anaheim-gazette 1940-12-12

Formation of Orange County Facts Regarding Separation Told by Late Henry Kuchel Withdrawal From Los Angeles in 1889 Only Accomplished After Several Years of Effort and Many Debates There are very few sources of the authentic story of the formation of Orange county, an event which was of tremendous interest in this area 51 years ago. Because no historical review of Anaheim would be complete without an article about the county's formation, it is only fitting that The Gazette, embarking upon its 71st year of publication, should reprint a story written some eight years ago by the late Henry Kuchel, for nearly 50 years publisher of The Gazette. His story follows: BY HENRY KUCHEL In the year 1871, fourteen years after the founding of the colony, the Pioneers decided their welfare and peace of mind would be vastly improved by cutting away from Los Angeles and establishing a new county. The task was one beset with insuperable obstacles and while the old timers were most earnest in their desire for a new county, many had misgivings as to the ultimate result, but figured the campaign would give city and who found it imperative to make the trip. Travel Torment On the other hand roads for many miles about the city were graded and graveled and placed in excellent condition. Bridges were thrown over the Los Angeles river and travel was a delight, while in this section it was a torment. Moreover, much criticism existed at the cost of county buildings and the methods of what was called the Los Angeles political ring. City people were told by the old timers there was nothing for them to look forward to in the parent county, and that division would come just so sure as the sun would rise again. Many good men in town assumed a friendly attitude, but the bulk stood steadfast by what had been done. There was no relief in sight, and accordingly a bill creating the county of Anaheim was introduced in the legislature but it did not get anywhere, albeit, it created discussion in many parts of the state and as- BY HENRY KUCHEL In the year 1871, fourteen years after the founding of the colony, the Pioneers decided their welfare and peace of mind would be vastly improved by cutting away from Los Angeles and establishing a new county. The task was one beset with insuperable obstacles and while the old timers were most earnest in their desire for a new county, many had misgivings as to the ultimate result, but figured the campaign would give them a foundation for future operations. Not only was this feeling paramount in this immediate vicinity, but as far as the Old San Gabriel river, 10 miles this side of Los Angeles, there existed an active desire for separation. This first effort at dividing Los Angeles county which stretched from the ocean to the Colorado river and from Kern county on the north to San Diego on the south came to naught, of course, but the seeds of division sown in the minds of the people bore fruit at last, and in 1889 Orange county was formed. County is Strong Even at that early date the parent county was all powerful in the south, and as it had fought the two attempts at division made before, so it redoubled its effort at this time when it saw the cherished dream of the Pioneers about to become a reality. There ensued a very bitter contest in the legislature, and a count of noses indicated the parent county had a shade the best of the voting strength with a number of members non-committal. At this time backers of the county division measure appealed to the San Francisco delegation to come to their assistance. The northern county was by far the most powerful in the state and, for years had operated politically with the southern county upon every matter. Los Angeles claimed the northerners would vote against the division bill, but even at this early time San Francisco looked askance at the growing importance of Los Angeles, and after much discussion and importuning decided finally to support the bill and it was passed and signed by the governor. There were rumors, indeed, prevalent at the time that much of the interest taken in the bill by northerners was because of whatever you call a commodity in the market, but be that as it may no one knew that anything was other blessing to the people as it has been, but down deep hearts of others there exists sentiment for the treacherous changing the northern bound. All these men have passed their reward, and in the midst those who have come after all's well that ends well. The old bridge at Olive, which a farm wagon could been driven, has long since way to a splendid concrete structure. The channel has been with sands until now the higher than the surrounding try. Many other concrete bridges have been erected and more have been expended upon roads. The county has a low tax and its people are contented happy. Many things have gone since the early day as the Pioneers felt resent toward the parent county treatment, so did other mer There were rumors, indeed, prevalent at the time that much of the interest taken in the bill by northerners was because of whatever you call a commodity in the market, but be that as it may no one knew that anything was other than straight forward legitimate legislation. Smallest County The blessings of Providence have been showered upon the county which is the smallest in southern California, but one of the strongest, with a population of 150,000 and assessment roll exceeding $200,000,000; not a dollar of public money has ever been misspent, the courthouse has been filled with efficient officers, and taxpayers have received dollar for dollar in return for monies expended in public construction. When the effort at county division was first brought forward the Pioneers showed that Los Angeles had collected more than $2,000,000 in taxes, very little of which had been expended on roads and bridges in this county. Indeed, there were no bridges here and roads were intolerable in the summer and all but impassable quagmires during the winter time. Old and New San Gabriel rivers and the Santa Ana ran in boisterous floods during wet seasons, overflowing their banks, doing great destruction to property and causing losses to stock and poultry, as well as taking an occasional human life. Buildings were swept away in the San Gabriel valley and conditions were intolerable in the extreme. The Coyote creek was a treacherous stream and many narrow escapes from drowning were recorded among Pioneers who had business dealings in the country. Santa Ana took the lead in the division fight. The Pioneers in this section, who had tried twice for division before, looked with favor upon the movement. It was agreed to place the northern boundary line at New river, which was the boundary line in the two previous bills. An earnest campaign for division ensued, and a bill was prepared and introduced into the legislature providing for the creation of Orange county. However, at the last moment, the northern boundary line was placed at Coyote creek, which stirred up a storm of protest here as well as in the San Gabriel district. Old timers saw in the move a gesture to make Santa Ana the county seat. San Gabriel folk protested against being excluded from the proposed new county. Men proceeded to Sacramento demanding that the boundary line be changed, but these pleas fell upon deaf ears. The bill was introduced with the northern boundary line at the creek, which excluded a rich and thickly settled country beyond it to the north. A county of legislative votes showed that Los Angeles had the whip hand and would probably defeat the measure. Then it was that an appeal was made to the San Francisco delegation which came over to support the bill and it was passed and signed by the governor. It provided that the new county should be contingent upon a two-thirds vote of the people. There began an active campaign for and against the county, but it was carried by the voters and the county was organized. This was 16 years after the first attempt at division. Many of the Pioneers opposed the county because of the change in the northern boundary, but others who were sick at heart at the way Los Angeles had treated them in the past supported it. In after years all the men shook hands, were friends again, feeling that the new county had been a ANAHEIM GAZETTE County Described by Former Publisher Elks Lodge Here Founded in Members of Santa Ana Formed Nucleus for Anaheim Club Anaheim lodge of the silent and Protective Order now one of the largest fire organizations in the city founded on April 17, 1911 group of Elks who reside northern Orange county andly members of Santa Ana Approximately 3000 men the order assembled here institution ceremony, which held in a huge tent and over officers of the Santa Ana presided. The late Judge Homer C was installed exalted ruler officers were Herman M Thomas L. McFadden, Davis, J. A. Fay, M. C. Go Backs, jr., and E. N. Gagtees were M. W. Martenet, Schumacher and D. Jesse For the first three years were held in the club the Anaheim Masons. To a year, they met in Fullerton 1921 the beautiful home of Los Angeles street was co and occupied. Anaheim lodge has great reputation among Elks lo the lodge that does thing passing to the people as indeed has been, but down deep in the parts of others there existed treatment for the treachery in ringing the northern boundary. These men have passed on to their reward, and in the minds of those who have come after them is well that ends well. The old bridge at Olive, under which a farm wagon could have driven, has long since given way to a splendid concrete structure. The channel has been filled with sands until now the bed is further than the surrounding countryside. Many other concrete bridges have been erected and millions have been expended upon county roads. The county has a low tax rate and its people are contented and copy. Many things have come and gone since the early days, but the Pioneers felt resentment toward the parent county for its treatment, so did other men who The above layout of photographs shows Center street then and now. The top picture is an old view of the street, taken from the site of present Kress store and looking eastward. The Fashion stables was an important business concern in Anaheim at that time. It is not definitely known the year the photograph was taken. The lower picture is a much more recent one and was taken from the intersection of Center and Los Angeles streets, looking toward the west. An amazing difference in the street is clearly shown in the above pictures and well depicts the advancement Anaheim has made in the past 70 years. Operator of Street Car Always Obliged The late Nick Bittner was conductor and motorman on the street car that operated on Center street between the railroad denots Indians, Chinese Aided in Grapes During the days when vineyards were the important