Sutter County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter 11 Other Towns Of The County 1924 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 5, 2012, 6:52 pm Book Title: History Of Yuba And Sutter Counties CHAPTER XI OTHER TOWNS OF THE COUNTY While Yuba City is showing unprecedented growth, other places in the county — some new, and some of nearly the same age as Yuba City- are keeping pace with its development. All are farming communities, dotted with modern homes and peopled by energetic, prosperous citizens, whose enterprising spirit gives promise of a great future. LIVE OAK This rapidly growing town lies in the extreme northern end of the county, in a locality that is noted for its alfalfa, dairying and fruit interests. Irrigation has transformed this community. Several subdivisions, including the Sunset and Live Oak colonies, and all supplied with water from the Sutter-Butte Canal, have combined to make this a thickly settled community. There is almost no limit to the crops now grown within a dozen miles of Live Oak. To the west, rice is a recent addition to the many products of the unusually fertile and productive soil. With many thousand acres under irrigation, the town of Live Oak is fast assuming larger proportions, and is becoming a trade center of considerable importance. Alfalfa is the leading agricultural product, although almonds, prunes, peaches and grapes are being grown more extensively every year. After the first year, the average yield of alfalfa is five, and frequently six, crops, running from seven to ten tons per acre each year. Public Schools Because of increasing population, Live Oak has recently been compelled to add to its educational facilities a new grammar-school building, which is an ornament to the place. There is also a new high-school building, making the third high school in the county. NICOLAUS Nicolaus, on the west bank of the Feather River, is now regarded as the shipping and commercial center for the southern part of Sutter County, that part which lies south of the Feather River and east of the Sacramento. Here the raising of hops and alfalfa, and the care and development of prune and pear orchards, together with dairying, are now the leading industries. Some of the largest and finest dairy herds to be found anywhere are to be seen on the .rich bottom-lands that extend back from the rivers. Grain- and stock-raising are also important enterprises, yielding large returns. Judge Keyser's Reminiscences In a speech made by the late Judge Phil W. Keyser on the 4th of July, 1876, that popular jurist made reference to early-day occurrences in Nicolaus. Among other things. Judge Keyser said: "A surveyor was employed, and early in January, 1850, a beautiful town (upon paper, like the rest) sprang into existence. Among the proprietors was Col. Dick Snowden, who was in February elected alcalde of the town, and who, like his brother judge, Colonel Grant, was fully up to what popular opinion requires a judicial officer to be, physically. Snowden was a man of quick and somewhat violent temper; but his natural abilities were above mediocrity, and he possessed social qualities that secured him many warm personal friends. His social, judicial and physical functions came very near receiving a sudden and tragical termination. There lived at that time, at Nicolaus, a wild, reckless fellow named Bell. He built, and for some time conducted, a hotel called the Bell House. He was the defendant in a suit in Alcalde Snowden's court; and while it was progressing, he suddenly came to the conclusion it was not going very favorably for him. No sooner did this idea strike him than he drew his six-shooter and blazed away at the presiding judge. The ball hit Snowden on the forehead but glanced off without doing him serious injury. This argument was so direct and convincing that judgment was immediately ordered for the defendant. "Another prominent character of Nicolaus was George C. Johnson. He came to the town in a full-rigged barque belonging to the government of the United States. The vessel had come around the Horn with government stores for United States troops. Johnson was commissary, and after discharging part of her cargo at Benicia, which was the principal military post at that time on this Coast, and a self-asserted rival of San Francisco, he brought the vessel to Nicolaus to deliver the balance of her supplies to the officers and men stationed at Camp Far West. This was a small military post established by the United States on Bear River, some ten or fifteen miles above Nicolaus, for the protection of the immigrants from any unfriendliness on the part of the Indians, who were numerous in that section in those days. The barque never again saw salt water, but she gave to Nicolaus the right to boast of being the only port of entry that has ever been