The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-08
FOR A SEASIDE RESORT.
CongregationaliSts Want One and
Favor the Bella Vista
Ranch.
The Committee on Selecting a Site
Describe the San Mateo County
Property.

At the General Association of Congrega-
tional Ministers and delegates which has
been in session in Oakland, the committee,
consisting of Rev. J. H. Warren and
Messrs. J. L. Barker, D. Gilbert Dexter,
Chester ]. King and A. w. Starbird, APP
pointed to select a site for Congregational
seaside summer resort, recommended the
purchase of the Bella Vista ranch in San
Mateo County, about seventeen miles west
Of Redwood City.
The idea is to have for the Congrega-
tionalists what Pacific Grove is to the
Methodists, and it has proved very popu-
lar one.
The Bella Vista ranch contains S54 &C res
and was once owned by Creed Raymond.
1t is near the ocean-two miles on an air
line, though to go by the road it is about
it affords a magnificent view of the ocean.
The distance to San Francisco is forty
eight miles.
In recommending the site, the commit
tee yesterday submitted a report in detail,
which was substantially as follows:
The s54 acres are all inclosed with a substan-
tial fence that cost $4,000 and is now as good
as new. There is growth of forest timber COW
ering 200 acres, mostly red wood, with some
madrone and tan-bark oak. Through the
ranch the Corte MADEIRA, large body of water,
runs with abundant flow the year round.
There is ample preserve for deer, trout, quail
and other game.
There are five or more building sites where
families or neighbors are to be grouped and be
far enough one from the other that frequent
or occasional invitations can be enjoyed with
all the Zest of Christian companionship, One
of these sites has an area OF fifty acres while
others have room for ten to twenty families.
For tent1ng and camping there are woody dells,
slopes lifts and retreats to satisfy all who pre-
fer to be quiet and alone.
The water supply, with the system of hy-
drants and tanks, cost not less than $40, 900.
The buildings on the property cost $11 300.
There are eight miles of roadway and avenues
in the tract including tve-mile drive through
the dense forests, which cost $4,000. There are
two frui-bearing orchards embracing over
thirty acres OF plums. pears apricots, peaches
and apples. Strawberries, black berries and
huckleberries are plentiful. A four-mile drive
brings one to protected and beautiful beach
which gives plenty of fishing and bathing. The
climate and scenery are all one can desire, and
in the near future it will have an electric and
steam road within short distance.
Altogether the improvem ents on the
Bella Vista land have cost over S34 900.
and the ranch has been offered to the
committee for $42, 600.
A member of the committee said yester-
day that the West Shore Railway Com
pany is intending to put an electric line
through the ranch next year from Red
wood City to Pescadero, and that the
company would eventually make Summit
Springs watering-place.
Creed Raymond would never sell any of
his timber. Whenever he wanted lum Der
for bridge he went outside his fine
woods and bought it cut and sawed.
Final action on the recommendation of
the committee is to be taken at a subse-
quent session. The next gathering is to
be at Sacramento, but no date has yet
been fixed.
'If our people do ultimately decide upon