West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-06-23

]
we catch cur first sight of the
mighty Pacific, the greatest body of
water on the globe. How our
thoughts instinctively went back to
the bold and daring Spaniard, Nasco
Nunez dc Balbol, who in 1913 was
the first European to see from
Americ the vast expansive Of the
Pacific Ocean, and | pictured him
IN my mind wadlng into the water
and with drawn sword claiming the
sea aud all the lands it washed for
Spain. This sight of the beautiful
sunllt waters of the Pacific, with
their majestic roll and roar as the
foam crested waves dash the shining
spray on the glittering beach as far
as the eyes can reach, is the crown
ing glory of trip across the CONT
nent, abounding us it does, not only
in what is grand natural scenery,
gigantic mountains, wide valleys,
blossoming with fruits and flowers,
pleasant PASTORAL scenes, grand old
ecclesiastical ruins, stupcndous
sorges with towering walls, thriving
cities and towns, and then the
browning glory" above referred to,
the mighty Pacific, ever changing,
never twice the same broad reaches
of beach, quaint caves aud inlets,
great cliffs and promontories, Il
! glory alike to the visitor from inland
States or the eastern shore. The
train winds along the coast within
ca's length OF the surf, then takes
u turn inland and reaching the high
bluifs, it follows the shore line to
San Diego, the gem of Southern
California climates. There is prob
ably no city on the Pacific coast
occupying so unique position,
geographically and commercially, as
San Diego. The waters Of the bay
bound the city on the south and
west, and the ground surface rises
gradually to high plateaus or mesas,
which is the choice residence portion
OF the city. The harbor or buy Of
San Diego, from which the city de
rivcs its principal Importance, is the
only land locked harbor south Of
san Francisco. 1t is formed by the
peninsula OF San Diego, protecting
1t on the west, while II great prom
ontOry, cIllcd Point Iona, encir-
clcs it on the north. The cIfanncl
is of sufficient depth to float the
largest vessel. On Point Iona is a
government & military reserve and
lighthouse, the highest IN the world.
The length of the bay is thirteen
miles, available anchorage six
square miles; total aroa, twenty
two square miles. San Diego is
interesting from every standpoint.
The city gets its name from the bay,
and the bay was named by Portu-
guese navigator, named Juan Ro-
dcrigucz Cabrillo, who was the first
white man to visit the place. lie
discovered the bay in 1912, and
named it San Miguel Visiciino. The
second visitor in 1902 changed the
name to San Diego, (St. James), },
and as such il has ever since been
known. The settlement OF San
Diego dates from 1869, when the
Mission was founded by Father
Junipero Sierra. The city is located
on slight eminence, which slopes
gently to the waters edge. 1t is
only twelve miles to the Mexican
border, and the mountains Of his
tOric old Mexico are seen to the left
IN the misty distance. Before you
is the beautiful bay, glistening in
:hc sunlight and rejecting the sides
and masts Of the vessels like an inn.
mense mirror. Directly opposite
San Diego, on the peninsula, which
broadens at the upper end, is Cor
onado Beach, cternally bathed by
the limpid waters Of tho worlds
greatest ocean and famed by de-
/ lightful breczcs.
Southern California has been
called "The Italy Of America, " and
Coronado, "Our Venice" lying
quietly on the bosom Of a summer
sea and lacking only the canals and
gondolas. You reach this beautiful
| place by ferry across the bay or rail
way around the peninsula. At Cor.
onado is the world famous Hotel