Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-09-07

By invitation of Mr.. Houchins the re-
porter, Fred Birdsall and a gentleman
from Oakland took q carriage tide to all
points of interest One of the finest drives
in the State is that on the Birdsall farm
which occupies the summit of a river hill
about half mile east of the station. The
road is wide grade, well sprinkled and
shaded by rows of walnut trees. The sum-
NIT of this hill is one from which grand
view is obtained. From the summer house,
which is a model OF Oriental architecture,
covered with trailing vines and flowers of
every hue and variety, one looks down on
the American river, which threads its way
along the base of the mountain 600 feet
below. To the east are the mountains
covered with the SHOWS of many winters
and forests of timber miles in extent
where the sound of the woodman's ak
is stranger IN their solitude. To the
west is the town of Auburn, with her
beautiful homes surrounded with orchards
and flower gardens. Beyond, as far as the
eye can reach, skirting the Pacific and
forming border TO the valley, is the blue
Coast Range. Through the valley, wind
ing like ribbon of silver, the Sacramento
winds its way to the bav, while Sacramento
city and the dome of the State building is
clearly discernible to the naked eve.
On the summit of this mountain Colonel
Ed R. Hamilton has built him a summer
residence, and he spends many pleasant
hours among the plants and flowers that
surround his picturesque retreat.
The place contains about sixty acres,
and is set out 10 oranges, cherries, olives
and different kinds of fruit. They have
one cherry orchard of thousand trees
that was imported from Alabama 1t wss
q remarkable fact that every Tree lived
and Soma of them ShDu-p1 a uPppufb Ofc 81
feet the first year.
Houchins then drove around town, show
ing us all the fine buildings and residences
and giving biographical sketches of the
different prominent citizens of Auburn.
We then drove out to the rsce-track and
took view of the live stock which was on
exhibition. There wtre several fine herds
of cattle competing for prizes and quite q
number of horses.
The race track was selected by the Direc-
tors some time ago as the most suitable
ard convenient place for holding the stock
exhibit, and for viewing he various con-
tests which generally form the attractions
for occasions of this kind. Results proved
that no better location could have been
chosen. as it is situated conveniently near
town, and is amply large for all the pur-
poses for which it was needed
General 10 Hamilton, President of the
Twentieth District, opened the fair in the
pavilion on Monday evening, with an
admirable address, which was attentively
listened to by a large number of people. |
He described the wealth of the soil and
quaries and mines and forests in glowing
terms, and dwelt upon the exceptional
railroad facilities enjoyed in this State only
by Placer. He gave brief review of the |
history of the organization of the district,
and described the difficulties under which |
the Directors had labored.
At the Park is a good diamond for base
ball contests and dancing platform, where |
dances are held quite frequently. |
The track and all the improvements belong |
to the CITY.