Los Angeles daily herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1873-1876, 1874-04-21
Christening a Town.

A jovial party of excursionists,
about seventy in number, left the
depot yesterday morning for trip to
the terminus of the railroad, near San
Fernando Mission. A pleasant ride of
two hours brought the party to their
place of destination. After a few mo-
ments of rest and observation, meet
ing was called to order, and DR.. How
ard was appointed chairman. In
few appropriate remarks he introduced
Col. p. +. Walsh of San Francisco,
who delivered an address expressive
of the hope that success would crown
the contemplated effort of the Senator
in building up a town on the site be-
fore them. He referred to the rise of
towns in general, along the sea coasts
for commerce, among the fields for
agriculture, by the streams and rivers
for manufacture. Considering the po-
sition of San Fernando, he saw no
reason why thrifty town should not
flourish there. Much of the soil SEEM
ed susceptible of cultivation. The
treasure in the hills beyond, and the
commerce certain to center in Los
Angeles would find an avenue through
San Fernando to points beyond. The
sky was bright above it and the air
genial around it, and he knew of in
stances where towns sprung up and
fiourished under less suspicious pros
poets. He suggested that in marking
out the lines of the future town, that
portions would be reserved for the
20, Of iuiA nj Of 20
schools and public square; and con-
cluded by stating that having no idea
he would be called on to speak, having
no connection with the enterprise but
to wish it prosperity, that he invoked
on it all the blessings of success. Dur
ing his remarks Col. Walsh introduced
some humorous illustrations, etc.,
which added to the good nature of the
event.
Mr.. Hewitt was called on and made
brief address. Senator McClay fol-
lowed, and informed the assembly
that the work of surveying would
commence Immediately and that in
due time full details would be given
in reference to this project.
DR.. Griffin being called on to express
an opinion in relation to the name by
which the future town should be
known, coincided with the prevailing
opinion that San Fernando would an
swer. 1t was spoken of to call it Pico,
but as it was easy to corrupt that
word into Pike, o; and as he thought,
with Colonel Walsh, that calling
places after living celebrities was not
good rule, and as old st. Fernando
had passed in his checks some years
since, he thought it good idea to
name it after him, or at least permit
it to retain the name by which it was
now known. Upon vote being
taken, San Fernando was unanimously
adopted.
The site Of the town comprises the
tract of $1,000 acres, a part of the old
Mission farm lately purchased by
Senator Maclay. 1t is laid off in tracts
varying in size from one to sixty
acres. Senator Maclay will place
the lots of the new town on the
market in July next, and an auction,
sale will be held in Los Angeles on
the 4th of that month.
At O'Clock in the afternoon the ex-
cursionists returned to the city, well
pleased with the offices of godfather
which they had performed for San
Fernando. Later in the day another
trip was made to Spadra, making q
fitting supplement- to the good time
already had, and on returning at 5
p. NJ, all were satisfied that they had
most thoroughly done the day.