Los Angeles herald., 1893-01-02
THE OJAI VALLEY.
HISTORY OF A POETIC VALE
WITH A POETIC NAME.
The Town OF Norshoff-Hot Springs.
horticultural snd Mining Re
sources A Sanitary
Climate.

horticultural and Mining Re-
sources A Sanitary
Climate.
by Leverett H. Mesick, Editor of The ojai.l
In speaking of the Ojai valley in q
general way, the temptation to go back
to the beginning as we know it is
almost irresistible. The Indian tongue
from which the name comes pronouncee
it Oh-haee, with musical infection at
the end. We abrupt, hurrying Amer
icafios spell it Oiai, and pronounce it
Oh-hi as quickly as possible, ss if for
fear our tongues would waste precious
time in rolling out the word as those OF
the original language did. We have
two charming little valleys up in the
hills about 15 miles north from the
county seat of Ventura, on the coast.
The larger is known in general way az
the Ojai valley. and the emallr and
higher of the two is designated Upper
Ojai. Each of the valleys is mountain.
locked, the Upper Ojai being reached
from the main valley by sharp grade.
Geologists tell us that each valley was
originally sslt water lake. which be-
ing fed by living streams were convert
ed into bodies of fresh water; and that
finally the pressure OF the water cut a
channel to the ocean, and the erstwhile
lakes became nest shaped valleys,
changed during the fight Of time to the
beautiful, health giving Ojai, now
properly becoming known over the
length and breadth of this country.
l refer briefly to the records On
April 6, 1887, in the early part Of the six
year reign of the Mexican governor,
Juan B. Alvarado, Mexico granted to
Fernando Tico 17,716 83 acres of it's
California territory, under the title OF
the Ojay rancho, in Santa Barbara coun-
ty. The Ojay rancho of 1887 is the Ojai
valleys of which l write today. In 1874
Santa Barbara county was divided into
two counties, and the Ojai came within
the boundaries of Ventura There is no
accessible record of these valleys prior
to 1887. Title to these lands was per-
fected on December %, 1870, when the
United States Of America granted pat
ent of the rancho. signed by U. S. Grant,
president, to the original Mexican
grantee. By asdeed dated May rs, 1853,
Fernando Tico, Maria Jesus de Tico con-
vsyed the Ojay rancho to Henry s.
Carnee (still living in Santa Bar barH)
for $500. Mr.. Carnes kept the land for
three wears and then sold it for $40 600.
In 1864 the ranch was sold for $17, ,754;
but from that time it is difficult to form
an idea of the selling price Of The grant,
as settlers came to the valley and the
10, 4 ont n ~, into oil froats
Nordhof is the one town and the one
postoffice In the Ojai proper. The viii
lage is unpretentious, but still has many
attractions not found in larger places.
For instance, the streets are well lighted
during evenings by lamps which are
maintained by subscriptions. The no
tells and stores are good-better than
most places Of four times the size
can boast. Nordhof is on the Southern
California telephone circuit.
The Congregational and Presbyterian
societies own comfort table houses to wor-
ship in; the Christians and Holiness
people hold services in the school house.
The valley schools, of which there are
three, are excellent. The people are
very friendly, and go out Of their way to
entertain newcomers. The Hotel Oak
dale, Knox & Burke, proprietors, is in
the town; the Oak Glen cottages, B. w.
Gally, proprietor, are located about
mile east of the village. Both houses
are marvelously we'll conducted. Two
stages make daily round trips to the
railroad at Ventura.
The Ojai hot springs, in the Matilda
cafion, about five miles from Nordhoff,
are as celebrated as any in Southern
California, and during The past season
have made some remarkable cures. The
first springs, at the postoffice of Matilija,
are owned by A. W. Blumberg; the sec
ond springs, mile and a bali further
up the caflon, and known as Cliff Glen,
are now leased by Mr., N S. Isenberg.
During the past the principal re-
sources of the Ojsi have been wonder
fully healing climate, magnificent live
oak trees and grand scenery. We have
these things still, but of late years the
American mind has turned to business.
We have developed superior asphaltum
and gypsum; as our needs grow, we de-
velop more water in the mountains sur
rounding the valleys, and by tapping
the artesisn water which flows diagon-
ally across the main valley. But the
principal business interests have CEN
tered in fruits. The lower valley has an
approximate altitdde of 1000 feet; the
upper valley is about 200 or more feet
higher. Being several miles inland, we
have dry, warm air, which has been
found to be prime thing for. the grow
ing of many kinds of fruit, as well as
remedy for a disordered breathing sp-
paratus.
MANY thousands of new trees have
been planted each year for several years
past. Every effort is being made. New
land is being cleared for fruit trees. The
result Of all this, summarized, is that
Oiai is being rapidly converted into an
immense ir0it orchard, which in few
years will bring in q big revenue. Citrus
fruits, rsisin grapes, olives, prunes and
nuts are principally planted for profit,
although many of the ranches have
miscellaneous orchards that contain