established north of Sacramento — the only town north of that city that ever has had a full-rigged sea-going vessel lying at her landing. Johnson built quite an imposing block of frame houses almost opposite the site of the American Hotel, in one of which he carried on a lively produce and general merchandise business. He accumulated quite a fortune, with which he went to San Francisco, where he established a large iron foundry, or something of that sort. He was afterwards appointed consul for Norway and Sweden, of one of which countries he was a native. He died leaving an estate valued at over a million." First Christmas in California In the same address Judge Keyser outlined the history of Camp Far West, now marked by the Native Sons of the Golden West as a historic spot of California. He said: "I have mentioned Camp Far West. It was quite an important military post in those days. Pleasantly situated on the bank of Bear River, amid an undulating country that forms the base of the foothills, and which at that time was covered with tall pines and wide-spreading live oaks, the camp was an easy and delightful drive in the springtime from Nicolaus, while its accom-plished officers were the most agreeable and hospitable of hosts to the many visitors, to whom they always extended a hearty welcome. Captain (now, I believe, Brigadier-General) Day was the commander of the post. My acquaintance with him and his brother officers began before Nicolaus was 'in esse.' How well I remember the day! Charlie Fairfax (whom all Californians knew and loved). Uncle Dick Snowden, as we called him (he was Fairfax's uncle and the alcalde of whom I have spoken), a brother of mine and myself were on our way, in December, 1849, with provisions for the winter, to our log cabin, which stood not far from Nevada and Grass Valley. We built it in October, 1849. We were packing our provisions on mules, but were delayed several days by high water. About Christmas, Bear River became crossable, and we loaded our pack train, saddled our riding animals, and started. Camp Far West was in existence at this time, and the officers had been invited to partake of a Christmas dinner by Charlie Hoyt, at Johnson's Ranch, which was the name of a large tract of land lying upon the northwest bank of Bear River and owned, or occupied, by Hoyt. There was an adobe house upon the land, standing upon a high, natural mound and surrounded by outhouses and corrals. Hoyt knew some of our party and invited us to join his military friends at the Christmas dinner. Of course we were not the boys to decline what we had every reason to believe would be a 'feast of reason and a flow of soul.' We were all there. Captain Day sat at the head of the table, and Charlie Hoyt at the foot. Before the former stood a splendid roast pig, while the remainder of the table was covered with good things. There was but one kind of wine (port), and a wretched fraud it was upon the name. But it answered the purpose. It stimulated the brain, loosened the tongue, and made us all eloquent, witty and hilarious. The festivities lasted till the small hours began to grow into large ones; but of all the good things that were said, and the jovial songs that were sung. I remember only this: that, for the last two hours we were at the table, Day sang without ceasing: 'Christmas comes but once a year, But when it comes it brings good cheer." Such was my first Christmas in California." Churches of the City For many years Nicolaus has supported a church of the Catholic denomination, the congregation owning their own edifice. For a time the pastor made stated trips from his home in Lincoln, Placer County; but more recently the parish was made part of that at North Sacramento. They are now served by Rev. Father P. Murphy, of the latter place. The German Lutherans hold frequent services in the schoolhouse. At Fairview, about four miles distant from Nicolaus, there is a church edifice in which other denominations hold meetings. The Protestant cemetery for this district is located at Fairview. SUTTER CITY This place is beautifully situated at the base of the Sutter Buttes. Its wide streets are shaded with palm, locust, pepper, oleander and other shade trees, which greatly enhance its attractiveness. It is surrounded by orchards, vineyards, grain fields and almond groves. This district is the second largest almond-growing section of the county. It was close to this place that the first Thompson Seedless grapes were developed. Sutter City has two churches, the Methodist and the Baptist. Each Sunday the members gather from the countryside to worship. Sutter City High School Sutter City has one of the best-equipped high schools in the county. The plant is known as the Sutter Union High School; and it was the first high school established in the history of Sutter County. It is built along