The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-03-26
rAcorA rmuos.
W. r.. February 9th.

w. T., February 9th, 1886.
About $500 miles northwest of lola,
at the head of Commencement bay, an
arm of Puget Sound, lies the city of Ia
coma. The cite of Tacoma has gener-
al slope towards the southeast and
head of the bay and the situation is
well..adapted to the purpose of a large
city, (which of course, Tacoma expects
to be, including, as it does, an extern
sive area of low level land contiguous
to the waters of the Sound, and also
wide stretch of hillside rising from the
level of the bay to a height of nearly
800 feet and marked by four distinct
plateaus or terraces, easy of access,
and convenient for the residence por-
ton of the city.
The railroads coming in, one from
the east and one from the south, unite
at the head of the bay and continue
along the shore. under the hill, to the
wharves. Starting from the wharves,
the first terrace is reached by means of
street graded along the side of the
hill up which it proceeds gradually.
Nearly half mile from the wharves,
or where the highest point Of this plat
eau is reached, this street, called Paci-
fic Avenue, changes direction to the
eastward and then continues on due
south for nearly two miles.
Pacific Avenue il the principal bust
ness street and is well built up with
good business buildings, and almost
every kind of business is well repre-
scented. Parallel with Pacific Avenue
run the lettered streets, and at right
angles with it the numbered streets.
Leaving Pacific Avenue and going
west along the numbered streets, you
cross two streets ON the second plateau,
two on the third, and ascending to the
fourth, you find the land for long
distance, smooth and nearly level. One
brought up in prairie country has to
become accustomed to going up and
down steps or walking an inclined
plane, before he fully enjoys walk
over the city.
The scenery from almost every spot
in Tacoma is beautiful. AS you face
the east Mt. Rainer there called Mt.
Tacoma) looms up to the right to a
height of IA, IA feet, covered with per-
petual snow, ::and well supported on
either side by the lofty Cascade noun
tains, which extend north and south
far enough to include One-fourth of the
horizon. In front the bay lies calm
and peaceful; to the left, the sound,
with its Undiscovered islands; across
the sound the snow-capped Coast
Range rises in grandeur.
But to return to the city itself. The
religious and educational interests OF
Tacoma are we'll advanced. There are
twelve churches, all neatly built, neat
ly furnished, and well attended. There
are five public schools, also semina-
ry for girls and college for boys, both
under the auspices of the Episcopal
church.
The climate is mild and free from
sudden changes and this together with
the fact that the present business pOr-
ton and all the residence portion OF
Tacoma, is built well up in the region
of pure air, makes it a very healthful
place.
Since the Chinese agitation has sub
sided the public attention has been
drawn to the building of the Cascade
division of the Northern Pacific rail-
road and to the Local Option Bill, re-
Gently passed by the territorial legis.
lature.
The railroad division will surely be
fbuilt as the contract for the tunnel
through the mountains has already
been let. And I think if we could
have breath of good Kansas temper.
ance air, prohibition would surely
carry. J.E.C.