Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-08-22

BY all odds, the most lovely stream in
the length aud breadth Of Southern Cali.
fornia is the Arroyo Honda, which is
little known to Angelefos or newcomers.
except those who travel the road which
crosses this lovely stream, which includes
the Mexicans who live in the vicinity, as
it is located on the rancho La Mision
Vieja, and the old settlers. The road
from the city to La Puente, Spadra and
beyond, leads away below the bills east
of the city. south of the estate Of Alex
ander Repetto, deceased. thence across
the rancho La Merced, passing close to the
residence of Don Matias Sanchez, which
is Just above the road to the left,
before it passes iato the valley be-
tween the Old and the New San Gabriel
rivers. About one hundred and fifty
yards after descending the short grade.
the road turns to the right In the direc-
tion Of La Puente, and crosses sub
stantial bridge, under which flows the
lovely stream. Arroyo Honda, which is
the subject of this article.
To the left Of the road going out, at
the bridge, is shady nook, always cool
and pleasant, with pellucid stream ten
feet wide and four feet in depth, right
i'm front. This is found by turn
ing to the left before crossing
the bridge. To the north, about
quarter of mile, is the ancient
building known as La Mission Pieja, the
next Oldest Mission on the Pacific Coast,
and after which the rancho was literally
named. The old bailding, con-
structed before the San Gabriel
or any other missions were ever
thought Of by the franciscan Faith.
ers, is still in a good state of preserya.
tion, and is an object Of interest not
only to those who have seen it for years,
but especially for Eastern people, on &C
count Of its antiquity. A crude mission
| was built shortly after this one on the
extreme west end Of the Rancho La Pu-
cnte, which was o crumbling ruin nine
years ago. 1t was not sheltered so well
"A the first one established, being ex
posed to rain and wind. The San Ga.
briel Mission was constructed perma'
nently about ten years afterwards.
The Old San Gabriel river sinks per
manently Just above the Rancho Po
trero Grande, and has no course thercs
for long Distance south. just east O
the old mission building described
across the road, exists dense thicket o
trees and bushes, which are impenetra
BILE to man or beast. although aview from
the hill to the west, discloses view o
the most magnificent boiling spring il
the country, the nucleus Of the Arroy'
Honda. The spring is surrounded b!
soft banks, and its bottom has nevel
been found. Flowing onward few
rods its beauty is seen in all its lowell
ness. just north Of the bridge, in tn
shade, is a line place to camp. III
road Ia unfrequented, north and south
and the settlement is only occupied b
stores, houses and some cultivation
Just below here this beautiful stream
divided, with a ditch on the east sid
and two-thirds Of its volume on the ives
side, which after being turned around
sharp corner In the bluff enters the se'
ond wide bed OF the Old San Gabri,
river. Follow the bluff down o shol
distance, watching the stream ON eac
side of the river, sink into the sane
and If the source and beauty of the Al
royo Honda had not been seen 1t woul
not have been believed that the feeb
water running below, on each side
the river, could have originated in sue
beauty spot.