Los Angeles herald., 1890-08-15
THE CITY PLAZA.
A Pavilion of Rest Asked for in Place
of the Fountain.

n IdVlllOL VI rcSC f1Skcu IOI III Race
of the Fountain.
EDITORS HERALD-For a little space
in your paper shall feel thankful, as l
wish to say something about the old
church plaza, the historic facts of which
would be astounding to newcomers were
they to know the many thousands OF
dollars that have been expended for its
improvement, and yet so little of ele-
gance or accommodation are visible on
it's surface.
If walking round on the outside of an
iron fence in the monday sunshine and
looking in at the grass plats, few beds
of flowers and few inappropriate
shrubs would afford delight to weary
persons seeking for an outrageous seat
for rest and pleasure, then the plaza may
be considered an attractive place. But,
on the other hand, should the gates
chance to be unlocked and ingress
obtainable, stroll over it's walks and
around its grand central figure, what do
they call it, "a fountain" yes, that's it,
with sir-name. Foalnt of nonsense
Certainly very appropriate name, and
any person with no more cultured taste
than rural clodhopper is supposed to
have, would say, even if the Angelic
city is trying to wear metropolitan
clothes, that in its present shape with
out seats or shade, except the four caout-
chouc trees, that the plaza as place for
recreation and pleasure is neither beau
tiful, commodious or useful.
But without occupying space with the
details Of expenditure for the plaza of
large sums of money, suffice it to say,
that had the former work been done in
proper manner that the plaza might
be today the browning bijou of the city.
Nevertheless, the past, together with
the beautiful trees which once graced
the plaza and the money they cost, are
gone, and it is the now, and the future,
which must be needed, and it is sug-
gested and voiced by many that the city
council give notice at once to our local
architects that liberal premium will
be awarded for the most suitable plan
and specifications for pavilion to be
erected on the center Of the plaza on the
ground now monopolized by the "Fount
of folly" said pavilion to be constructed
of light ironwork with wide projecting
roof and cornice, in ornamental style,
and be adequate in dimensions for seat
ing at least two hundred persons.
1t is much the duty of the council to
make the public parks and gardens at
attractive as to found hospital or
asylum then do away with that nom
sensical thing called a fountain, which
is OF no manner of use whatever, but
really nuisance, and in its stead give
the people pavilion which would be
an ornament to the city and plaza, and
a delight to those seeking pleasant
place to while away a leisure hour.
And if the work cannot be done here
send the plans and specifications to
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, accompanied
by voucher, and the work for the
pavilion will soon be forthcoming; and
soon we shall see its magnificent form
looming W over the present upsightly
center OF the plaza, and still above its
ornate canopy will be seeh wavring in
the breeze the glorious stars and stripes.
Then, gentlemen OF the council, dig up
the pond and cast it out, and give the
people what they want, pavilion.
And further, remove the drinking by
drant from the sidewalk and place it
inside the plaza, and policeman to
nab any hoodlum who dares modest it.,
and string him up by the heels. Place
seats beneath the caoutchouc trees, and
cut out space fifteen feet wide adjoin-
ing the fence round the entire plaza for
tree planting and seats. There is plenty
of grass to be seen elsewhere, better
have the ground set with shade trees.
Yours truly,
EC Ar