Horace Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horace Bell
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| Born | December 11, 1830 |
| Died | June 29, 1918 (aged 87) |
| Occupation | Writer, Soldier, Lawyer |
Horace Bell (born December 11, 1830 – died June 29, 1918) was an important person in California during the 1800s, especially in the Los Angeles area. He was a Los Angeles Ranger, a soldier, a lawyer, a journalist, and a writer. He wrote two history books about Southern California.
Contents
Horace Bell's Early Life
Horace Bell was born in Indiana on December 11, 1830. He went to school in Kentucky. In August 1850, he traveled to Placerville in El Dorado County, eastern California. He went there hoping to find gold during the California Gold Rush. He spent two years mining, but he didn't find much gold.
Moving to Los Angeles
In 1852, Horace Bell moved to Los Angeles to visit his uncle, Alexander Bell. His uncle had moved there in 1842 and married a Mexican woman from California, known as a Californio. Alexander Bell became very rich as a trader and had a lot of influence in local politics.
Horace Bell became one of the first members of the Los Angeles Rangers. This was a group of citizens who worked like a police force. They chased after outlaws in Los Angeles County, which was a very wild and lawless place back then.
Adventures as a Soldier
In 1856, Horace Bell left California. He joined a military group led by William Walker that went to Nicaragua. Horace Bell became a Major in Walker's army. Later, in 1859, he joined Benito Juárez's army in Mexico during a conflict called the Reform War.
When the American Civil War started, he returned to Indiana. He became a scout for the Union Army, fighting for the northern states.
Life as a Lawyer and Journalist
In 1866, Horace Bell came back to Los Angeles. By this time, he was married and had children. He became a lawyer and a journalist. He also invested in city land, which helped him become very successful.
From 1882 to 1888, he owned and edited a newspaper called The Porcupine. He started this newspaper to fight against corruption in the city government. As both a lawyer and a newspaper editor, he often stood up for the rights of the Californios and people who were poor.
Horace Bell passed away on June 29, 1918. He was buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Horace Bell's Books
Horace Bell wrote two important books about his life and the early history of California. His first book, published in 1881, was called Reminiscences of a Ranger: Early Times in Southern California. This book shared his memories of being a Ranger.
After he died, more of his memories were published in a book called On the Old West Coast: Being Further Reminiscences of a Ranger (1930). Both of these books are very helpful for learning about California and Los Angeles history in the 1800s.
Horace Bell's Legacy
The Bell Ranch was a large piece of land claimed by Horace Bell and his son Charlie in the 1880s. It was located in the Simi Hills and the Rancho el Escorpión area of the western San Fernando Valley. Today, several places are named after him and his family:
- Bell Creek — This is a stream that is part of the Los Angeles River. It flows through Bell Canyon, West Hills, and Canoga Park.
- Bell Canyon, California — This is a community located in the geographic Bell Canyon, which is part of the Simi Hills.
- Bell Canyon Park — This park is found along the natural Bell Creek in West Hills.
- Bell Canyon Road/Boulevard — This road follows the creek from West Hills into Bell Canyon.
