Los Angeles County California
Los Angeles County. Organized in 1850 Bounded
north by Kern, east by San Bernardino, southeast by San Diego,
south and southwest by the Pacific Ocean, and west by Ventura.
Area, on mainland, 4,900, and of islands 1,100, a total of 6,000
square miles. Assessed valuation of property for 1874,
County seat, Los Angeles, an incorporated city. Principal towns:
Anaheim, Compton, Downey City, El Monte, Los Nietos, San
Fernando, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Soledad, Spadra, and
Resources: agricultural, mineral and commercial. Los Angeles is
the most favorably situated, and the most populous and important
of the southern counties. Possessing a large area of fertile
soil, an ocean coast offering several good landing places at
most seasons, railroads leading into the interior in four
different directions, and a climate of incomparable loveliness,
make it one of the most desirable locations for residences and
business in the State, and assure for it the leading position it
has always maintained.
The general resource is agriculture, the product of its
fruit-bearing vines and trees constituting its chief articles of
export. Corn and other grains are grown in considerable
quantities, but not sufficient to prevent importation of
breadstuffs. The former chief dependence of the people was upon
the abundant pasturage its verdant plains and grass-covered
hills afforded, and, although this is not now the predominating
interest, the large exports of wool, hides, and cattle are
evidences that it is vet of great importance. The mineral
resources of the county are of great value. In it were found the
first gold placers of the Pacific coast, long anterior to the
discoveries at Coloma.
Along the San Gabriel and Santa Clara rivers, gold was found
fifty or more years ago, and the placers are still mined,
producing some gold, but at no great profit. Silver mines are
also found in the San Gabriel Mountains, but the developments
are not yet sufficient to show their value. At Soledad, on the
head of the Santa Clara River, veins of gold-bearing quartz are
worked at a large profit, and copper bearing veins are numerous.
On the northeastern slope of the San Gabriel range, bordering
the Mohave desert, are found large veins of copper ore and other
minerals, which, when opportunities are given to develop them,
will constitute an important resource of the county and State.
The beds of asphaltum, and springs of oil constitute an
important resource. In the San Fernando hills are many springs
of petroleum which have been partially opened by boring and
excavation, and a large amount of oil flows from them. A
refinery has been established to prepare this for use, and a
great and profitable business is expected.
Officers: H. K. S. O'Melveny, County Judge; A.
W. Potts, Clerk; V. E. Howard, District Attorney; William R.
Rowland, Sheriff and Tax Collector; J. W. Gillette, Recorder and
Auditor; T. E. Rowan, Treasurer; Dionicio Botiller, Assessor;
Lother Seebold, Surveyor; N. P. Richardson, Coroner; H. M.
Mitchell, Public Administrator George H. Peck, Superintendent
California Gazetteer |
Source: Pacific Coast Business Directory for 1876-78, Compiled
by Henry G. Langley, San Francisco, 1875