Sonoma County CA Archives History - Books .....Santa Rosa Township 1880
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Book Title: History Of Sonoma County

SANTA ROSA.

   The pleasingly euphonious name of Santa Rosa was first given to the stream
which winds through the beautifully wooded valley and from which it, as well as
the township and city, derives its cognomen. The story of the baptismal rite is
thus told by Mr. Robert A. Thompson, County Clerk, than whom no better authority
on this part of the county lives: It is recorded of Juan Amoroso that he was one
of those missionaries who dared everything in behalf of the Cross; earnest,
faithful and bold, he preached the story of the Master without fear. He was a
true disciple of the Church militant on earth and believed in teaching the
heathen the practices of Christianity, and, as far as possible, the arts of
civilization, by force if they did not adopt them by persuasion. His zeal led
him, in 1824, to accept the difficult, not to say dangerous, task of founding
the mission of San Rafael. He successfully accomplished that task. Five years
after, in 1829, he made an excursion northward in company with one Jose' Cantua,
hoping, doubtless, to find some stray heathen who by his zeal might be brought
into the fold of the faithful. He came to the territory of the Cainemeros tribe
of Indians who resided on the river Chocoalomi, the Indian name of what is now
Santa Rosa creek. At the rocky point opposite the "old adobe," a mile and a-half
from the present town, he captured an Indian girl, baptized her in the stream
and gave her the name of Santa Rosa from the fact that, on that very day, the
Church was celebrating the fast of Santa Rosa de Lima. He was attacked by the
natives and fled, arriving safely at his mission of San Rafael.

   In June, 1834, Governor Figueroa undertook an expedition to the northern part
of the county to survey the position of the Russians and to make some
preparations for the reception of colonists who were reported as coming from
Mexico to settle in California. He personally explored the sorrounding country
and chose a site on the banks of Mark West creek—then called Potiquiyomi—which
he named "Santa Ana y Farias" after the then President and Vice-President of
Mexico. Shortly after, the Governor returned to Monterey, having left the pueblo
in charge of a few soldiers under the command of Ensign (now General) M. G.
Vallejo; he, however, finding his position untenable, being sore pressed by the
Indian tribes who had intercepted direct communication with San Francisco,
reported the state of affairs to the Mexican Government, when he was ordered to
take a position nearer the bay, and thus Santa Ana y Farias was abandoned and
the pueblo of Sonoma settled.

   In 1838-9, the building already mentioned as the "old adobe" was erected by
Mrs. Carrillo, a sister of General Vallejo's wife, and mother of Julio Carrillo,
who was granted a large tract of land, including the site of the present city of
Santa Rosa, the country lying between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol being given to
Joaquin Carrillo, her brother. The adobe still stands on Santa Rosa creek, a
mile aud a half above the town, and was the first building erected in the
valley, or indeed anywhere north of the city of Sonoma, saving those constructed
by the Russians at or near Fort Ross. It is now owned by F. G. Rahman of Santa
Rosa.

   The following pen-picture of this historical establishment, as it was in
July, 1850, when in the possession of Ramon Carrillo, we reproduce as a graphic
description of the manners and customs of the pre-American occupiers of California:

   "In front of the house was a court-yard of considerable extent, and part of
this was sheltered by a porch; here, when the vaqueros have nothing to call them
to the field, they pass the day looking like retainers of a rude court; a dozen
wild, vicious-looking horses, with wooden saddles on their backs, stand ever
ready for work; while lounging about, the vaqueros smoke, play the guitar, or
twist a new riata of hide or horse-hair. When the sun gets lower they go to
sleep in the shade, while the little horses that remain in the sunshine do the
same apparently, for they shut their eyes and never stir. Presently a vaquero,
judging the time by the sun, gets up and yawns, staggering lazily towards his
horse, gathers up his riata, and twists it around the horn of his saddle—the
others, awakening, rise and do the same, all yawning, with eyes half open,
looking as lazy a set as ever were seen, as indeed they are when on foot. 'Hupa!
Anda!' and away they go in a cloud of dust, splashing through the river, waving
their lassoes around their heads with a wild shout, and disappearing from sight
almost as soon as mounted. The vaquero wants at all times to ride furiously, and
the little horses' eyes are opened wide enough before they receive the second
dig of their rider's iron spurs."

   Let us briefly relate the further history of this ancient landmark. In 1851
Don Ramon returned to his native clime, and left the adobe in the possession of
David Mallagh, who had espoused a daughter of Mrs. Carrillo; and in the Fall of
that year, in conjunction with Donald McDonald, he opened a public-house and
grocer's shop within the hitherto hallowed walls; this was the first launching
into the mysteries of merchandising in Santa Rosa valley. At this period the
daughters had succeeded to that portion of the tract lying between Santa Rosa
and Bennet Valley creeks, while Julio Carrillo owned all the north side of the
creek.

   Before proceeding further with our record, let us here interpolate a
description of the Santa Rosa valley. The plains, as the fertile strath is
oftentimes called, rise gradually for some sixteen miles, the grade taking a
southerly direction from the Russian river, there being just enough inclination
to shed the water back to the larger stream. Two considerable streams flow into
the Russian river, which having found their source in the mountains on the east,
pursue their way across the plains into a sequence of lakes on the west, and
debouching therefrom, finally deposit their water into the river above named.
The eye is pleasantly relieved by groves of oaks, which in no wise interfere
with the cultivation of the soil, the yield under the shadow of the umbrageous
trees being very nearly, if not quite, as good as it is in the open ground;
cereals fruits and vines all grow in the greatest profusion and perfection,
while on the eastern slope of the valley, built along the banks of the creek,
stands the county seat of Sonoma, the beautiful city of Santa Rosa. Within easy
distance of the town are Bennet, Guilicos and Rincon valleys, all lands rich in
agricultural results, and peopled by hardy, honest, well-to-do farmers.

   Up to the period when the district was first settled Santa Rosa and the small
valieys contiguous to it were very different from what they are today. At that
time the broad level plain was one vast field of waving corn, in the months of
March' and April, looking like an emerald sea, dotted with islands, as it were,
formed from the clumps of oaks among the only perishable landmarks which still
remain, and limited by a horizon of bold, wooded highlands and more noble
mountains, rocky-peaked, and clothed with dense chapparal to their summits.
Roads there were none, save the divergent trails which twisted through the
luxuriant growth of wild oats, that reached, on every side, shoulder high with
the passing equestrian. Fences there were none, therefore the prospect was
unbroken, save by those objects already noted. The low-lying land teemed with
game of every kind, both four-footed and feathered, that had scarcely known the
meaning of death, save by natural means; the rivers were stocked with finny
gambolers, whose numbers had been lessened by none, except the aboriginal red
man, while the canons and mountain sides gave shelter to the panther, the puma,
and the grizzly bear. Around the vista was variegated with flowers of the
richest perfumes, lending a pleasing sensation of sweet repose; the smallest
sounds were heard in the vast solitude, and each in concert—the hard, grating
noise of the cicada, the hum of bees, the chirping of gorgeously plumed
songsters—all these signs of animation made the solitude still more profound and
oppressive, until it became a relief to watch for the obstruction of the path by
an infuriated beeve, or gaze in expectation for the rapid stampede of a drove of
elk or deer.

   In the year 1846 the first immigration to California from the Atlantic States
took place, and a few found their way to this district and settled in what is
now known as Los Guilicos valley. This influx to the population received no
further impetus until 1848, the year of the discovery of gold, when a few others
arrived; notable among these being David and William Hudson, John York, and
William Elliott; these had families. In 1848, in the Fall, the small settlement
had an accession of strength in the arrival of Martin Hudson, his wife and five
children. In this winter, Mrs. Martin Hudson, a hale old lady with a wonderfully
clear and retentive memory, informs us that she and her family and her
brother-in-law and his four children, occupied small log huts. At this time
there also came Ben Jewell and several others, whose names cannot be traced. In
1849, William Hood arrived and occupied land in Los Guilicos valley. The lives
of these pioneers were anything but a bed of roses; the daily recurring round of
hardships was hard to face, but it had to be met. As time went on, the mind was
kept active in order to provide for their wants. Those with families were
frequently put to it to find comforts for delicate females and helpless babes.
Did sickness show itself, it had to be averted with the simplest aid at hand,
for physicians had not yet found their way into the impenetrable wilds;
therefore it is wonderful how many there are who live to tell the tale. In the
year 1848, or perhaps before that, we find that William Elliott had constructed
a water-power grist-mill on Mark West creek, where his distant neighbors—if the
almost antithetical express ion may be used—were wont to have their grain turned
into flour. The raising of wheat had not as yet taken any hold upon the
settlers; indeed it was doubted if it would grow at all. Barley was produced in,
for those days, considerable quantities, that is to say, little more than enough
for home consumption. Tea, sugar and coffee were luxuries indeed, a substitute
for the latter being frequently found in burnt corn or wheat; meat and game
were, fortunately, plentiful, while now and then the real treat of baked bread
would be indulged in. Most of the commodities in use were procured from San
Francisco, which was reached first by horseback to the bay, and after, by a
rough passage in an open whale-boat to the city, yet with all these difficulties
to contend against, we are told that existence was by no means unpleasant then,
while now there are many who have almost retired from active labor and lead a
life of ease and comfort; there are others, again, who have been called across
the dark river after the passing of useful and eventful years; while lastly,
there are still those who, young then, are now filling prominent positions in
the world, each proving that their early teachings have stood them in good stead
in fighting the battle of life.

   In the year 1850, a Presbyterian preacher named Townley held services in Los
Guilicos valley, under the shadow of a spreading oak. The congregation which
gathered to this sylvan church, though few in number, were sincere in their
devotion, and listened to these expositions* of Divine truth in the wilderness
of unreclaimed solitude with deep-seated feeling. It is pleasing to record that
this early pioneer minister had the doing good to his fellow-creatures at heart,
for we are told that in this same year he started a school on Cottonwood creek,
on the edge of the valley, which he maintained for three months. In this year we
also hear of the first wedding. What a day of rejoicing must such a social event
have been. How easy it is to picture the friends, or even strangers, hasting to
the wedding, each mounted on his fleet steed, and all arrayed in such fineries
the like of which had not been hitherto donned in the new country. While
writing, we feel the geneality which then prevailed pervade ourself, and have,
in our mind's eye, the hearty hand-shakings, the fervent congratulations and
loud-sung praises of bride and bridegroom. The contracting parties on this
occasion were Miss Celia Elliott and Benjamin Jewell, mentioned above. The first
birth is supposed to have been that of Mary, now Mrs. McCormick, daughter of
William Hudson, who is still a resident of Sonoma county. This event occurred in
1846, while the first death was that of the old English sailor and intrepid
pioneer, Mark West, whose name is so familiar in the mouths of the present
generation. He died of cancer in 1849. Marcus West is described as a tall man of
commanding presence, mild in manner and kind to a fault.

