Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-06-24
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
CARPENTERIA, SANTA BARBARA Co. CAL
Iylnn 1879

perusing few lines from this part of
country, and possibly some might think
of this-San.a Barbara Valley-as their
future home, | will try and give little
information on the subject. 1t ranks
among the best valleys of Southern
California, and like the others, claims
to be first best. Situated as it is, a mar
row valley along the coast, facing the
southwest, the land portion being near
" surrounded by the Santa NneZ
Mountains and the Islands lying Oppo-
site, make il a well protected one for
both land and harbOr; the harbor is a
miles wide. The county borders the
coast. Ninety-siX miles back from the
coast is little else than mountains, as
seen from the top of the first range,
which is said to be about ten miles dis
tant from this part of the valley, and
about 3, 900 feet high. Mt. HOar near
ly blocks up the valley at the lower
part, leaving narrow passage along
the beach, which is used as a stage
road: and on the opposite side bride
path through Cassitas Pass to the Ojai
Valley, some eight miles distant. The
view from the mountain is the most
interesting feature. On the side OF 1t
is the So-called Volcano; an insignifi-
cant little place. emitting hot sulphur,
smoke and gas; is hard to beat for
smelling nasty-''Not so unpleasant TO
sinner, though" (as NJ. t. says.
Proceeding toward Santa Barbara, we
first come 10 Carpenteria, known from
its beauty as the little Nook Twelve
miles from Santa Barbara, about seven
miles long, and from two to three
miles wide, it is no uncommon thing
to raise 100 bushels of corn to the acre,
and that without rain. Corn, barley,
potatoes, beans and fruit, are the prin-
cipal crops. Land is worth from $50 to
$500 per acre.
Montecito, five miles below Santa
Barbara, is similar to Carpenteria as
farming districts about six miles
long and from two to three wide. The
Big Grapevine is one of the features.
1t is about tifty-siX inches q IT. in.)
in circumference. Some say it is 70
years old, others say it is as much as 100
years old. 1t has produced as much as
six tons of grapes in one season. About
one-hslf of it is now dead. 1t is enclO
sed, and the old Spanish woman who
owns it charges two 'bits'(25 cents) to
see 1t. The Spaniards have dancing
floor there, and they often have lively
times on Saturday or Sunday night, eS-
pecially when they have tdnadrdck Cd
hand. Half mile further up canon
in the mountains, are the Hot Springs,
famous for their medicinal qualities,
for rheumatism, neuralgia, DC. Sever
al streams flow from the rock. The wa
ter is as hot as one can bear the mana
in. You can see the steam rise from 1t
fr,, har fro m
of cold water flows from the same rock,
and bTt few feet off. Mr.. Curtis, the
owner, has hotel there. Board and
treatment $17 per week; is kind ana
obligihg-WhO wouldn't be?
Ocean Beach Race-track IS on the
stage road, near Santa Barbara, where
the lovers of racing can be satisfied.
California is not behind her Eastern
| neighbors in that line. They even
have fifty mile races up at Frisco.
The city of Santa Barbsra is near 800
miles down the coast from Frisco, and
near 200 miles from the Mexican line;
and claims a population of o,OU0-
| Americans, Spaniards and Indians be-
ing the greater portion; besides, there
are MeXicans, French, Chinese, and
quite an assortment generally. 1t runs
two weekly newspapers, and three dal-
lies; two Colleges, seven Churches, IN
Guiding the old Catholic Mission at
| head of State Street; two flrst-class Ho-
| tells, besides several others; board from
So, 90 per week, to $500 to s., 80 per day.
! VIII soon have street railroad.
! Los Prietos Quick Silver mines are
| back in the mountains; quite quartz
| ty of ore on hand; works will soon De
ready for business; cost OF works Sl0O,-
coo. The Catera, nine miles above
Santa Barbara, is said to be one OF the
| most desirable places in the valley.
Land worth from S100to $500 per acre.
Col. HolIister, formerly of Ohio, liv-
| ing farther up, has the largest orchard
| in the valley-30,000 trees-25, ,OOO are
almond trees. The valley extends up
to Point Conception.
The immigration to this State at
present is quite large. An estimation
is made that 49, 900 will come this sum
mer. Probably some that haven't
much sand in their craw, will not real
ize all their hopes. The California pa
rers praise the country to its full ex-
tent, and some sometimes 'slop over
| iittle-but not equal to Baron Mum
| chausen. 1t is good enough without
any false praise. OF course there are
some drawbacks here and every place
else, except heaven, but are not so
great as in the Eastern States.
1t is splendid country for tourists
and pleasure-seekers to enjoy them
selves. The dust is disagreeable to
them especially, and living is expen-
sive if they go it in style. Common
sense, comfortable style is as cheap as
other pieces. The squirrels, gophers,
rabbits and quails, trouble the farmers
to some extent, besides other draw
back, and those common to other pla-
ces. Fleas are pest here-bite the
year round. One must remember that
different portions of California are, very
different in many points, such as cli-
mate, fruits, grain crops, rain, de-, &C.;
and one must not judge the State from
description of one portion OF 1t.
The rainy season commences here
about November 1st, and lasts till
April. We expect one long rain of
eight or ten days duration; a few small
er ones, and the balance of the winter
is as nice as one could wish-thermom-
eter so to 20 during the eday; nights cool
the year round, which insures refresh
ing sleep. We have some windy days
in The spring of the year. The foggy
weather that we have is a great bene-
fit to crops.
This is good fruit country especial
ly-raise all kinds semi-tropical fruits
in Southern California. Fruit-raising
is in its infancy yet, but is fast increas-
ing. Apples, peaches, pears, figs, apri
cots, almonds, English walnuts, are the
principal fruits raised in this part.
The & are three crops of figs in one sea-
sun, ripening from July to January.
Many other fruits do we'll 50 far as
tried.
Taking it all in all, it is country
where most any one can be suited
in IL. but us npOnlp ara nf