Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-05-04
BALDWIN'S RANCH.
A CHARMING SPOT WHICH LIES OUT
OF-OOORS IN CALIFORNIA.

OF-OOORS IN CALIFORNIA.
one of the FINEST Plantations in America
-Immenss Orchards and Vine, ards -
Artificial Lakes and Handsome Build
ings- Stables and Race Track.
| recently spent some time at the ranch
of r. j Baldwin at Los Angeles. a
nights ride from san Francisco On the
Southern Pacific railroad brought me to
savannah. a Spanish settlement fourteen
miles south of Los Angeles. found n
conveyance awaiting me, and We soon
started for the villa. About M yards
/ drive brought us To the outskirts of the
! Lucky Baldwin ranch. as II Is generally
called, and ii WAS fully an hours brisk
driving before We reached he main avenue
leading up 10 the palatIal residence, the
entire ride covering the lands of this Cali
fornla Crpsus. This avenue is laid out in
the center of All orange grove
stretching across an area of several
hundred acres, and this IMMENSE
prolific orchard comprises over I4,Uu
trees, all bearing fruit and most Of
them 81 heavily laden that they require
propping. | was informed that twu ear
loads of the bright. golden fruit had been
gathered the day before that had fallen to
the ground
THK ORCHARDS AND WHY AI:ns
Of the 5000 acres comprising this
ranch Ii, 80 Is under cultivation. Stand
ing upon the porch overlooking this vast
area, rs far as the eye can reach one sees
orchards Of oranges, lemons, lines En-
glish walnuts and almonds. with scat
{ I.r. q.
the eucalyptus, pepper and spice trees
Passing around To the other side of the
porch one sees. under the shadow Of the
Sierra Madres. an immense vineyard Gov
ering sUU acres. The irrigation is fur
uiShed from the continued melting Of the
snow that covers the towering peaks. and
As il reaches the base enters the fumes
and is radiated Ia different sections One
naturally coBjectures. rs he gazcS upon
the striking contrast. standing in a tr0pi-
cal climate surrounded by vegetation that
only exists under the continuous rays of a
tnrrid sun, and looks upward at the frigid,
snow mantled mountains. if nature does
not try I" assert herself in all things and
make amends for the deficiency that
is caused by the more powerful ele-
mentS
artificial lakes are furnished with the
ovetiUw, one covering an area Of seven
acres. In the center OF the lake is a small
island covered with shrubbery. which
completely encaSes the nest house for the
swans, wild duck and geese which are
swimming around in countless numbers
On one side Of this lake is boat house, "A
handsome structure, with an apron plat
form extending out into the water, the
whole taStefully shaded by colored avn
ing Several handsome gondOlaS are
moored there. At the upper end of the
lake is a splendid piece of architecture
a small. six room house which will he
ready for occupancy in another month
The design is novel and unique. formed in
the shape of Maltese cross. hav-
ing bay windows at each Of
the four projections. The rooms
are designed in different patterns. The
ceilings. walls and wainsCOtting are FIN
ished with inlaid woods. The porticos and
walks leading up are tagged with marble
and granite, the latter quarried from the
SierraS.
THE STABLES AND RACE TRACK.
About so yards distant from this cosy
structure, across a small rdvine that Is
spanned by a quantity built rustic bridge.
stand the family stables and carriage
house. Here are quartered several fast
teams, including st James and mate, ele-
giant eQuipages and turnouts IA commodi-
Gus tally no and the prize harness that
took the premium at the Philadelphia
Centennial, consisting of four sets. solid
gold mounting costing 5000 \ hand
Sumel Y arranged parterre faces these
buildings and, like the lake, is nearly
surrounded by banana trees magnOlias
and palmettos. There are over fifty
houses ON the ranch, including a large
store and warehouse nine vaults and pack
ing houses n saw mill. stables for the
draught horses. boarding and lodging
houses, and a neat and comfortable school
house. The latter is built for and used
expressly by the children of the families
who are employed on this great farm, and
aside from the Spanish settlement that &C
cupies section that Is divided of, or
"coloniZed," as they term il. over 10 Chi
namen are also employed in the many in
dustries this ranch provides. They also
occupy quarters in section assigned
them, which Is known as Chinatown. The
stud farm, or stock raising district, COM
prises large territory; long stable par
tltlOned of in box stalls represents many
thousand dollars in kentucky running
stock, nearly all of which have noted
records and distinguished pedigrees.
In connection with this department is a
mile track complete in every detail,
judges and grand stand, private boxes,
etc, and like all tracks is claimed by the
man in charge to be the fastest in the
country. A large stock feed barn is few
yasds distant, and Immediately adjoining
1t is the hennery. Here may be seen every
variety Of fowl and a choice breed of chick
ems. Strutting around the lattice in
closure were Australian peacocks, Guinea
hens and turkeys. A day would hardly
suffice in making a rapid survey Of the
different points of interest on this nam
moth homestead. Enough TO say, this is
one of the most perfect, if not the best,
plantation in AmeriCa.-"C. l. B." i'll
Detroit Free Press