 In or about 1869, Chabot built waterworks for the city of San Jose, and about the same time constructed those for the supply of Vallejo.He was involved in several other businesses during this time, including a paper mill in Stockton, the Judson Manufacturing Company in Oakland, the Pioneer Pulp Mill Company near Alta (Placer County), the Puget Sound Iron Company, and a large tract of land in Washington state for the cultivation of cranberries.In 1883, Chabot donated a telescope and the fund to build an observatory to the city of Oakland.