The Placer herald., 1865-07-01
NUMBER A.
COM MuNICATED
LAKE COUNTY,

LAKE CUUNTY.
Messrs. Editors: Having been in this
county long enorgh to see large portion Of
it, and to learn much of the character of the
soil, climate and productions of the Clear
Lake country generally, propose to give
your readers the benefit of my opinion and
knowledge of this part of California. This
county comprises within its limits large
area of country mostly Of barren noun.
famous character. The county is probably
more than one hundred miles long and Of
almost any width. The most practicable
and accessible route to the Clear Lake couu.
try from the Sacramento valley and conse.
quen,ly your region Of country is, by way Of
odland, the county seat of Yolo. This is
small, neat, though sIcklv looking place,
and IN regard to the latter quality, | am told.
does not deceive lis looks. half davis
lively travel from Woodland brings one to
the Coast Range mountains, through either
Putah or Cache creek canyons. The former
is said to be twelve or fifteen miles farther
than the other, while the latter makes neces.
sary the crossing of very heavy mountain.
This mountain is seven miles arross-a feat
which it requires a half day to accomplish
with good team aud light load. After
Nb'o lou' h'ol tAI'tiltHtt lu cTbSSlNU mOuOt
tans, and one that you will not be apt soon
to forget, you find yourself at the bead of
Berryesa Valey-a magnificent and lovely
valley in Napa county. AS you emerge into
the valley, at the foot of the mountain, YOU
come suddenly upon lonely cabin, almost
hid away in a dense and dark looking forest
surrounded 10y w'ld dreary mountain seen,
cry This cabin is tenanted 10y single indi,
vldual and score or less Of dogs, the fercest
aud huges: dogs imaginable, whose conduct
lmpresses one seriously with the opinion that
the owner is fast going to the dogs" After
the dogs have done with you, the man tells
you he wants four bits, which you pay and
feel relieved, although you may be haunted
the balance of your days with the question
as to his right to receive the money or why
you paid it. From this beautifu valley YOU
travel up canyon and lish: grade ten miles
| to the Quicksilver mines in Lake county.
passing on the way the Sulphur Spring House,
where there is fine spring of excellent sui,
Rhur water, and is quite resort for invalids
at certain seasons of the year From the
quicksilver mines TO Lower Lake, distance
OF fifteen miles, with slight exceptions, is a
wild, mountainous desoae region But at
Lower Lake, which signifies the lower end of
the Lake, as well as the name Of a village,
there is considerable settlement, and am
told large district of fine country, of which
however, | saw but little. The distance to
Lakeport, the county seat, is now twenty-five
miles, through country the first twelve or
fifteen miles of which is but little improve,
'nent on any yet travelled over But on
reaching the Lake Bluffs the weary traveller
experiences the most sudden and delightful
change of feeling that perhaps ever came
over him. For the last fifty miles he has
been surrounded by a region as wild and
desolate, with slight exceptions, as. one can
we'll conceive ot-and while trudging up
one mountain and down another, he begins
to think he is the victim Of huge sell, and
that the beautiful Lake and its magnificent
valleys, of which he has heard so much, is a
myth and deluson But he now fully real.
ICES and indorses all that he has ever heard
in regard to them. He sees for the first time
the Lake with its sparkling waves and silvery
lace, fully ten miles away, between him and
this the most beautiful country his eyes ever
behell; and he almost feels like he had
emerged from darkness into light - from
death into life
regard this county as offering stronger
inducements, to persons desiring to engage
IN agricultural pursuits, than in any other
portion OF the State with which | am ac,
qnalnled. 1t is also a fine stock country
particularly for hogs. A man of ordinary
industry and economy, with a little start,
could hardly fail to do well in, any one of
the fine valleys in this county. Although, as
| have before remarked,- the land in this
county is mostly mountainous and barren.
there is, nevertheless, many large and ex.
tremely fertile valleys, well tmbered and
well waered, sufficient for extensive settles
ments and neiohborhood faci' flies Vece.
tables OF all kinds can be grown in great
abundance, without irrigation. The climate
is perhaps the finest in the State; being, from
what learn, warmer Ia winter and cooler in
Summer than most parts Of the State The
Lake is most beautiful body of clear, pure
water, about thirty miles long and having an
average width Of seven or eight miles; and
abounds in fish and fowl. There is a good
home market here for all the ranchero has
to dispose of. Lakeport is small, new
town, with two dry goods and grocery stores,
good hotel, and the usual attendants Of a
small town and county seat. w.
LAKEpoRT, June 10Th, 1865.