|
HISTORY
El
Dorado County, California.
LOCAL
HISTORY.
PLACERVILLE
(HANGTOWN, RAVINE CITY)
[section 2 of 5-- 1, 2,
3, 4,
5]
ALTITUDES AND DISTANCES.
In
the summer of 1877, one of the parties engaged in the survey of the region
west of the 100th meridian, under the direction of Captain George M.
Wheeler, and under command of Lieutenant M. M. Macomb, occupied the
eastern portion of California ; as particularly interesting to the people
of this county, we have segregated from the carefully prepared tables
contained in the report the following altitudes and distances of and
between prominent points: The altitude of
Placerville at the Post office corner, is 1,895 feet; of the Pacific
House, 3,451 feet ; of McConnaha's, 3,931; of Strawberry, 5,695; of
Phillips, 6,871 ; of the summit at Johnson's Pass, 7,266; of Genoa, 4,794; of Carson Capitol Square, 4,670 feet.
 Distances
from Placerville as measured with an odometer, are given as follows : to
Smith's Flat, 2.75 miles ; to Sportsman's Hall, 12.53 ; to Pacific House,
19.88 ; to Moore's, 24.16 ; to McConnaha's, 32.90 ; to Strawberry, 44.18 ;
to Phillips, 49.05 ; to Summit, 51.86 ; to Osgood's, 53.91 ; to Meyers'
Ranch, 55.01 ; to Woodburn's saw-mill, 58.26 ; to Sierra House, 59.70 ; to
Carney's State Line House, 63.15 ; to Small's, 64.05 ; to summit of grade,
67.27 ; to Haines', foot of Kingsberry grade, 72.31 ; to Hot Springs,
73.45 ; to Genoa, 75.25 ; to Carson, 88.25. Distance
from Georgetown to Hotchkiss' Ranch, 1.25 miles ; to Forni's 19.21 ; to
Big Silver Creek, 32.43 ; to Jones' Ranch, 35.44 ; to road to Sawyer's
44.97 ; to Georgetown junction, 47.58. Distances
from Placerville by the Amador road are stated as follows : to Newton,
8.35 miles ; to Pleasant Valley, 10.65 ; to Sly Park, 18.26 ; to Hazel
Valley, 19.03 ; to Stonebraker's, 23.18 ; to Caples' spring, 27.43 ; to
Leek springs, 38.99 ; to Silver Lake, 48.58 ; to Kirkwood's, 54.25 ; to
Caples' Ranch, 55.95 ; to Carson Pass, 59.63 ; to Williams' Ranch, 61.44 ;
to Stevens' Ranch, 64.04 ; to Hope Valley, Nott's Ranch, 68.29 ; to Carson
Canyon Toll House, 70.71 ; to Woodford's, 74.55 ; to Carson, 105.42. The
distance from Placerville to Sacramento is bout fifty miles. As the first
town, not only of the "Empire county," but indisputably claimed
to be the first place of all mining towns of California concerning
population, wealth, enterprise and intelligence, as all (even rivals)
conceded, from the time of the incorporation as a city, or rather sometime
before this term, Placerville was agitating for a removal of the county
seat from Coloma to its own site, on account of a more central and
convenient location both ways, in geographical situation and concerning
the population of the county. But defeated twice, in 1854, when the vote
was taken, together with the general election, and five different
aspirants for the County Court seat had turned up, and gain in 1856, when
a special vote for this particular purpose was taken, with the only choice
between Coloma and Placerville. In consequence of the result of the latter
vote the citizens of Placerville held an indignation meeting on the plaza
to protest against the flagrant outrage upon the right of suffrage
committed in Coloma and developed in counting the returns of the late
election for county seat, and stating, in detail, that the returns from
the following precincts: Uniontown, with 811 votes ; Dry creek house,
with 872 votes, and McDowellville, with 562 votes, were base forgeries
upon the elective franchise and degrading to the ballot-box. But as
nothing else could be done at the time, the affair had to lay over until
January, 1857, when the Legislature met again, and Mr. G. McDonald
introduced a bill in the Assembly providing for the removal of the county
seat from Coloma to Placerville. This bill passed both houses, the
Assembly first and then the Senate, with a large majority. And "is is
almost needless to say," says the Mountain Democrat of
February 28, 1857, in reference to the passage of the bill through the
Senate was received here with the liveliest gratification. Our citizens
seemed 'drunk with joy.'" Even the most sanguine of the inhabitants
of this place, in the spring of 1850, scarcely dared to hope that their
village would ever attain a greater dignity than that of a temporary
mining camp. All those that had mined here during 1849 asserted that the
mines were worked out in this vicinity, and a sort of general stampede
followed, so that the town during the early part of the summer of 1850,
was well nigh deserted. Lots and houses on Main street, where now the
center of the business place is concentrated, had been abandoned by their
then owners as valueless. The coming of the immense overland immigration
of that year gave a new and unlooked-for impetus to business. Lots which,
a few months previously, could be had by the mere act of taking, became
valuable and in demand for the sites of stores and residences. The town at
once extended itself along the banks of the creek, and a perfect mania for
building seems to possess the people ; and as everybody calculated to
profit from this emigration, the result, of course, was that more houses
were built and more stores opened than the number of inhabitants required
or the business of the place could support. Complaints of dull times and
of tenantless houses followed, and again there were many who predicted
that Placerville had seen her best days. Just then the South Fork canal
was commenced, and many indulged again in the most extravagant
expectations, on account of the opening of new mining fields, which had
not been worked before on account of the lack of water ; but now, with the
water of the South Fork canal, Placerville had to expect the whole benefit
and could not miss the future greatness. But that work was undertaken at a
time when labor, as well as material, were so high and money demanded such
high interest that, in the hands of the original projectors, the
completion of the work was impracticable, and as the difficulties to its
completion seemed insurmountable, again the public confidence in the
permanent prosperity of Placerville was shaken. The great work passed into
other hands, the difficulties were overcome and it was completed, to the
incalculable advantage of the place and benefit of all pursuits.
