The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs of 219 N. Spadra (now called Harbor) Blvd.–one of the Rialto Theater, which ran from 1917 to 1927 and showed silent films and vaudeville shows, and one of an office business today.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs looking north on Harbor Blvd. toward Wilshire Ave.–one from the 1920s and one from 2023.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs looking west on Wishire Ave. toward Harbor Blvd., showing the back of the Chapman Building–one from the 1920s, and one from 2023.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs of what is now called the Fox Theater–one from 1926 (when it was called The Mission Theater), and one from 2023. When the Fox opened in 1925, it was called Chapman’s Alician Court Theatre. The following year, the named changed to the Mission Theater. The venue would change names five times before becoming the Fox Theater. To learn more about the Fox Theater and restoration efforts, visit www.foxfullerton.org.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs of 232 W. Commonwealth Ave.–one from shortly after it was built in 1948 as offices for the Edison Company, and one from 2023, as it is now ModelMania, a hobby shop. To learn more about the history of the building, check out my mini-history.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

The Local History Room of the Fullerton Public Library has microfilm from the Fullerton Tribune newspaper (which became the Orange County Tribune in 1908) stretching back to 1893. I am in the process of reading over the microfilm, year by year, to get a sense of what was happening in the town over the years, and creating a mini archive. Below are some news stories from 1917.

World War I

The biggest news event of 1917 was the United States’ entry into World War I. Upon this announcement, local residents formed a Home Guard, and the high school formed a military company.

The above article states: “Determined to contribute their part in the preparedness movement of the nation, high school students have launched a movement that Friday resulted in the formation of a high school military company. The company will start drilling Tuesday.

“Between 140 and 150 boys will take part in the military tactics. They will be detailed into squads and drilled by members of the student body and faculty who have had military experience.

“[They will be] under the supervision of E.W. Hauck, Mr. French, and L.O. Culp. All of the latter have had considerable military experience.”

The Draft

The U.S. government instituted a draft to obtain soldiers for the American military. Eligible adults aged 21-30 had to register.

4694 Orange Countians registered for military duty. Of that number 2187 or nearly half claimed exemption of various grounds. 385 people registered in Fullerton.

The above article states: “Natural born citizens who registered Tuesday over the county numbered 3605, aliens 1050, alien enemies 21, and negroes 18…The precinct at the city hall led the county for number of men registered. The large registration there was due to the registering of several score Mexicans employed by the Pacific Electric, who are camped in the norther outskirts of the city. The total number registered at the city hall was 142.

“Only one instance where Mexicans were suspected of seeking to evade registration came to the attention of police Tuesday. After the polls had closed Tuesday night, Deputy Sheriff Murillo came on two Mexicans in a local pool room. Failing to recognize them as having been among the number who did register, Murillo asked them how old they were.

“Each answered he was 21 and the officer then asked them whether they had registered. Both said they had not and added they were 18 years old instead of 21. A few minutes later they slipped out of the pool room.

“Scrutiny should be made of each case [of persons who fail to register] to determine whether punitive action is required.”

Charles C. Chapman was local draft board chairman.

Shaming ‘Draft Slackers’

The Fullerton Tribune actively sought to shame those “slackers” who did not register for the draft, printing the names of those required to register, and those who were caught not registering.

The above article states: “Through the sheriff’s office, an active campaign will be made to locate any man or registration age who has failed to register.

“I am instructing my deputies to make careful investigations,” said Sheriff Jackson. “Under the law an officer can demand of any person of registration age that he show his certificate, and if the man is not registered he is to be arrested and prosecuted. The carrying on this investigation is our plainn duty under the law and we intend to do our duty thoroughly. Any person who has information concerning any man who has dodged registration ought to give information to that effect to my office at once. Any person who has such information and fails to give it to the authorities is not doing his duty.“

Liberty Bonds

There were local Liberty Bond drives, to raise money for the war effort.

Patriotic Rally, etc.

Patriotism was in the air, manifesting in rallies, Red Cross drives, and a massive fourth of July celebration.

U.S. Troops Arrive in France

Going to the Front

Two local young men, Fred Strauss and Nels Nelson, registered for the draft. According to an oral history interview with Strauss conducted decades later, he explained what prompted him to enlist.

“We went there to Los Angeles and had a lot of beer. Finally, after we had had enough beer and we got to feeling pretty good, I said to my pal, ‘Let’s go and enlist and join the Army.’ And he said, ‘Okay, we’ll go.” So they enlisted.

The Fullerton Tribune has quite a different take on these events.

The above article states: “Here is true, unadulterated patriotism, and it deserves the highest possible praise.

