being drawn from two seven-inch
wells by a steam engine, continuously for twenty-four hours, without lowering
the water in the wells.

   Such decided positions were taken by either side that the bitterest of
feeling existed between the two factions. It went to such an extent that
incendiary fires occurred. At one time the warehouse of Hook Brothers & Oak was
burned to the ground; at another time the store was found in a blaze, but this
was quickly extinguished before any real damage was done. Many pages could be
written on the period of Perris history, but suffice to say in spite of all
these ups and downs the district was bonded and the water came "rippling down
their avenues," and when it reached the town a great day of feasting and joy and
gladness was observed. A fountain of water played in the streets and the "Water
Festival" went down in history. Perris valley took on new life, orchards of all
kinds of fruit trees were to be seen growing in any direction; gardens
flourished; flowers bloomed, and it seemed indeed it was "God's country."

   Following is a clipping from the Riverside Reflex, April 14, 1894: "Perris is
a young city of the plains. It is on the Southern California Railway. It is in
the midst of the great grain-growing part of the county, but has recently gone
extensively into deciduous fruits, alfalfa and general farming. What is called
Perris valley embraces about 80,000 acres of land, 13,000 acres of which
comprise the Perris Irrigation District, watered from the great Bear Valley dam,
in the San Bernardino mountains. The water is distributed in steel pipes under
pressure, and the system, when completed, at the cost of $300,000, will be one
of the finest in the world. All kinds of deciduous fruits, cereals and
vegetables grow in abundance and perfection, and lemons thrive. The population
of town and settlement is about 1,200, and the town is quite a trading center.
There are stores of all kinds, a bank, a good newspaper, opera house, schools,
churches, etc. In the foothills, a few miles west of Perris, gold mining is
profitably prosecuted."

   Right here it might be said the hills west of Perris are rich in deposits of
gold, silver, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, asbestos, plumbago and gypsum. At
this time the principal gold mines worked near Perris were the Good Hope
Consolidated, Menifee, Plomo, Virginia, Northern Belle, Colorado, .and the
placers in Gabilan. Specimens of gold quartz assaying over $60 per ton had been
taken out, though the average was from $20 to $45 per ton. A five-stamp mill had
been in operation at the Good Hope mine for ten years, but was replaced by
improved machinery having greater capacity.

   A stamp mill was also in operation at the Menifee mines, eight miles from
Perris. The property was owned by the Allen syndicate of St. Louis. Menifee
Wilson, who first located the mines, and for whom that portion of the valley was
named, took out over $18,000 worth of gold dust before disposing of the property.

   The famous Temecula tin mines, fifteen miles west of Perris, were owned by an
English company who employed a force of a hundred men improving the mines,
erecting buildings and constructing a large dam.

   Perris valley, through the labor of J. H. Banks, had a mineral exhibit which
took first premium at the Sixth District Fair, held in Los Angeles in the fall
of 1889.

   Thus in nearly all lines of activity Perris was prosperous. But this
prosperity, so eagerly looked forward to, continued for only a few short years.
The Bear Valley Water Company soon was unable to furnish the water agreed upon,
as their supply lowered, and other places having prior rights must be supplied,
so the Perris valley supply dwindled and finally was shut off entirely, and the
services of Lou Howery, as zanjero, were no longer needed. Then dark and
troublous days followed. The gardens and flowers no longer flourished; the fruit
trees were unable to withstand the long, dry summers, and alfalfa fields became
brown and gray.

   Naturally censure fell upon those public-spirited citizens who had worked so
zealously to bring the water into the valley, which through no fault of theirs
had been taken away. Many small fortunes were wrecked, and many good families
were lost to Perris. Houses were picked up and moved out of the valley, making
the place look the more desolate.

   Finally in 1895, Dr. W. B. Payton, now of Riverside, began to make
arrangements to bore a well and grade forty acres for alfalfa on his ranch east
of town. People generally discouraged him, saying he would-be foolish to even
try to keep ten acres alive from the little water he would get from a well. But
he bored his well, and installed a gasoline engine and successfully irrigated
his forty-acre field of alfalfa. About this time William Edgar, now of Imperial,
bored a well and had water for irrigation purposes.

