Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-04-21
fFor the Ellsworth Americana
Avalon. Catalina Island, California.
4 New Regime.
LETTER NO. 9.

| A New Regime.
| LETTER no. 6.
The territory Of this island has recently
passed into new hands; therefore q new
order of things will be likely to follow.
| George X. Shatto. the former owner, has
| sold all his interests to the Baroning
Brothers Of the Wilmington Transporta-
tion Company Of San Pedro. 1t is evident
that this company can handle this valuable
property better than most any one else. 1t
owns the steamers and lighters in service,
and the wharves at both ends of the route.
Tne railroads terminating at san Pedro
are as much dependent on the companys
steamers As the steamer service is depend
eut on the railroads.
Now that this company owns nearly all
the privileges at both ends and the middle
Of the service, 1t has the opportunity to
make Catalina Island a very important and
notable summer resort. This of course
means the enrichment of the compauy's
packets The members thereof. no doubt,
see and understand this. and this is why
they are concentrating their energies Tor
that very purpose. Tent ground rent. I
understand, is offered at very low price
with water rent free. This will induce
thousands to 90 there for two or three
months In summer. who would otherwise
stay at home. | understand they will
plant out, or rather finish the work of
planting out, with shade trees what was
begun last year the beautiful town site Of
Avalon. This will convert the place into
grand picnic ground. OF course thousands
will go there for days excursion and
picnickug.
Now RATS Of lumber are being towed
across the bay for the erection Of great
pavilion and baud stand. There will no
doubt. be plenty of good music and fun
till midnight during the crowded season.
But of all the watering places on this
coast for good order this stands the
highest. We nave never yet been troubled
with rowdyism, therefore we get whole
families who wish for ami seek the best.
We have church Of the Congregational
order, which Is we'll attended Worship
ers OF all creeds strictly evangelical are
welcomed within its walls, and we'll they
may be, for all contributed to the build
ing, and give freely 10 its support. Really
it is church of the people and for the
people. Fpr two years past the building
has been used for school purposes in win
ter but as the school is supported By the
state, the inhabitants say they must have
nice school-house, and are now taking
steps 10 get one. They should have
good one. doubt If money could be
invested in better or more profitable
way
This place Is just as good for winter
resorting as for summer and think bet
ter. The winter air is exceedingly soft
aud balmy. one can sit in the evening
air in shirt sleeves with perfect impunlty,
There has not been a case OF the grip on
the island this winter. | AIN told. II there
are places In the world more favorable
than Others for the cure OF pulmonary
diseases this must rank among the highes,
and best Our physicians recommend 1t
highly
We predict that the running Of winter
boats three trips week will soon popu-
late the island and make an ideal home
there the year round now. My wife IS
perfectly charmed with the island and no
wonder; for from childhood, except her
residence In this city, she has lived on the
island Of Marthas Vineyard, where she
looked out upon the ocean every day; saw
the whte-~nged and the gray-wnged
vessels pass and repass. To her pretty
yacht or ship is an inspiring sight. She
loves to look at shipping especially when
1t Is under sail. The sheeny waters de-
light her; but the white caps of mad ocean
aud the spray from pillows pounding the
rocks and cliffs would entrance her, but
for the thought of poor sailors Martha's
Vineyard. you know, knows something Of
the sutierings Of sailors and the broken
timbers of unfortunate ships. Many of
its beaches have been strewed with ocean
wreckage other than seaweed
Avalon is u new resort only three
years have passed since the island was
gathered in from ocean haze and mirage.
and made known to the general public,
and added as an important factor 10 this
growing commonwealth. Heretofore. it
hal been known as an island in the ocean
over which Indians once roamed and ruled,
and where later as now-but then more
extensively-sheep raising was the chief
and almost the only industry carried on,
aud that BY one man. Annually for thirty
years, few Los Angeles old timers and
adventurers had sought its solitudes.
spending the heated months Of summer.
They went there in tshermen's boats char
tered to take them on, and off when their
outing was over.
In the boom of Southern California, at
its very apex, Santa Catalina aroused as
from a deep sleep and shook Off her
mystic shroud. She arose to assert her
rights as part of freedoms soil and
contribute comfort to free people. Like
the mainland, she felt the terrible blow
from the busted BOOM" and for two
years stood as if paralyzed. But the ruins
of the wreck have been cleared away, and
there is general uplifting and prosperity
everywhere. Avalon feels the pulsations
of new energies, and will from now on
make a very rapid growth. Now as the
winter is passing off, everybody seems to
be thinking of sea-shore.
2. G. WOOSTER.
Pasadena, CAL. March Is, 1892.