he Drake Company is a familiar name in the business annals of Redlands for it was one of the first houses established and its scope and influence have grown with the steady growth of the city. Its founder, James F. Drake, was born in New York City, September 13, 1863, and resided there until he came to Redlands, September 2, 1886. He is a graduate of Grammar School No. 35 of New York City and of the College of the City of New York. His earlier business experience was as a buyer of rare and costly books, autographs, etc., for the firm of Dodd, Mead & Co.

In politics Mr. Drake is a thoroughgoing Democrat, and has been a member of the Democratic County Central Committee of San Bernardino county since 1887. From 1892 to 1896 he was a member of the executive committee of this central committee. He was for seven years a member of the board of health of Redlands, serving from the first board until 1896; was a member of the first board of directors of the Union Bank; was the first president and one of the organizers of the Domestic Water Company, which was organized in January, 1887, and incorporated February 17 of the same year, and was on of the organizers of the First Presbyterian Church.

When Mr. Drake arrived in Redlands he found next to nothing in the way of business establishments, but nevertheless he showed his faith in the prospective city by at once commencing the erection of the two-story brick building, with a forty foot frontage, which he now occupies, on East State street, near Orange. On April 28, 1887, in this building he began the first hardware business in the city, under the title of James F. Drake & Co. The first store room was 20x40 feet, the balance of the building having been rented to L.M. Johnson, who there opened a drugstore on May 16 of the same year, the first pharmacy in the city. Mr. Drake's first customer was David Morey, who purchased nails and other supplies for use in building the McAbee block. Early in 1888 he found that he needed all of his available space for his own business and took in that portion occupied by Mr. Johnson, who soon after sold his business to Dr. Riggs, and it was moved to the Sloan House building, which enlarged the floor space to 40x100 feet. March 1, 1891, the business was incorporated under the name of Drake Company. In 1887 there were 800 square feet of floor surface in the establishment. There are now, ten years later, 10,100 square feet, a fact which is a good illustration of the rapid growth of business in this city. In this large space every article needed in hardware by builders, mechanics, housekeepers and farmers can be found. Stoves and ranges are in unexcelled supply, and plumbing and tinning occupy a large portion of the second story. Glass and glaciers' supplies are in large stock, and the carpenter and builder can obtain any tool desired for his work. Paints and oils, in quantity or small package ready for use, are on sale, and the sportsman there finds anything needed - guns, pistols, powder, fishing tackle, etc. The Drake Company keeps abreast of the times in all lines.

(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 73.)