The herald., 1893-07-30
AT POLLYS' PARK.
A LOT OF GOVERNMENT LAND
NORTH OF SANTA MONICA.
Piece of Land About Six Miles Square
Which IL Still Owned by Uncle
sam-A Delightful Region
In all Particulars.

There is situated a beautiful, well
watered and timbered piece Of country.
about six miles squsre-that is if itwere
square, which it is not.-which lies
about 20 miles north of Santa Monica
and five miles from the sea, which etill
belongs to Uncle Sam, and for some un-
accountable reason has never been eur
veyed, which for want of better name
l will call Polly's park, which has never
been described or written about in the
daily press.
Believing that brief description OF it
would prove interesting to HERALD read.
ers, concluded to make the journey, see
the land of promise, hold converse with
its inhabitants, and sort OF Moses-like
spy out the land.
We-that is my good. faithful dog and
myself-left the train at Santa Monica,
and after quizzing the gentlemen who
are always noted in every community as
the old-timers, we ascertained that the
only way to reach the land of pure de-
light WAS by horseback, and being intro
duced to broncho who was called
Israel, because he was here before our
Lord, suppose, we started with provis-
ions enough for at least days journey.
We started, leaving behind all the
glories OF Santa Monica as the sun was
rising, intending to reach our destina-
ton, the mansion OF Sir Polly, the same
day, after whom we had the honor of
naming the undiscovered country to
which we hope some day to return.
We had not gone far before we met a
charming couple in Mr.. and Mrs. Lap
ham of far off Boston. Mr.. Lapham's
front name cannot remember it being
a peculiar biblical one; like the one our
honored vice-president adorns, and for
want of better one, | dubbed him
Silas. They were particularly anxious
to join our party, and after agreeing to
abide the decision of the dog and Israel,
who acquiessed, we started northward
with the hills in front OF us, the sky
overhead, the sea at our feet, and en-
thusiasm in our hearts, for were we not
to spy out the promised land?
We reached the Maibu ranch about
4 in the afternoon, hungry and tired,
and concluded to camp on the princely
domains of Mr.. Frederick HI. Rindge,
which formerly belonged to Don Mnteo
Keller, we'll known to Los Augeleilos.
The evening was all that man could de-
sire, and as we pulled on our pipes and
the cloudy wreaths ascended skyward,
we pitched our tent, while Mrs. Lap.
ham sang an improvised parody on
"Aiter the Ball is Over" called, "After
We Get Home"
In the morning we had fish for break
fast and started for Polly's park. We
found men at work on road which will
run from the Maly bu ranch to the park
and will cost $500, of which amount
Mr.. Rindge contributes 5000, the
county $500, and the people who have
squatted on the land up there the re-
naming $400. This will give them a
good road all the way to Port Los Ange-
les and Santa Monica. At last we ar
rived there and our expectations were
more than realized. The land ia su-
perbly timbered with live oaks and ex-
tends from the Malybu ranch to the
Coneio valley in Ventura county, and
there are 20 families on the land who
have cultivated it, built themselves
houses, have cattle and bees in abund-
ance. It is superbly watered and in the
center Mr.. Polly Keeps little store. We
drank Mr.. Polly's health and called the
place Polly's park, which 30 inflated the
honest granger that he treated again.
Game abounds in every direction, and
the call of the quail ia as familiar as the
song of the mocking bird.
We found Mr.. Decker, who has be-
come famous as deer hunter, and he
has planted an orange and apple or
chard, which is particularly thriving.
We also found an old-time friend in
Mr.. Newton, who has lot of beeS and
cattle, and gave US sample OF his cook
ing in pancakes with honey, fit for the
last course of even Hotel Arcadia.
The tract is undoubtedly the best bee
pasturage in the county, and the white,
black and blue cage abound.
1t was with deep regret that we were
compelled to return home. intending to
get piece of the land if Uncle Sam, the
dear old man, would only survey and
put it on the market; for it ia the
eportsmsn's paradise, with a rich
loemy soil that will grow anything, well
watered, with an altitude of about 1900
feet. ond still near enough to the sea to
feel its temperating influence. Some
day it will be one of Santa Monica's
most delightful suburbs. 1t will proba-
bly, be on the line OF the Southern Pa.
cl6c's new coast line. HEMINGWAY.