Background
Ezra M. Hamilton was born in Illinois February 22, 1833. In 1853, he came to California, working in the mines and taking part
in the Rogue River War against the Rogue River Indians. 1856 found Hamilton mining in Shasta County. He returned East in 1861,
serving in Union armies throughout the Civil War. In 1875, he returned to California for his health. He went into business
in Los Angeles, manufacturing cement pipe. In 1878, Hamilton helped organize the Workingmen's Party and was elected to the
Los Angeles City Council. In 1884, he was again elected to the City Council on the strength of his anti-railroad views. In
1897, he moved to Antelope Valley and founded Willow Springs as a resort for tourists. He died at Willow Springs, July 4,
1914.