The herald., 1894-01-01
A BRIEF HISTORY OF REDLANDS
The Past Year a Marked Era in
Its History.
A City That Has Been Built Since
the Boom.
It's Irrigation Entcrprises-one of the
Most Productive Sections of the
Orange Belt-Crop and I'M
provement Statistics.


has been one OF the most marked eras
in the brief history of this enterprising
young city. That history, covering only
a half dozen years, has brought to Red
lands population Of $500, and has
converted an undeveloped region into
an orchard covering thousands OF acres.
The great development crowded into SO
brief period has been due to the fertile
soil. an abundant supply OF water, a
climate perfectly adapted to fruit cul-
ture and class of citizens possessed OF
energy and capital. The soil in this
valley is in part of the famous red
lande' and in part of a more gravelly
nature, and has proven to be thoroughly
suited to growing both citrus and decid'
uous fruits. The water supply ia from
the noted Bear valley reservoir and
Mill creek csfion, and is acknowledged
by all tc constitute the most perfect
and ample irrigating system in the
state. The climate differs little
from that OF tine interior valleys
OF Southern California of eimi-
lar elevation 1200 to 20U0 feeU.
equable as Les Angeles county in sum-
mer, an important advantage in orange
culture, and trifle colder in winter,
yet not cold enough to cause injury, as
proven during the cold spell OF Decem-
Der, 1891, when but q minimum OF fruit
was damaged.
The acreage planted to fruits in and
around Redlands is estimated at lO,00O
acres. The statistics for the past sea
cons planting are not at hand, but the
area set to new orchards has been extern
sive and will be still more largely in
creased the coming year. Tho yleIo oi
oranges for lS9l-'92 was 265 carloads,
and for 1S92-'93 was over 200 carloade.
The present season ehows a gratifying
increase, many new orchards having
come into bearing. 1t will be understood
that but small percentage OF the or
ange trees have come into bearing. The
yield OF deciduous fruits and raisins also
reaches handsome figure, and during
the past season the shippers here gave
Southern California an object lesson
second season by sending green fruits to
the eastern markets, realizing good re-
turns. A large part OF the deciduous
fruit crop is dried, however, and as In
the case with oranges grown here,
the product commands the high
est market prices. The adjacent
sections OF Highlands, Mission, Grafton,
Mentone and the Yucaipe and San Cor
gonio valleys are also devoted to fruit
culture, and although tne two valleys
last named are not adapted to orange
growing, owing to their greater eleya-
tion, all deciduous fruits yield large
returns, while cherries, apples and
almonds are especially productive.
During the year OF 1892 there we're
many thousands OF dollars expended in
buildings in the city OF Redlands, about
equally divided between business houses
and residences, ali of the former being
brick structures. Laet year number
of large improvements were made. A
portion of the high school building Was
completed at cost of 1000. A new
Y. Nj. @. A. building WAS built at a con-
tract price OF $4,000.
The branch OF the Southern Pacific
railway through this city to Grafton did
a iae business during the year.
The schools are provided with fine
buildings, employ Ii teachers, and in
the work done have ranked the highest
in the county for the past three years.
The high school is now in its third
year.
There are IL religious organizations in
this city, and nine of the societies have
good buildings.
The city expended $100, 900 in putting
in q system OF stone and cement bitches
to protect the streets and city from
etorn water. A sewer system for the
busin ess part of the town hae been built,
and an outfall was built at q cost of $780,
900. A number OF blocks have been
paved with vitrified brick. and consid-
erable amount of cement sidewalks have
been constructed. The work OF gravel
ing streets has been carried on, while ON
streets where it has not heretofore been
done, shade trees are planted, and park
is being provided.
Among the notable enterprises OF the
latter part of the year 1892 was the
formation of the Redlands Electric
Light and Power company, to utilize
the water power in the Mill creek canon,
east of the city. The work cost Sl0O, 600,
and minimum of 800 horse power was
secured, with q maximum OF 1864. The
company. turned on the electric current
during the summer.
The company closed q contract
with the Union Ice company, whereby
it agreed to furnish at least $50 horse
power for % years. The ice company
erected $50, 900 ice factory. which was
completed by the first of May. the in.
tention being to manufacture all the ice
used by that company in Southern Cali
fornia.
The Redlands Electric Light and
Power company now has model cleo
trio plant, which, furnishes light and
power to the city.
During the year just closed the town
kept up its march OF improvement and
is easily among the most prosperous and
progressive cities in Southern Caliior.
mia.
In closing this brief review, it is
proper to call attention to the scenic
conditions of Redlands. The valley is
guarded on the north and east by high
mountains, with low range of hills to
the south, and from the town view
can be had westward down the Santa
Ana valley for miles. II is view that
wins the admiration of all, and lie Ger.
tainly panorama such as can be found
only in this marvellous region Of South.
ern California. The elevation affords q
pure, dry atmosphere, that has proven
most efficacious in restoring health to
invalids. No visitor to Southern Cali.
iornia should fail to see Redlands if he
desires to know what brief half dozer
years can accomplish in this land o.
marvels.
A Chinese Invitation.
The Chinese send three invitations tc
the guests that they desire to see at their