The record-union., 1895-08-30
RAILROAD 70 INDEPENDENCE LAKE.
One of the Probabilities of the Near
Future.
A Region Rich in Timber and Min
erals, Also Delightful sum-
mer Resort.

There is prospect of q branch railroad
from Boca, on the line of the Central Pa
cific. up through the pine forests to Inde-
neers and surveyors are8 now work
ing In the Sierras near Boca. They are
locating railway about eighteen miles
long between the points named.
Division Superintendent Wilder of the
Southern Pacific went over the ground
last week on a tour OF inspection. He
was commissioned to examine the coun-
try through which the new line is to run
and make a report to the General Super
intendent and the executive department
OF the company.
The coantry to be traversed by the
branch from Boca Junction is heavily
timbered with the exception of five or
six miles from the Central Pacific Rail
way. In this latter strip of land the log
gers and millmen have cleared away
every bit of pine worth removing, and
for long time past the products of the
sawmilIs were transferred TO the railroad
station with great difficulty on drays and
lumber carts.
This viii be obviated, however, by the
portion of the Sierra pine forests. Mills
will be established along the route with
the result that mountain lumber will be-
come plentiful in California markets and
the railroad company will have q more
convenient and cheaper source of supply
for its needs in the way of lumber. The
land almost exclusively belongs TO the
Hobart estate, which is interested in the
enterprise equally with the railway
corporation.
At Independence Lake there will be
many inducements for summer resorts,
as the scenery about there is widely
known tor It's majestic beauty, and the
belief IS quite strong that fashionable
resort is one of the things in contempla-
ton at the end of the branch road through
the heart OF the Sierras.
Should the road be built to Tndepend-
ence Lake it will not only tap q great
lumber region, but cannot fail TO give an
impetus to the cattle and dairy industries
throughout the many small valleys in
the heart of the great mountain range.
Independence Lake is IN itself mount
ain paradise and for many years has been
faVorIle resort Tor tourists, anglers and
others. Only few miles from there is
another picturesque spot, Weber Lake,
also noted for its excellent trout fishing
while the mountains in that vicinity
afford fine sport for lovers OF the gun.
1t is only about ten miles from either of
the lakes to Sierra Valley, rich and fer
tile vale already well peopled with dairy
and stockmen and miners. 1t has three
towns, and mineral springs resort that,
in the proper hands, would attract hun
dreds of people every summer. All
around this valley are mountains con-
tanning a heavy growth of the finest
sugar pine timber on the coast.
Grouse. sage hens, mountain quail,
deer and othsr game abound in that Sec
ton. while the streams afford the best of
| trout fishing. Only few miles from Inde-
pendence and Weber Lakes lies the fabu-
| lously rich Meadow Lake gold mines, The
ores of which are so rebeliious that thus
| far no method has been found TO success
fully work them. Before their rebellious
| nature was known little city was built
there one year in the early sixties, with
payed streets, a stock board, fine hotels
and all the accessories OF a busting mod
ern city. But it was deserted the follow
] ing year. and has been deserted until this
day. Perhaps with railroad facilities the
rich ores OF that locality might be taken
| TO some place where they could be sue
cessfully reduced.
! At all events a railroad into that coun-
| try would make it one much sought by
tourists and pleasure-seekerS and would
develop industries that a. present are con-
| Quoted on the most primitive methods.