Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-16
CHICO AND ITS ENVIRONS.
VISIT TO THIS NATURE-FAvoRED
LOCALITY.
The Municipal Government-water Works
Schools urches-Crops-
Fruits - Etc.


residents and owners Of this almost fairy lit
tie city-the New England Of California
nesting among the spreading trees of a
beautiful forest, may well feel proud of their
habitation and rejoice that their lines have
been cast in pleasant places. The population
is largely composed of people from the Eastern
States, who have brought with them the
habits and tastes of their former homes and
surroundings, and with these in their new
homes are added the beauty and attractions
afforded by the semi growth in shrubs
trses and plants, with which their large and
yel-kept yards and lawns are tastefuliy
dressed and ornamented.
HARD TIMES OF THE PAST.
The financial depression which was expe-
rienced throughout California and the coast
a few years since was shared by Chico in
common with her sister towns, and added TO
this the construction of the Sierra lumber
Hume. which fioated the wealth of lumber
manufactured Ill the mountains distance Of
forty miles away, to the markets at Chico
and other valley points without use of teams
and tealnsters in transportation, rendered
the striugency of the tines far mere keenly
felt, by reason of depriving portion OF the
people of an established lire of employment
Previous TO the transportation of lumber by
this fiume steady employment was afforded to
a large number of persons and teams in
hauling supplies from Chico merchants
and the depot to the lumber and mining pop
ulation and towns in the foothills and noun
tains, and returning with loads OF lumber for
the valley. In this manner, with loads in
sured each way, profitable employment was
afforded large class in teamipg, and the
people and towns of both sections were
greatly benefited by it. In addition TO those
who made it business to engage In teaning,
many persons engaged in farming for miles
around Chico were In the habit, as soon as their
harvesting was completed, OF engaging IN team
ing between these points, aud continuing until
the season Of grain-sowing in the fall, which
greatly aided them financially, and Chico, by
their trade. during the dull season between
harvest and sowing.
The shipment of lumber by the hume at
once shut off the opportunity of the Transfers
obtaining return freight, and this done they
could not afford to continue their trips at
prices which shippers could afford to pay,
with loads only In going to the mountains,
and therefore this line of business, which
previously afforded employment and much
financial aid to a large class, almost entirely
ceased. This change took place at a time
when the general financial cloud OF few
years since was hanging over the State, and
had the effect of producing a still more strin-
gent state of affairs locally.
BRIGHT SKY AFTER THE CLOUDS.
There is probably, however. no portion of
the State better endowed by the favors Of
nature to resist and overcome such untOward
and depressing influences than that under
notice, for the wonderful fertility of its soil
and its adaptation to the growth of nearly
every kind of cereals and of fruits which
may be found in all parts of the State com.
bined, rendered it far more easy for the forces
thus thrown out of employ to find other
methods and lines for obtaining livelihood
and investments of labor and capital, in
surfing remunerative returns. Chico now
bears full evidence, by its growth and brisk
business appearance. of having fully recov-
cred from all drawbacks in the past, and is
taking leading position in the upper Sac
ramento valley as thriving and wealth-pro-
ducing center.
Two long-established and well-conducted
newspapers-the Enterprise, edited by Ed.
Hools, and the EreRing Record, by
G. H. Crosette, are published here. To
these has Just been added the Morning Chf0R-
icle, started only a few days since. with
Manning & Brown as editors and proprie-
appearance and good promise.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTAL SUPPLY.
The city boasts of its good and economical
municipal government. 1t consists of a
Board of FIVE Trustees who serve without
pay; Police Judge, who. for this service, IS
paid S25 per month /; q Marshal, who 10 also
Tax-Collector and has charge Of the police
force. which consists of two night and one
day policemen, with a salary of S75 each per
month.
an effective water works system is in use,
and the town is amply supplied with clear,
pure water pumped from two wells near the
railroad depot. The wells are about SO feet
In depth, and their never-failing supply II
excellent, soft and cold water, which is fur
nished at reasonable rates, form an envisble
contrast to the river-slicllens as q beverage,
and present self-addre-sing inducement to
Washingtouianism. The water is raised from
the wells by pumping works into reservoirs
in an elevated position, aud the necessary
pressure Is thus acquired. The water mains
and pipes were originally laid with pine
tubing from Puget Sound, but these have
proved unsatisfactory from frequent leaking
and repairs, and are now being replaced with
| iron piping. Greater pressure for use in
time Of ire is obtained by applying an add.
tionsl pumping apparatus, which works sim
liar 10 the Holly systen-pumping the water
directly from the wells ipto the mains without
passing through the reservoirs.
FIRE DEPARTMEET-P POPULATION SCHOOLS
CHURCHES AND HOTELS.
The Fire Department consists Of three fire
companies: Chico Company, No. la hand
engine Chico Engine Con pany No. 2, which
has a steamer; and Deluge Hose Company,
with full set of hose and hose carts. Besides
the hydrants an additional supply Of water
for use in case Of fire is provided by means OF
ten large storing cisterns located at most
available points in various parts of the town.
and which are kept full for this purpose.
The present population of Chico, Including
extensions, ia about 4 COO Ample and jeal'
ously guarded educational facilities are af-
| forded In addition TO the graded schools in
the three public school bulldogs, there is also
we'll established academy, conducted by
Mr. and Mrs. Woodman, and which is very
LARGELY attended
There are four churches in the place. These
are the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal,
| NJ L. Church South and Baptist. The Pres
| byterisn church ediice is the largest, is bail,
! of brick, cost about SIG, 600, and is provided
! with large pipe organ. All the churches
are well sustained.
| Two large hotels-the Chico and Union
are well patronized, with laudable spirit OF
rivalry existing between their proprietorE
as to which shall deserve and receive the
| leading recognition for superiority of enter
tainment afforded to guests.
NEW BUILDEGs-FARMING INTERESTS.
A great amount of building has been going
on during the past year, both in the city and
the near surrounding country, aff8rding full
employment to all mechanics, and giving ev1.
denca Of healthy growth, prosperity and ac
cumulating wellth. Several grain ware
houses have recently been completed, and
others are being erected. II. p. Cole. Super.
intendent of the Sierra Lumber Company,
has just completed two very neat residences
costing about 81 900 each, and William Haw.
kins formerly of Sacramento, has just built
one on his farm, about one mile southwest Of
town, which cost about the same amount.
As TO the farming interests with which
Chico is surrounded and is the center, ths fa-
cilities afforded by the richness of the soil
aud its adaptability, together with that Of
| the climate for extensiveness in variety Of
product, render it perhaps unequaled. Ger
| taialv unsurDassed hy any other locality ir