   Ranchers throughout the valley began to put down wells, but it was not until
1905 that things really began to pick up.

   In December, 1888, the Temescal Water Co. was organized in Corona. One
hundred and sixty acres of land were bought in the Perris valley and wells put
down and pumping plants erected. A pipe line was built from these wells in
Perris valley to the wells in Temescal canyon, and ever since August 11, 1901,
water has been pumped from these wells, through the pipe line to Temescal, then
on to Corona, to increase the insufficient water supply from the Temescal
artesian wells.

   Why couldn't Perris valley at this time have had the benefit of this water
supply?

   The Temescal Water Co. has its station at Ethanac, on the Santa Fe, a few
miles southeast of Perris. Ethanac was named in honor of Ethan Allen Chase of
Riverside; and is a pretty little town, the inhabitants being chiefly the
employes of the Temescal Water Co.

   In 1904 William Newport brought action against the Temescal Water Co. to
prevent them pumping water from the Perris valley into the Corona valley, for he
believed the water level in the Perris valley was being lowered. He was defeated
in the courts, however, and the Temescal Water Co. still operates at Ethanac.

   Water supply or non-supply makes history in Southern California, so it has
been the peg around which all events in Perris and Perris valley rotate. But the
supply in this valley that has already been developed has far exceeded the
wildest dream of any promoter or real estate dealer. Wells and pumping plants
can be found on every ranch, and thousands of acres of alfalfa are watered and
harvested, while oranges and lemons grow in abundance along the foothills.

   One of the finest ranches in the valley is Poorman Dairy Ranch. Much could be
said about the development of this ranch, which has been an interesting
agricultural study. The ranch, consisting of 3,600 acres, is the property of
Samuel Poorman of Alameda. His son Edward is sole manager, a young man just from
college, who came to the ranch some six or seven years ago, and who with the
experience of his father has made the ranch what it is, a splendid Southern
California dairy ranch. He manufactures the Mission creamery butter, a
well-known product in this part of the state.

   One of the prettiest home places in the valley is La Hacienda, the bungalow
home of Mr. and Mrs. John Dunlap, on the Dunlap ranch, northeast of town. It is
built of gray granite and is the quaintest, most artistic place one could
imagine, with its roof in a dull gray tone and the seven gables green. It is a
low rambling house, with large porches, surrounded by flowers and a spacious
lawn in front. A large number of ornamental and fruit trees are growing round
about the place, while broad alfalfa fields are on three sides cooling the
heated winds of afternoons in summer. To sit on the veranda here at twilight and
see the different ranges of mountains and foothills on the south, the east, and
the west, hazily outlined in a soft blue-gray light, with the great valley
stretching away in all directions, one can fully appreciate the wondrous beauty
of the "hill-encircled Perris valley."

   About a half-mile distant to the east is the cozy brown bungalow home of Mr.
and Mrs. A. H. Dunlap, Jr., nestling in a pretty garden.

   The Dunlap Brothers have 160 acres in alfalfa, while the remainder of the
ranch is devoted to dry farming. The Dunlap ranch was originally a part of the
Newport North ranch. The foothill portion was sold by A. H. Dunlap, Sr., to Emil
Firth, who has had it surveyed into ten-acre tracts for orange culture. He has
named the place Orange Vista, and already a beautiful home on Foothill and
Citrus avenues has been built by Mrs. Anderson, who came but recently from
Davenport, Iowa, with her husband, who suddenly died while the new home was
being made ready for them.

   A beautiful home among the foothills, about two miles north of town, is that
of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Conklin. The house, with its pretty green lawn and
multitude of beautiful flowers, surrounded by a grove of orange and lemon trees,
is one of the show places of the valley. Go up the tree-lined drive in April,
when orange and lemon trees and roses are in bloom, and see this beautiful
country home in "all it's glory, with a view from the house across the orange
grove and the valley to snow-crowned San Jacinto mountain in the distance, and
you will wonder if any spot in the world could be more beautiful.