   Let us now glance at the history of the town of Santa Rosa, its location,
progress, and present prosperity.

   SANTA ROSA.—We have already said that Mallagh and McDonald started a store in
the old adobe in 1851; in June of the next year Alonzo Meacham, who with his
partner, Barney Hoen, suffered disaster in San Francisco in the great fire of
May, came up from that city, and buying out Mallagh and McDonald, opened a store
and trading post for general merchandize. Not long after this Meacham applied to
Washington for the establishment of a postoffice at this point, which was duly
done, Donald McDonald being appointed on the 22d of April, 1852; to it was given
the name of Santa Rosa, and thereafter the city succeeded to the cognomen. In
the end of that year Meacham's former partner, Barney Hoen, landed at New Town,
then the limit of steamer communication, from the "Red Jacket," on her second
trip, and coining up to Santa Rosa, on horseback, purchased a half interest of
Meacham's business, who had by this time acquired the right, by purchase, from
Julio Carrillo, of the tract of seventy acres, comprising the site of the city
of Santa Rosa, for which he had paid twelve dollars per acre. In this year James
Cockrill owned a residence on a position near to the Pacific Methodist College.
At the time of the first survey it was considered a great distance from town.
Mr. Cockrill died of small-pox during the epidemic in 1853.

   The interest of Alonzo Meacham in the business of the "old adobe" was sold to
F. G. Hahman on May 1, 1853, the firm then becoming Hoen & Hahman, but in a few
weeks Hartman purchasing an interest from them, the designation of the
copartnership was changed to Hoen & Co. During the Summer of this year a
prosperous trade was carried on at the "old abobe;" it became the mart to supply
all the country to the north, while their goods found ready purchasers in the
adjoining counties. Trains of pack  mules daily passed their doors, while they
themselves did a considerable freighting business, not only in receiving
accessions to their stock of goods, but also in despatching commodities to the
Russian River valley and Lake and Mendocino counties. In the month of August,
1853, Hoen & Co. purchased from Meacham the seventy acres already alluded to,
for the sum of sixteen hundred dollars, being at the rate of twelve dollars an
acre, the balance being paid in consideration of the fence which had been
constructed around it. The western boundary of this property ran through the plaza.

   We now come to the reasons of the laying out of the town. The "old adobe" was
sold to a man named Walkinshaw, from Santa Clara, by David Mallagh, and on the
new landlord's taken possession he demanded a rental of three hundred dollars a
month from Hoen & Company for the whole of the building, instead of twenty-five
dollars per mensem, which they had hitherto been paying for a portion thereof.
This extortionate price they refused to listen to or acknowledge, therefore, as
a solution of the difficulty, the above mentioned purchase was made on the 9th
August, as appears by the books of the firm, and the determination arrived at to
lay out a town, Julio Carrillo agreeing to give a like quantity for that
purpose. In the original survey of the site, Mr. Robert Thompson tells us, "the
creek was taken for a base and a line was run northerly from an oak stump, which
stood near the old Masonic Hall, to Fourth street—leaving the Plaza trees on
land of Hoen & Company. The price of lots was fixed at twenty-five dollars a
piece, without any regard to location. Julio Carrillo's house on Second
street—now owned by J. P. Clark—was built by John Bailiff in the Summer of 1852.
This was the only house in the town when it was first surveyed. Achilles
Richardson had a small store near the creek, which was outside of First
street—the southern limit of the embryo city." In the natural sequence of
things, transactions in land follow the laying out of a town. The first sale
made was six lots to Henry Valley, who paid at the rate of twenty-five dollars
each for them; on one of these he constructed a house which still stands on the
south-west comer of E and Second streets. In the winter of this year (1853) a
quiet determination had fixed itself upon the minds of the residents of Santa
Rosa that theirs was the true point at which the county seat should be located;
to gain this they strove secretly and manfully. J. W. Bennet had beaten "Joe"
Hooker in the race for the Legislature, and the hill he introduced after his
election was one of great moment to Santa Rosa. The city of Sonoma, where from
time immemorial had been gathered all the county's perfection, feeling a
presentiment of impending evil, were afraid to raise the issue, but awaited the
result: the Santa Rosans were keen cautious and confident. The bill introduced
by Bennet provided that the question of the removal of the county seat should be
submitted to the votes of the people at the next general election; the long
looked for and anxiously expected September day dawned and waned, the Santa Rosa
sympathizers were in the majority and she became the capital of Sonoma, the bill
legalizing her as such being passed in March of the following year.

   In the Spring of 1853, there arrived in the Santa Rosa valley one John W.
Ball, who located on the south side of the Santa Rosa creek, but losing several
of his children here from small-pox, which was epidemic in this year, removed to
certain land, about three-fourths of a mile from the present city, the property
of Oliver Boleau, a French Canadian, a part of whose house (now in the
occupation of Dr. Simms) he rented, at one hundred and fifty dollars per month,
and opened a small store and public house. The then direct road from the Russian
river, the districts to the north of it, and Bodega country, to Sonoma, at that
time the only place of export from the county, met at this point, therefore
Boleau conceived the idea of here establishing a town. He had abouf half a mile
square surveyed, and named it Franklin, after a brother in Canada; it was placed
at the junction of the Sonoma road with the Fulkerson lane. That Spring, S. G.
Clark, Dr. J. F. Boyce and Nute McClure bought out Ball and erected a small dry
goods store of split redwoods, in size, twenty-four by thirty-six feet, where
they continued business until the Fall, when the firm of Clark, Boyce & McClure
was bought out by McClure and Coulter. In the same season John Ball erected a
wooden hotel, there being then in the town H. Beaver, who kept a blacksmith
shop, and W. B. Birch, a saddle-tree manufacturer, while in the early part of
1854 S. T. Coulter erected a dwelling-house.

   The selection of Santa Rosa as the capital of the county, put an end to all
rivalry which may have existed between Franklin, the old adobe, and it. One by
one the buildings erected in Franklin were transferred to Santa Rosa, until in
1855 their entire removal was effected; the first house in that short-lived city
being now located on Eighth, between Wilson and Davis streets, occupied by J. T.
Campbell, while that erected by Coulter is now the Boston saloon, on Fourth
street. A Baptist Church, free to all denominations, which had been there
constructed in the Fall of 1853, was also moved, and after serving the purpose
for which it was originally built, on Third, between E and D streets, was, in
1875, sold and converted into two tenement houses. This was the first church
built in the township and city.

   The first event of any importance which occurred in the year 1854 was the
passage of Bennet's bill authorizing the taking of a vote on the all-important
question of transferring the county seat from the now waning Sonoma to the
rising. Santa Rosa. As the Summer advanced the fight between the partisans of
the contending parties became keen, the citizens of Santa Rosa counting so far
ahead that grand arrangements were made for holding a barbacue on the fourth of
July. Mr. Thompson says: "It was a master-stroke of policy—the people came and
saw, and were conquered by the beauty of the place and the hospitality of the
people, who, on that occasion, killed the fatted calf and invited to the feast
the rich and poor, the lame and halt and the blind—in fact everybody who had, or
who could influence or control a vote. The smoke of the sacrifice of whole sheep
and huge quarters of beef ascended to heaven freighted with the prayers of the
Santa Rosans to dispose the hearts and ballots of the people in their favor,
and, like the pious Greeks of old on similar occasions, when the smoke had
ceased to ascend and the offering was cooked to a turn, they partook of the
sacrificial meat—the incense of which had tickled their nostrils, whetting at
the same time their appetites and their devotion." It is said there were present
not fewer than five hundred people from all parts of the county around; the
oration was delivered by a Baptist minister named A. A. Guernsey; the
Declaration of Independence was read by James Prewitt, and speeches were made by
Joe Neville, John Robinson and Sylvester Ballou. So great a success was this
entertainment, that taking its beat from that date, the barbecue has become the
standing feast of Sonoma county. This feast was held in a magnificent grove of
oaks which stood on the Hassett place, then belonging to Commodore Elliott. In
this year masonry made its start in Santa Rosa, a fact which may be considered
as peculiar when we regard the very short time which had elapsed since the
laying out of the town The third house built in Santa Rosa was the Masonic
Lodge. It was constructed by John Ingram, and was weather-boarded with eastern
pine, according to the specifications, and at immense cost, the durability of
the redwoods not having as yet been fully proven. After working under
dispensation for some time, Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 57, F and A. M. was granted a
charter on May 2, 1854, among the original officers being, Achilles Richardson,
Worshipful Master, John Ingram, Senior Warden, and William Noel, Secretary; a
full list of these, however, will be found elsewhere. The lower floor of the
hall was, immediately on completion, opened as hotel by E. Colgan, but he
afterwards moved and erected another hotel—the fourth house to be put up in the
city—on the ground now occupied by the Santa Rosa House on C street. The
building was constructed also by John Ingram. Early in the year, Barney Hoen
disposed of his share in the business conducted at the old a lobe of historic
memory to his partners Hahman and Hartman, and moving into Santa Rosa, put up
the first store in the city—for it must not be forgotten that the store of
Achilles Richardson was just without the surveyed limits— erecting it on C
street on the site of John Richard's barber shop. Hahman and Hartman, however,
quickly took in the situation, and perceiving 'that Santa Rosa was the coming
town, they too moved from the adobe. Hoen, however, had occupied with his
building the site intended to be used by the other firm, Hahman therefore
purchased and built upon the lot situated on the northwest corner of Second and
C Streets, opposite to the livery stable of J. P. Clark, at that time belonging
to Julio Carrillo. The building was completed and thrown open on the memorable
fourth of July; a grand ball wound up the earlier barbacue, at which some forty
or fifty couple tripped the light fantastic until daylight. On September 18,
1854, the die was cast; the Supervisors met in Sonoma and having duly canvassed
the votes polled, declared that henceforth Santa Rosa was the capital of Sonoma
county. So soon as the news went abroad that Sonoma was vanquished, beeves were
slaughtered by Hoen and Julio Carrillo, and a sumptuous feast got up, and great
was the rejoicing, which we are told was kept up unceasingly for two days. We
have stated above that the Supervisors met on the 18th September. At this
session it was moved by S. L. Fowler, one of their body, that the archives be
removed to the new county seat on the 22nd, which was unanimously passed. How
were they removed? Mr. Robert Thompson graphically tells us: "On the day
appointed, Jim Williamson, with a four-horse team and wagon, accompanied by
Horace Martin and some others, went down to Sonoma, captured and brought up the
archives, amid due threats of injunction and violence from the Sonoma people,
who saw with no little chagrin, the county seat slip through their fingers. The
Santa Rosans had the law, wanted only possession, and would not have hesitated .
to use all the force necessary to get at that; as it was, they captured the
archives by strategy, and the dry and dusty documents of former drowsy old
Alcaldes were whirled over the ground as fast as Jim Williamson's four-in-hand
could take them to the new capital, where they safely arrived, and were
deposited pro tern, in Julio Carrillo's house, which was rented for that
purpose." On the 20th September, at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors
convened in the above named house of Julio Carrillo, Barney Hoen bound himself
to have a court house erected within the space of six months, the building to
occupy the lots presented by himself and Hahman and Hartman; happily the work
was accomplished inside the specified time, and at once occupied by the
government of the county. The building stood on Fourth between Mendocino and D
streets, and was afterwards removed across the railroad track to Hewitt's
addition, where it is now a dwelling house. In the year 1856 the lower story of
the present court house was built by the county by J. M. Phillips, a contracter
of San Francisco, at a cost of nine thousand dollars, the old one being sold, as
well as the lots on which it stood-The upper story, which cost twenty thousand
dollars, was erected in 1859, while the Recorder's office was built, for a like
sum, in the years 1871-2.

