Hotel Clarke 1890s 

This is the Hotel Clarke  which sat on end of what is now the railroad parking lot behind the two large cedar trees.  The photo, taken in the 1890s) was probably taken from the top of the water tower that was used for the railroad steam engines.  Notice the cord wood in the lower left corner which was used by the railroad engines.  The church spire in the upper left portion of the photo was the original Presbyterian Church on Willis Ave until it burned in 1937.  The foundation of the Church was converted into a home which still stands across from what used to be the Doctor's office.  At the left edge of the photo was a Band Stand where Bands would play on special occasions as passenger trains arrived. This photo was probably taken on a Sunday as the train was about to arrive as the ladies appear to be in their "Sunday Best".

The Hotel Clarke was started by John and Catherine Clarke.  After it was going he left to prospect in Montana and she remained behind to run the hotel which she did even after his death.  Catherine was born in Canada on 4 Jun 1849 and passed away 9 Apr 1914.  She is interred in this Cemetery.  In both the 1900 and 1910 census she is listed as a widow running the hotel with her two children Alphie (b 1876) and Jennie (b 1881).  Alphie, who was in the real estate business in Glendale, married a woman named Winifred.  Winifred L. Clarke (b 31 Aug 1879, CA) lived in the large house on the corner of Pacific Ave and Fifth St.  She passed away on 2 Sep 1965 and is also buried here along with her husband Alphie.