Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-14
San Francisco.

obtaining that equipoise OF mind
which results in calm accept
auce of whatever fate may will, than
a visit to scenes dissimilar to those
by which we are daily surrounded.
The greater the contrast presented,
and the more exalted the opinion we
NAV have formed of other modes of
life, the more marked generally will
be the benefit derived from such
contemplation and experience. As
a resident Of Olympia for score OF
wears. there have been times when
we felt that wider field for enter
prise alore would compensate for
the labor bestowed upon the several
active pursuits which constitute the
means of livelihood of many OF our
citizens. But this view has been
materially modified by the observa-
ton which brief respite from labor
has afforded US.
San Francisco is great city. 1t
has been of rapid growth and built
up by fast people-fast in more
than one accsptation CT the term.
1t has sprung almost like magic,
from the village of Yerba Buena of
ls47, to a city of nearly 100000 in
habitants at the present time. In
four years, or 1852, it had attained a
population of $4,000; which was
doubled in eight years more, placing
the figures in 1860 at 10000, with a
property valuation estimated at S35. :
600, 900. In 1870 the figures repre-
senting population had jumped to
100000, with an aggregate assessed
value of personal and real property
of STA, 100000. The progress OF
the past decade is still more remark
able, actually doubling that already
immense population and placing the
property valuation at S2A 900, 900.
Nor has the momentum thus attained
been materially checked by the gen.
eral stasnation of business which has
prevailed the past two years, as is
shown by the many new buildings
in process of erection far beyond the
utmost limits of the city of a few
years ago, nor is it likely to cease
unit! the great emporium of the
north rises with like majestic growth
on the shores of Puget Sound.
It seems to casual observer that
a more uninviting spot could scarce
~ have been selected for city.
Built upon narrow peninsula
which divides the bay of San Fran
cisco from the Pacific ocean, it was
environed by water in front and
steep hills, cut up by numerous gull
lies, in the rear. But patent labor,
hacked by well-directed capital, have
overcome all natural distractions.
The cove which formerly projected
into the land between Clark and
Rincon Points, has been filled in,
and the business part of the city is
built where thirty years ago large
ships rode at anchor in seven fathoms
of water. The filling up of the bay
has reduced the hills, and although a
considerable elevation still exists as
we recede from the water, in the
northern part of the city, the sand
ridges have been cut away and the
gullies and hollows filled up, until
an even, if not level, grade is pre-
sented, upon which the most costly
and permanent buildings are erect
ed. So steep is the ascent on the
streets running parallel with Geary
and California, that ordinary street
cars were found to be impracticable
until the cabie-system was adopted,
Ivy which the cars are propelled
by wire-cables laid under the pave
ment and moved by powerful sta.
tionary engines at the extre me
height of the elevation. The city
limits extend six miles, the extreme
width Of the peninsula east and west
and like distance north and south
bot the buildings are Of course fewe,
as We leave the higher elevation and
crepe among the sand hills. The
country around the city is extremely
bare, with Io large trees and but
little fertile land within many miles.
Golden Gate Park, is laid ou
amid the sand hills, and presents
nothing worthy of special comment