West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-06-02
THE GOLDEN SHORE.
a Long Letter From the Editor in
Southern California.
Los ANGELES. MAY is. 1892


fines of the Golden State of Cali.
fornia, of which so much has been
written and said that its leading
characteristics have, to great ex-
tent, become well known to n ma
jority OF the intelligent people of
the United States. Yet, what
vague impression do these descrip-
tions convey of the wonderful reali-
ty. 1t is no wonder that our peo-
pie at home regard the descriptions
of California and its products given
by return travellers as fish stories. +"
And yet the half has not been told
Yesterday we arrived from Red.
lands and Riverside in Los Angeles.
the wonderful city OF the Southwest,
the second city of the State and the
commercial metropolis of Southern
California, II city which has grown
with the rapidity of Jonah's gourd,
and is still growing. In 1880 Los
Angeles was II sleepy, semi Mexican
pueblo of IL, 900 people. Its houses
were mostly of adobe, or sun dried
brick, lis streets were unpaved, and
few graded, its chief commerce was
confined to wool and hides. Even
/ ho1
provcment. But shortly thereafter
the Santa Fe railroad reached Los
Angeles, in competition with the
Southern Pacific, people began to
awaken to the wonderful resources
of this section and marvellous
Transformation commenced. Look
at what has been accomplished in
these short seven years
The population of Los Angeles,
by the census of 1890, was over so,
600. There are in the city, in
round figures, 90 miles of graded
and graveled streets, 10 miles of
paved streets, and 80 miles of ce-
ment sidewalks. Most Of the street
paving is of asphaltum. An inter
nal sewer system, for which 1874.
600 was voted in 1890, is about com
pleted. The value of buildings
erected within the past ten years
and mainly within the past fiye-is
not less than $50, 900, 900, including
a $500, 900 courthouse, a 5000, 900
city hall, and a number Of hand
some four, five, and six story blocks,
costing from 100000 to 5000, coo
each.
There are four district systems Of
water supply. For nearly ten years
the city has been lighted entirely by
electricity, there being $50 electric
Jumps on the high masts, with an
aggregate candle power of 1000
Seen by night, from one Of the hills
which align the business section on
the west, these lamps give the city
fairy like appearance. The two
handsome theatres seat 400 ana
1000 respectively, and present most
Of the leading attractions from the
East and Europe. T. large pavilion,
where fairs, fruit shows and meet
lngs are held, seats 1000. The
assessed value Of city property has
risen from 100000 in 1882 to
$40, 900, 900 in 1892.
The schools of Los Angeles are
second to none in the United States.
This is cultivated community.
There are also a number Of colleges
-sectarian and otberwise-and an
army Of specialists, who give instruc-
tions in music, painting, languages
and other branches. There are
about fifty church organizations,
most Of which occupy their own
buildings. The public library, 10.
Gated in the City Hall, contains
10000 volumes, and il marvel to
the librarians Of the country. circu.
Iating monthly as many volumes as
it contains, the latest report giving
81 900 as the monthly circulation.
There is plenty Of money here.
The eighteen banks contain over
$40, 100000 in deposits, having IN
creased during the past five years
100 per cent. Those who have ab-
sorbed the impression that this is
"busted community" would be sur.
prised we're they 10 pay a visit to
Los Angeles. Travelling men tell
US that IN no city vest Of the Mis-
sissippi is business better than here.
The wonderful natural resources Of