   Early in the year 1855, G. N. Miller purchased the store of Barney Hoen, and
therein started on his own account, but he dying, his business was purchased by
Dr. Hendley. From him an interest was purchased by E. T. Farmer, and the firm,
who conducted their affairs on the east side of the Plaza, became Hendley &
Farmer, the partnership being ultimately carried on by Mr. Farmer alone.

   In 1856 Hahman & Hartman sold their business to B. Goldfish, and being joined
by Henry Wise, the firm was styled Wise & Goldfish, who are at present the
oldest mercantile establishment in the city. The lower story of the first house
mentioned above, built in this year, was the first brick building constructed in
the city; the second, is that brick building next to the office of the Sonoma
Democrat, originally erected for Buck Williamson by John Ingram. The first
saddler was a man named Bernard; in 1856 he was succeeded by T. B. Hood.

   The first lawyers to practice in the city were Colonel W. Ross, who removed
hither on change of the county seat, in 1854. In the following May, Judge
Jackson Temple commenced the practice of his profession, since when his rise has
been steady, until he has attained that position on the District Bench which he
fills with dignity and impartiality, a living example of uprightness and
sterling worth, respected and loved by all, irrespective of political creed. As
far back as the year 1851, Doctor J. F. Boyce arrived in the township, and
pursued his calling as a physician, it was not until 1854 that he came to the
city of Santa Rosa, since which year he has continuously practiced there. The
second permanent medical man to arrive was Doctor Williams in 1855, but previous
to his coming there had been an itinerant medico named Martin, who used to
attend to the wants of the halt, the lame and the blind. The first merchants
were Achilles Richardson, B. Hoen, Hahman & Hartmann; the first saddler was —---
Bernard; the first school was taught in the Masonic Hall by W. M. Williamson;
while the first term of court was held in the residence of Julio Carrillo by
Judge Frank Shattuck. The first Postmaster was Donald McDonald, appointed April
23, 1852.

   Robert A. Thompson, the able County Clerk, informs us Santa Rosa grew quite
rapidly from 1854 up to 1859, having that year, by actual count, two churches
and two resident preachers, nine lawyers, five doctors, one academy for two
hundred and fifty pupils, two notaries, one newspaper (the Sonoma Democrat,
which had been established in 1857 by A. W. Russell), nine dry goods and grocery
stores, one drug store, two hotels, two restaurants, two saloons, one saddle
shop, one butcher shop, one shoemaker, one jeweler, one paint shop, one carriage
shop, and three carpenter shops, one pump factory, two livery stables, one
bakery, seventy-four residences, and a population of four hundred.

   The number of houses having increased so radidly, [sic] and the value of
perishable property trebled, the organization of a Fire Department was urged
early in the year 1860, but it was not until after the burning of Doctor Todd's
house, on Third street, on January 20th of the following year that anything was
done. On the 1st of February, 1861, a meeting of citizens was convened, at which
the following names were enrolled as a hook and ladder company: W. G. Alban, C.
N. Sichrist, W. H. Crowell, Thomas L. Thompson, T. W. Brown, D. McDonald, G. H.
Matthews, D. Schulty, A. Bromberger, J. Boser, W. P. Bull, M. A. Martin, J. H.
J. Richardson, F. W. Shattuck, W. A. Buster, W. M. Williamson, James McCoy, E.
T. Farmer, Charles W. White, B. Goldfish, John F. Kessing, Andrew Earton, C. W.
Matthews, H. B. Martin, C. G. Ames. On the 9th the organization was completed by
the election of the following officers: President, W. H. Crowell; Foreman,
Thomas L. Thompson; First Assistant Foreman, James P. Clark; Second Assistant
Foreman, T. W. Brown; Secretary, R. M. Martin; Treasurer, J. T. Kessing;
Standing Committee, C. W. White, C. W. Matthews, J. H. J. Richardson; and
Trustees, W. G. Alban, A. Bromberger, Fenwick Fisher.

   In this year, as has been mentioned in our history of Petaluma, the question
of moving the county seat from Santa Rosa to that city occupied a considerable
share of public attention; the matter had been carried to the Legislature of the
State, and a petition put in circulation requesting that body to aid the passage
of the bill, against which the sympathizers with Santa Rosa placed the following
protest in one of their principal stores, and asked those in favor of its
purport to attach their names: " To the Honorable the Legislature of
California—The undersigned, citizens of Sonoma county, earnestly protest against
the passage by your honorable body of any act requiring the people of Sonoma
county to vote upon a change of location of the county seat of said county, as
being unnecessary, unwise and burdensome to the citizens of the county, already
heavily taxed, because of a large county indebtedness. The present county seat
is located as nearly as possible in the geographical center of said county, and
is equally as near the center of population, and could by no possibility be
located at any other point so convenient of access to the mass of the citizens
of the county." The bill was passed on April 10th, notwithstanding the
objections put forth. It was severely criticised in all parts of the county, and
when put to the vote of the people, in the month of September, at the general
election, was lost and Santa Rosa sustained.

   Throughout the year 1861 the city still continued on the increase; the
erection of houses was still the order of the day, while in the month of August
we find a new Methodist Church, fifty-four by thirty-two feet in dimensions, and
eighteen feet from floor to ceiling, was being proceeded with. A visitor at this
period writes: " Santa Rosa is as pretty as its name. A romantic bridge greeted
us at the entrance, overhung by oaks, whose branches were festooned with the
graceful Spanish moss. A pretty stream circles round the village, celebrated for
its delicious mountain trout; it reminds us of a quiet little hamlet ' far away
from the noisy world, pursuing the even tenor of its way.'" On December 8th,
Santa Rosa was visited by a freshet in the creek, which flooded the streets and
houses, and caused damage to the extent of eight thousand dollars. Such
devastation and its immediate cause being without parallel in the recollection
of the proverbial earliest inhabitant.

   The hook and-ladder company established in 1861 not proving enough to
maintain the prestige of the Fire Department in the rapidly increasing city,
Santa Rosa Engine Company No. 1 was added to the organization on January 9,
1862. Onward being the watchword, we find them on the 15th adopting a
constitution, passing by-laws, and electing the following officers: W. H.
Crowell, President; Thomas L. Thompson, Foreman; Frederick Fraser, First
Assistant; Fenwick Fisher, Secretary: B. Goldfish, Treasurer; John Ledwedge, C.
W. White, George Matthews, Investigating Committee, and Trustees, A. Bromberger,
J. S. Van Doren, C. W. Matthews.

   During the early part of the year strenuous attempts were made to effect a
division of the county, apportioning certain townships in the lower part to
Marin, and desiring to name the upper division of Sonoma county, Sotoyome. The
boundary line proposed to be run was from the mouth of Russian river up to the
mouth of Mark West creek; up Mark West creek to the Laguna; thence along the
Laguna to the southern boundary of Santa Rosa township; and thence in a direct
line east to Napa county, thus taking in the townships of Analy, Bodega,
Petaluma, Vallejo, and Sonoma. A petition being circulated to this effect, a
remonstrance was put in circulation, with what outturn the present boundary line
of the county best shows. On the 30th April, at two o'clock A. M., the
slumberers of Santa Rosa were aroused by the dread cry of "fire." It was
discovered that the Eureka Hotel, owned by Rippeto & Bills, and occupied by J.
S. Van Doren, was in flames. Notwithstanding the indefatigable exertions of the
Fire Department, the flames gained so complete a mastery that the Eureka was
entirely destroyed, at a loss to the proprietors of four thousand five hundred
dollars, and to Mr. Van Doren of twenty-three hundred, only one thousand dollars
of which was covered by insurance; besides these, J. G. Maxwell sustained damage
to the extent of two thousand dollars, while O. Reichardt and J. Burgess lost
fifty and seventy-five dollars respectively. On June 6, 1862, the first
exhibition of the Santa Rosa Seminary was held, under the superintendence of Mr.
and Mrs. R. K. Marriner; while, on October 11th, a military company named the
Washington Guard was organized under the following officers: Captain, W. A.
Eliason; First Lieutenant, O. T. Baldwin; Senior Second Lieutenant, H. T.
Hewett; Junior Second Lieutenant, N. W. Bostwick; Orderly Sergeant, B. C.
Westfall; Second Sergeant, W. Wilks; Third Sergeant, C. Kessing; Fourth
Sergeant, W. E. Cowper; Fifth Sergeant, J. A. Woodson; First Corporal, J.
Linville; Second Corporal, J. G. Maxwell; Third Corporal, W. H. H. Whitlock;
Fourth Corporal, W. T. Scott. Among the other matters which showed the onward
march of the city was the increase in the number of its churches; on November
30th, the building of the Methodist Episcopal denomination was dedicated by the
Rev. Mr. Thomas of San Francisco; and in the end of the year death crept in, and
on December 7th took Donald McDonald, that old pioneer and almost first settler
in the city. He it was, it will be remembered, who joined Mallagh at the "old
adobe" in business, as he was also the first to receive the official appointment
of postmaster for Santa Rosa.

