The Placer herald., 1860-02-25
Description Of an Extensive and Almost
Unknown Portion of California.

Unknown Portion OF California.
There is situated, remarks the Santa Cruz
Sentinel, in the southern part of Monterey,
and in the northern portion Of San Luis Obs
po counties scope of country extending
many miles North and South, and from the
Pacific Ocean on the West to the great Tu.
lare Valley on the East. This great extent
of country is as yet undeveoped and com
paratively unknown. But few persons have
made settlements, except in proximity to
the main read leading through Salinas
Valley.
The most prominent features of this sec-
ton are the bold and rugged mountains Of
the Santa Lucia, Monte Diablo, or Sierra
Panoche, terminating in the valleys between
the mountains ranges. That portion situat-
ed between the upper Salinas river and the
Iulare Valley has been surveyed and section
allied by the United States Surveyors. There
are a number of ranches in this portion of
the country, which, at the time of the
survey, GS55) bore evidences of former oc-
cupancy, but which were found deserted
One place only was found inhabited, and that
was situated on Estrella creek, fifteen miles
from its mouth, where there were few Of
the Old Mission Indians living. They had
horses, cattle and sheep, and they also raised
wheat, barley and vegetables. The country
in the neghborhood is mountainous and re-
pulsive in its character, the hills being gener-
ally sterile and uninviting. There are some
few locations where water can be had Far
ther up the Estrella creek there is valley or
plain 40 or SO miles in length, and from 6
to in width. This plain bears northwest
by southeast There is salt lake in the
middle of The plain. four miles in length by
two in breadth. The hills on the west of
the lain afford feed for cattle. There is a
low range of mountains dividing it from Tu
lare Valley. This range is nearly destitute
of vegetation or timber. The soil is frable,
and has the appearance Of scoria or ashes.
The water when found, is highly impregna
ted with alkal On the western side of the
Tulare plains, the aspect of the country
changes there are gently sloping hills and
secluded valleys, covered with excellent gra
zing-the favorte haunts Of the mustangs
or wild horses. The numerous springs at the
base of the hills, furnish an abundance of
water. To the north and west is the termi-
nation of the Mount Diablo and Sierra Pa
noche spurs, breaking up into rough and Jag
ged peaks, with here and there small plats
and some valley sections occurring at inter
vals.
The Gavilan range Of mountains is a very
rough and rugged country, with very few
inducements to the settler. 1t is rich in
minerals, as the New Idra quicksilver mines
abundantly testify. TO the south and west
is the Santa Lucia mountains plainly visible
from Santa Cruz, extending far southwark
into San Luis Obispo county This range is
extremely rugged and preciptous, forming
heavy and bold shore line. The eastern
slopes parake of milder character. They
are more gradual, and present more agree
able aspect, and afford many locations for
the settler The mountain districts general
ly are we'll adapted to the pasturage of cattle
and the raising of sheep.
In the San Antonio district, extending
from the arroyo Seco to the Nacmento river
the latter being the southern boundary of
Monterey county, a distance of some seventy
miles, there are not over fifty settlers, and
these few are located near the main road
leading to San Luis Obispo.