The location of the City of Santa Monica is significant to the development of its history. Before the Spanish Rule, the Tongva/Chumash Indians who lived upon the land called it “The place where we are in the Sun.” (Paula 2004, P. 16) The combination of year round sunshine and the ocean supplied the Tongva Indians with nourishment and trade, which would later be used as an advantage to instigate trade and commerce. Under the Spanish Explorer, Gaspar de Portola, the area was first mentioned by Father Juan Crespi, a diarist on the expedition, noting the springs in which they hunted had pure water springs that reminded him of Saint Monica’s tears. (Paula 2004, P. 17) Although he called the location San Gregorio, it was his description of the land that would give the City of Santa Monica’s its name.
The Mexican government superimposed the ownership of land in the form of land grants from 1822 to 1846, and Santa Monica was part of the Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica which belonged to Don Francisco Sepulveda. ("Santa Monica History.") The prime location of the city, in proximity to Los Angeles, was ripe for investment when auction of plats were sold to investors hoping that one day Santa Monica Bay would turn into a sea port. It was the first direct link of land being used as a commodity under sole ownership of private interests. By 1872, San Vicente y Santa Monica, would be sold again to Colonel Robert S. Baker after the land was fully consolidated into one land grant. Colonel Baker would eventually in 1874, in conjunction with a partial owner, Senator John P. Jones, begin making plans for the Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica to become a town that would be “the great commercial center of the Southwest.” ("Santa Monica History,")
The lots in the newly formed township sold for $500 and $75 on July 15, 1875. ("Santa Monica History," ) Due to Santa Monica’s location and its access to Santa Monica Bay, the township was ideal for investors trying to make the area into a transportation and shipping hub. Many of the bidders readily bought up the land in hopes that the location would one day become a large seaport connecting rail lines to ships. (Paula 2004, P. 36) The plan to do so was backed by Senator John P. Jones who made his riches from the Comstock Lode, his intentions for Santa Monica were clear: to use the Santa Monica Bay as a major seaport by linking the mines of Nevada to the Pacific Ocean. ("Santa Monica History," ) In this way, he could control the potential profits and inadvertently Santa Monica would become more lucrative than San Pedro Bay, and Southern California’s focus would shift from Los Angeles to Santa Monica. Despite John P. Jones’s ambitious plan to build a major seaport, the federal government chose San Pedro Bay over Santa Monica Bay. The Southern Pacific Railroad, at the time, held the monopoly because they held dominance over the region. Moreover, the railroad company was popular as they had built the only line connecting Los Angeles to the Transcontinental Rail Line. (Paula 2004, P. 38) However, Santa Monica losing the bid was not a total loss, as the uninterrupted views of the beach now typifies the imagery of Santa Monica, therefore the effect of the lack of railroad development can be attributed as a landmark event that has helped preserve the natural beauty that is appreciated by Santa Monica’s visitors today.
The Mexican government superimposed the ownership of land in the form of land grants from 1822 to 1846, and Santa Monica was part of the Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica which belonged to Don Francisco Sepulveda. ("Santa Monica History.") The prime location of the city, in proximity to Los Angeles, was ripe for investment when auction of plats were sold to investors hoping that one day Santa Monica Bay would turn into a sea port. It was the first direct link of land being used as a commodity under sole ownership of private interests. By 1872, San Vicente y Santa Monica, would be sold again to Colonel Robert S. Baker after the land was fully consolidated into one land grant. Colonel Baker would eventually in 1874, in conjunction with a partial owner, Senator John P. Jones, begin making plans for the Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica to become a town that would be “the great commercial center of the Southwest.” ("Santa Monica History,")
The lots in the newly formed township sold for $500 and $75 on July 15, 1875. ("Santa Monica History," ) Due to Santa Monica’s location and its access to Santa Monica Bay, the township was ideal for investors trying to make the area into a transportation and shipping hub. Many of the bidders readily bought up the land in hopes that the location would one day become a large seaport connecting rail lines to ships. (Paula 2004, P. 36) The plan to do so was backed by Senator John P. Jones who made his riches from the Comstock Lode, his intentions for Santa Monica were clear: to use the Santa Monica Bay as a major seaport by linking the mines of Nevada to the Pacific Ocean. ("Santa Monica History," ) In this way, he could control the potential profits and inadvertently Santa Monica would become more lucrative than San Pedro Bay, and Southern California’s focus would shift from Los Angeles to Santa Monica. Despite John P. Jones’s ambitious plan to build a major seaport, the federal government chose San Pedro Bay over Santa Monica Bay. The Southern Pacific Railroad, at the time, held the monopoly because they held dominance over the region. Moreover, the railroad company was popular as they had built the only line connecting Los Angeles to the Transcontinental Rail Line. (Paula 2004, P. 38) However, Santa Monica losing the bid was not a total loss, as the uninterrupted views of the beach now typifies the imagery of Santa Monica, therefore the effect of the lack of railroad development can be attributed as a landmark event that has helped preserve the natural beauty that is appreciated by Santa Monica’s visitors today.
References:
Paula , Scott. Santa Monica: A History on the Edge. San Francisco: Arcadia Publishing, 2004. (accessed January 22, 2014).
"Santa Monica History." Santa Monica History Museum. http://santamonicahistory.org/santa-monica-history/ (accessed January 22, 2014).
Paula , Scott. Santa Monica: A History on the Edge. San Francisco: Arcadia Publishing, 2004. (accessed January 22, 2014).
"Santa Monica History." Santa Monica History Museum. http://santamonicahistory.org/santa-monica-history/ (accessed January 22, 2014).