   In the year 1863, matters proceeded surely and quietly; the project of a
railroad was first publicly discussed by a meeting of the citizens, the subject
however, to remain for some time longer in abeyance, while still another matter
of benefit to the community was reported in November by the contemplated
establishment of a Seminary by Mr. McCorkle, of the Christian Church, in the old
Academy building. The succeeding year was hailed with yet one more improvement;
on February 15, 1864, Santa Rosa was connected by telegraph with the outside
world. The office was located in the Court House under the supervision of
Melville Johnson, who performed the duties of first operator. The influence of
electricity soon made itself felt, the local newspaper began to devote a special
department to these messages, and all felt a strong desire to correspond by this
novel method. We find that the incubus of debt had fastened itself around the
neck of the Fire Department and that the ladies had with their usual generosity
come to their assistance, and by holding a fair and a festival raised a sum
sufficient to defray the expense of erecting a new engine-house which they
presented to the "flame-fighters" on July 2, 1864. On August 1st, died the
Honorable C. P. Wilkins, who had been County Judge in the year 1853 and
represented Sonoma in the State Legislature in 1860, positions which he filled
with satisfaction to all His remains were followed to the grave by a large
concourse of friends, the pall bearers, members of the legal profession, being
Messrs. Jackson Temple, L. C. Reyburn, W. D. Bliss, G. W. Reed, L. D. Latimer
and John Brown.

   We find that on February 7, 1865, Mrs. Ryan was brutally murdered by her
husband. Michael Ryan, by striking her on the head with a pick. They had been
but a short time resident in the town, and lived unhappily together, the husband
being addicted to dissipated habits. On the 29th June he was arraigned before
Judge Sawyer and sentenced to death, this being the first conviction of murder
in the first degree which had taken place in the county since its organization.
The murderer was decreed to pay the extreme penalty of the law on the 17th
August, but in the meantime a stay of proceedings was granted upon motion for a
new trial. He was hanged on March 23, 1866, within the jail-yard at Santa
Rosa—the first execution in the county. In the month of March the popular voice
was once more heard on the subject of railroads; while, on April 15th,
intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln was received amid the
profoundest grief. On the 18th a public meeting of the citizens of Santa Rosa
was held at the Court House, W. A. Eliason in the Chair, when a committee,
consisting of T. H. Pyatt, L. D. Latimer, T. B. Hood and William Ross, was
appointed for the purpose of making general arrangements for the due observance
of the obsequies of the lamented dead, and William Churchman, C. W. Langdon and
Rev. Thomas Fraser, a Committee on Resolutions. In the evening an adjourned
meeting was convened, at which the following resolutions reported by the
committee were adopted and ordered published: "In the hour of National triumph
we are suddenly called to mourn with a deep and bitter mourning. Our beloved and
venerated Chief Magistrate, Abraham Lincoln, the choice and hope and pride of
the American people, has been slain by an assassin. Our hearts are smitten and
crushed, but we bow in humble submission before Him who raised up, guided and
prepared our deceased President for the emergency through which he passed.
THEREFORE, Resolved, That as President of the United States, he was the property
and friend of every man, woman and child in the nation; his death is therefore a
national calamity, a universal bereavement, and demands universal sorrow.
Resolved, That we sorrow under the dispensation of Providence, not only because
of our high estimate of Abraham Lincoln as Chief Magistrate of our nation;
because by his wisdom, firmness and prudence he had guided and was guiding our
troubled country through perils which threaten her existence to safety and
perpetuity; but because by his death we have lost one who happily united the
good man, the patient and exemplary citizen with the highest statesmanship and
executive ability. Resolved, That we wear a badge of mourning on the left arm
for thirty days. Resolved, That this community assemble at the Methodist Church,
Santa Rosa, to-morrow, at noon, the hour appointed for the funeral of our
beloved President, and together humble themselves in prayer for the restoration
to health of William H. Seward and for the direction of the judgment of Andrew
Johnson, now President of the United States, and for the direction and guidance
of Ulysses S. Grant, the present leader of the army, and for the restoration of
our distracted country to peace and prosperity." At the appointed hour the
impressive ceremonies took place, the stores and public buildings being closed,
and every other mark of respect paid to the lamented President. Under the
caption, "The National Calamity," the Sonoma County Democrat of April 22, 1865,
has the following: "The sad tidings flashed across the wires since our last
issue have stricken with horror the popular heart of the great Pacific States.
The effect of the terrible tragedy enacted at Washington on the 14th instant',
by which the nation was brutally robbed of its Chief Magistrate and a murderous
assault made upon its next most responsible functionary, has been felt in every
hamlet and in every household. Never before had our people such cause for
lamentation as on this occasion. Coming upon us as it has, at a time when the
popular pulse throbbed with joy at the bright prospects of a speedy peace, and
the reuniting of our distracted country upon terms of brotherhood and affection,
the blow is even more severely felt, and the heart that does not deeply deplore
this unparalleled tragedy in the history of nations, must indeed be devoid of
all feelings of national pride. To assume that there is any party or body of our
people who do not sympathize with the nation in this its hour of trial, or to
attempt to fasten the responsibility of the deed upon any considerable body of
our citizens, is an outrage upon the American people, and such an idea could
only emanate from the crazed brain of a fanatic, who would rejoice at the sight
of more blood and lamentation in the land. By all means let those who are guilty
atone for the heinous crime they have committed, by suffering the severest
penalty known to the law, but let not the hand of the avenger be imbrued in
innocent blood. We have heard but one expression, and that of the deepest
sorrow, over the sad calamity and disgrace which has befallen us as a people.
The humiliation is shared in alike by every party and sect. No pen is adequate
to the task of portraying the deep sorrow and humiliation of our citizens, and
we must rely alone upon a just God, who presides over the destinies of all
mankind, to deliver us from the fearful complications in which we are involved
on every side."

   In May of this year Hood & Co. commenced the erection of a new mill on the
south side of the creek, the apparatus and machinery of the Santa Rosa mills
being removed; while, in view of the erection of brick buildings in the town,
houses being in great demand at the time, August Kohle had established a yard in
the outskirts of the city. In October we find the new public school-house for
court-house district was fast proceeding towards completion in the hands of
Hewitt and Petit. The following are the dimensions then given of the structure:
The main building is forty-one feet nine inches in breadth by forty-six feet
three inches in depth, exclusive of the porches in front, which are nine feet
six inches wide, with an outward projection of six feet. The edifice is two
stories high, the first being eleven feet and the second, thirteen. The front
story has two school-rooms, twenty by thirty-four feet, and a room ten feet six
inches by twenty-two feet six inches all in the clear. On each side of the front
is a hall, nine by ten feet six inches, with two flights of stairs leading to
the second story, where there is one large school-room, thirty-four by fort}?
feet, and six inches in the clear, and a room in front ten feet six inches by
twelve feet six inches. The foundation is of stone laid in cement, which is
three feet wide at the base and two feet at the top, and two feet high.

   During this month railroad affairs still attracted attention, while on
account of the large attendance at the courts the want of proper hotel
accommodation was making itself felt, and, notwithstanding the offer of a large
bonus to any one who would expend ten thousand dollars on such a building, it
was a considerable time before any one with sufficient public spirit would make
the attempt.

   On March 24, 1866, the propriety of having Santa Rosa incorporated was first
discussed; and at a meeting called on the 9th April to consider the matter,
Judge Ross was elected chairman, and H. Wise, secretary. On motion of J. W.
Morris, a committee was appointed by the chair, composed of James M. Williams,
Murray Whalon, Thomas L. Thomson, and Judge Ross, to define the boundaries of
the town, make a plot of the same, to be circulated with a petition for the
signatures of voters, to be presented to the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma
county for their approval—a sure sign of the steady increase of prosperity. On
October 17th, the Democrat says: "We are gratified to observe the amount of
business transacted daily in our thriving little town, and the numerous
evidences of substantial prosperity and improvement in our midst. New buildings
are in process of construction, and material improvements are being made in
almost every quarter. Numerous wagons and horses, and crowds of persons on the
main street give an appearance of considerable life to the place, while business
men speak well of matters in the way of trade. In addition, the stages come in
every morning filled with passengers, and hardly a day passes but bands of
horses, cattle, sheep and hogs are driven through town, on the way to the market
below. All things considered, Santa Rosa is getting along very well, and her
citizens have no cause to complain. There is not a vacant house in town, and
rents pay a handsome interest on the investments, and property commands a good
price."

   In the month of March, 1867, the prayer of the petitioners for the
incorporation of the town of Santa Rosa under the laws of the State was granted
by the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma county, and an election ordered to take
place on the 11th for provisional officers, which resulted in the folio wing
choice: C. W. Langdon, J.F. Boyce, T. B. Hood, B.Marks, A. P. Petit, Board of
Trustees; E. T. Farmer, Treasurer; H. G. Parks, Marshal; J. H. Richardson,
Assessor; C. W. Langdon being elected President; B. Marks, Clerk; and P. B.
Hood, Attorney. The first duty of the Board on organization was the passage of
an Ordinance, No. One, providing for the establishment of a pound, and
prohibiting the running at large on the streets of cattle, hogs, horses, vicious
dogs, etc., and making it an offence against the authority of the town to leave
saddle horses unhitched or unattended by reliable persons. On the 11th of May
following the first regular election of Trustees was held, when J. F. Boyce, C.
W. Langdon, A. P. Petit, B. Marks and F. G. Hahman were selected to be the Board
of Trustees; H. G. Parks, Marshal; Z. Middleton, Recorder; E. T. Farmer.
Treasurer; P. B. Hood, Attorney; William See, Assessor; and John Taylor,
Pound-keeper.

