Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-02-05
Southern California.

EDITOR CITIZES:-Our soJourn IN Monro
via, Cal. has been prolonged owing TO the
fact that we have been agreeably dissap-
pointed in the beauties of this semi-tropic
country and in the manner in which her
generous populace has shown US their hos
pitality. In all Southeran California no
other spot is so delightful as the famous
San Gabriel Valley.
Is was in this Valley that fourished by
far the most prosperous of all the many
missions founded by the Franciscan friars
over century ago. This valley proper,
extends east and west for twenty five miles
on both sides of the San Gabriel River and
from the Sierra Madre Mountains (Which
almost overshadow the writer's temporary
domicile) t. the ocean. Monrovia-where
we are making our headquarters-is locat-
ed miles east of Pasadena and the noted
Raymond Hotel-both in sight, and IL
miles east of Los Angeles, on the through
line of the Santa Fe and al the terminous
of the San Gabriel Valley Rapid Transit
Ry.
The site of this beautiful foothill city,
which we believe the loveliest spot in all
Southern California, is less than a mile
from the base of the towering Sierras, and
the land slopes gently away to the east,
west, south and north; rich, decomposed-
granite soil, very productive and the best
for oranges and citrous fruits.
Here we are 1900 feet above the sea, with
a magnificent view of the peaceful Pacific
and in full view of the Santa Catilena Is
lands over 60 miles distant. With ther
mometer 80o in the Shade, fruits, flowers,
and the checker board fields of ne WY peep
ing grain-backgrounded by the vast or
| auge groves--is enough to rouse the en-
thusiasm of an old time Pennsylvania
and prompt his glowing accounts thereon
and his travels and experiences in this
land of sunshine. The beautiful mountain
scenery just above us, its SUBMITS reach
ing up among the clouds to q heighth Of
1000 feet and the SCARED aud scanned out
lines of these mighty mounta1ns-guard
this city and valley from the northern cold
and present a picture of awe-inspirng
grandeur and sublimity. The luxuriance
of plants and flowers and the great variety
Of foliage in this vicinity, yet in its infan-
cy is perfectly marvellous.
With Monrovia's boastful orange grove
lie annexed Immediately east-the iamo is
Duarte orange ranches-whose fruits have
won them repeated laurcls, and at two
successive.S Citrous Fairs have received
first prizes on their oranges-being best
quality, size and color.
In and about Monrova there are many
places of interest, one worthy of especial
mention being the home place of e. j.
(Lucky) Baldwin with his Is, 900 acres of
land almost surrounding this city and
reaching to the briny ocean. His home,
luxurious with artificial lakes, summer
houses, deer and driving parks, great horse
stables, where we saw the world record
breakers, Los Angeles, Volante, Caliente,
and the old established winery and distill-
cry, mammoth orange, walnut and almond
groves, vineyards, and lovely surprises at
every turn. Adjoining Baldwin's noted
ranch on the west lies the l.. j. Rose
ranch, which few years ago sold for the
enormous sum of 81, ,377, 900. In Monrovia
proper there are lovely winter" homes
belonging to such men of wealth as j. l..
Case, Z. W. Little, Gen. W. A. Pile, Hon.
Z. F. Spence, Col. A. W. Lee, Capt. j. W.
Thomas, Judge II. N. Smith, J. NJ Stude-
hacker and many Others of equal promi-
nence. Monrovia, though only six years
old, is beautiful little city of many en-
vironments, with population of about
25O0. Broad avenues, two banks, each
with $50, 000. .capitalj all classes of business
are well represent here, no saloons, good
schools, ladies seminary, good hotels,
modern improvements-suo as street
cars, etc.
The city 3 greatest boom is her free and
unlimited supply of pure mountain water,
piped to every lot in the town and under
heavy pressure from two reservoirs-ono of
which holds $500, 900 gallons is and about
300 feet above us on the foothills. In lad
dition to the industries ! might note the
fruit drying industry which is carried on
by John Ii. Leslie d Co., of Chicago, who
employ from 300 to 500 hands during the
summer and who paid out last season for
fruit and help over $l25,000.
would suggest that all those contem-
plating coming to California to visit Mon
rovia and call on my good friend A. E.
Cronenwett (nephew of Rev. Cronenwett
of Butler), manager of the Southern Cali
fornia Colonization and Improvement Co.,
who will cheerfully show them the town
and country or furnish them with free con-
veyanccs and see that they are entertain
cd while in the city.
For the next week intend visiting Red
lands, Riverside, Cotton and other places
in that locality.