April 13, 1925 - Wilson versus Holcomb

In 1925, this Banner hung over E Street in San Bernardino (This photo was cropped from the "Mystery Photograph" taken by Evan V. Davis)

The General Election for the City of San Bernardino was held on April 13, 1925 and Fred A. Wilson was running against the incumbant, Grant Holcomb.

 Fred A. Wilson

Fred Wilson began practicing law in San Bernardino in 1912 and was associated with several prominent attorneys, including Ralph Swing and Martin Coughlin.

From 1930 to 1934, Wilson served as San Bernardino City Attorney and from 1934 to 1938 was a member of the Water Commissioners.

Mr. Wilson was a prominent water law attorney who argued cases before both the California and the U. S. Supreme Courts. 

He was one of the principals in the development of the Perris Hill Plunge.

Grant Holcomb 

Grant Holcomb was the grandson of pioneer William F. Holcomb who discovered gold in Holcomb Valley in 1860.

He was the father of W. R. "Bob" Holcomb who was Mayor of San Bernardino from 1971 to 1985 & from 1989 to 1993.

He gradulated from Stanford University, studing law, & after passing the bar, he began practicing law in San Bernardino.

Two months prior to the election of 1925, the City Council selected him to become the Mayor to succeed S. W. McNabb, who retired to become a U. S. District Attorney.

Fred A. Wilson received 3,124 votes in his bid for Mayor and Grant Holcomb was re-elected Mayor with 3,290 votes.

Click here for the full story of the "Mystery Photograph" in which the mayoral banner appeared.