The herald., 1895-07-12

there are several large hotels. one costing
over 500, 900. and . number OF smaller
boarding places and restaurants. Tne
beach IL broad ana sweeps away TO the
southeast. with . gentle curve lying
on the landscape like q great silver cres-
ments OF the citizens who enjoy surl
bathing but in the near future more
commodious establishments OF the kind
will be added for the accom- % odation OF
the increasing mum ber Of visitors.
Several OF the county's PUBLIC build
ings are located in the town OF ventura.
The county hospital Is situated In cen.
trail portion on the same tract as the court
house and other county edifces. 1t cost
about $40. 900. The court house was erec-
ted in 1872 and with recent improve
ments cost over $50, 900. The county jail.
erected in 1888. cost 500. 900.
There are two public school building:
which accommodate the eight hundred
children of school age. One OF the build.
ings which is here shown in illustration.
would do credit in architecture and ap
pointments to any large city.
There are several fine church edihces
and nearly all denominations are repre-
sented. The first Protestant church was
erected in 1867.
Besides the merchants who have their
ranches in town. many ranch owners
tie community and conduct their agrioul-
tural or horticultural affairs in business
like way, going out to the ranches IN tho
morning and returning in the evening.
Near town vegetables and small fruits are
successfully raised and find ready mar
ket near home. Some OF tue cltizens are
large stock raisers and among the hne
cattle exported the Durham. Shorthorn,
Jersey and HQstein and there are also
raised several noted breeds OF horses. q
The mountains not only furnish first
class pasturage for horses. cattle, sheep
and hogs. but they are full OF wealth
awaiting development. The Ventura
Pennsylvania. Asphaltum runs to waste.
though much has been used for paving
and $4,000 pounds were shipped from
Ventura in 1892. Ventura brownstoue is
shipped for hundreds of miles. Valuaole
lodges of gypsum are abundant, sulphur.
paints. rock salt, tripoli, mica and many
other valuable mineral products are
abundant and will bring wealth to those
who know. how to,use them.
Ventura can probably boast OF more
and better work in horicultrre than any
other place in California. Here there
the largest private floral experimentsl
station in the world. Having semi
tropical climate, tempered by daily ocean
breezes and modified bv variety OF altl-
tuue, cNCly Aihu "a
the greatest perfection here. The most
rare and tender flowers bloom and bear
seed year after year and of the European
plants and sbulbs those raised here are
superior to those raised in their own
countries. From here seeds and bulbs
ale exported to all parts of the world.
To name thesvariety Of flowers cultivated
would tax the reader.
Horticulture is one of the great sources
of revenue to the citizens. and among
the fruits exported, besides the dried fruit
previously referred to- are lines, guavas,
Ioquats, currants, pears, cherries. plums,
figs of all kinds, pomegranates, ounces,
nectarines, persimmons and berries. =
Corn yields l20 bushels to the acre, and
is raised without irrigation.
Barley is the chief cereal OF Ventura,
and has reached l04 bushels to the acre.
Potatoes yield two crops year, and
bring a, much as $500 per acre.
Tomatoes ripen all the year round.
Some of the large ranches are rented to
small farmers, who pay one-third OF the
,rnp for rent. In this way one ranch
llone netted $40, 600 last year for rent.
The county supports several papers. and
he town of Ventura has one daily and
our weekly newspapers.
No pen description can give an ade.
luate idea of the beauty and interest OF
The town and surrounding country. but
,he visitor who loves nature and is in
with an earnest, whole. .souled
people will carry away mental impress
sion which in after years will furnish
many q happy "reminiscences.