Notwithstanding the heavy disbursements consequent upon the agitation of
the county seat question, the destruction of the most populous and
valuable portion of the city by fire, and that depression in business and
lack of confidence in California's career from which Placerville, in
common with all other cities of the State, so long suffered, she steadily
made improvement. Prior to the great conflagration
of 1856 there were only very few stores and hardly any of the residence
buildings erected in other than the most combustible materials. The
buildings that were built after that catastrophe have been constructed
quite substantial, and show that they were not designed for the day or the
season, as of old, but for this and coming generations. It
is possible that not all the citizens of Placerville do fully appreciate
the advantages of the place or the beauties of its surroundings. Those of
the pioneers, however, who have staid here for more than thirty years, and
found, when coming, nothing but the spot, not dreaming then that they
would remain here for nearly a lifetime, when looking back on all the
changes that have taken place since in town and country ; how the city was
growing to its present proportions ; how the barren or timber-covered but
unproductive-looking hills did make place for vineyards and orchards, and,
by the use of irrigation, were enforced to yield a crop of vegetables that
cannot be surpassed anywhere. First it was tried as an experiment, but the
final result was the present productiveness of the valley, just sufficient
for the daily need. Placerville saw another season
of prosperity when the mines in Washoe district began to attract the
attention of the mining world, and the flushest and liveliest time
commenced in her streets. There were no vacant houses, hotels were plenty
and all were full, stores were constantly receiving additions to their
stock, the pioneer stages were running daily and always crowded with
passengers coming and going to Washoe ; Baker's fast freight was doing a
large business besides, money was plenty and everybody prospering and
consequently contented and happy, but the discouragement produced by
causes beyond the control of men, did not fail to follow : No sooner was
the Central Pacific Railroad finished as far as Cisco, and the cars were
running up to the latter place, a distance of about ninety miles from
Sacramento City, and the Pioneer Stage Co., as well as Baker's fast
freight were moving their whole stock of coaches, fast freight wagons,
teams etc., over to the Dutch Flat route carrying with them scores of men
in their employ and dependent on them for their support. This was the most
striking and sudden change for the whole country ; but more so for
Placerville particularly, and business began to show the decline rapidly ;
but the depression cam to a standstill, people began to throw off their
discouragement, and appreciate the resources that this city possesses for
the present subsistence, with a good prospect for future wealth in the
lumber business, having an unlimited quality of the finest timber within
15 to 18 miles ; and by means of agricultural and mining work, with a
large extent of splendid agricultural land all around and a good many of
the richest mines close by. Placerville is the
principal commercial place in the county, and is harboring the County
Court seat of El Dorado since twenty-six years now, and the County
Hospital two years more. The daily mail from Sacramento commenced to
arrive here about the middle of August, 1854, and the citizens ever since
have enjoyed this comfort. The importance of Placerville may be seen also
out of the number of stage lines that were running from this place to all
parts of this county, to Sacramento, to the Southern mines and over the
Sierra Nevada to Washoe. On account of their railroad, however, the
Placervilleians had no good luck. For the purpose of taking the matter
under consideration, a railroad-meeting was held here as early as November
16, 1854; the proposition was to build an extension to the Sacramento
Valley Railroad, then only planed, but ready to be commenced, from the
terminus at Folsom up to Placerville, but the subject rested after some
agitation without further proceedings. The agitation was renewed in 1863,
and a public meeting held in Upper Placerville, on February, 16th, but the
result was the same. The communication of
Placerville with other parts of the county or with the country further on
by means of county or toll-roads is quite a perfect one ; eight or ten
good mountain roads run from this place to all different directions of the
compass. The first overland mail stage arrived in
Placerville on Monday, July 19, 1858, at 10 o'clock P. M., and many who
were aware of the event hailed it with ardent manifestations of joy. Mr.