“Fred Strauss, a native of Germany, and Nels A. Nelson, a native of Sweden, both prominent and trusted employees of the Stern & Goodman Mercantile company’s big department store, have enlisted in the noted “Grizzlies,” 144th regiment, light artillery, and will leave for San Diego on Wednesday evening.

“These boys are both of draft age and are registered, but neither would be called until at least the second draft. But that does not concern them. They both became naturalized at the earliest possible date and are imbued with the spirit of democracy. Strauss has been in the United States thirteen years and Nelson eight years. They appreciate the freedom and opportunities of America and propose to uphold them to the best of their ability and strength, even to opposing the kaiser and the king of Sweden. There is only one country for them, and that is the glorious United States of America.

“Here is to you, boys, and may you come back to Fullerton with all the glory that is possible for two men to gain at the front.

“Fullerton is justly proud of such men who are citizens not by chance but loyal ones, and that by choice.”

Drunkenness or patriotism?

A Vocal Minority Against the War

Amidst all the patriotic fever, one local group took a public stand against the war–the local Socialist Party.

The above article states, in part: “At a meeting of the Santa Ana branch of the Socialist party, the following resolution was passed:

…we protest against plunging our country into war.”

Secretary Mrs. E.W. Hardy stated, “We Socialists are against war. We believe that all wars have been in favor of the master class. Out of a war no good can come to the working class, whose lives will be sacrificed…A war would be of no value to the poorer people of this country. Big interests that deal in war munitions would profit.”

Labor Issues

On the home front, there were some labor strikes and the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) were active, and faced confrontations with the local police.

The above article states: “Cowed by the guns of the police, sixteen I.W.W.’s were captured here Thursday night after repeatedly defying the crew of a Santa Fe train who attempted to drive them from the cars. Ten of the I.W.W.’s were marched to the depot, where they were held under armed guard till Sheriff Jackson and deputies arrived from Santa Ana. Six more I.W.W.’s were captured later and they were driven from town.

“Shortly before 8 o’clock Thursday night word was received from Los Angeles at the Santa Fe depot in Fullerton that I.W.W.’s had taken possession of an east bound freight train that was due here a few minutes after 8. Deputy Sheriff Murillo was quickly called and he immediately sent word to Marshal French. The latter responded at once and a few minutes later the two were joined by Deputy Marshal Woodford.”

Local Mexican pickers went on strike.

This prompted some growers to import “Negro” labor from Los Angeles.

The above article states: “Negroes are being imported in to Orange County in relieve the labor situation developing through the refusal of Mexicans to take contract jobs or to work for less than $3 or $4  day. Twenty-five were brought into the beet fields Tuesday afternoon from Los Angeles and agents of the sugar factories and farmers, are now in Los Angeles securing more.”

As a kind of punishment to the striking Mexican workers, some local merchants stopped allowing Mexican strikers to purchase food on credit.

Meanwhile, local oil workers organized a union, also seeking better wages.

Transportation

In transportation news, Fullerton finally got a Pacific Electric passenger train line to pass through the town. The Pacific Electric “red cars” would become, by the 1920s, the largest interurban rail system in the United States. The whole system would unfortunately be dismantled in the 1950s, as southern California became firmly entrenched as a “car culture.”

Homelessness

In the category of “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” local authorities shut down a homeless encampment near the train depot.

The above article states: “Officers early Wednesday evening raided a hobo camp east of the depot and sent thirteen tramps out of town with instructions not to return. The raid was made by Marshal French and Deputy Sheriff Murillo.

“Reports reaching Marshal French said the tramps had established a camp near the wye made by the branching of the Santa Fe to Richfield. The spot is  favorite site for a camp with bums, a permanent camp having been established there last year despite daily raids by the police.

“When the two officers arrived at the camp Wednesday night the thirteen occupants were stretched about a camp fire, some of them lying down and others engaged in cooking supper.”

“None offered resistance when the officers searched them for arms. All of them were without weapons and most of them had no money.

“According to their story to the police they were on their way to San Diego, where they expected to find work in the kelp beds.

“Most of the crowd were young men and all of them were shabbily dressed. The oldest man in the camp, bent and grizzled, gave his age as 62 and told the police he did not know where he was going.

“The camp raided Wednesday night is the first that has been established by hoboes this year, according to Marshal French.”

New Hospital

Fullerton’s “new” hospital opened at the northeast corner of Amerige and Pomona. The building still exists.

Entertainment

For entertainment, Fullertonians went to the Rialto Theater at 219 N. Spadra (now called Harbor Blvd.) downtown.