   As before stated, Perris Valley is unusual in that it has always kept ahead
of the town in matters of development, but Perris is again coming into its own,
and this time is building on a sure and safe foundation.

   In April, 1911, an election for incorporation was held and carried by a vote
of more than two to one and Perris became a city of the sixth class. At this
same time officers were elected as follows: Clerk, Charles H. Cowles; treasurer,
W. W. Stewart; marshal, Harry Truax; trustees, J. W. Lowery, C. W. Woodward, S.
V. Gates, George Marshall and Dr. J. W. Reese. Dr. Reese was elected chairman of
the board of trustees.

   Since incorporation much progress has been made. The first and most important
step perhaps was the purchase of a pumping plant and water system, which it is
expected soon will be in such state of perfection, with large storage tank, that
water may be had in abundance at all times, as well as on pumping days.

   The Southern Sierras Power Company has a sub-station here, the only one in
the county, and Perris, its homes, and the homes in the valley, are being
lighted by electricity; besides many pumpping plants are now being run by
electric motors rather than gasoline.

   A saloon is an enterprise that was launched after incorporation, but at the
very first election to be held in the city, "Brave Little Perris" arose to the
situation and the saloon was voted out. A clean town was more desirable to them
than the large revenue poured into its treasury by a saloon.

   Perris has a bank and a banker, and is justly proud of both W. W. Stewart
came to Perris in the fall of 1908 and opened the Bank of Perris. He bought
property and began at once to build his home, which is one of the most beautiful
and modern houses in the valley. It is in the foothill portion of the city,
commanding a view of the whole valley. This was in readiness for the arrival of
his wife, two sons and daughter, Genevieve, who came the following spring. The
two sons, W. G. and Clifford, are associated with him in his banking business.

   T. H. Sharpless is a public-spirited citizen who has recently built two large
brick buildings on Main street, in the Sharpless block. The Perris pharmacy, the
Ming Shoe store, the postoffice and the Poinsetta furnished rooms are all housed
in one, while in the other will be found the Lanier & Kirkpatrick store, Dr.
Woods' jewelry store, and a fine meat market. Many fine business houses, a
credit to a city of any size, and many beautiful houses and cozy bungalows are
making Perris a substantial little city.

   Early in the history of Perris schools and churches were established. The
first school was opened about a mile south of town and was taught by a Miss
Potts, afterwards Mrs. Eli E. Waters. In 1888, through the efforts of J. W.
Nance, a fine $6,000 brick building was erected in the west part of town. This
building is still in very good condition and is the home of the grades in
Perris, with Miss Prudence Faddis as principal.

   Another school about four miles north of town is the Schneider school, a neat
attractive two-story building. Here for a time they employed two teachers, but
during the decline of the valley it was closed, as there were not enough
children in the north end to permit of a teacher being hired. Now again "school
keeps" and it is necessary to employ two teachers.

   For some time the Perris Union High School held forth in the brick building
with the grades, then for a few months in the fall of 1910 they occupied Evelyn
Hall, while waiting for the completion of the beautiful new, commodious building
erected on a ten-acre tract at the corner of Perris boulevard and San Jacinto
avenue. The structure is wonderfully beautiful; it is in the early Spanish
Mission architecture, built around a court, so that it is necessary for pupils
in going from the auditorium to their class rooms, to come out into the open
corridor surrounding the court. A tennis court, basketball court, baseball
diamond and equipment for various athletic stunts are to be found here. In July,
1910, the laying of the corner stone was appropriately celebrated by the Masonic
Grand Lodge of California, concluding with an eloquent and fitting address by a
fellow townsman and member of the Masonic order, W. H. Ellis, A high school
principal, H. W. Hawkins, and two assistants, Miss Lily Thompson and Miss Sadie
Paul, are the very efficient instructors. In any mention of the Perris Union
High School too much credit cannot be given to Professor Hawkins and Miss
Thompson for their untiring work in bringing the school up to such a standard
that it is second to none in the state.