W. M. Cary illuminated his new hotel ; from the lateness of the hour
however, many had retired and from their ignorance of the arrival had not
the satisfaction of expressing their joy upon the occasion. In order that
all might have an opportunity of expressing their sentiments, large
posters were distributed through the city next day, announcing that a
grand jubilee would be held on the plaza that evening. The time was
remarkably propitious for such a meeting, the city being crowded with
people who had come here to attend the various conventions just in
session. But the petty strifes and bickerings of politics were forgotten,
at least, for awhile in general warmth of general rejoicing. The
large assemblage was called to order by F. A. Bee, Esq., who briefly
stated the subject of the meeting. W. F. Stewart was called to the chair,
and the people were addressed by G. D. Hall, D. K. Newell, and S. W.
Sanderson, who acquitted themselves creditably and to the entire
satisfaction of the audience, who manifested their appreciation by
vehement cheers. The celebration was completed by Dr. Pettit, who sent a
beautiful balloon into the ethereal regions. The
great banking houses of San Francisco, doing the express business all over
the State, had their offices at Placerville from the earliest time, and
other express firms branched off from their offices to bring the express
comfort to other places higher up in the mountains. The Alta Telegraph
Company commenced work to connect Sacramento with most all the mining
places of Northern mines, taking a wire from said place through El Dorado,
Placer, Nevada counties up to Sierra county ; but the connection from
Sacramento to Placerville, Coloma and Auburn was not finished before
spring of 1854. The first newspaper in the county was started at
Placerville, and this city has supported two good weekly newspapers all
the time since ; for a long while there were even three papers kept up and
seemed to make it a profitable investment. As we
have seen already the town in the early days was a mining camp of the most
unsettled character, and though there were some families between the
multitude of single men, they were just as restless, changing from one
mining camp to another, and consequently this was not a favorable period
for schools and school teaching at all, and the population had to settle
down before these blessings of the peace could benefit them. The first
schools kept in the town and township were entirely private, and the
teachers got paid for their work by the parents and guardians of the
children in the district, who had been sent there. After the county had
been divided into school districts and the officers for those districts
appointed, the Commissioners of common schools for the district of
Placerville, transmitted to the County Superintendent, in November 1854, a
report concerning the condition of the schools in the district, and a
census of the number of children with in the same, as taken by S. A.
Grantham, school marshal, from which we take the following: "The
number of schools and commissioned teachers is s follows: Richard Cole,
School No. 1, Mrs. Caroline H. Cole, School No. 2, Mrs. Mary M. Hedman,
School No. 3, Mrs. Amanda Sanders, School No. 4. "The
aggregate number of scholars in attendance and under instruction is 125,
and thus far the schools have been supported by parents and guardians. "On
the first of January next, the school money apportioned to this district
will become available. The census return shows the number of children in
the district to be 290. The money will be appropriated to the teachers of
the several schools, and the parents and guardians will be required to pay
monthly such sums as will make up a fir compensation for teachers, and pay
rent and contingent expenses. "The
establishment of these schools, and obtaining a share of the public school
fund, will reduce the price of tuition, and enable many to attend who
would otherwise be prevented from doing so, and it is hoped that the
citizens will do all in their power to sustain the schools and keep them
in successful operation. The fruits will be apparent as our children grow
to manhood, and become useful citizens, and ornaments to society." These
same private schools were kept in the same way as heretofore--the
apportionment due them from January 1, 1855, never has been paid--until
about the middle of the year 1855. At a meeting of
the Board of School Trustees, held on June 2, 1855, the township of
Placerville was divided into two school districts, and the bounds defined
as follows: "All that portion of the
township lying west of a line drawn due north and south to be the boundary
of said township, from the Methodist Church between Upper and Lower
Placerville, shall be known as District No. 1, and all that portion of the
township east of said line shall be known as District No. 2. The district
schoolhouse No. 1, has been located near the Presbyterian Church, and Mr.