industry of Anaheim, about 100 Indians from the Pala reservation could come here to do the work of grape picking and wine making. They were here usually about two months. Working with them were a number of Chinese, with space at the northwest corner of Los Angeles and Chartres streets being set aside for about 300 of them. The Chinese did all kinds of manual labor, with Sin Se Wo serving as the mandarin; assisted by his brother, Man Wo. Things thus continued until the early '70's when the Chinese exclusion act went into effect and all the Chinese went back to China. The county has a low tax rate and its people are contented and happy. Many things have come and gone since the early days, but the Pioneers felt resentment toward the parent county for its treatment, so did other men who later feel similarly minded. Sixteen years before the county was finally organized Pioneers whose descendants are still living in Los Angeles that division was inevitable and would come as late as the morning's sunrise. It came, and over the green graves spread wreaths of immortelles and forget-me-nots, for what they differed in the street is clearly shown in the above pictures and well depicts the advancement Anaheim has made in the past 70 years. Operator of Street Car Always Obliged The late Nick Bittner was conductor and motorman on the street car that operated on Center street between the railroad depots many years ago. Bittner was very accommodating, and when he saw a man run toward the car waving his hands, he would stop and wait for the man to climb aboard. did to advance the blessings and the happiness of those who came after them. Curly's Anaheim Cafe SANDWICHES BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNERS SOFT DRINKS OF ALL KINDS — Try Us — is serving the very best of Foods — prepared as you like it — at a Price you like to pay. "Tis the Taste That Tells the Tale" A trial will convince you Anaheim Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 12, 1940 Publisher Elks Lodge Here Founded in 1917 Members of Santa Ana Group Formed Nucleus for Anaheim Club Anaheim lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, now one of the largest fraternal organizations in the city, was founded on April 17, 1917, by a group of Elks who resided in northern Orange county and mostly members of Santa Ana lodge. Approximately 3000 members of the order assembled here for the institution ceremony, which was held in a huge tent and over which officers of the Santa Ana lodge resided. The late Judge Homer G. Ames was installed exalted ruler. Other officers were Herman P. Noll, Thomas L. McFadden, W. W. Davis, J. A. Fay, M. C. Goff, F. A. Backs, Jr., and E. N. Gage. Trustees were M. W. Martenet, William Schumacher and D. Jesser. For the first three years meetings were held in the clubrooms of the Anaheim Masons. Then, for the year they met in Fullerton. In 1921 the beautiful home on North Los Angeles street was completed and occupied. Anaheim lodge has gained a reputation among Elks lodges as the lodge that does things. Trained Ostriches Famous Billy Frantz, whose trained team of ostriches were interesting spectacles in Anaheim around the first of the century, stands by watching Frank Eastman drive the unique team of birds. A FEAST to delight the entire family A WORLD FAMOUS ORANGE COUNTY TOURIST ATTRACTION AT YOUR "OWN BACK DOOR." For the first three years meetings were held in the clubrooms of Anaheim Masons. Then, for the year, they met in Fullerton. In 1921 the beautiful home on North Los Angeles street was completed and occupied. Anaheim lodge has gained a reputation among Elks lodges as the lodge that does things. Responsible for this was the old Anaheim Elks baseball team that won state championships for several years, the drum and bugle corps that won the state championship for three consecutive years and the national champion in 1936, and the glee club that makes a leading part in all activities. Present lodge officers are Ray Van Wagoner, exalted ruler; C. Lloyd Larsen, esteemed leading knight; Allen F. DeWitt, esteemed royal knight; Roy F. Davis, esteemed lecturing knight; Charles H. Fisher, treasurer; A. L. Wilmsen, chaplain; Donald C. Jones, esquire; William Bielefeldt, tiler; Louis Jacobsen, inner guard; J. S. Van Wagoner, secretary, and Dr. H. A. Tews, organist. A WORLD FAMOUS ORANGE COUNTY TOURIST AT YOUR "OWN BACK DOOR." — AN INVITATION — To Anaheim and Northern Orange County Residents of Colorado Springs rarely visit Pike's Peak, yet people come from all over the world to see it; millions work in the shadow of the Empire State building and think nothing of it... yet every visitor to New York has it in his "must list." So it is with Knott's Berry Place. We cordially invite you to bring your next guests over for one of those ham or chicken dinners which draw customers from all over the world. Stay to visit the specious grounds as our guests. Nearly always room, but phone Anaheim 3141 for reservations if you want to make sure. KNOTT'S BERRY PLACE — 2 Miles South of Buena Park on Highway 39 — WE STARTED SERVING ANAHEIM WITH a Team of Horses and a Wagon over 62 years ago Today we are equipped to haul practically anything from baggage to the heaviest job. Free estimates will be given. PHONE PHONE 3201 for quick, dependable MOVING SERVICE No job too large — None too small Anaheim Truck and Transfer Joe Collings — Chas. Pearson 112 South Claudina Street Anaheim