The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-27
A MODEL CITY.

Many years ago there stood near the
mouth of the San Lorenzo River, at Santa
Cruz a famous live oak whose great size
and wonderful symmetry made it q land
mark for all the early navigators who en-
tered Monterey Bay. Unfortunately this
splendid tree long ago disappeared under
the advancement of that early California
civilization which regarded trees as an in
cumbrance, but the oak played its part
well in making the spot famous. For
tunately the San Lorenzo River could not
be destroyed, nor the enchanting noun
tains and forests in which it had its
source, nor the long, shining sandbeach
washed by the waters of the ocean. Now
that Santa Cruz is to have a great water
carnival 1t is well to supplement the ex-
haustive descriptive article of the city and
its environment, published in last Satur-
days CALL, with some observations of a
less particular character.
Apart from the advantages which Santa
Cruz has enjoyed in the form of a good
harbor, q picturesque situation and the
finest surf bathing in Northern California,
its industrial resources, though remark
ably various and abundant, have been re-
fractory. That is to say. it had no broad,
open plains inviting cultivation, and its
resources of lumber, lime, bitumen and
horticulture had to be developed by the
exercise of the most intelligent and per-
sistent industry, with organization and
some capial. The splendid orchards and
vineyards which mantle the slopes and
crown the SUBMITS of the mountains had
to be started with great labor; but the
results secured from them, as from all the
other industries which have required ex-
ertion to develop them, have been far
above the average in profits and excellence.
This is peculiar thing in California,
where so many of the natural resources lie
convenient to hand. Possibly if the condi-
tons upon which the prosperity of Santa
Cruz depended had been easier we should
not see in that city one of the most beauti-
full spots in the State, nor one whose man
agement of municipal affairs is far in ad-
vance of that existing in any other city in
this State which owns its water and light
ing plants, but when one sees the perfect
streets and the pride and intelligence of the
people in making their homes and gardens
beautiful and in all other ways giving the
highest expression of true civic pride
too rare in these parts, an explanation of
everything is found.
1t is this spirit, greatly enhanced for
special occasion, that is now employed
in preparations for the wafer carnival,
which opens June IL and closes the 10Th.
That it will be a series of novel and beauti-
full spectacles there is every reason to ex-
pect. 1t will be bewildering surprise to
the thousands of Californians who will
witness it, and those travelled strangers
who may happen to be on hand will be re-
minded of the splendors OF Old World car
nivals.
What good results shall come to Santa
Cruz from this festival cannot be con-
iectured now, but surely they viii be of the
most beneficial kind. Although so much
has been done to secure the natural wealth
with which the region abounds, there are
resources of immeasurable value yet to be
assailed; and there must be disseminated a
broader knowledge of the exquisite charms
as place of residence which the city holds
forth.