   In the early part of the year the "Kessing Hotel," situated on Main street,
was opened by F. H. Coe, formerly proprietor of the Geyser Hotel, and supplied a
desideratum long felt and acknowledged. This sign of the times was by no means a
solitary instance, however, for during the latter part of 1867 there were no
less than ten buildings being proceeded with at one time, while in the matter of
trade, the busy hum of business was to be heard form morn till night.

   On April 20, 1868, the annual appointment of the municipality resulted in the
election of John T. Fortson, Thomas N. Willis, W. E. Cocke, George Noonan, and
A. C. Raney, Board of Trustees; C. G. Ames, Treasurer; J. H. Farmer, Marshal; D.
S. Sacry, Assessor; G. P. Noonan, Clerk, and A. W. Middleton, Attorney.

   It would appear that the plaza had, up to this period, been allowed to get
into a state of much disrepair, so much so that it was thought that the citizens
had ceased to take any pride in its beauty or ornamentation. Such being the case
certain parties obtained, for a consideration, a cession of all rights, present
and prospective, which he might have in the plot, from Julio Carillo, who
originally granted one-half the square—it is unnecessary to enter here on the
subject of how he claimed such right, suffice it to say that on the night of the
14th April, a few individuals commenced the erection of a frame building
thereon. Marshal Parks immediately arrested Wesley Wood, James Hayward, Edward
Minott, and William Harrow workmen on the house, who were bound over to appear
for trial. Three of them were carpenters employed to do the work by those who
claimed the plaza under Julio Carrillo's bill of sale. On the 21st they were
tried before Recorder Middleton, charged with violating a Town Ordinance, and
after much difficulty in impaneling a jury was experienced, Wood was found
guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of thirty-eight dollars and seventy-five
cents, the bare cost of the proceedings. The all-important subject of railroad
communication at last took tangible shape in this year. On May 19th, the route
from Petaluma, or that from Vallejo, Solano county, was left to the people, the
choice being for the first named. Prompt proceedings were at once instituted, a
full description of which will be found in our history of Petaluma, and on the
4th of July ground was broken at the Petaluma end of the line. In the midst of
prosperity some event will occur to prove to us that we do not fashion our
coming or our going: on July 6th a fire broke out on Main, between Second and
Third streets, which might have laid the principal portion of the town in ashes;
however, owing to the strenuous efforts of the Fire Department the flames were
subdued, but not until damage to the extent of four thousand dollars had been
sustained, principally by Kessing & Tupper, Wise & Goldfish, and H. Vaughan.
Notwithstanding this calamity, the Democrat, of the 25th July, says: It is very
gratifying, in looking around us, to notice the steady march of improvements in
Santa Rosa and its vicinity, which have taken place within the past three years,
giving evidence of the progress of our county and the good taste and prosperity
of our citizens. The alterations and improvements made in our county buildings,
both for beauty and convenience, cannot be surpassed by any county in the State.
Our new county hospital is everything that could be desired for beauty and
comfort. Among the many handsome residences which have been erected we have
merely space enough to mention those of J. M. Williams, Dr. J. F. Boyce, and A.
P. Petit, all of which are beautiful structures, with all the latest
improvements of first-class dwelling houses, and compare favorably with the
finest residences in the county. The business portion of our town is also
improving rapidly. We have a handsome, large and comfortable school house, which
is occupied by three flourishing schools. Two new churches will be erected here
this year, one of which, the Presbyterian, is now in the course of construction."

   May 8, 1869, the following corporate officers were elected: Board of
Trustees, Z. Middleton, George P. Noonan, William See, J. P. Clark, Edward
Neblett; Marshal, J. Claypool; Assessor, J. H. Richardson; Treasurer, E. T.
Farmer; Clerk, G. P. Noonan.

   In regard to the prospective arrival of the railroad, a meeting of citizens
was held in the court-house, on January 2, 1869, and a committee appointed to
consult with the residents of the town, and those owning lands suitable for the
purpose of a railroad depot, in respect to the location of the same. On the 6th
they reported: " Your committee, to whom was referred the matter of soliciting a
depot for the Sonoma County Railroad, near the town of Santa Rosa, beg leave to
report the following as the result of their service: From James P. Clark and Dr.
J. F. Boyce they received an offer of two acres of land immediately east of the
west line of the corporation, lying between the extension of the streets
bounding the south and north side of the plaza, also streets up to the railway.
This location is deemed by your committee as suited to the business interests of
Santa Rosa, and is easily approached on both sides of the land proposed to be
located. Messrs. Klute and Morgan propose to donate to the company five acres,
to be located four hundred yards from the bridge, at the end of the street
leading toward Healdsburg, and in a northwest direction from said bridge, and
agree to permit the company to take it in any shape they desire to have it. They
also offer to give the right of way through their land, if their offer of land
for a depot is accepted. Mrs. Lacey offers to donate two acres of land near the
said bridge. Dr. Williams offers to donate eight lots, aggregating about one
acre of land, on condition that the company will run their track along the
street in front of his residence. Your committee believe that the land owners
convenient to the line of road are liberally disposed, and will cheerfully
accommodate the company and the people of Santa Rosa to a depot, satisfactory to
all parties, when they ascertain fully what will be demanded. Respectfully
submitted, C. W. Langdon, E. Neblett, G. A. Tupper." Upon motion, the land
offered to be donated by Messrs. Clark & Boyce was accepted.

   May 2, 1870, the annual election of town officers took place, the following
forming the municipality: J. F. Boyce, E. T. Farmer, M. Johnson, F. G. Hahman,
G. P. Noonan, Board of Trustees; G. T. Pauli, Treasurer; Taylor Harden,
Assessor; Theodore Parks, Marshal.

   On January 8th the Santa Rosa Water Company was incorporated, the object
being to supply the town with pure and fresh water. The capital stock was thirty
thousand dollars, divided into three hundred shares of one hundred dollars each,
the Trustees being: J. M. Williams, L. D. Latimer, A. Thomas and F. G. Hahman.
In the month of April following, another association, having the same object in
view, named the Santa Rosa and Guilicos Water Company, filed articles of
incorporation. This company which intended to supply the wants of the town from
the Santa Rosa creek, had a capital of fifty thousand dollars, divided into five
hundred shares, and a term of existence limited to fifty years. The Trustees
were; H. W. Spencer, William Hood, Martin Hudson and Melville Johnson.

   A meeting of citizens was had on May 28th of this year at the courthouse to
confer with the committee having the business in charge, of moving the Southern
Methodist College from Vacaville, Solano county, to Santa Rosa, should such be
deemed advisable. To this end, Honorable R. C. Haile, Colonel Charles Ramsey,
and Reverends O. P. Fitzgerald, W. R. Gober, and George Simms, the committee on
the location of the colkge, paid Santa Rosa a visit on June 1st, and after a
thorough examination and consideration of the inducements offered, resolved to
locate the seat of learning in that town, the Santa Rosa committee conferring
with them being, Judge A. Thomas, W. S. M. Wright, H. T. Hewitt, John S. Taylor,
and Henry Mizer. In a short time the sum of fifteen thousand dollars was raised
for the purpose of erecting the college building, which was in due course,
accepted by the Directors. The committee in whose hands was placed the
responsibility of choosing a suitable location whereon to erect the new
structure, selected a portion of the north-east tract of land adjoining the
town, belonging to Messrs. Ames and Farmer. Mr. Leonard, of San Francisco, made
arrangements for the immediate commencement of work on the edifice, which was
promised to be both handsome and substantial, and to cost about the sum
mentioned above as having been subscribed. The corner stone was laid with full
Masonic honors on the first October, with much ceremony. The building was to be
when finished, three stories in height, each room to be well ventilated and
furnished with every requisite for the convenience and comfort of students,
while an able corps of professors had been secured.

   The first session of the Pacific Methodist College commenced in Santa Rosa on
February 1,1871, under the superintendence of Prof. Chas. S. Smyth, in a large
brick building, the property of Messrs. Ames and Farmer, the college not being
yet completed. It was, however, duly inaugurated August 9th of that year, when
addresses were delivered by Governor H. H. Haight, Doctor Fitzgerald, State
Superintendent of Schools, and Rev. W. R. Gober, of Sacramento. The faculty was
then composed as follows: President, A. L. Fitzgerald; professor of mathematics,
Charles S. Smyth; professor of languages, Charles King; primary department, Miss
Florence Miller; musical department, F. F. Zelner teacher of French and Spanish
languages, Miss Louisa Parks.

   In the month of February, 1870, work was commenced on a new public hall by
Mr. Klute, and the building of a Catholic church was fast progressing toward
completion. W. B. Denison had started a factory about a mile from town on the
Healdsburg road, where he was manufacturing all kinds of crockery ware. In the
month of October gasoline was first introduced into the city, and four lamps for
its use erected on the plaza, many more being erected on Main street during the
following month; while in November the Santa Rosa Bank was established, having
as Trustees, David Burris, T. N. Willis, E. T. Farmer, C. G. Ames, and A.
Thomas, the capital being one hundred thousand dollars.

   At this period, July 1870, says one of the many writers on Sonoma county,
Santa Rosa is one of the prettiest little towns in the State of California. It
is the county seat of Sonoma, and the second largest town in the county. Santa
Rosa is sixteen miles from Petaluma, which latter place is the principal
shipping point for the county, and a large portion of Mendocino and Lake
counties, twenty miles from the town of Sonoma, sixteen miles from Healdsburg,
and twenty-six from Bodega. The town was originally laid out by Julio Carrillo,
Hoen, Hartman and Hahman, in 1853; since that time it has grown steadily, and
now contains a population of fifteen hundred, it having been incorporated for
upwards of two 3'ears. There is a regular line of mail coaches running from
Petaluma to Cloverdale, and a daily mail, Sundays excepted. Between five and six
hundred votes are polled at this place. The county property here is valued at
sixty thousand dollars.

