The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-01-15
FROM SUNNY CALIFORNIA

MONROVIA, Cal, Jan. 5th 1892.
! Special Correspondence
Monrovia, christened by its adj
mirers 1.-The Gem of the Foothills, y
| is situated on the northern side of the
great San Gabriel valley, which
stretches away to right and left for
sixty miles. Lying against the foot
hills, and less than two miles from
the towering range of the Sierra Mad
re mountains, it is protected from the
dreaded "northers, +" which each win
ter strike the southern side of the
valley, blowing off the ranchers' oran-
geS and filing his house with sand
and dust. The fOgs from lower down
the valley do not visit this elevation
LOCO feet-While frost is almost un.
known upon the mesas leading to the
| foothills. Here there is not the dust
which in some portions Of the state is
included among the drawbacks. "
The site is attractive, commanding a
magnificent view of the valley, with
it's succession of orange, lemon, prune,
apricot, peach, pear, olive, fig and wal
nut orchards. Eight miles to the
| west is lovely Pasadena" and seven
teen miles southwest is Los Angeles,
the ''city Of the Angels" From Los
Angeles to San Bernardino, forty
| miles east, there is a series of pretty
hamlets two or three miles apart,
| ha nd frIli
| full orchards, and they afford a plenti-
trains which daily run in each direc-
service, and complies with all reason
able requests Of the various villages.
Further to the west Santa Monica,
| San Pedro, Long Beach and Redondo
nestle beside the restless Pacific, and
thither great crowds Of pleasure seek
ers flock the year around, enjoying
| even in January the healthful salt sea
| bathing, for here there is no winter,
or rather winter is comparable to a
Minnesota June with the changes and
cold days of the latter extracted.
| Certainly the winter climate OF
Southern California is all that is
claimed for it, and to this the tens of
! thousands Of tourists who annually
seek rest and health under its balmy
skies testify. Southern California as
generally understood. includes that
| portion of the state lying south of the
| Tehachepi mountains, and cOmpris-
| ing the six southern counties of Santa
! Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San
Bernardino, Orange and San Diego.
This section differs from the rest Of
| the state in having a dryer and Slight
| ly warmer climate, more even tenn
peraturc and more fair and sunny
days. Rain falls only in winter. but
seldom for more than three or four
days at time, the long intervals be-
| ing warm and sunny. But two rains
| have fallen since my arrival, and like
most OF the rains here. in the night.
Such is the condition OF the soil and
atmosphere that walking is excellent
Immediately at the cessation Of a
dOwnpour, though sidewalks in the
| towns and villages are far between,
! being deemed useless. Thousands of
consumptiveS are here for the winter
or as d permanent residence, while
there are many suffering from throat
trouble, asthma, nervous troubles,
| etc. Each town has a climate of it's
own, affected by its elevation, situa-
| tiOn in regard to mountains, and
other things. When one reaches the
right place, relief is almost certain,
| and often complete cure is possible
| People shift about until they find the
right location and as hotels and
| boarding places are numerous, they
have little difficulty in being satisfied.
though a place good for one person
may not be SO for another with the
same disease. | was fortunate in
coming to Monrovia, and can report a
gain in weight Of eight pounds during
the first two weeks, an Improvement
/ in color, greater strength, and con
siderable improvement in my voice.
Among other places, | have visited
Los Angeles and Pasadena. The lat
ter has fine location, a good climate,
and two or three beautiful avenues,
lined with fine residences and snlend-
id orange groves The city has 5000
| population and is center of fashion;
has one of the finest hotels on the
coast, and is the home of many
. wealthy people. In my opinion it
beauty has been over rated Certainl
it cannot compare in any respect, ex
cept health, with Los Angeles, which
is without exception the most beauti
fel, as well as the most quaint city
ever visited. 1t is a city Of homes
and beautiful ones too. For miles
each yard is park, and the houses
miniature palaces. A pretty house
here can be built for one-half the
money expended on similar house in
the north, owing to the looseness OF
construction due to a mild and equa-
BILE climate. On cold days, there is
great complaint among new corners al
the lack of means of heating the
houses.
The business streets of Los Angeles
are well built up, and contain numer
Gus fine blocks. The public buildings
cannot be eXcelled anywhere. The
streets are largely of granite blocks
OF asphalt, neatly kept, and constant
subject of praise. The street car ser.
vice could not be surpassed There is
little manufacturing or wholesaling
but there are signs of growth without
these. and the city now claims 10000