The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-06-21
From the Pacific Coast,

We fake the following extract from
n graphic and lligly Interesting letter
recently written from Oregon, to the
Milledgevilie (Ga.) Union:
Soon after writing my last Litter to
the Federal Union, 1 went to "Fiisco"
on steamship Helen w. Almy. We
had a speedy and prosperous journey,
and enjoyed the magnificent view at
the entrance through the Gold Gate
Point LObOs) and the group of rocks
about 500 yards distant is very picture
esque. This projecting cliff everhang-
ing the sea, has upon its summit a
handsome hotel called Cliff House, and
crowds of visitors 60 there for recrea-
ton. 1t is reached by macadamized
road called Point LobOs Avenue, which
boasts width of two hundred feet.
This point is six miles from San Fran
cisco, and is the fashionable drive from
the city. Daily may be seen throngs
of gay pleasure-seekers dashing along
the avenue i'm fine phaetOns, or upon
prancing steeds: gentlemen accOmpa-
MED by fair ladies i'm many-hued dolly
Vardens" of intricate and symmetrical
proportions. Not man alone as,erts his
claim to enjoyment here; spOrtive
seals and sea-liOns among the group of
rocks opposite the Cliff House; and
they are guarded against the de-
structive agency of firearms by pro-
tecting laws. 1 saw this point from
the sea, and afterward had the pleasure
of driving hither with friend-but
alas! not a young lady friend. Per-
all 70 fr
Editor, how prone a fellow is to grow
sentimental and sillyin the presence of
the sweet creature,-especially if the
reigning one is pretty and modest. All!
l detest fast" women! The very idea
of them blOts out all the glory of the
sex. Excuse the digressiOn. L could
not help it.
"Frisco," called so by the inhab-
itants " for short" is the queen city of
the % far west''-the grand commercial
metropolis of the Pacific coast. 1t is
situated on the Western shore of San
Francisco Bay. 1t stands on slOping
plain about half mile wide, girt be-
hind by semi-cOrdan of hills. The
streets are regular and cross at right
angles; and along the bay stand i'm
mense warehouses and wharves.
The wholesale merchants do fine
business in the front part of the city
near the bay. 1t had been some time
since l last visited this place, and l
went sightseeing everywhere. Mont
gOmery street is a handsome thorough
fare, and there are some magnificent
dwellings on Stockton and Dupont
streets. / visited the Musical Fund
Hall, splendid building; and the
magnificent Metropolitan Theatre.
The city is supplied with water from
Mountain Lake 81 miles distant, and
elevated 100 feet above the sea.
1t is curious to reflect upon the
wonderful strides San Francisco has
made toward its present greatness. 1t
was first settled by the Spaniards i'm
177S. The place was then called Yerbd
Bueaa, or "gOod herb" from medical
herb of that name growing plentifully
on the surrounding hills. The pioneer
houses were built of ddo6es, or sun
dried bricks. 1t was laid out i'm town
in 1889, and in 1915 had about $50 in
habitants. In the course of the two
ensuing years, its reported gold at
fractions led thither adventures who
swelled the population to 500. In 1S47
gold was discovered at Suffers settle
ment, and this certain news spread to
the four quarters of the globe. In 1850
San Francisco became city, and has
since been steadily increasing; and
i'm 1870 the population was 149, 49,.
Time will not allow description of all
the interesting objects in the Pacific
queen city, and 1 will close with few
items more relating TO this city.