The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-15
FAIR SAN LEANDRO.
Where the HOme-Seekers Go for
Comfort and Quiet.
d Prosy Little Town Built Up in the Midst
OF Fruit-orchards- Garden Sass Some Of
Its Good Things Talked About

~SNNAS
on it."
This little incident was recalled a day or
two ago during a visit to San Leandro, an
enchanting little hamlet on the other side of
the bay, where, so it is tabled, the Olym-
plan gods gathered ambrosial nectar to re-
fresh their immortal Steeds A newspaper
man was strolling up and down its beau
tiful avenues, taking in the sights. Every
few rods he noted small gatherings of
natives mot \. S. G. w lOungng lazily
around, discussing, perhaps. the Presidents
message, or, more likely, Mr.. BIaine's cor
TespOndence with CriSpi. Much to his sur
prise he could not understand q word that
was said, except occasionally somethi ng
that sounded like "tamale," and ne mar
veed theTeat 1t was deemed the proper
thing to engage some of these rudy sons
In conversation. They might impart some
valuable Ideas and assist the man of news
in obtaining the right sort of information to
write up the town. What appeared the
most approachable group was approached.
The leader of the conversation, or more
properly the autocrat, was standing, and,
as the intruder drew near, gave him some
what Indifferent but attentive ear.
" This is a nice little town you've got
here" remarked the man of Write-ups, with
a copyrighted smile.
" Betcha da boot!" was the prompt and
confident reply No flies onna dthese
town"
San Leandro is certainly most beautiful
spot, and fully merits the pride Of her in
habitants. People in search of
DESIRABLE HOMES
VIII travel much further and fare much
worse. 1t is not place that must be made;
it is already made. The pioneers work is
done, and has been well done. 1t simply re-
mains for the hOme-seeker to take possess
sion. Additional Identifying, of course
will not be forbidden, but if another flower
or shrub were never planted, still the place
would be lit abode for the most romantic
fancy.
The place has its objections; if it had not,
1t would have no place in this troublous
world. But beside its many virtues the
objections fade into comparative insignif-
canoe. san Leandro has future. That
also can be said of other places, no doubt.
But San Leandro has something more than
future, which, if pictured now. would
read Ike fairy tale, OF an improbable TO-
nance.
One has only to fsmilarize himself with
San Francisco and surroundings to appre-
clate the possibilities of San Leandro. The
great metropolis is bounding ahead with
gigantic strides. Each successive year her
industrial marts are swelled by thousands
and thousands more. While her domains
are abundantly ample FOR the increase, the
rigors OF her climate drive a very large per-
.centage TO seek shelter under more con-
genial sun. The raw trade winds that sweep
the great peninsula may inspire no fear OF
dread in the man of business who is min
cling daily in the activities of CONNER
cial life, but when the hustle is
put aside for the peace and quiet
all other things to be comfortable
Helikes to feel that he can sit down in the
summer sunshine without an overcoat on,
or eat his evening meal without the ac-
compartment of a roaring fire. Again,
thousands of the surgng multitude desire
cheap houses. True they can skirt the
outer districts of San Francisco and find
plenty OF lots
FOR SOS a FRONT FOOT,
And they will ind also that it is just as
completely in Natures embrace as the sum-
NIT of Mount Shasta, and almost as I'M
available for any purpose, so far as accesSi-
bllltv and communication are concerned.
And, still again, very large proportion of
city people desire the Quie. and retirement
of suburban life for the sake of their fami-
lies. a large city is not desirable place in
which 10 rear and educate the young. Not
only Is the social atmosphere bad, but the
physical atmosphere Is even worse.
These are the chief reasons for the popu-
larlty Of suburban homes in the vicinity of
San Francisco. The first thing to be con-
sideTed is ease and readiness of commun-
cation; next the attractiveness and adj
vantages possessed by the locality. Both
OF these questions satisfactorily answered,
the success of the future is assured. Ii
those and other much more trying ques-
tiOns can be answered moIe satisfactorily
step quickly to the front and demand the
palm.
San Leandro is located about eight miles
south of the center OF Oakland, and is
reached by the same line of railroad that
penetrates that entire district between the
bay and the high ridge of hills to the east.
1t lies on what TO the eye is apparently low
and level ground, but, as physical fact, is
foIty-tive feet above the tides, and part
OF the almost lmperceptibe slope from the
bay to the base OF the hills. The slightest
undulation is hardly discernible in any d.
rection for miles around. and the vision is
almost unObstructed along the avenues till
the view is lost in the distance.
The incorporated portion of the town is
about nile and half square, and when
THE LAST CENSUS
Was taken contained a population of 2014.
II bias, of course, very considerably in
creased since then, and besides goodly
portion Of the town has settled outside the
corporate limits. So it will not be enlarg-
ing upon the truth to put the entire popula-
ton at $500, or possibly $500.
Although the town is old it seems to pos
sess surprisingly few of the Objectionable
features of old towns. It's original geog-
raphers must nave mad an eve far into the
future when they laid it out. Its avenues,
instead of being narrow, Stingy and irregu-
lar, are broad and even, and no matter
where one stands the same impression pre-
walls. IL was not an attempt to make
streets and save land; il was a very success
full attempt to make beautiful town with
broad and majestic avenues regardless of
land.
Too often il is the case in country towns
that the streets are neglected-have gen.
eral uncomely and untidy appearance-and
the first impression the visitor gets is that
the inhabitants are Sluggards. RamShackle
fences lop and stagger on both sides, side
walks are nothing but cowpaths through
weeds, sand or mud; streets left exactly as
nature made them-ungraded, irregular, full
of ruts and hummOcks, and a constant men,
ace to passing vehicles.
How different in San Leandro. Every
street and Avenue in that delectable little
hamlet Is as smooth and even as race
course. The roadways are all graded and
macadamized with as much care and skill as
an exactlng
CITY GOVERNMENT
Would require. The sidewalks are from
twelve to fifteen feet in width and equally
well graded. Both sides of nearly all the
avenues are lined with stately gum trees or
poDlars. There is hardly shabby fence
in the town, and the class of dwellings is
long way above the country average.
A great many of the little homes planted
there are positively elegant They are in
most cases the residences of San francisco
business men, who found there all that
could be desired in suburban home, and
have expended all their energies in making
them pleasant and attractive. Many of the
extensive fruit-growers OF the surrounding
country have also built charming homes
here and there. all giving to the town the
general air OF comfort aid luxury.
1t cannot be said that San Leandro is a
madly enterprising place. Indeed. the very
reverse is more nearly the truth, and the
neighbOring towns are much given to max
ing uncnmplmentary remarks about their
fair but indolent sister on that account.
After all. such state of things is not to be
wondered al, and is nothing unusual. A
suburban town that really has NJ other pur-
pose but to provide homes is very rarely
place for business. People don't go there
for business, and would rather have the
business transacted elsewhere. The fact
that the place has pride enough to keep her.
self looking so neat and trim all the time is
almost enough said In her favor.
Society is of the very best. Besides the
better class of residents, who have all their