   In January, 1893, a government school for Indians was located about four
miles north of Perris, on Perris boulevard, on an eighty acre tract of land in
what was known as the Riverside tract. The school was a great asset to the
valley, and it has always been deplored by the Perris valley people that it was
deemed necessary to move it away. But during the years of discouragement brought
about by shortage of water supply, so much pressure was brought to bear that the
school was moved to Riverside and made the beginning of the famous Sherman
Institute of that place.

   The eighty acre tract, with its beautiful grounds, and most of its buildings,
was sold by the government for $1500. Today it is owned by J. S. Lowery and C.
L. Smith, natives of Texas, and has reached a valuation of $25,000. There are
two wells on the ranch, one two hundred feet deep and the other three hundred
and thirty-five feet deep, pumping about ninety-five inches of water, using a
forty-horse power gasoline engine, watering fifty-two acres of alfalfa, besides
a family orchard of walnuts, apricots, peaches, plums and pears. This orchard is
two years old and growing nicely. Potatoes, onions, corn and other vegetables
are raised very successfully on this land once supposed to be of little value.
Mr. Lowery and Mr. Smith with their families came from Gonzales, Texas, in the
fall of 1910, purchasing this land and making all the improvements now to be
found on the place. With their coming the Indian school took on a new life, for
one of the remaining buildings has been converted into a home by the
"Lowery-Smiths," as they are familiarly called, and many a happy and pleasant
evening has been enjoyed by them with their many friends about them in the
spacious old rooms.

   In 1886 a Congregational church was built and Rev. C. H. Davis installed as
pastor.

   The Town Company offered the Methodist denomination a lot and $200 in money
if they would come in and establish and build a church, but they considered the
field hardly worth their efforts.

   So it came to pass in the spring of 1886 that Mrs. J. W. Nance, now of Los
Angeles, and Mrs. H. N. Doyle, now of San Diego, assisted by Mrs. D. G.
Mitchell, now of Riverside, organized a Ladies' Aid Society and began at once to
raise money towards a new church building. They arranged for a bazaar, which was
held April 9, 1886, in the L. D. Reynolds store. In preparing for this bazaar
Mrs. Nance and Mrs. Doyle drove over the valley in every direction and
interested every person in their project. The bazaar was successful beyond their
fondest expectations and a fund for the church was started. That same ^ear the
First Congregational Church of Perris was built, with the Rev. C. H. Davis, now
deceased, as pastor During the pastorate of Rev. and Mrs. Davis the parsonage
was also built in the Carpenter addition.

   On September i7, 1888, a very unusual thing happened in Perris. A terrific
wind, rain and hail storm occurred, razing the church to the ground, leaving the
little organ faithfully holding the fort all unhurt. The old pulpit still
carries the marks and scars of the hail. Operations began at once to rebuild the
church, and during the time of its reconstruction, services were held in the
rear of a furniture and carpenter shop, now remodeled, and is the home of Judge
and Mrs. Vermason.

   About the year 1905, through the untiring efforts of Mrs. H. S. Wolcott, the
church was improved by the addition of a Sunday school room; later during the
summer of 1911 it was further improved by an entire new roof and a roomy,
comfortable parlor in the rear, changing the appearance of the whole church,
making it very attractive and a credit to its fair city.

   During the twenty-six years of its existence this Congregational church has
had six pastors: Rev. C. H. Davis, the first pastor, followed by Rev. Burr; Rev.
Emerson, Rev. Mathes, Rev. Corbin and Rev. J. B. Long, the present iucumbent.
[sic] Rev. Long, with his wife, son, Sheldon, and daughter, Esther, came to
Perris some five or six years ago from Nogales, Ariz., and are very important
factors in the church, school and social life of the place.

   Other churches have been established in Perris, opening and closing with the
ebb and flow of the prosperity of the place, but the faithful old Congregational
church has never been closed, and perhaps brie of the happiest periods in the
church history of Perris was when all the denominations were united under the
one roof.

