Helix Water District

Helix History (1890-1899)

1890
Raisins, grapes and citrus are common crops in East County. Beekeeping is a major industry.

At the same time
Idaho and Wyoming become states. Oscar Wilde writes "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Cezanne paints "The Cardplayers." First all steel framed building constructed.

1891
A period of fluctuating rainfall begins. San Diego Flume Company profits become questionable.

At the same time
Paul Gauguin moves to Tahiti. Gustav Mahler writes his Symphony Number 1. Samuel Langley publishes his "Experiments in Aerodynamics" while attempting to build an airplane. The zipper is invented.

1892
The Cuyamaca & Eastern Railroad runs through Santee and Lakeside to Foster, near the future San Vicente Reservoir.

At the same time
Grover Cleveland elected to office. Oscar Wilde writes "Lady Windemere's Fan." Toulouse-Lautrec paints "At the Moulin-Rouge." Tchaikovsky releases "The Nutcracker." Diesel patents his engine.

1893
San Diego Flume Company is not a successful venture due to unreliable rainfall amounts. The Consolidated Water Company buys in and makes improvements.

At the same time
Beginning of the Art Nouveau movement. Verdi writes his "Falstaff" opera. Henry Ford builds his first car.

1894
Eucalyptus Reservoir is built at the end of the flume line. Cuyamaca Dam is raised about six feet. The Kelly Ditch, designed to augment Cuyamaca Lake drainage, is built.

Eucalyptus Reservoir in La Mesa was the holding pond at the western terminus of the flume. This photograph was taken in 1925.

At the same time
Rudyard Kipling writes "The Jungle Book." First disc record manufactured to replace cylinders on gramophones.

1895
Construction begins on the original La Mesa Reservoir, now Lake Murray. Construction begins on the La Mesa Ditch between the flume and La Mesa Reservoir.

At the same time
H. G. Wells writes "The Time Machine." W. B. Yeats publishes his book of poems. Tchaikovsky writes "Swan Lake." King C. Gillette invents the safety razor. First professional football game is played. First U. S. Open Golf Championship is held.

1896
La Mesa Reservoir is completed. La Mesa Ditch is completed.

At the same time
Utah becomes a state. Puccini writes "La Boheme." First modern Olympics held in Athens. First alpine ski school founded. Klondike Gold Rush occurs in the Yukon.

1897
Additional sources of water are sought to help with low flume levels.

At the same time
William McKinley is inaugurated as President. Rudyard Kipling writes "Captains Courageous." Rodin sculpts "Victor Hugo." Queen Victoria has her Diamond Jubilee.

1898
Construction of El Monte and El Capitan Pump Stations. El Capitan later combined with El Monte. Both were steam driven plants designed to lift well water from the San Diego River channel to the flume on the hillside above. Southern California experiences a large drought between 1895 and 1901.

At the same time
United States is at war with Spain over Cuba. Henry James writes "The Turn of the Screw." H. G. Wells writes "The War of the Worlds." The first photographs are made by artificial light. The Cake Walk is a popular dance.

1899
El Monte and El Capitan pumping plants are placed into service.

At the same time
Oscar Wilde writes "The Importance of Being Earnest." Tolstoi writes "Resurrection." Studies underway on radiation. First magnetic recording of sound is made.

Go to 1900-1909