The record-union., 1892-07-29
ALONG The MOKELUMNB.
A Fruit-Growing Section That is
Rapidly Developing.
Acampo. and Its Thriving Surround
ingS-A Village That Has Not
Been Invaded by Rum.
Correspondents of the REcoRD-US1oN.l

EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: Acampo is q
thriving little town situated on the line
Of the Southern Pacific Railroad, three
and half miles from the northern line
of San Joaquin County, and has popu-
lation of 135. Its places of business con-
sist of a frst-class general merchandise
country store. postofiice, good hotel, two
blacksmith shops and large, brick grain
warehouse, the property of Smith &
Wright of Stockton.
There is, however, one very noticeable
feature in the makeup of this village,
that is indeed worthy of mention-there
is no place where intoxicating liquors are
bought or sold. To this let me add, "No
saloonist need apply" because the tenn
perance sentiment is so strong through
out the precinct that repeated efforts to
secure license have proved of no avail.
Surely this fact alone should make
Acampo desirable place i'll which to
live, being III itself great inducemeut
to such as are seeking homes where law
and order prevail and where peace reigns
supreme.
Although several religious denomina-
tons are represented, we have but one
church building and one church organi-
ZatiOn, that of the christian People.u
The schoolhouse is located some distance
in the country. 1t is quite probable,
however, that steps will soon be taken
toward dividing the district and erecting
suitable school building within the
limits of the town, there being a sufficient
number of scholars to constitute good
school.
AS to the origin of the name "Acampo,"
L have been Informed that in early days
party encamped for short time where
the town now stands; afterwards the
word camp" was converted into
'Acampo," being an old Indian or
Mexican name, which name the place
still bears. When the railroad was built
from Lathrop to Sacramento, in 1869, the
land for several miles around was heavily
timbered. The company then built a
long switch at this place from which to
receive wood; and as good prices were
offered for oak, settlers who had secured
claims" and purchased land began i'm
mediately to clear their places, so that
at the present time, only scattering oaks
remain.
Never having experienced one Of those
enlivening (but too often disastrous) in
f1uenceS known as ''boomS," the place
has not made rapid growth or noticeable
advancement. A partial explanation of
this we find in its close proximity to the
the north and Lockeford to the east, all of
which lie within radius of eight or nine
miles. Even with these disadvantages, a
more favorable location for a good lively
business place cannot be found in this
part of the country, it being the direct
shipping point for the large orchards and
nurseries in the vicinity north of the
Mokelumne River, and being situated in
the center of as fine grain district as
there is in the State.
1t is remarkable fact that an entire
failure of crops is thing unheard of and
inexperienced in the history of this To-
cality. There is less renting done, the
ranches" are as rule better improved.
and farmers more independent and pros
porous than is generally the case. An
other fact well worthy of mention is that
the portion of Northern San Joaquin
County lying between Dry Creek and
Lodi, and in the vicinity of the latter. is
the greatest melon country in the world.
The Lodi Watermelon" is known tar
and wide, but to Acampo righttully be-
longs no 1nconsiderable degree of such
honor, for many OF the choicest melons
are grown north of the river and shipped
from this point. Each season a number
of carloads are forwarded TO Portland
Ogden, Virginia City and to other large
northern cities where the watermelon is
a luxury.
The soil, which is a rich, sandy loan.
is finely adapted to the growth of fruit
trees and vines of almost every descrip-
ton. There are no very old orchards or
vineyards of any size in Northern San
Joaquin, as it is only four or five years
since attention was given to the develop
ment of the industry here. Since then.
however, about 5000 acres of the finest
land in the county perhaps, has been
converted into orchards, nurseries and
VI n nt.p "a L
some of the Oldest and most reliable fruit
companies in the State. Fully one-third
Of the orchard tract is under the manage
ment Of the Hatch Armstrong Fruit and
Nut Company, of which 2. Is. Armstrong,
New York capitalist and ex-insurance
man of note, is President. The remainder
of the tract is divided up among the w.
r. Strong Company, E. f. Smith, Secre-
tary of the State Agricultural Society,
Buck, Allison u Company, Van Guelder
q Wylie formerly Reed u Van Guelder),
and others. Had it not been for the
grasshopper of last SeaSon-as q result of
which the growth OF trees was consider
ably retarded-a much larger crop would
have been picked this summer, but as it
is, a sufficient quantity has been pro-
duced to prove the superior excellence of
it's quality, and that with little, if any, ir-
rigation.
Peaches, apricots and almonds do es-
pecially Welt. OF the last named, P. B.
Armstrong claims to have the most ex-
tensive orchard in the world. In
word, climate, latitude and loca-
ton being favorable, prominent fruit
growers see no reason why this should
not become one af the leading fruit sec
tons in the State.
Labor is plentiful, wages very good,
and living is as cheap as in most places in
California.
Acampo, July 18th. c. S. n.