Historic Map - California, PA - 1902

View of California, Washington County, P.A., 1902 / drawn & published by T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer.

The reproduction panoramic view of California, Pennsylvania was drawn by Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler and published by T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer in 1902. As the current rage of the California gold rush of 1849 swept the nation, the borough of California, Pennsylvania was founded along the Monongahela River, using the much tossed about territory name as its own. A provision within the town’s original charter forbade the sale of intoxicating liquor.

In 1852 principal leaders of California started a learning institution that in the 1860's and 1870's was moved to its new location overlooking the river. The new college was now run by the state and known as South Western State Normal School. The school’s main building was completed in 1870 on a picturesque campus of twelve acres. The North Hall was added in 1874 and the South Hall was added in 1876. The college’s Science Hall was completed in 1892 and the Gymnasium was first used in 1894. A laundry and power buildings were erected in 1899. Today the school is referred to as the California University of Pennsylvania.

California was situated amid Pennsylvania’s valuable coal fields. The Vesta coal mine No. 4 opened in California in 1893 producing vast amounts of soft coal. Natural gas was also discovered in the area in the 1870's.

The map from 1902 includes California’s labeled streets, buildings, coal mines and railroad lines.

Features numbered & lettered references to the following locations:

1. Main Building South Western State Normal School.
2. South Dormitory. South Western State Normal School.
3. North Dormitory. South Western State Normal School.
4. Science Hall. South Western State Normal School.
5. Library. South Western State Normal School.
6. Gymnasium. South Western State Normal School.
7. Laundry. South Western State Normal School.
8. Public Schools.
9. Vigilant Coal Mine.
10. Vesta Coal Mine No. 4.
11. Stoney Hill Coal Mine.
12. P. R. R. Station.

1. Methodist Episcopal Church.
2. Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
3. Baptist Church.
4. Christian Church.
5. Catholic Church.