s above planned and laid out Redlands spread out over a considerable area. The altitude varied considerable, as indicated by the description of its surface. As the part allotted for business the altitude was 1,350 feet, while the highest acclivity rose above this level to a maximum of 1,700 feet. This vantage ground of outlook and manifest advantages as to drainage and possibilities for artistic improvement on the higher ground, at once gave Redlands a commanding position as its challenged Lugonia, its older and move nearly level competitor, for supremacy in this section of the valley. And it should be admitted that Lugonia, at this juncture, was a foeman worthy of the steel of the pretentious youngster. Energetic efforts were made to place the older settlement first in the race for urban fame. The progress in Lugonia heretofore chronicles, was supplemented by the erection of a church, early in 1883; the erection of a winery on the Stillman ranch in 1885; the opening of Bellevue Academy in February, 1886; the completion of a fine hotel (Terrace Villa) in the latter part of the same year; the laying out of a town, the plat of which was filed March 10, 1887; the opening of a bank (Bank of East San Bernardino Valley), the starting of another dryer, the publication of a weekly newspaper, the completion of the then comparatively large Wilson & Berry block, with its accompanying opera house, all in 1887.

The growth of its younger rival, however, from its birth, was something marvelous. In the preface of this work it is stated that "no one shall have cause to point to a single paragraph and rightly claim that it contains a willful misrepresentation." In order that the casual reader may not feel inclined to question this statement, in the story of the early growth of Redlands, we here introduce some contemporary testimony as to what was accomplished in the first few months.

The Citrograph, a handsome and praiseworthy weekly newspaper, which made its appearance in Redlands, July 16, 18876, says, in its initial number:

"Three months ago the town of Redlands was represented by on board shanty, which was used as a blackmith shop. But a short time before the proprietors of Redlands, Messrs. Judson & Brown, had determined to lay off a portion of their property into a townsite. With their accustomed promptitude and energy, with them was to resolve and to do. The site was selected, the plat surveyed, staked and mapped, and they were ready for sales. Messrs. Waters, Sheppard, Wells, Lane, Drake and some others nearly all Chicago men, full of energy and push, were interested, and the work of building commenced. What is the result? Today, three months after the land was a bare plain, just as nature made it, there are two-story brick buildings erected and in course of construction as follows:"

The Citrograph then gives locations and owner's names of nine two-story brick buildings, and continues: "There have been also been erected a number of frame buildings, not in but adjoining the main business portion of the town, " for this ninety-day stripling had already determined upon a fire limit for structure in the business portion, the first case on record, we think, at that stage, in the history of any town.

The Citrograph, in the same issue, alludes to a number of residences in course of erection, also a church, and adds that "there are now in the hands of architects, and to be erected as soon as material can be gotten together, a three story hotel on State street west of Orange, which will contain nearly one hundred sleeping rooms." And further, "We hear of several other handsome blocks soon to be erected."

And then the business status of the place is summed up, by the same publication, for the three months' record:

"We have now one general store, one exclusive grocery store, one bank, one hardware store, one meat market and fruit store, one fruit and tobacco store, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one furniture store, one book and stationery store, several real estate offices, one newspaper, and job office, several physicians' and lawyers' offices, one jewelry store, one tinshop, four restaurants, one dressmaking establishment, one barber shop, several contractors and builders, one planning mill, two lumber yard, one lime and cement depot, two pipe manufactories, one livery stable, one brick yard, one hotel, one carriage and wagon depot, besides several minor businesses."

That is contemporary history for the first three months of Redlands. It is not only astonishing but astounding. We know of no parallel to it in a solid, substantial, permanent town, except such as have "grown in a night" on account of nearby and remarkable rich mineral discoveries. It may be presumed that the subject of city incorporation had not been overlooked. It was discussed with an energy worth of young cityhood, and it was this very discussion which began to create a more friendly feeling between the rivals and eventually resulted in their "shaking of hands" and seeking an incorporation as one community It was not until late in the autumn of 1889 that the consummation was effected. A petition to the Board of Supervisors of the county was presented on November 5th, asking for incorporation under the name of the City of Redlands. The petition was promptly granted and an election was ordered for the 26th of November. A large majority of affirmative votes was cast, and the young city was duly incorporated with the following trustees: E. G. Judson; J. B. Glover; B. W. Cave; C.N. Andrews; H. H. Sinclair; Clerk, L. W. Clark; Treasurer, F. P. Morrison; Marshal, William C. Brumagin. The city, as thus incorporated, had an areas of about 17 ½ square miles, being 3 ½ miles from east to west and 5 miles from north to south.

(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 2)