Documentary History of American Water-works

Red Bluff

Red Bluff, California

Red Bluff was incorporated in 1876.

The first water system in Red Bluff was built in 1861 by James Smart that pumped water using a steam engine. The Red Bluff Water Company was incorporated in 1861 by W.D. Olendorf, Israel Comstock, Jas. S. Johnston, J.G. Doll, and James S. Smart. The system encountered several difficulties and was sold several times. New works were built in 1880 by Charles Cadwalader and the Antelope Creek and Red Bluff Water Company was incorporated on April 10, 1888 by Peter Decker, John H. Jewett, Charles Cadwalader, A.C. Bingham, and W.B. Cahoone.

The system was sold to the City of Red Bluff in 1921 for $90,000.

Water is provided by the City of Red Bluff.

References
1861 "Water Works," Red Bluff Independent, January 11, 1861, Page 2.
Mr. Smart informs us that the manufacture of the pipe for the water works in this town is progressing rapidly. They are to be of logs with 4 1/2 inch bore, and will be laid about 30 inches under ground. He expects to have water running in them about the first of April. Stockton & Andrews of the Saratoga Mills are manufacturing the pipe, and the durability of their workmanship has been satisfactorily tested in quantities furnished the miners in Shasta county.

1861 "Red Bluff Water Works," Red Bluff Independent, April 23, 1861, Page 1.
Rates and regulations, James Smart, Proprietor, April 19, 1861.

1861 "Red Bluff Water Works," Red Bluff Independent, August 19, 1861, Page 2.
Articles of incorporation of the Red Bluff Water Company by W.D. Olendorf, Israel Comstock, Jas. S. Johnston, J.G. Doll, and James S. Smart.

1862 "Red Bluff Water Works," Red Bluff Independent, February 25, 1862, Page 2.
Now owned and managed by our fellow-townsman, Capt. J.S. Johnson. Description of boiler and steam engine. Pump is a Holly Rotary Number 5.

1863 "Notice," Red Bluff Independent, October 6, 1863, Page 2.
Notice is hereby given that I have this day sold the Red Bluff Water works to Francis J. Burge. Red Bluffa, October 1, 1863, David D. Colton.

1875 Pacific Coast Business Directory for 1876-78, Compiled by Henry G. Langley, San Francisco
Red Bluff Water Works, C T Alvord, proprietor

1883 Red Bluff, Engineering News, 10:101 (March 3, 1883)

1888 The Record-Union (Sacramento, California), April 12, 1888, Page 4.
Incorporation of the Antelope Creek and Red Bluff Water Company. Directors - Peter Decker, John H. Jewett, Charles Cadwalader, A.C. Bingham, W.B. Cahoone. Capital stock, $200,000

1888 "Red Bluff," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.

1890 "Red Bluff," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.

1891 "Red Bluff," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.

1891 A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Illustrated
Pages 655-656: John Clements. Being an engineer, the charge of the Red Bluff water works was offered him and he accepted the position, running them nearly four years.

1897 "Red Bluff," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.

1900 Pumping Station, Red Bluff Water Works.

1903 "Death of Gen. Cadwalader," Red Bluff News, November 27, 1903, Page 3.

1920 "Red Bluff May Buy Water System," Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, September 30, 1920, Page 1.

1921 "Red Bluff Buys Water Co.," Oakland Tribune, March 20, 1921, Page 57.