May-Sep 1900 – late rains salvage Alamitos sugar hopes

What is significant here is that the article indicates the strong presence of Mexican workers, who had apparently already replaced all the Japanese,  and non-Hispanic whites in the fields.  “In every field there may be seen bands of thinners, mostly Mexicans, and the farmer himself, with horse ahd cultivator, followed by bands of helpers with … Read more

Sep 30, 1900 – Clarks sue Bixbys over right of way for drainage of factory waste

Susan Hathaway Bixby loved her Rancho Los Alamitos adobe, but positively hated the stench caused by the effluent from the new sugar factory. What this article would most significantly seem to indicate that Lewellyn Bixby was the main Bixby contact for the sugar factory, when it says, “In June 1896, J.Ross and W.A. Clark entered … Read more

Sep 30, 1900 – Clarks sue Bixbys over right of way for drainage of factory waste

Susan Hathaway Bixby loved her Rancho Los Alamitos adobe, but positively hated the stench caused by the effluent from the new sugar factory. What this article would most significantly seem to indicate that Lewellyn Bixby was the main Bixby contact for the sugar factory, when it says, “In June 1896, J.Ross and W.A. Clark entered … Read more

October 9, 1897 – Anaheim Gazette: A Crackerjack Sugar Mill

Los Alamitos—A Crackerjack Sugar Mill. An infinity of noises smiting upon the ear. ceaseless, never-ending, repetitive; the hum of myriads of wheels, whirling with spokes indistinguishable; the sung of belts gliding endlessly aloft, swinging from wheel to wheel; ibe noise of the beets, as churning and splashing through the water, they are inevitably drawn into … Read more

December 1897 – Sugar Beet report on Los Alamitos

The December 1897 issue of the Sugar Beet Planter’s correspondent had a couple references to s activities at the Los Alamitos Sugar Factory. In the first he wrote: The [Chino] Champion says that the sugar company …has arranged to get molasses from the Alamitos factory to treat in the plant here.” Later he made a … Read more

July 31, 1897 – Louisiana Planter correspondent tours new Los Alamitos Sugar Factory

Los Alamitos, California. July 31, 1897. Editor Louisiana Planter: A recent visit to the factory disclosed the fact that the beets delivered from this neglected corner of the country are of exceptional sweetness, averaging 18% Per cent, sugar, the highest being 20.0 per cent. This has never been exceeded in any part of the country, … Read more

July 1897 – Anaheim Gazette coverage of the new Los Alamitos Sugar Factory

The Anaheim Gazette was the major newspaper covering Orange County from the county’s formation through the first two decades of the 20th Century.  Copies of it are available on microfilm at the Anaheim Historical Library.  Much of the paper’s coverage of sugar beet news was reprinted in beet industry publications such as the Louisiana Planter. … Read more

August 1897 – A German Immigrant farmer writes to Chicago of Los Alamitos

The Louisiana planter and sugar manufacturer was one of three major publications which regularly covered the sugar industry in America.  Much of their writings were reprints of articles and letters in local newspapers.  In 1897, Gus Hansen a German immigrant living in Orange County wrote back to his old friends in Chicago, and his letter … Read more

An Excursion to the new Los Alamitos Sugar Factory

The article below was first published in the October 1897 issue of the Land of Sunshine, edited by Charles F. Lummis.  Land of Sunshine was one of the most influential publications of boosteristic propaganda on the virtues of Southern Calfiornia life.  It later changed its name to Out West. 16 SEP 1897 — Land of … Read more