the Mission lines and has three wings. Courts for lawn tennis and croquet surround the buildings, dotting attractive grounds. At the rear is a manual-training building, the handiwork of the pupils in that department. Sutter retained the distinction of having the only high school in the county until recent years, when Live Oak and Yuba City added high-school plants, in the order mentioned. MERIDIAN Meridian is a thriving town in the western section of the county, and is situated on the Sacramento River and on the Sacramento Northern Railroad, giving it advantages many a town of its size might envy. It is an important shipping- point for a large area of some of the most fertile land to be found anywhere in California. Adjacent to Meridian is Reclamation District No. 70. All of the 20,000 acres of this district was formerly overflowed; but since it has been reclaimed, it is a veritable garden spot, with thousands of acres of alfalfa, grain, and corn; beans, melons, tomatoes, and other vegetables; and richly productive orchards of fruit. The lands along the Sacramento River are excellent for beans; and beans and alfalfa probably comprise the two most valuable crops of District No. 70. Sugar beets have also been grown extensively in this district, where they yield a very high percentage of saccharine. Meridian has one church, that of the Methodists, which has been in existence many years, and which has many faithful followers. Quite frequently, also, the community is visited by evangelists of the Pentecostal faith, and others. Settlement and Early Growth The Meridian of the early days was relatively, no less important. The first settler on the river at that point was Lewis O'Neil, who arrived in 1852, and built a house on the river bank. In 1857, John F. Fonts bought the place, and in 1860 established a ferry across the river. He also established a small store. In March, 1861, W. C. Smith purchased ten acres of land lying north of the road from A. H. Mitchell's place. The tract was covered with brush and timber at that time. Smith laid out the tract into town lots, and in 1864 sold a corner lot to E. F. Thornbrough & Company, who built a store building suitable to those days. Mrs. E. V. Jacobs, wife of Meridian's physician, is a daughter of one of the very earliest settlers in Sutter County. In 1860 a post-office had been established at the ferry, with John F. Fouts as postmaster. The name originally chosen for the office was Keokuk but there being then another of the same name in the State, it was changed to Meridian. This name was selected because the first post-office was only one-fourth of a mile west of the Mt. Diablo meridian, United States Survey. In 1873 the Meridian Warehouse Company erected its first building for the storage of grain. It had a capacity of 1500 tons. The first school building of notable proportions was erected in 1876 at a cost of $3500. PENNINGTON Lying to the north of the Sutter Buttes, and enjoying a remarkably mild climate, Pennington is situated in the most important almond-growing section of Sutter County. The large and constantly growing number of almond orchards to be seen here bear mute testimony to the adaptability of this locality to the profitable culture of this popular nut. PLEASANT GROVE This town lies on the very southeastern edge of the county, and is the center of an extensive grain and stock section. Plantings of alfalfa in the vicinity of Pleasant Grove in recent years give promise of dairying on a large scale in this section in the near future. It is a community of homes, with a school conveniently located. OTHER TOWNS Four prosperous and growing towns are at the present time to be found along the Southern Pacific Railroad, south of Yuba City. These are Bogue, Oswald, Tudor, and Chandler. Each of these is in a favorite fruit district of Sutter County, and is mostly a shipping center for the extensive orchards and vineyards near by. Abbott, Marcuse, Sunset and Lomo are other shipping points on the Southern Pacific, while Tierra Buena, Nuestro, Encinal, Rio Oso, Catlett and Sankey are similar points on the Sacramento Northern Railroad. West Butte, as the name implies, is on the west side of Sutter Buttes. The town is surrounded by first-class grain, dairy and stock country. Kirksville and Vernon are on the Sacramento River, and are shipping points for rich areas of river-bottom lands. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF YUBA and SUTTER COUNTIES CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the Counties Who Have Been Identified with Their Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY PETER J. DELAY ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 1924 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sutter/history/1924/historyo/chapter1343gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 15.1 Kb