The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-30
PLENTY OF ASPHALT.
An Important Industry Near Carpin
terra.

An Important Industry Near Carpin-
terra.
VENTURA, Nov. 27.-This morning.
acting upon the suggestion OF good
citizen of Santa Barbara. who is not
afraid to sound the praises OF his neigh.
bors. l took the train for Carpintsria
for the purpose Of visiting the famous
asphalt mines located there. On the
way down my thoughts fell or rather
drifted into curious groove, and after
mentally running over . list of the re-
sources. developed and undeveloped,
which have come under my observation
in six counties of Southern California
within the past six weeks alone, came
to the conclusion that il o man should
return to any Of the well-known cities
Of the eastern blizzard belt and enumer.
ate faithfully and truthfully this same
list, he would be branded the prince OF
liars and politely told to return to his
native element on the Pacific coast.
In the line of minerals Southern Cali.
fornia does nos stop with ordinary gold
and silver mines, but she rejoices in the
possession Of vast deposits OF coal. pc
troleum, quicksilver, cement, marble,
granite or Asphalt, or bitumen. One of
the largest deposits of this latter valu-
able mineral is located very near Car
pinteria, and a. the train came to .
stop jumped out and took rapid sur
vey of the surroundings.
The little town of Carpinteria is very
pleasantly situated on series of gentle
slopes which rise gradually from the
Pacific ocean to height of perhaps so
feet. The Asphalt mines, which are
located about 800 yards from the rail-
way station, are within stones throw
OF the ocean, which rolls away for
countless leagues to the west and beats
forever upon the shore with q muffled
rosr that makes the machinery OF man
in comparison seem small and unim-
portsnt. Yetif we close our ears to
the music of the surf and turn our eyes
to the land we see that We are in the
midst of q busy lot Of workmen, and we
may. If We will, learn much by little
observation.
This mine is the property OF tho Cali
Iornis Petroleum and Asphalt company.
The president. W. NJ. Cowles, resides
il San Francisco, and the eastern man.
ager, Willard 7. Barton, has his head
Bell, the agreeable resident manager,
ankle, but for all that, he gets out and
personally looks after the interests of
his company. The concern has already
spent over 100000 ON its plant during
its occupancy of three years. All the
product 10 handled under the brand OF
the AlcstrAz asphalt. although there are
many different grades.
the company is now engaged in max
ing shipments TO France as q result OF
the fine display made at the exposition
recently held In LYONS. The asphalt of
commerce 10 manufactured by extract
ing the asphalt from the bituminous
sand by special machinery which has
been greatly improved within the past
few years. The sand as it comes from
tbs niue contains about 20 per cent OF
pure asphalt. Tho sand after being
separated is thrown into the ocean. The
lowest grade of Asphalt is tho liquid.
This grade 10 the first product of the
sand. 1t is used for painting the inside
of reservoirs. in mixing for street
pavements, etc. To make the higher
grade it is placed in huge stills or boil
ers, and the oil gradually extracted by
the boiling process. The highest grade
lie very hard, and is used for varnish
bases the next grades are used for dip
ping pipes, etc. or course, the chief
use OF asphalt is in paving streets. and
for this purpose it 10 said 10 excel any
thing yet found, being at once clean.
hard and yet not hurtful to horses which
may be driven over il. This company
has shipped out 500 tons per month
during the past season, and expects to
double its capacity next season. Sixty
men are employed at wages OF 81 per
\
OF asphalt exist all through this section
even az far as 20 miles north OF Santa
Barbara, and numerous companies are
being formed to develop what promises
be one of the greatest industries Of
Southern California.
W. H. PoRTERFIELD.