J. W. Bullock commissioned as teacher. The district schoolhouse No. 2 has
been located in Upper Placerville, and Mr. Alexander Cooper commissioned
teacher. The salary of said teachers has been set at $125. per month, and
shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Section 31 of the law
relating to the support of schools and teachers." The
following rate bill was established for the first, viz: "The
parents or guardians of children sent, except such as are exempt, shall
pay weekly the sum of fifty cents for each child, and parents or guardians
failing to pay said sum shall be deprived of the benefits of said school. "The
rate bill will be altered from time to time as the school increases in
profits, and each will be required to pay a less or greater sum in
proportion to the increase or decrease of the school. "The
commissioners feel that the adoption of this system of common schools will
extend to all the benefits of the school fund, and it is earnestly hoped
that all parents and guardians will sustain the schools, hereby benefiting
themselves of the community at large. L.
T. Carr.
D. Spencer.
June 2d, 1855. A. W.
Bee." The above stated rate bill some
time later proved to be insufficient for the expenditure of the public
school, and the Common Council of the city of Placerville consequently
passed an 'Ordinance' to provide for the levy and collection of a tax for
school purposes, ordained as follows : Section
1. A tax of one-fourth of one per cent on all the real and personal
property in this city, according to the valuation of the assessment roll
of the city assessor for the year 1856, is hereby levied for the purpose
of the support of free common schools in this city. To be collected by the
City Collector. Approved, November 10th, 1856. George
M. Condee, Mayor
J. M. Grantham, Clerk. For
the custody and disbursement of the common school fund, and also for the
organization of the city into school districts, and the establishment of
school officers and the duties of the same, the Mayor and Common Council
passed the following ordinance : Section
1. The district of country comprised within the corporate limits of
the city is hereby declared a school district, and the same shall be known
as the Placerville Common School District. Sec.
2. On or before the first day of January, of each year, the common
Council of the city of Placerville, shall elect by ballot three Trustees
of School, who shall comprise a city Board of Education for this city. The
said Common Council shall also at the time and place elect by ballot a
Superintendent of common schools for said district. The said Board of
Education and the Superintendent shall hold their respective offices from
the term of one year, from the date of their election or until their
successors are elected and qualified. Sec.
3. The said Board of Education are hereby clothed with all the
authority conferred by law upon the school trustees of other school
districts of this State, and it is hereby made their duty to comply with
the provisions of said law. Sec.
4. The City Superintendent shall have power, and it shall be his
duty in accordance with the provisions of the school laws, 1. To visit
each school in this district, personally, at least once in every three
months; 2. To aid the city Board of Education in the examination of
teachers ; 6. To make a full quarterly report ; 7. To receive from the
County Superintendent all school money apportioned to this district ; 8.
To deliver at the close of his official term, to his successor, all books,
papers, documents and records belonging to his office. Sec.
5. The Common Council of this city hereby reserves to itself the
power to expel from office or suspend any and all school officers in this
district for any malfeasance in office, or any failure on the part of said
officer to comply with any school ordinance of this city, or any of the
provisions of the school law enjoined upon him or them as a duty of office
; provided, that no person shall be expelled or suspended from office
except upon the written charge of a citizen of this district, verified by
his or her oath, and not then until after due examination and a fair
hearing of the charges so preferred. Sec.
6. The Common Council of this city shall fill any and all vacancies
that may occur in the said Board of Education or in the office of the City
Superintendent. Sec.
7. It is hereby made the duty of the City Collector to pay over to
the City Treasurer all money collected by him for school purposes, and the
City Treasurer shall receive the same, and all money so received shall be
kept separate s a special fund for the support of common schools in this
district, and the Treasurer shall render a separate report of the same to
the common Council of this city. Sec.
8. The City Superintendent shall receive five percent. of all
moneys received and disbursed by him during his term of office, and the
same shall be his full compensation as such officer. Approved,
December 6, 1856. George
M. Condee, Mayor M.
M. Grantham, Clerk. Mrs.
Caroline Cole, who had started one of the first private schools in the
town of Placerville and kept it up for years, on June 7th, 1856, about a
year after the former had to close up, on account of the arrangement in
the public schools, opened a boarding school for young ladies, where
all branches of a thorough English education, including vocal and
instrumental music, were taught. This school was started on Bedford
avenue. The Placerville Academy was
organized in 1861, and continued with much favor and a large measure of
success for seven years, and was reopened under more favorable auspices,
and with a view to permanency, on the 2d of October, 1871. Prof. George P.
Tyndall, formerly of the Michigan University, Ann Arbor, bought the
property in August, 1881, and enlarged it to the present capacity of about
fifty large rooms for boarding school purposes, etc. The building fronts
on two streets, Main and Clay. The other sides are surrounded by gardens,
laid out with walks and croquet grounds. Building and grounds are well
supplied with water through hydrants and connected with baths and a well
appointed gymnasium, under control of the institution. Go
to Next Section |