   The public school is kept open for eight months of the year. Four teachers
are employed during the winter months, and five in the summer, with an average
attendance of two hundred and seventy-five children. Besides this, two private
schools are well supported. The Catholics, Baptists, Methodist Episcopals, South
Methodists, Presbyterians, Christians and Seventh-Day Adventists have each a
church building, while the Episcopalians hold their services in the court-house.

   The Santa Rosa Library contains about two hundred volumes of historical
biographical, poetical and other instructive works. There are five brick
buildings occupied by dry goods and provision stores, one brick building used as
a livery stable, one for a drug-store, and one for a bookstore, while there is a
two storied brick unoccupied, one brick engine house, and two brick residences.
The largest and finest residence is owned by Dr. J. F. Boyce and the second
largest is the property of Henry Klute; the other dwellings are one and two
story frame buildings.

   It has five dry goods and provision stores, three family grocery stores,
three drug-stores, one bookstore, three hotels and two restaurants, one
wholesale and retail liquor establishment, five retail liquor saloons, one
billiard saloon, three wagon manufactories, one carriage and buggy manufactory
five blacksmith's shops, two saddlery shops, two tailor shops, two tin and
hardware stores, three boot and shoe shops, one boot and shoe store, two lumber
yards, five carpenter shops, one cabinet and furniture establishment, one chair
factory, one bakery, three livery and feed stables, two barber shops, one
daguerrean gallery, two millinery and dress making establishments, two paint
shops, one cooper shop, one jewelry and watch and clock maker's store, one
public hall, one fire-engine, and the largest interior newspaper published in
the State, having a circulation of one thousand two hundred copies, and a
liberal advertising patronage. The Masons and Odd Fellows have each a prosperous
lodge located here. There are three physicians and eight lawyers.

   In the month of August we find the Board of Supervisors negotiating for the
purchase of a lot on the corner of Fourth street and Exchange avenue whereon to
erect a new hall of records, in accordance with a bill passed by the Legislature
providing for the issuance of bonds, etc., for this purpose. On the 6th
September, James M. Palmer, a member of the Board of Supervisors, protested
against the purchase of any real estate for the purpose of constructing a hall
of records thereon, and also against the construction of said hall on any lot
except the court-house lot. Notwithstanding this protest, matters progressed,
for on the 13th of the month the bid of A. P. Petit for its construction was
accepted; on the 21st he filed his bonds and the work was directed to be
proceeded with. The corner-stone was laid with Masonic ceremonies on March 4,
1871, and the building was finished in November of that year.

   In the year 1870, there was a wish expressed that the Odd Fellows' College
and Home should be located in Santa Rosa: a subscription list was started and a
considerable sum of money subscribed to get it here, but as there were very many
other places competing for this honor, a more favored spot has been thus hallowed.

   On November 22, 1870, the first passenger car bearing the name "Donahue"
arrived at Santa Rosa amid considerable rejoicing, thus making connection
through to San Francisco boats, Clark and Bostwick running stages to the
terminus. Up to this time the iron-horse had not actually been brought to the
city; on the 12th November the question of the site for a railroad depot was
settled at a public meeting. The company, it was resolved, was to have seven
acres of land situated half-a-mile from the court-house and lying between Third
and Fourth streets. The property formerly belonged to Messrs. Boyce and Clark,
each of whom gave one hundred dollars towards its purchase for the use of the
railroad company. The citizens of the town subscribed three hundred dollars and
the Board of Trustees became responsible for the balance. With this matter
arranged, property contiguous to the site of the future depot was at once laid
off into town lots, while the city itself appeared to gain new life, the
business places increasing and the hotels doing a thriving trade through the
increase of travel, etc. Freight increased and considerable traffic was
inaugurated in real estate.

   It may be remembered that about the year 1868, Wesley Woods and several other
parties claimed to be the owners of the plaza, basing their claim on the
purchase of all the right, titles and interest of the original owner, who had
previously given the land to the town, the claimant asserting that the town had
never formally accepted the gift, and, furthermore, that the conditions
precedent to its taking effect had not been complied with. About that time Woods
and others hastily erected a shanty on the plaza and claimed to be in
possession. Considerable indignation was aroused by this proceeding and the
building was summarily torn down and the parties arrested for violating a local
ordinance. Subsequently, they brought a suit in ejectment to recover the land
and were non-suited when the case came up. Then a change was made to Marin where
the matter rested for a time. In the latter part of November, 1870 the case came
up in that county, and again the plaza "jumpers" were non-suited. Returning
immediately to Santa Rosa they once more entered on the disputed ground and
shortly after day-light on the morning of December 2, 1870, another rough board
shanty presented an ugly appearance on the plaza. The parties, this time,
appeared determined to maintain their supposed rights, and an old citizen of the
town who attempted to demolish the structure on his own account was knocked down
and driven out of the inclosure in a very rough manner. The town Trustees soon
after took the business in hand; a warrant was issued for the arrest of the
"jumpers," and Marshal Parks was ordered to remove the building, all of which
was done in a vigorous and summary way. On December 6th, Woods and others were
tried before Justice Brown, and after a protracted trial were discharged, the
case remaining where it was—the only preventive to future operations of this
nature being the passage of an ordinance by the City Fathers which made any
attempt to build on the Plaza more certain of punishment and conviction.

   May 1, 1871, the city election took place and the following officers elected:
F. G. Hahman, J. M. Roney, M. Johnson, R. M. Martin and R. K. Hayes, Board of
Trustees; Treasurer, G. T. Pauli; Assessor, J. H. Richardson; Marshal, Theodore
Parks.

   This was a year of general progression to Santa Rosa; the impetus given to
business of all kinds continued, peace and plenty reigned, and the town
prospered. In May the establishment of the Christian College was first mooted,
but more of this as we proceed.

   On January 31, 1872, pursuant to a call made by the chairman of a committee
appointed at a previous meeting to draw up a city charter, the citizens of Santa
Rosa met at the court-house to receive and act upon the results of the labors of
said committee. Judge Ross, the chairman of that committee, drew up the charter
and read the provisions of the bill under which it was proposed to incorporate.
Another committee, composed of J. P. Clark, Robert Morgan, C. G. Ames, J. M.
Williams; Mr. Davis and Mr. Springgins, were appointed to consult and decide
upon a boundary line, and report at a meeting to be held on the following
evening. At seven in the evening on February 1st this meeting was convened, and
alter assembling discussion was had as to the propriety of making the north bank
of Santa Rosa creek the south boundary of the city. On this a motion, announced
from the chair and seconded by Mr. Farmer, was adopted, fixing the boundaries of
the new incorporation as follows: Commencing in the middle of Matanzas creek, at
the northeast corner of the land} of John Brown and John Richards; thence
southerly on the eastern line of the lands of Brown and Richards to a point in
continuation of the northerly line of the Santa Rosa and Sebastopol road; thence
westerly in a direct line to the northerly line of said road, and along the
northerly line thereof to a point thirty feet westerly from the middle of the
railroad track of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company; thence
northerly, parallel with the middle of said railroad, to the northerly bank of
Santa Rosa creek; thence westerly and northerly along the bank of said creek to
the land of James P. Clark; thence northerly in a direct line across the lands
of J. P. Clark and J. F. Boyce to the southwest corner of Wesley Mock's land;
thence northerly along the westerly line of Mock and Morgan's land to Morgan's
northwest corner; thence easterly along the northerly line of Morgan's land, and
a continuation thereof, to the westerly line of the Healdsburg public road;
thence southerly along the westerly line of said road to a point in continuation
of the southerly line of H. Wilson's land; thence easterly to and along the
southerly line of said H. Wilson's land to his southeast corner; thence in the
same direction on the land of G. W. Davis to a point due north of the northeast
corner of J. M. Williams' land; thence south to Williams' northeast corner;
thence southerly along the easterly line of J. M. Williams' land to Santa Rosa
creek; thence down the middle of said creek to a point due north of the place of
beginning. At this meeting John Brown was Chairman and F. P. Thompson Secretary.

   The first entry in the only book of records of the city of Santa Rosa to
which we have been able to gain access, reads: "Board of Trustees, City of Santa
Rosa, April 8, 1872. In conformity with the provisions of an Act of the
Legislature of the State of California, entitled 'An Act to incorporate the city
of Santa Rosa,' approved A. D. 1872, prescribing the time and method of
organizing; the Board of Trustees of said city under said Act, Messrs. J. M.
Williams, A. Runyon, J. Beam, G. A. Tupper and J. W. Robinson, Trustees elect.
These were duly sworn into office by John Brown, Justice of Peace, J. M.
Williams elected President, and George A. Thornton, City Clerk; committees were
at once appointed to procure a suitable room for Board meetings, and the
examination of the calaboose; on the 12th it was reported by them that the fire
company had tendered the use of the room in rear of the engine-house, free of
expense, on condition that the Board should furnish and otherwise fit it up;
this was accepted, and the necessary repairs ordered. On the same date the bonds
of the following city officers were accepted: G. T. Pauli, City Treasurer; J. H.
McGee, City Recorder; J. T. Fortson, City Attorney; A. C. Raney, Street
Commissioner; P. McDouall, City Assessor. We find the following on record under
this date: "On motion of Mr. Tupper, seconded by Mr. Beam, the Board then took
up the matter of the contested election in case of City Marshal, notice having
been filed with the City Clerk by J. M. White, declaring his intention of
contesting the election of W. H. Mead, to whom the Judges of Election had issued
a certificate as City Marshal elect. The parties to the contest having been
notified by the Board, through the Clerk, of the time at which they would
proceed to determine said matter of contest, and being present either in person
or represented by counsel, Mr. Mead being represented by J. Brown, Esq., and Mr.
White by C. W. Langdon, Esq. Upon a careful recount of the ballot by the Board
the result was found to be a tie vote. In accordance with the provisions of the
charter, the Board then proceeded to elect one of the two contestants to the
office of City Marshal with the following result: Mead, three votes; White, one
vote; Mr. Runyon voting for White. On motion of Mr. Beam, seconded by Mr.
Tupper, W. H. Mead was declared to be the choice of the Board for the office of
City Marshal, and the following order directed to be spread upon the minutes of
the Board: Resolved, That W. H, Mead be, and he is hereby declared to be Marshal
of the city of Santa Rosa."