The next church to be built was the German Methodist Episcopal, in the year
1888, through the efforts of Rev. W. F. Meyer. Later the Methodists established
a church and held their services in this same building. At different times and
places the Episcopalians, Baptists and Lutherans have held services in the town.
About 1891 the Methodists build a pretty, up-to-date building, but during the
years when conditions in the town and valley were on the decline the church was
closed as were all others except the Congregational. In 1909 they reopened their
church, which is now in a very flourishing condition, with plans on foot to
enlarge the building. Rev. Twombley is the pastor.

   The old German Methodist Episcopal Church was bought by the Catholics in
1909, renovated and restored with a wonderfully attractive interior, and in May,
1910, was appropriately dedicated to their services by the Right Rev. Bishop
Conaty of Los Angeles, assisted by a retinue of celebrated priests. This was
brought about by the labors of Father William Hughes, who has gone on to a
greater field of action. Perris is very proud to record his labors among them,
for he was loved by Catholic and Protestant, and all alike watch with interest
his career, which is bound to be one of triumph.

   The Apostolic Faith Mission has an organization here of but a few months, but
the members are already in their own church home.

   Besides the church and school organizations are the lodges and clubs. The
Knights of Pythias, Pythian Sisters, Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star,
Independent Order of Foresters and Fraternal Brotherhood all have organizations
here. The Pythian lodges are among the older organizations, while the Masons
instituted a lodge in 1910 with George W. Cummins as the first Worshipful
Master, and in 1911 an Eastern Star chapter was organized with Mr. and Mrs. P.
A. Handley as Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron.

   An organization that plays no small part in the social and literary life of
Perris is the Perris Woman's Club, of which Mrs. W. W. Stewart is the
newly-elected president.

   No history of Perris or its valley should be written without mention of the
good people, who, though the days were dark or bright, clung to the place, and
by their loyalty are helping to make it the fine city it is sure to be. The only
firms doing business in the town now, who were there before the "water famine,"
are Hook Bros, and M. L. Mapes. Many people have come, only to stay a few years
and go; but to such people as Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Wolcott with their son, Myron
S., Hook brothers with their families, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Mapes, Judge and Mrs.
Vermason (who have been there since 1888), Mr. and Mrs. Aiken, A. T. Kimball,
Mrs. Mary Harrington, Mrs. Bentley, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Nance, Mr. and Mrs.
Preston, Dr. and Mrs. Reese, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Cowles, James E. and C. E.
Gyger, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Tigner, H. M. Harford, Mr. and Mrs. George Brum, Mrs.
Bernasconi, S. V. Gates, and others— to these people we must give the credit
that a city is to be found here. This little city "of the plains" may not be all
its residents would have it be, but

   "If you don't like the kind of town
      That this town seems to be,
   If buildings here are gray and brown
      A way you hate to see,
   If something isn't up-to-date,
      As good as things of old,
   While other towns are simply great
      Or so you have been told;
   If you would like to see a place
      That's full of push and snap,
   A town that stands for better things
      A town that's on the map;
   Yes, if a way you'd like to know
      To find it in a jerk,
   I'll tell you where you ought to go—
      You ought to go to work.
   You needn't pack a trunk or grip
      And leave the folks behind,
   You needn't go and take a trip,
      Some other place to find,
   You needn't go and settle down
      Where friends of old you'll miss—
   For, if you want that kind of town,
      Just make it out of this."

   When the city has improved its water system, and more houses are surrounded
by lawns and flowers; when the city has electric lights, paved streets, when
there is a little better house-keeping on the part of the city, when the water
bonds are paid and the beautiful foot-hill section is dotted with homes; we can
well say that the prophecy of the board of directors of the Perris Irrigation
District uttered in such good faith so many years ago has really come to pass
and that Perris, the foot-hill city, is "a town that's on the map."


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF
Riverside County
CALIFORNIA
WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development From
the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
ELMER WALLACE HOLMES
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 
1912


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