Here are some advertisements for some of the silent movies shown at the Rialto in 1917.

The Rialto Theater featured a talented musician named Winifred Wilbur, who played multiple instruments that accompanied the films.

In a more racist vein, there was in the Tribune an advertisement for the Geo. Primrose All White Minstrel Show, presumably featuring white people in black face.

Popular politician and failed presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan spoke at the Fullerton High School auditorium.

Fullerton hosted a popular “fiesta” that drew thousands.

High School principal E.W. Hauck gave a pro-war speech in which he said: “We are in this war to make it impossible for the outrages in Belgium and Servia to be repeated, we are in the war to make it impossible again for warring nations to interfere with the shipping of neutral nations, we are in the war to make it impossible again to impose the will of the strong upon the weak, we are fighting for the principle that a people must be free to determine its own form of government. No longer must might be right for nothing is right but right and this must be written in blood.”

Prohibition

Prohibition was very much in vogue locally.

The above article states: “Laying plans for the 1917-18 campaign, prohibition workers from all parts of the county gathered in Fullerton Monday. Noted prohibition speakers addressed the meeting which opened at 1:30 in the afternoon at the Methodist church and closed with a banquet at the Hotel Shay in the evening.”

Brea News

The oil town of Brea voted to incorporate.

Oil!

Oil was big business locally, in the fields of north Fullerton and Brea.

The above article states: “At the opening of the year 1916 the daily production of all wells in the field totaled 35,273 barrels. The production has been steadily increasing during the year until the daily production in round numbers is 55,000 barrels. The production for the past year will run close to 18,000,000 barrels.”

Citrus

The other main industry was, of course, citrus, which was also booming.

The Bastanchury Ranch was named “the largest citrus orchard in the world.”

Politics

In local politics, city councilmember J.M. Clever resigned from city council. “My own affairs claimed so much of my attention I could not give the time that was needed to do my work on the council as it should be done,” he told The Tribune.

In his place, Roy R. Davis was appointed.

In state news, governor William D. Stephens survived an assassination attempt in Sacramento.

After surviving assassination, Stephens spoke in Fullerton.

Plans were being made for a new City Hall site on land between Wilshire and Whiting, along Spadra (now called Harbor).

Curfew

City council ordered that the City’s curfew law, requiring those under 17 to be home by 8:30pm, be enforced.

“The curfew will be sounded by the fire bell,” the above article states. “The law applies to persons under 17 years of age. The ordinance will not apply to those, under the age limit, who are on their way home after the curfew hour, but only to those loitering about the streets, according to Marshal French.”

Sports

Baseball was very popular locally, with games played at what is now Amerige Park, across the street from City Hall.

Racism

Racism was quite pervasive, and the editor of the Tribune (Edgar Johnson) was not immune. He ran headlines with racial slurs like “chink” and “Jap” as shown below.

Johnson also ran an article about the 25th anniversary of the [supposedly] only lynching in Orange County, of a Mexican man named Francisco Torres.

Death

Charles E. Ruddock, former Fullerton marshal and Orange County sheriff, died.

The above article states: “Ruddock was born in Chemano county, New York making him almost 53 years of age at the time of his death…He and his family came to Fullerton from Wisconsin in 1897 and since have made their home here. Serving a trifle more than two years as a city marshal of Fullerton, Ruddock also served as county sheriff from 1910 to 1914. 

Mr. Ruddock was a Mason, having been initiated in both the Scottish and York rites, he was a Knight Templar, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the L.O.O.F., the K. of P. and the L.P.O.E.”

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs of the sunken patio of what was originally City Hall at the northeast corner of Commonwealth and Highland Avenues–one of the patio being built in 1940 as a WPA project, and the other from 2023. The building is now the Fullerton Police Station.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs of the northeast corner of Commonwealth and Highland Avenues–one of houses from the 1930s and the other of what was once City Hall (built in 1941) and is now the Police Station, from 2023.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

For this series, I compare a historic photo of Fullerton with a contemporary one from approximately the same angle. Below are two photographs of the northwest corner of Harbor Blvd. and Amerige Ave.–one of the original Masonic Temple (early 20th century), and the other of what is now called the Parker Building, from 2023. The building is relatively unchanged. The Masonic Temple moved from this location to a larger one on Harbor and Chapman (now the Springfield Banquet Center) in 1920.

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

The Local History Room of the Fullerton Public Library has microfilm from the Fullerton Tribune newspaper (which became the Orange County Tribune in 1908) stretching back to 1893. I am in the process of reading over the microfilm, year by year, to get a sense of what was happening in the town over the years, and creating a mini archive. Below are some news stories from 1916.

