Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-07
GRASS VALLEY.
CENTER OF A GENERAL FRUIT
GROWING REGION.
A Prosperous City of 5000 Peo-
pie 2,4OO Feet Above the
Sea-Leyel.

Grass Valley, in Nevada county, is the
oldest, largest, and most prosperous of the
quartz gold mining towns in California. In
days gone by it was one of the liveliest of
the mining camps with which the Golden
State abounded. At the present day it is
town of substantial, steady-growing pros
perity; its future is bright, the quartz
lodges, horticultural and agricultural re-
sources, and unequaled climate, giving as
surance of permanent prosperity. 1t is
situated 2,400 feet above sea-leyel, on the
western slope Of the Sierra Nevada Noun
tains. 1t is exempt from fog and ma
laria. The uncultivated lands around it
are clothed with thick growth Of fine
trees which, according to the best med
zeal authority, impart peculiar health
giving qualities to the atmosphere,
while on the lands that have been
under cultivation are thrifty and profit
able orchards grain fields and vineyards.
1t is the market town of a large area of
the lower foothill farming and fruit raising
region. The town is situated in and on
the hills bounding what in ea:ly d tys {be-
fore the discovery of gold) WAS 4 small,
grass-covered valley, whence the town de-
rived its name Its business streets are
lined with compactly built stores, which
carry large stocks of goods and do a thriy-
ing trade. Its residences are for the most
part situated in spacious lots, in which
flourish flowers, and in many instances
useful garden truck" fourishes. Shade
trees abound along all the streets, giving
pleasant appearance and refreshing cool
ness in summer. The town is well sup
piled with hotels and livery stables. There
are five churches-Methodist Catholic,
Congregational, Episcopal and African NJ.
(which are largely attended. The
school department is unexcelled by any
town Of its size in the State, over thou
sand pupils attending, for whom frst-class
accommodations and teachers are pro-
vided.
There are two newspaper and job print
ing establishments in Grass Valley, the
Daily Union and the Daily and Weekly
Iidings. The town has gas works and
most excellent water system, with good
supply OF that necessary fluid, which comes
from the Snow Mountain ditch in Y
hume, the hume being about thirteen miles
in length. The water is run into reser-
voirs on Alta Hill, to the northwest of
the town, from which reservoirs it is dis
tributed through the streets in pipes. The
assessed valuation of the property in the
township, for 1886, is about $2500,000.
Grass Valley is II miles from Colfax,
which latter is station on the Central
Pacific Railroad. The distance to San
Francisco, by rail, from Grass Valley, ia
161 miles from Sacramento, IS miles, and
from Nevada City (the county seat, u
miles. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge
Railroad connects Grass Valley and Ne
Yada City with the Central Pacific at Col
fax. Travelling is therefore comfortable,
and the transportation of supplies to this
place is always rapid and uniform as to
price.
The climate of this place is delightful,
being mild all the year round. 1t is con-
sidered very cold by the climate-pampered
population when the thermometer in the
winter gets down as low rs 22' above zero.
The temperature rarely goes below that
mark, and, indeed, seldom gets so low. In
the hottest days Of summer, when the
mercury may get into the high nineties,
the climate is enjoyable for the reason that
the nights are always cool, so that refresh
ing sleep can be had-sleep that recuper-
ates. For health the climate cannot be
excelled anywhere in the world. The
odor of the pine tree loads the air with
healing to weak lungs, and the natural pu-
rity of the atmosphere is not married by
deleterious exhalations from ill-drained
soils. The State Board of Health gives
the town the lowest death rate of any in
the State.
Mining is the great industry of Grass
Valley; and it is a prosperous and perma-
nent one. The mines yield gold to the
amour: of many thousands of dollars
monthly, and hundreds of men are en-
ployed in the mines and mills. The own
ers and Shareholders receive large returns.
The employees get good wages, live well,
and are thrifty, intelligent citizens. The
the products of the surrounding farms and
orchards, and the excellent railroad facili-
ties enable producers to ship at profit
what is not needed for the home supply.
For business, health, or homes Grass Val
ley affords most excellent advantages, and
to the tourists from "the States" or foreign
countries it invariably proves a pleasant
and instructive place to visit, the ride to it
over the Nevada County Narrow Gauge
Railroad from Colfax, on the Central Pa
eitic, being most delightful one, through
picturesque and striking scenery.-GrdSs
VALLEY Tidinqs.