Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-12
THE SOLDIERS HOME.
The Site Selected ard
Work Commenced.
PROSPECTING FOR WATER.
What is Proposed to Be Done in
Beautifying the Grounds.
Other Plans.

Captain VIM. Blanding, one OF the
managers Of the National Soldiers
Home, who has in company with
General Negley and Colonel Brown
been at Santa Monica for some time
past, came to the city on Friday last
and was seen last evening at his
rooms in the Baker Block by repre-
sentative of the HERALD. In reply to
questions asked by the reporter Cap
tain Banding said that the managers
had selected the site for the estab-
lishnent . Of the Branch Soldiers
Home on the Santa Monica Rancho
OF Messrs. Baker & Jones and the
stakes had been set by the surveyor.
The selection of this 300 acre tract
of land had been no small mat.
ter and he in company with
the others and Colonel Mendell
had gone over the ground carefully
with a view of selecting the very
best piece of land possible. After
considerable time they had decided
that strip of land half mile wide
and very nearly mile long, border
ing on the line between the Baker &
Jones ranch and the Wolfskill ranch
had been selected. This land is
almost due east from Santa Monica,
four miles from tie beach and about
fourteen miles from the center OF Los
Angeles, and is as favorable location
for the disabled soldiers as could be
found anywhere. 1t faces southeast
at an angle of 35l. degrees and is
about mile from the Southern
Pacific Railroad track which runs
from Los Angeles to Santa Monica.
Its position is such that it commands
a view OF the town of Santa Monica
and the ocean beyond. Com
mencing at the point furthest
away from the rAilroad track it
gradually slopes downward $50 feet in
mile and joins the valley below in
points resembling the fingers OF a
mans hand, upon which the houses
of the officers will be built. These
fingers, as it were, skirt the valley at
about an even distance from the rail-
road track, and at their bases we'll
borers are now at work digging for
water, Which is an essential part of
the whole. There is at present no
water on the place, and water must
be developed before active operations
commence. One we'll is now down 35
feet, and as yet nothing but surface
water has been struck. 1t is expected 8,
however, that when the second gravel
bed is reached a plentiful supply of
water will be found. If it is not,
other wells will be dug in the valley
and in the cailon to the north, in
which the dividing fence runs.
If water should not be devel-
oped here, there are two springs about
one-half mile nearer Santa Monica,
from one of which that city obtains its
water supply. There is at present a
waste OF about 81, 900 gallons f. ON this
spring, and this can be used until
Santa Monica's necessities force q
larger pipe to be placed in position.
The other Spring furnishes according
to tests made by Col. Mendell and
Captain Blanding about 1900 gal
Ions OF water day, and this can be
used, but these supplies are only
intended to be temporary, and the
water obtained from there will have
to be forced up to the plateau by
pumps. Looking toward a permanent
supply of water Col. MendeH and Cap
tain Blanding have explored the
Santa Monica Canon AMI have come
to the conclusion lhat by running a
pipe from the Maj i willie Caflon, a
supply of 200 600 gallons water can be
obtained every day throughout the
year. 1t is proposed in case this pipe
line is laid to use natural depression
called the Lagoon, above the tract Sc
lected, for a reservoir, where, by he
building OF dam, 100, 900 900 gallons
can be stored in the winter time for
summer use. The bottom of this res
ervoir will be l50 feet above the high
est portions of the tract, and water
from it can be carried even into the
tops Of the highest houses. In order
to obtain the full benefit of the water
flowing frcm this cai1on, submerged
dam will ,e constructed, and it is ex-
pected snat the flow from this canon
will, under these circumstances, be
sufficient to keep the reservoir full all
the time. When the perpetual supply
OF water has been obtained, trees will
be set out on the plateau and the
grounds beautified, but until water
can be placed there such action wild
be useless. Captain Blanding, how
ever, will not wait for this, but will
shortly have trenches dug in the
moist soil Of the valley, and trees
planted therein, so that they can be
transplanted without delay. The
present railroad track runs about a
mile from the borders of the tract,
but there is proposition on foot to
build road to Santa Monica past the
Wolfskill house and along the south
border of the tract past the Springs to
the beach at point midway between
Santa Monica and the Santa Monica
cafien. A part of this road has al
ready been graded aud it is
understood that the balance of the
work will be pushed ahead. Besides
this road it is proposed to build a
boulevard from Los Angeles to Santa
Monica, which will pass the Soldiers
Home at point near the proposed
railroad track. 49,
So far as possible at the present
time to formulate plans for the Home,
it has been decided to have the build
ings for the officers placed ON the fin
gers which are on the side nearest the
railroad track. Above ON either side
of the tract the barracks of the SOL
diers will be placed, and at the center
of the side the farthest north the hos
pital will be built. From here the
sick will obtain the most charming
L e.
away from the sounds of the
railroad and other noises. The
balance of the grounds in the center
of the tract will be planted in trees
and beautified until it will be one Of
the prestiest spots on the coast and
will be most popular place for re-
sort. At the present time, Captain
Blanding is endeavoring to obtain a
deed from Messrs. Baker and Jones
to 2OO-ft. frontage on the Beach at