   The regular meetings of the Board were, on the 17th, ordered to be convened
on the first Wednesday of each month; and a committee appointed to draft
resolutions defining the order of business, and the making of rules and by-laws
to govern the Trustees in their deliberations. On April  19th, the following is
minuted: "That C. G. Ames be, and is hereby employed to survey and establish the
grades and corners of the streets;" at which time the following resolution was
also offered by Trustee Tupper: "Resolved, That an iron pin, some three feet in
length, driven in the ground its full length, and standing near the
south-westerly corner of Colgan's Hotel, in the city of Santa Rosa be. and the
same is hereby declared the initial point of the survey of the town of Santa
Rosa, being the south-westerly corner of block No. sixteen, as surveyed by John
A. Brewster, a plat of which survey is now on file in the office  of  the County
Recorder of Sonoma county; and that the muzzle of a certain cannon, planted in
the ground, near or at the north-west corner of block No. fifteen, according to
the plat of the survey of the town of Santa Rosa by John A. Brewster, be and the
same is hereby declared a point in the southerly line of Third street of said
town and the north-west corner of block fifteen." On the first of May, Mr.
Eliason was engaged to establish the grade of the streets. On the 7th, it was
"Resolved, That peddlers of fish, vegetables, and other minor articles of trade
used as food, engaged, or to become engaged in selling the products of their own
labor, be exempted from paying a license-tax, and that all persons engaged or to
become engaged in selling such articles, not the product of their own labor,
shall pay a license-tax of five dollars per quarter." On the same date, the
following ordinance was unanimously passed: "The Board of Trustees of the city
of Santa Rosa do hereby ordain as follows: That any person who shall be
convicted of the violation of any of the ordinances of the city of Santa Rosa,
and sentenced to pay a fine or to imprisonment in the city prison, or both, may,
during the term of his imprisonment, be compelled by the City Marshal to work on
the public streets." The survey of Mr. Eliason was accepted as the official
grade of the city on May 9th, and on the same date, the grading of Second,
Third, Fourth, Fifth, A., B, C, D and E streets was ordered. On the 23d of May,
W. A. Eliason was appointed City Surveyor; and the City Marshal allowed salary
at the rate of eighty dollars per month. June 14th, the committee for that
purpose reported that the Gas Company would light street lamps at nine dollars a
lamp per annum, an offer that was accepted; on July 3d, permission was granted
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows to erect an iron stairway on Third
street, to lead up to the upper story of a building about to be erected on the
corner of that thoroughfare and Exchange avenue; it was then ordered that the
street on the east side of the plaza, extending from Third to Fourth street, be
called "Hinton avenue," and that to the west be called "Exchange avenue;" while
on the 8th August the Marshal's salary was raised to ninety dollars per month.
At the previous meeting the City Attorney had been directed to confer with the
proper authorities in regard to the repairs to the bridge across the Santa Rosa
creek; at this session the following report was made: "A proposition was
received from the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma county to the following effect,
viz.: That they would have the bridge across the Santa Rosa creek (on the
Petaluma road) repaired, and pay one-half the cost of such repairs, the city
paying the other half, and leave the final decision of the question as to whom
the bridge belonged, county or city, to the District Judge, the party against
whom decision is rendered to pay back the amount paid by the party in whose
favor decision is rendered." The proposition was accepted. On same date notice
was given to the Supervisors to have the sidewalk around the hall of records
lowered to the grade of the streets and that around the court-house repaired. An
ordinance was adopted on August 19th, fixing the tax on property within the
corporate limits at sixty-five cents for one hundred dollars; a street tax of
two dollars was ordered to be levied on every male over twenty-one years of age
residing in the city, except the active members of the Fire Department; and a
tax of two dollars on each dog owned and kept within the city. October 2d, it
was ordered that all boys, eighteen years of age and under, found on the streets
after nine o'clock P. M., without permission of parents or guardians, should be
arrested and locked up; on the following day, Trustee Robinson resigned, and F.
H. Coe appointed in his stead; and on December 4th James Hill presented a demand
against the city for damages in the sum of five hundred dollars sustained by him
through the breaking in of the top of a cistern on Main street, at its
intersection with Second street. Hill made a statement on oath that the damage
did not exceed one hundred dollars, which sum was tendered to him in gold coin,
but he refused it, and his original demand was rejected by the Board.

   Of the events of general interest which occurred in the year 1872, we find
that on the 28th of February the Maxim Gas Company of Santa Rosa was instituted,
under a Boards Trustees, consisting of John Brown, E. T. Farmer, F. H. Coe, C.
Kessing, and H. B. Stanley, which organized by electing John Brown, President;
0. G. Ames, Secretary; F. B. Lyle, Treasurer. The company having purchased a lot
of land, situated on Fifth street, near Mendocino street, commenced to build
thereon, and in the second week in March began the laying of pipes in the
streets, the town being first lighted on the night of Tuesday, the 9th of April.
The Democrat, of March 23, 1872, has, in enumerating the buildings erected
during the year 1871, the following: The cost of these buildings have ranged
from five hundred up to twenty-seven thousand dollars, the Methodist College, in
Farmer and Ames' Addition, having cost the latter sum. This college is in a most
flourishing condition, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the best
educational institutions in the country. In the Morgan Addition, the Christian
denomination have purchased a lot and will this Summer erect a college building,
at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. Contracts have already been entered into
for the erection of a large number of new buildings, and work will be commenced
on the same as soon as the lumber can be placed on the ground. There is a large
amount of capital here, which those who control it, if they act wisely, will
employ in starting some manufacturing enterprises, thereby giving another and
new impetus to the spirit of progress which is already in our midst.

   As has been said, a Christion college was to be started; the Board, under
whose auspices this work was to be commenced, met on May 15th, and organized,
Elder A. Johnson being elected President; G. A. Tupper, Treasurer, A. McMeans,
Secretary. A Building and Finance Committee being then chosen, and on the 28th
of the month the contract for the building was let to J. E. Johnson, of San
Francisco. The dimensions of the new structure are: Length of building, one
hundred and three feet six inches; depth' sixty-nine feet six inches through the
center, which projects in front from each end of the building. From ground line
to the top of the cornice the measurement is fifty feet three inches, and from
thence to the top ball of the dome, thirty-two feet six inches. On either side
of the projection mentioned are two handsomely ornamented porches, forming the
main entrances. Through these are entered two cross halls, ten feet in width;
from each of these halls a stairway leads to the upper story. They are connected
through the center of the building by another hall, eight feet wide; on the
outer side of each of these cross halls are three large recitation rooms. On the
front side of the connecting hall is a large room which will be used as a boys'
preparatory department; on the rear side are two large rooms, connected by
folding doors, which may be used separately, or together, as the occasion may
require for a girls' preparatory class. On the second floor the cross halls and
recitation rooms, six in number, correspond with those below. The chapel,
sixty-nine by forty feet, occupies the whole space between the cross halls on
this floor. It is a handsome room; the ceiling is rounded, across the front
there is a gallery which is entered by stairways from the cross halls. The whole
building is thoroughly ventilated. The architecture is of the modern style. The
cornice is supported by moulded brackets. The windows in the lower story are
segment, and in the upper circle halls, all the center windows are of the circle
head ullion pattern. On the top of the building is a handsome cupola, ornamented
with sixteen circular dormer windows. The contract price was nineteen thousand
dollars, complete. The building is an original design by A. P. Petit; the plan
of the interior was arranged by Elder Johnson; J. E. Johnson, of San Francisco,
is the contractor, and Barton England, the superintendent for the Board of
Trustees. On September 30th the college was dedicated with much ceremony, and a
learned and exhaustive address delivered by T. H. Lane, of San Jose.

   On the 14th of November yet another dedication took place, the hail of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows being opened with all the ceremonies consonant
with that fraternity. It is a spacious building, well proportioned, while the
Order is in a most flourishing condition.

   During this month preliminary steps were taken to organize a parish at Santa
Rosa under the Episcopal church, by electing the following gentlemen as
officers: Dr. R. P. Smith, Senior Warden; W. H. Bond, Junior Warden; E. W.
Maslin, G. W. Jones, F. G. Nagle, L. A. Martin and F. P. Thompson, Vestrymen.
The Rev. G. C. Lane, who had been officiating, notified the bishop of the
election of church officers, and requested his consent to the organization,
which was granted by Bishop Kip on the 18th December, and the vestry formed by
electing F. G. Nagle Secretary, and L. A. Martin Treasurer, the parish, on the
motion of Dr. Smith, receiving the name of "The Parish of the Incarnation," and
Rev. G. C. Lane appointed Rector for the ensuing year.

   We once more turn to the city records. On January 2, 1873, the following
resolution of the trustees, adopted at a meeting held on November 13th of last
year, was ordered spread upon the minutes of the Board, viz.: "At an especial
meeting of the Board held November 13, 1872, the Board employed Thomas Brothers
to make a survey of the corporate limits of the city of Santa Rosa, together
with all portions of farms or lots divided by the city line and lying inside the
city limits; also, to resurvey the old town and all additions thereto on file in
the Recorder's office, and make a map of the same, said map, when completed, to
be delivered to the City Clerk; and for the above work the city shall pay Thomas
Brothers three hundred dollars."

   On April 5th, the following corporation officials were elected: James P.
Clark, Preston Davis, Jeremiah Beam, F. J. Proctor and A. Runyon, Board of
Trustees, Mr. Beam being chosen President; George A. Thornton, City Clerk; J. F.
Fortson, City Attorney; G. T. Pauli, Treasurer: James H. McGee, Recorder: J. M.
White, Marshal; Peter McDouall, Assessor; Wesley Brock, Street Commissioner.

