Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-03

freight received and shipped through
this port has steadily increased from an
aggregate of 6311 tons in 1885 to an av-
erage of hundreds of thousands OF tons
and of millions OF feet OF lumber annu-
ally for the past four years; IN TACT IL
has become the most important port
except San Francisco on the coast.
THE CITY OF SAN PEDRO,
as it has been created by the needs OF
commerce, is seaport town under tne
brow of the headland and aligning the
channel, just back OF the wharves. it
contained the usual complement OF snip
chandlers' establishments, boarding
houses, saloons and small DWELLINGS,
| and was in no sense an inviting place Oh
residence for people of esthetic tastes.
But within the past few years some OF
the more well-to-do residents have
pushed up over the hill to the broad
and slightly plateau overlooking the
harbor and commanding view OF the
| bay and the borderless ocean beyond.
| Here is San Pedrol Here is q site that
would command the admiration and ill
the fancies of any lover OF nature! This
| is the sentinel at the gate of Southern
| California's commerce, who sees the
great steamers landing their throngs of
passengers and tons of freight, the
deeply laden lumber schooners ar
irving and disgorging their mil
lions of feet upon the wharves;
the huge iron leviathans from across the
ocean dischargiDg their cargoes OF black
diamonds; the fishing craft of all sizes
passing in and out, and the countless
pleasure yachts skimming over the
dancing waves. San Pedro or Ocean
\ Uiouy nc ha iox cd
presents numerous attra Nns to the
summer visitor which neither of the
other possesses. The fact that the
charms of this place have been SO long
slighted, may be charged partly to the
rushing spirit of the commerce.
The considerable expanse of level
topped mesa or headland referred to
furnishes a beautiful site. One can
reach the upland in a direct and easy
manner, and with no more association
with the sailor town on the shore below
than he may elect. From the headland
magnificent cyclorama of views is
secured. On the southeast the bay,
with its complement of ships riding at
anchor, and in the foreground the chan
mel and nearer view of the shipping the
busy wharves and depots. In the north
east the eye traces the winding estuary
with the town of Wilmington at the
farther end. The far view to the north
and northwest, comprehends the blue
mountains with their white tips, and in
the southwest, the broad ocean with it's
swelling bosom, and Catalina rising
'grand, gloomy and peculiar" in the
distance.
For bathing, boating and fishing it
has no equal on the coast; sandy
beach; surf or still water, with absolute
ly no cross currents or under-tow, make
bathing luxury to be enjoyed by all,
old and.young, in perfect safety. The
facilities are ample elegant bath houses
with every modern convenience, con-
tanning 200 rooms, have been built;
boats of every description are always to
be had at reasonable rates, and rowing
or sailing is safe for ladies or children,
even for miles.
There are five churches of different
denominations, with substantial and
commodious church edifces. The pub
lie school building is as fine structure
as can be found anywhere.
The population OF San Pedro is now
about 2000
The accommodations for transient
guests, either on business or pleasure
bent, are ample. A fine pavilion has
been erected on the beach, with a res.
taurant equal to anything of the kind
elsewhere. Restaurants and hotels,
with good accommodations, are ample
for all needs, while rates are moderate.
The past year has shown a remarkable
increase in the volume of business trans
acted in every line. An interview with
the various business firms shows an
average increase of 30 per cent in their
transactions over those of last year.
There has been an increase of 3314 per
cent in the shipment of lumber by the
three lumber firms for the past six
months over those for the came period
OF last year. The merchants OF the city
report an average increase in the volume
OF their business of 80 per cent for the
same period. The increase in freight
shipments received over the railroads,
for local consumption, show an increase
OF more than 70 per cent for the past six
months over those for the first six
months of 1891. Deposits in the bank
have increased 80 per cent in the same
time. There have been erected in the
city during the past few months more
than dozen new dwellings, at cost in
the aggregate of over $15, 900; five new
business blocks in the business part of
the city have been put up at q cost of
over $1,000, conspicuous among them
being the Wiedwald brick block, which
would be an ornament to any street in
any city in the state. which has cost it's
enterprising owner over $4,000.
So thoroughly confident are the citi-
zeDs in the substantial future of their
town that they have petitioned the board
OF trustees to call special election to
vote upon the question of issuing bonds
to the extent of $4,000, to be expended
in the erection of fine city hall and the
putting in of ample water works to sup
ply the city with water, to be owned and
run by the city for the benefit of its citi-
zens, and there is little doubt but it will
be approved by practically unanimous
vote.