Politics and Business

In the local election for city trustee (now called city council), J.R. Carhart, J.M. Clever, A.H. Sitton, and Perry C. Woodward were elected. There were 1263 registered voters in Fullerton.

Oil and oranges were the two biggest local industries. The local output of oil in 1916 was 12,000,000 barrels. The Southern California citrus output was 32,000 carloads.

After a Major Flood, Local Leaders Seek to Control the Santa Ana River

A terrible flood took place in 1916 when the Santa Ana river overflowed its banks. This was particularly devastating for Mexican-American families who lived in the lowlands along the river’s path.

The above article states, “Ten Mexican families are being cared for by Alfred Vail, who lives between Fullerton and Anaheim, and other Mexicans, are being cared for at Anaheim.”

From the above article: “The body of Mrs. Eleareintia Nunez, a Mexican woman 89 years of age, was found by C.A. Myers in his walnut orchard. The body was identifited by Jose Nunez as that his mother, Mrs. Elcarcintia Nunez. Nunez also identified the body of the 12 year old Mexican boy discovered Thursday as that of his son Juan.

The body of one of Nunez’s sons is still missing. Alberto, aged 9, was in the house at Peralta that was washed away by the flood last Sunday night. There were three persons in the house, the two boys and their grandmother. Nunez and his two daughters had gone to Anaheim for supplies, and did not return Sunday on account of the rain. That is all that prevented them from being in the house that went down the river.”

After the flood, local leaders began to talk about plans to control the waters of the Santa Ana river.

The American Invasion of Mexico 

As World War I raged in Europe, the United States was preoccupied with a closer threat–the Mexican Revolution. Pancho Villa’s fighting forces were raiding American settlements along the border.

This prompted a full-scale invasion of Mexico by U.S. troops, much to the consternation of Mexican president Carranza, who was also fighting Villa.

“Ignoring the plea of Mexico that the American invasion be delayed, 4,500 United States cavalry and mounted infantry crossed the border from Columbus, NM today,” the Tribune states. “The entire object of the swoop is an effort by superior speed to circle and capture Villa, who has been located hiding in the mountain fastness.”

As conflict escalated, practically the full strength of the United States army was sent to the border.

“Every available soldier will cross the line to the south and go to the aid of Pershing’s expedition,” the Tribune states. “The country is hostile. The natives are in sympathy with Villa, and his scouts, who know the country better than the Americans, can flank columns and operate in their rear.”

The front pages of the Tribune often had big headlines, photos, and stories about the threat south of the border, and clashes between U.S. soldiers, under the command of General Pershing, and Villa’s fighters.

The fighting almost prompted a full-on declaration of war against Mexico.

Part of the reason why the United States was so interested in the outcome of the Mexican Revolution was the fact that U.S. companies had strong financial interests in Mexico which were being threatened by revolutionaries like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, as the article below explains.

One unfortunate consequence of the conflict with Mexican revolutionaries was that it led to fear and suspicion of Mexicans in the United States, who were sometimes viewed as being in sympathy with Villa, or even secretly helping his cause.

The above article states: “That secret recruiting of Mexicans for the Mexican army has been going on in Fullerton for the last week became known today. Half a score of Mexicans are known to have left town and others are said to be preparing to leave.

Two well-dressed Mexicans, believed to have been the secret agents of a Mexican political faction held impromptu conferences with little groups of their countrymen last week, and shortly afterward a number of Mexicans left town suddenly. Ten of them have been accounted for and it is believed these men have crossed the border on the assumption that the United States intends to declare war on all Mexico.

It is believed similar tactics are to be used all over the United States to gain recruits for the Mexican army until the activities of the secret agents are halted by the United States department of Justice. That revolutionary ideas are being instilled in the minds of Americanized Mexicans by these same agents has been partly established and many cities and towns, recognizing this fact, have taken drastic precautions.”

Fears of local Mexican revolutionaries led to increased policing of Mexican Americans and their communities. A Tribune article reports:

“Further precautions against possible rioting of lawless Mexicans here took concrete form Thursday night when the board of trustees, at a special meeting, approved the addition of thirty-five citizens to the ranks of the police force as deputy marshals…Five deputy marshals have been on the force for some time, swelling the total of officers available to forty, and other additions are to be made within a short time.

The situation, so far as the local Mexicans are concerned, is comparatively quiet. Close watch is being maintained over all Mexicans coming into town and those departing. Ten Mexicans were reported this morning by Marshal French as preparing to leave the city, and if these men head in the direction of Los Angeles, the police there will be notified.

