The herald., 1895-01-01
II IS THE A|CI OF AMERICA,
San Diego Counts Exceptional
Inducelents.
Known to Every Turist Who Visits
Southern Clifornia.
Small Difference b Botreen the Tempura-
turs OF january andJ uiy-Its Mineral
and Agricultunl Resources.

San Diego county, the most southerly
in the state, is the second county Of
California in point'f size, being only
exceeded in that repect by San Ber-
nardino. Like the litter county, it con.
tains large area witch is at present
desert, but its arRbl land is much more
extensive in propotion than that Of
San Bernardino. Th area Of the county,
before the creation Riverside county,
was 8. $50, 900 acres, and the population
in 1890. 34,9S7. Rierside county has
taken about third of the area and has
reduced the prssen population to about
5000.
The county extads back from the
ocean to the Colorho river, and in ele-
vation from 250 feG below to 0.9S7 feet
above sea level, thus affording q re.
markable variety d climate and pro-
ductions. On it highest peaks the
show remains all tie year round. while
in the Colorado daert tho midwinter
sun drives the visitor to seek grateful
shade unuer the dste and banana. Be-
tween these two exremes may be found
every grade of climate and soil.
There are now nine irrigation districts
in the county, som, Of them Of great ex'
tent, and several dhers are projected.
These systems. whsn extended to their
full capacity, will l-rrigate 250,000 acres
of land. At present. about one-tenth
of that area is uncer irrigation. Tbs
Sweetwater systen, the frat completed
in the county. is great undertaking,
having cost $1,000 900. The reservoir at
Sweetwater dam, six miles back OF Ma
tional City, has a capacity OF 5000, ,000,-
600 gallons, sufficient to irrigate $4,000
acres of land. The Hemet dam, in San
Jacinto valley, which has just been
complatsd, is ITO feet high, sndf the
reservoir nearly two miles long. The
San Diego fume supplies water to Ell
Oejon valley, La Mesa, Teralta and San
Diego city.
The coast region OF San Diego is par
ticularly adapted to the culture OF the
lemon. Many orchards are in bearing,
and large area ie being planted this
season. 1t ie estimated that. in the bay
region alone, there are 150, 900 acres OF
practically fros.less lemon land, where
the most delicate plants thrive all
winter. There are about 5000 acres in
table grapes, and 1000. 900 orchard trees
in the county. About 100 carloads OF
oranges were produced last season.
During the year ending June 80. 1892,
the Southern California railway ehipped
from San Diego county 1882 tons OF
dried fruit 450 of honey, 1U.2l2 OF grain,
and 100 OF wool.
In the mountain region of San Diego
Al u xrlt n
this development OF which has scarcely
commenced. although nu umber of
minus have been producing for many
years. There are three distinct gold
and silver regions. the Julian, Cargo
Muchacho, and Pinacate. Within the
boundaries of the county are found-be-
sides gold aud silver-tin. copper, lead.
coal, gypsum, asbestos, mica, ochre.
salt, alum, borax, limestone. iron,
quicksilver, and sulphur.
The Southern California railway, of
the Santa Fe system, extends through
the entire length of the county, to San
Diego city and National City, with
branches to San Jacinto and Temec ula.
The northern end of the county is
crossed by the Southern Pacific. There
is also q branch of the Southern Cali
fo.nia TO Escondido, and several short
Independent lines in the bay region. 1t
10 expected that q direct line from San
Diego, to connect with the Southern
Pacific at Yuma, will soon be construct
ed. The are in all over 400 miles of
railway in the county.
The bay of San Diego was the first
place touched ct by Cnbrillo. when he
discovered what 10 now California, in
1912. 1t was long after that when the
first settlement was made. The origi-
nal San Diego was located at Old Town,
where the mission building yet stands.
The present city had its beginning as late
as 1867. when A. E. Horton, furniture
dealer OF San Francisco, bought 900
acres, now in the heart of the city, at an
average cost of about 27 cents an acre.
1t was not until 1856, when the Santa
Fe completed its transcontinenual line
to the city, that San Diego began to 70
forward in earnest.
San Diego occupies a beautiful and
commanding site, on plateau formsd
by gently sloping foothills. on the north.
eastern shore of one Of the finaHt bays
in the world, tne only land-locked hsrs
Dor in California besides that Of San
Francisco. On the northeast and south
east are mountain peaks. The climate
is remarkably equable, with a few
cloudy days during the ear. The aver.
age temperature for January and July
differ only 10 degrees. Ths average
rainfall is only 10 inches.
1t is an astonishment to visitors how
q city like San Diego can have been
practically created within eight years.
There are nearly two hundred and fifty
miles of street, forty miles graded, and
five with asphalt pavement. thirty
seven miles Of street railroad, including
fine electric system, seventy We miles
of motor road, connecting with the bust.
ness section, forty-one miles of sewer,
ten miles of gas mains, and sixty-five
miles of water mains. There are fifteen
hotels. twenty.three churches, five
banks and eight large public schools.
The city park reservation comprises
1,400 acres. There are a $780, opera
house and three other auditoriums.
The numerous handsome brick blocks
would be creditable to city three times
the size of San Diego. The court house
is a handsome building which cost
$200,0
San Diego is port of entry under
the United States customs laws. The
bay is thirteen miles long, completely
1aud.lockod Nth u;v .cwa~a v.nilou NJ