The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-15

billties of its realization are so strong that
it seems at its inception to have already
passed the stage of possibility and become
a probability, if not certainty of the near
future.
The birth of the scheme is unrecorded
1t has sprung up somewhere in that in
comparable fifty mile stretch of Gods
green earth between the Golden Gate and
San Jose which smilingly keeps the gentle
waters of the bay from ripping against
the picturesque foothills.
The project has been the natural result
of the stimulant of progressiveness awak-
ened in re gion that needed good high
ways more than anything else. The
valley road down the western side of the
bay is the next thing to certainty, and
with it fine boulevard that will draw still
more the wealth and population destined
to enrich those slopes has sprung up with
yigor in very natural way.
Many people living or owning property
down that side of the bay are taking Wig
orous interest in the scheme, and the pa
pers published in Redwood City, San Ma
are discussing 1t approvingly. The Bur
lingame Club is especially interested, and
so are many wealthy San Franciscans
whose residences are down that way. The
jewellers along the route are enthusiastic
ally in favor of it. The project would in
volve the expenditure of perhaps $780, 900
and the issuance of bonds by the counties
of San Mateo and Santa Clara, but so far
no voices have been raised against it.
In a general way the plan which is
fathered by many progressive residents of
San Mateo County, is to have fine road
way, attractive every furlong of its length,
extending from Market street in the city
clear to San Jose.
The only highway now leading downIthe
picturesque and inviting stretch of plain
south of San Francisco is the San Jose
road. A coach, carriage, buggy or
bicycle must now travel some miles of cob
blestones and dusty streets to fairly reach
the country highway.
From the cemeteries south the San Jose
road now affords an exceedingly attractive
drive during certain seasons of the year.
When it rains much the San Jose road is
muddy except for some short stretches in
Santa Clara County where it is macada-
mixed. In summer it is very dusty, except
for the short stretches in the same enter
prlslng county, where the road is sprinkled
daily: The sections which are macada-
mixed and sprinkled present at all times one
OF the best drives the world affords.
The agitation of the enterprise has been
commenced in San Mateo County and has
been taken up in Santa Clara. The San
road the whole length of the county ac-
cording to the latest and most scientific
methods of road building. Residents of
San Mateo and members of the Burlingame
Club have projected a new connection be-
tween that old highway and the boulevard
new road from Colma west
to about the junction of the
county line and the ocean shore, where the
highway would connect with the ocean
boulevard being built by the Park Com
missioners. This would afford a contin-
nous hard driveway over easy grades from
Market street out Golden Gate avenue to
the park, ocean and the stretch of country
to the south.
There are other routes by which an i'm
proved highway through the city might
connect with macadamiZed boulevard in
San Mateo County. At present one must
drive for miles out Mission or Valencia
streets and the Mission road to reach
roadway where riding may at any time be
called pleasant
San Jose County has displayed far more
enterprise in roadmaking than any county
In the State, having built the magnificent
road to Mount Hamilton, which affords
one of the notable drives of the world
The continuation of the boulevard from
the San Mateo County line to San Jose is
therefore regarded as an easy project.
There is not in California grander OPP
portunity for boulevard of that length
and description than through the region
that skirts the bay on the west In winter
or in summer one quickly leaves and for
gets the possible harshness or chill of the
winds and fogs of San Francisco and en-
tiers veritable Arcadia. Sunshine is no
where more soft, airs more exquisitelv
tempered or rich plains more securely and
invitingly sheltered by mountain ranges
that inspire by their. beauty and pictur-
eSqueneSS. Then for forty miles orchards
vineyards, vast groves Of aged Iiveoaks and
villas surrounded by lawns blazing with
color delight the eye. Such boulevard as
is planned would acquire worldwide fame.
So far the project has been to improve
the present San Jose road by macadamiz-
ing, 1t and planting its sides with palms
and other trees. Some who have artistic
ideals like those of Willis Polk, which take
small note of figures, would like to see an
entirely new highway laid out that should
forsake the old San Jose road entirely and
wind along the still more picturesque foot
bill region, which is now comparatively