   May the 7th, the Santa Rosa Water Company request the privilege to lay water
pipes; while on the same date the following ordinance was passed ; " That the
owners of each house situated within the city limits shall provide and keep on
the premises, in a place where it can be readily reached, a ladder of sufficient
length to reach the top of the house, to be used in case of fire, and the
occupants of each house shall keep not less than three buckets in some place of
easy access, for use in case of fire." Tees for hydrants were ordered to be
placed in the streets on June 10th; on August 6th, certain petitions in regard
to sidewaiks were accepted, and the prayers therein contained granted, and an
ordinance passed requiring property-owners to put up a good and substantial
hitching-post in front of their respective houses, within ten days of notice. On
the 20th of the month, it was resolved that a survey be made of the south side
of Fourth street, from the east corner of the hall of records to the west end of
that street, in view that it may be widened, so that it should run parallel with
the north side of that building; while on the 30th a resolution was passed that
any person should have the privilege of erecting a post and gas lamp on the
corner of Fifth and Mendocino streets, and when so completed the city would
supply the gas for the same. September 13th it was directed that the word less
be struck out in the ordinances wherever it occurs, so that a smaller fine than
the penalty named may be imposed by the Recorder; on the 16th, suit was ordered
to be commenced against the county of Sonoma for amount expended by the city in
widening sidewalk around the hall of records. On October 7th, the day of Board
meeting was changed to the first Tuesday in of each month, and on December 15th,
J. G. Pressley, Esq., was appointed City Attorney.

   The first meeting of subscribers to the savings Bank of Santa Rosa met on
January 18, 1873, and the following resolution adopted: Resolved, That this bank
incorporate as the "Savings Bank of Santa Rosa," of discount and loan, under
subdivision of twenty-seventh, section two hundred and eighty, Civil Code. A.
Runyon, John Brown, H. Wise, A. P. Overton, Lew W. Miller, Daniel Brown and W.
A. Eliason were elected Directors for the year ending December 31, 1873, and a
Board organized by the election of A. P. Overton, President; John Brown,
Vice-President; F. G. Hahman, Cashier.

   Articles of incorporation of the Santa Rosa Water Company were filed on
February 27, 1873, the capital stock being one hundred thousand dollars, divided
into one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each, the Directors being E. T.
Farmer, C. F. Juillard, F. G. Hahman, Jackson Temple and James P. Clark; term of
existence, fifty years. In reference to this undertaking the water is taken from
the junction of the Alamo and Santa Rosa creeks and conveyed on the south side
of the latter to the reservoir, one mile below, on the lands of the Gibb's
estate. The fall, from where the wafer is taken at the creeks, to the reservoir,
is thirty-five feet; the supply-pipe to the reservoir is eleven-inch, and the
mains, from the reservoir to the town, are nine-inch for a portion of the way
and seven-inch for the remainder. The reservoir has a capacity of not less than
thirty millions of gallons. The next in order of improvements are the Santa Rosa
Empire Mills, which were established by H. F. Schulte and Thomas Dobbins on
October 29, 1873-Their capacity is one hundred and twenty-five barrels of flour
per day, while of barley there may be ground in the same time thirty to
thirty-five tons. The mills contain four run of stones and a seventy-five
horse-power engine.

   Early in the year 1873, the Trustees of the Baptist church of Santa Rosa
purchased a lot on the corner of B and Center streets on which, in the month of
February, they commenced the erection of a building, Gothic in style of
architecture, and of the following dimensions: The main church building,
fifty-six by thirty-seven feet, with an elevation of thirty-two feet. Adjoining
the main building, in the rear, is a chapel thirty by forty feet, containing,
besides accommodation for the Sunday school, the library and committee rooms.
Over the front entrance to the church is a large Gothic window. From the base to
elevation of tower and spire, located at the left front corner of the edifice,
is sixty-nine feet. The building cost about five thousand dollars. We append a
few interesting reminiscences in regard to the Baptist church and congregations
in this city: The first house of worship was built in 1854 at Franklin, a mile
and-a-half from Santa Rosa, but, in 1855, it was removed with the rest of that
short-lived village, to this town and placed upon the lot on third street where
it now stands, being used as a tenement house. It was the third protestant
church erected in the county, James Crane being the contractor. The cost of the
building was defrayed by public subscription, with the provisions that it should
be free to all denominations when not in use by the Baptists. Elder J. McCorkle
held the first services in the building. The first Baptist State Conference was
held at Franklin and shortly afterwards a Sunday-school was organized there.

Among the organizers of the church were Martin Hudson and Mrs. Hudson, William
Hudson and wife, Alexander Dunbar and wife, Frank Bed well and W. C. Cattron. It
was used for a number of years by other denominations. Reverend O. P. Fitzgerald
preached his first sermon in this county in that church. Elder Stephen Riley was
the first Pastor, Eaton the next, then followed Elders Joseph Roberts, Tripp, C.
King, John Luke, S. A. Ringo, N. A. Bailey; the present incumbent is S. A. Taft,
D. D.

   The last item of interest for the year under notice is the eventful storm of
December 3d, which covered the streets of Santa Rosa and the surrounding country
with several inches of snow. Ere the sun got too hot the citizens were to be
seen reveling in the luxury of snow-balls, while we are told that J. P. Clark,
with a keen remembrance of gone-by sleigh rides, improvised such a vehicle out
of an old packing-case, and was to be seen steering his way through the public
thoroughfares with relish to himself and satisfaction to his friends.

   On February 3, 1874, the contract and agreement between the city of Santa
Rosa and the Santa Rosa Water Works was ordered to be signed by the President of
the Board of Trustees and the City Clerk, while in this regard the following
Ordinance was passed: "The right to lay down water pipes in and through the
streets of the city (of Santa Rosa) is hereby granted to the said Santa Rosa
Water Works, provided the said water pipes are put down under gronnd, [sic] and
so as to not obstruct the passage of the said streets or in any way injure the
same; and provided further, that the said Santa Rosa Water Works furnish the
said city with water to the extent of their means in case of fire or other great
necessity, free of charge, and in all respects conform to the laws of the State
in relation to water corporations. The right granted by this Ordinance shall
continue for fifty years."

   The annual election of a municipality was held on April 6th, when the
undermentioned gentlemen were selected: J. Beam, E. L. Davis, P. R. Davis, James
Morrow, Jr., and A. Neece, J. Beam, President of the Board of Trustees; George
A. Thornton, City Clerk; J. M. White, City Marshal; J. G. Pressley, City
Attorney; H. G. Parks, City Assessor; W. Mock, Street Commissioner; and G. T.
Pauli, Treasurer.

   August 21st, the property tax was fixed by the Board in meeting assembled, at
fifty-five cents per one hundred dollars; the street tax at two dollars for male
adults between twenty-one and sixty years of age, and the dog-tax at four
dollars. The appended order was made on the 4th of September:

 Section 1.—That the privilege of laying a street railroad along the middle of
Fourth street from the present depot of the San Francisco and North Pacific
Railroad to the eastern line of the city limits, and in the middle of the street
around the plaza, and along C street from the plaza to Second street, be, and
the same is, hereby granted to John T. Fortson and his associates for the term
of twenty years, provided the said road is constructed, equipped, and cars
placed thereon in running order in six months from the date hereof, and provided
further, that the cars thereon be propelled by horse or mule power.

 Section 2.—The grant of the privilege in Section one shall be subject to all
the restrictions, conditions and limitations mentioned in section four hundred
and ninety-eight of the Civil Code of California.

 Section 3.—That the right to regulate freights and fares on said railroad is
reserved to the Board of Trustees of the city of Santa Rosa.

 Section 4. That a discontinuance of the running of the cars upon said railroad
after the same is built and equipped for the space of ten days without the
permission of the Board of Trustees of said city, shall work a forfeiture of
this franchise. 

On October 6th the following was ordained:

 Section 1.—Every keeper of a saloon, dram-shop or tippling house, and every
person who within the limits of the said city sells or disposes of any
spirituous, malt, or fermented liquors, or wines in quantities of one quart or
less, shall pay a license of five dollars per quarter, in advance.

 Section 2.—Any person who shall sell and dispose of any liquors mentioned in
Section one of this ordinance in quantities of one quart or less, without having
first obtained a license, shall be subject to the penalties mentioned in Section
forty-seven of an ordinance parsed by the Board of Trustees on April 19, 1872.

   Santa Rosa would appear to be still going ahead in the year 1874. On the 6th
October a handsome new brick building was commenced by J. Ridgway behind the
hall which bears his name, and opposite to the residence of Doctor J. F. Boyce,
the contractor being Arnold Childers; and death had come in and removed one of
her oldest citizens, Judge William Ross, a resident of the county since 1852,
and the first lawyer to establish himself in Santa Rosa, died in the town on the
10th of April, He was a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and when quite a
young man studied law and was admitted to practice in the State of Ohio, whither
he had moved with his family. He filled the office of Auditor in Perry county,
Ohio, from 1840 to 1849. In April of that year he came to California and first
settled in El Dorado county; in 1852 he removed to Sonoma county; in 1854 he
came to Santa Rosa; and in 1860 he was elected to the State Legislature. He
afterwards served the county for two years as District Attorney, filling, to the
satisfaction of his constituents, the duties of that important position. Judge
Ross was among the last of a number of lawyers of more than average ability, who
practiced at the bar on the organization of the county government, in the old
town of Sonoma. Ex-Governor Boggs, Maupin, Cook, and the brilliant Wilkins,
pioneers in Sonoma county, one after the other have fallen before the Destroyer;
to this list is now added William Ross. At the meeting of the court on the 13th,
the District Attorney in bringing the news of his death to the knowledge of the
court, moved that "out of respect they now adjourn"; Judge Langdon seconded the
motion, and paid a touching tribute to his memory. He said that while Judge Ross
had faults common to mankind, he had also many redeeming traits of character.
The blighted breath of slander never escaped his lips against any man. He was
true to his friends and generous to his enemies.



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY
—OF-

SONOMA COUNTY,
-INCLUDING ITS—
Geology, Topooraphy, Mountains, Valleys and Streams;
—TOGETHER WITH—
A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; Its Early History and
Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the Names of Original
Spanish and American Pioneers; a full Political History, Comprising the Tabular
Statements of Elections and Office-holders since the Formation of the County;
Separate Histories of each Township, Showing the Advancement of Grape and Grain
 Growing Interests, and Pisciculture;
ALSO, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE; THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG; AND BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
—AND OF ITS—
Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc., Etc.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO:
ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1880.



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by ALLEY, BOWEN & Co.,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

PACIFIC PRESS,
Oakland, Cal. Printers., Stereotypers and Binders.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sonoma/history/1880/historyo/santaros143gms.txt

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