YUBA COUNTY HISTORY
MARYSVILLE
Source: Marysville Daily Appeal - May 10, 1905, page 4
It is opportune that the many hundred visitors who are in this city should know of the manner in which Marysville came to be founded in early days when there were but few settlers in the State, for its history is not only interesting, for it deals not only with many important events, but also with many men who have since won State and National importance were at one time residents of Marysville.
Marysville is situated at the confluence of the Feather and Yuba rivers, in Yuba county, 142 miles by rail from San Francisco, and 52 miles from Sacramento. The elevation above the sea level is 77 feet.
In the year 1842, Theodore Cordua, a native of Germany, arrived at the point where Marysville now stands, and having built a dwelling, store-house, etc., of adobe, he dignified his new home with the appellation of New Mecklenburg, in honor of the German State from which he emigrated. He brought with him stock, the increase of which, together with the successful cultivation of wheat and barley, soon placed him in easy circumstances.
In October, 1848, Cordua sold to Charles Covillaud, one undivided half of the land, stock and improvements, and the business was then conducted under the firm name of Cordua & Co. On the first of January, 1849, Cordua sold his remaining one-half interest to Michael C. Nye and William Foster. A correspondent of the Alta California, at that time, writing from Yuba river, strongly urged the advantages which a town would possess, located at the junction of the Yuba and Feather rivers, a most accessible point to all the northern mines. During the year, Messrs. Nye and Foster sold their interest to Covillaud, who thus became sole proprietor, and so continued for several months, after which he sold one-half of the ranch to J. M. Ramirez and John Sampson, and one-fourth to Theodore Sicard, retaining one-fourth himself.
In December, 1849, the town was laid out by Charles Covillaud, J. M. Ramirez, John Sampson and Theodore Sicard, in accordance with a survey made by Auguste Le Plongeon, and was for a time called Yubaville, but, in compliment to the wife of Covillaud [Meriam (Mary) Margery Murphy Johnson Covillaud] , she being the first white woman in the place, the name was changed to Marysville.
From the time that the new town site was laid out, business in the phraseology of today, began to "boom." Like all towns in California then, and like all towns even now in the mining regions, there were the varying excitements that are sure to follow when a motley throng of several thousand people of different nationalities assemble. Courts of Justice were established, however, and fairly good order was maintained. Associate Justice Stephen J. Field was the first Alcalde, an officer whose duties were to attend to all business of the local government, and who was elected by the people.
The placer mines, which were constantly being located and worked, drew the people from every quarter, and though the population was fluctuating there was no time after 1850 but what from 5000 to 10,000 persons could be counted. The first election showed that there were about 1000 voters in the place. Through Marysville's progress was rapid, much capital was diverted from her by the mania for new towns. In the immediate neighborhood, elegant cities without number, among which were Plumas, Eliza, Veazie City, Hamilton, Linda, Featherton and Yateston, were laid out upon paper with public squares, halls, theatres, colleges, gardens, etc. They were divided generally into from forty to fifty shares, which were readily disposed of at $1000 per share, half cash, and the balance at most any time. Nearly every man who had means bought a share in some town which he could not have found with the aid of all the civil engineers in the State.
In the fall of 1850, the people of Yuba county elected Stephen J. Field to the Assembly. The county then embraced what now composes Yuba, Sierra and Nevada, and had no Senator and but one Assemblyman. Marysville was the county seat. In December, 1850, the people of the town assembled and adopted a draft for a city charter, which had been prepared by a committee previously appointed by them for the purpose. The draft was placed in the hands of Mr. Field, and on the 5th of February, 1851, Marysville was incorporated as a city. On the first Monday in March succeeding, the first municipal election was held, and S. M. Miles was chosen Mayor, and L. W. Ransom, S. C. Stambaugh, F. H. Schaffer, B. Tallman, J. N. Smith, D. W. C. Rice, S. C. Tompkins and F. H. Covillaud, Aldermen. The Council held its first meeting March 10th, and chose R. H. Taylor, Clerk; Albert Miller, Marshal; Lewis Cunningham, Treasurer; and P. S. Olds, Assessor.
The greatest change, however, and the one that in its creation gives Marysville her present healthy and vigorous business aspect, has been the converting of the lands in the valley, from what was in the early times considered almost a desert, to agricultural homes, which, besides sustaining and enriching many thousands of tillers, are the principal sources of revenue in the various interests in our city of 7000 people.
On this occasion we point with pride to the institutions which make a people happy and indicate their prosperity. Our public schols [sic] are large, comfortable and well ventilated, and in the hands of a competent corps of teachers. At the completion of the course of studies in these schools the graduate is ready to enter upon a University course.
Our churches are numerous, and are large and handsome structures, free from indebtedness, and blessed with congregations that are very active in religious and charitable work.
Ground has recently been broken for a Library building, which will be second to none in the State, which is owned by a city of many times the size of Marysville. The structure will be erected at a cost of $75,000, and will be the most beautiful building in the city. It will be constructed of Colusa granite and the interior will be finished in marble and quarter oak. This magnificent structure is the gift of John Q. Packard.
About one year ago the Marysville Theater, which was without doubt the most beautiful playhouse in the northern part of the State, was burned, but a company has been formed and another structure will soon be erected on the site of the old one. The new theater will be modern in every particular. The erection of this building speaks well for the public sentiment of the business men and residents of Marysville for the funds to construct this building were secured at home, with but little solicitation upon the part of the committee in charge.
The city is supplied with water by a private corporation, whose works are on D and Fourth streets. The machinery used to pump is of the very best ad the tanks, which rest on the huge brick and iron building are perpetual feeders to over twelve miles of main pipes.
To protect the millions of dollars worth of property, from the element of fire, a paid department is maintained that is thoroughly equipped and excellently well drilled. The large number of brick structures in the city might be taken to indicate that a first class fire department would not be necessary, but there is none better than the fire department of the city of Marysville.
The persons and property of the residents are protected from the attacks of the burglar or footpad by a police force which would be a credit to a city many times the size of this. It has frequently been said that Marysville has the finest police force in the State and we believe that such is the case.
These are but a few of the many inducements which are offered by the city of Marysville to home seekers as well as to those seeking business openings.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
Copyright ©2007 Kathy Sedler ALL RIGHTS RESERVED