Sheriff Jackson has asked the co-operation of officers all over the county in disarming all Mexicans with weapons and to arrest all Mexicans with booze in their possession. Only one case of drunkenness has come to the attention of officers here and the man was arrested immediately and lodged in the city jail.

In Los Angeles the Mexican district has been placed under a heavy police guard and the sale of firearms to Mexicans has been prohibited. At Santa Ana the board of trustees has likewise prohibited the sale of firearms to Mexicans and the police there have been organized to purchase a number of rifles for use in the event that race rioting prevails.

Placing of the water works here under armed protection was urged by one Fullerton man this morning, to prevent possible seizure or damage by Mexicans bent on mischief.“

A Mexican man named T. Franco, who had served in the Mexican army under Porfirio Diaz and then immigrated to the United States (specifically Fullerton) was arrested after a drunken brawl. An article printed in the Tribune suggests that he was disloyal to the United States.

“Secret emissaries of Mexican factions still consort with him and it is said his home was headquarters for recruiting officers for the Mexican army at the time of the threatened breach between that country and the United States,” the Tribune speculates.”

No proof was offered of these charges.

Juvenile Delinquency and Other Public Evils

Fearing juvenile delinquency, the board of trustees of the Fullerton Union High School District urged the City Trustees to pass an ordinance banning teenage boys from pool halls.

Also, in true Footloose fashion, local churches successfully lobbied to have a planned series of outdoor dance events banned.

The Liquor Evil

The question of prohibition was a prominent one of national and local interest.

Criminalizing Homelessness

The local policy toward homelessness had, for years, been to jail people on vagrancy charges. However, given the inadequacy of the local jail, town Marshal French decided to stop this practice, as the article below describes.

[Note that this decision did not come out of a sense of compassion, but rather as a ploy to get a better jail.]

“Throwing down the gauntlet to the county, Marshal French today declared that no more prisoners, bound for the county jail, would be placed in the Fullerton jail. The action of the officer has grown out of recent sweeping criticisms of the condition of the local jail.

“They can implore as much as they want,” he declared, “but I shall place no more prisoners in the city jail. In the first place the arrest of vagrants and tramps is not included in the duties of the city marshal. It is up to the constable to make those arrests and if the county wants the floating class handled, let him do it.

“The city gets nothing for those arrests,” he continued, “Even my expenses in taking them to the county jail is no longer paid. I used to receive mileage of twenty-five cents, but since the appointment of a constable even that has been curtailed.

“I shall no longer make an attempt to control the undesirable class in Fullerton so long as they violate no city ordinances. The necessity for a new jail will probably be impressed upon the people by the time the floating class is allowed to remain unmolested for a short time.

“Everyone knows that a new jail is needed.“

‘When a woman becomes a member of the city trustees, I go off.’

The state of California was ahead of the curve when it came to women’s suffrage. Women in the Golden State got the right to vote in 1911, as a result of a ballot measure, fully nine years before the passage of the 19th Amendment. Women could also run for political office. Although, by 1916, no women had run for City Trustees, rumors of the campaign of Mrs. Carrie E. Ford brought out the chauvinism in some city leaders.

The above article states: “Rumors that there was to be at least one woman in the race for a billet on the board of trustees could not be confirmed this morning. Mrs. C.E. Ford, 303 West Commonwealth avenue, whose name rumor linked with the candidacy, denied the report at her home this afternoon.

“Not as far as I know,” she said when asked if there was any foundation for the statement that she intended to become a candidate.

Mayor Gregory, in discussing the report this morning, expressed himself as strongly against a woman member on the city board.

“The things which come up before board meetings and the places where the trustees have to go sometimes are not what a woman would like to discuss or where she would like to go,” he asserted.

“It isn’t that a woman is not capable, but I base my statement upon some of the unpleasant things which the board has to deal with.”

August Hiltscher, a member of the board, said when asked for his opinion, “that when a woman becomes a member of the city trustees, I go off.”

Principal Brunton is Sent Packing

In 1916, long time high school principal Delbert Brunton was essentially fired by the High School Board of Trustees, for reasons unclear. This prompted strong backlash among students and parents, who showed up at meetings to speak in support of Brunton.

Ultimately, the Board stood by their decision, and a new principal, E.M. Hauck, was hired.

All are Invited to Fullerton Day

A big community celebration called “Fullerton Day” was held, drawing around 3,000 attendees.

Deaths

Local notables who passed away included orange rancher George Key, dry goods store owner W.R. Collis, and Placentia pioneer William Crowther.

Stay tuned for articles from 1917!