HOW JULIAN CELEBRATED THE FOURTH 150 YEARS AGO

The young mining town of Julian threw a memorable Independence Day bash in 1872. Back then, San Diegans could catch Bill Tweed’s Julian-to-san Diego stagecoach for the 12hour trip three times a week.

In recent decades Julian has celebrated the nation’s birthday with what promoters have called the “best little small-town parade in America.”

From The Daily San Diego Union, Wednesday, July 3, 1872:

HOW THEY INTEND TO CELEBRATE AT JULIAN

— Julian City is evidently determined to lead us this year in the celebration of the anniversary of our Independence. The order of exercises for the day, published in our advertising columns, shows that every preparation has been made to insure the utmost harmony in the proceedings. No doubt the Julian City people will have a fine time on this their first grand celebration of Independence Day: and the San Diegans who are visiting there at present will be sure to enjoy the festivities which they are so cordially invited to participate in.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE FOURTH AT JULIAN — FAST STAGE TIME — The following communication from Julian City was received last evening:

EDITOR UNION: I must drop you a line by Tweed’s stage, as this is the first trip on tri-weekly time. The up coach arrived on Monday evening at 7 o’clock, just twelve hours from San Diego — The fastest time ever made on the road by any stage. George Waring says if Tweed will furnish horses, he will supply silk, and with three changes of horses he will take passengers through at a lively rate.

The preparations for the grand “Fourth of July” celebration are going on unceasingly. A large liberty pole, 75 feet high, has been placed in position, ready to throw to the breeze on the morning of the “Fourth” the proud emblem of American Independence. The hall for the grand ball to be given in the evening is being decorated in the gayest possible manner with bunting, evergreens, pictures, etc. The floor has been put in unexceptionable order for dancing, and the Committee on Arrangements flatters itself that every possible preparation looking to the enjoyment of the dancers has been provided for. A stand has been arranged for the delivery of the oration and the reading of the Declaration, and in fact every thing that ought to be done to make the affair first class, has been attended to.

We expect to see a large number of San Diegans in addition to those already ere. Allow me to speak for the people of Julian and say that which I know will be endorsed by all of them, that it will afford us the greatest pleasure to entertain as many of your city as will favor us with a visit. INDEPENDENCE. NEW TO-DAY. JULIAN CITY! FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMME HAS been arranged for the celebration of the NINETY-SIXTH Anniversary of American Independence, at Julian City on the Fourth of July, 1872.

ORATOR ..... Judge THOMAS P. SLADE Reading of the Declaration of Independence,

By ............... Hon. GEO. M. DANNALS

POEM .............. By Col. L.B. HOPKINS The following patriotic songs will be sung by the Glee Club:

STAR SPANGLED BANNER, HAIL COLUMBIA

RED WHITE AND BLUE, AMERICA

FIRE WORKS in the early portion of the evening and afterwards a GRAND BALL!

The following Committees will have charge of the Celebration:

CELEBRATION:

Hon. Geo. M. Dannals, Count Dwarakowsky, C.L. Evans, John Ryan, C.F. Munroe.

FINANCE:

James Kelley, James Lang, D. Baily, Capt. L.F. Rucker.

BALL:

Chester Gunn, James Duffy, David Lippman, S.T. Mckean, A.B. Woods. R. Carrol.