The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-19

building to cost $4,000. A little over six
acres of land on the south side of the track
were decided to the railroad by Senator
Stanford for station purposes, but since
Senator Stanford's death there has been
little assurance that the stone station
would be built.
About a year and half ago matters
promised well for the speedy erection of
all negotiations. A year ago the railroad
company offered to pay $500 toward
station, the plans for which then sub
mitted called for building to cost $500
At that time the company said 1t would
plant little garden in front OF the station,
thus adding to its attractiveness, but when
a committee of citizens called upon limo
thy Hopkins to consult with him, and
mentioned this offer by the railroad, he
laughed and said the company had to do
that any way or lose the ground given
them by Senator Stanford.
The deed TO the property calls for two
little parks, one on each side of the sta
ton, both of which must be planted with
flowers and shrubs, and properly main
tanned in that condition or the land is for
feited.
The railroad is now ready to put up such
building as plans were made for last
year and has increased its offer of a year
ago by $4,000. With the addition the sum
will be sufficient to pay the complete cost
of the new station.
The Town Trustees have assented to
the railroads proposition, and Timothy
Hopkins and Mrs. Stanford are in favor of
it. The Palo Alto people are not satisfied,
but they think that they are getting about
all the railroad is likely to give for some
time. A citizen of Palo Alto offered
gratis from his quarry sufficient undressed
yellow sandstone similar to that in the
university buildings to build stone sta
ton, but for some reason his offer was not
accepted.
The new building will be 100 feet long by
forty feet wide, including porch fourteen
feet wide the whole length of the front.
There will be two waiting-rooms twenty by
twenty-six feet, ticket Office and bag
gage-room. Upstairs there will be a half
story containing a large living-room Tor
the agent. At the rear OF the building
there will be a covered driveway as pro-
lection in rainy weather to the bus loads
of university students.
In appearance the station will represent
in architectural effect the low Moorish
arches and pillars and red tiled roof of the
quadrangle buildings of the university but
the material will be painted wood and of
patent shingles in imitation of tiles.
Before the rainy season shall have begun
Palo Altos new station will be completed,
and the short avenue from the tracks to
the county road will have been made
twice as wide as it is at present.
But these are not all the Improvements
for Palo Alto. Yesterday committee of
citizens consisting of ]. S. Butler, Pro-
fessor e. E. Smith and B. Parkinson
visited the Alvarado Water Works that
supply Oakland from artesian wells and
made a thorough inspection of the works
n 20 Nl1fo ,fOr, %<,L
used at home.
Five different residents who have sunk
wells on their property in the lower land
on the eastern part of town have struck
artesian water. Some of the wells will
flow from six to fifteen feet above the sur
face. The water is cool and agreeable to
the taste; it is free from vegetable and
mineral impurities, but it contains good
deal of lime.
Over two-thirds of the voters have al
ready pledged themselves in writing to
vote bonds for the much-needed water
works, and the proposition will be SUBJ
mitted to vote within the next ninety
days.
After making thorough examination
into the neighboring water sources, the
committee has decided that artesian water
will be the cheapest and the most easily
obtained. La Honda Creek on the other
side of the mountain, contains plenty of
water, but it would require nearly mile
of tunnel and six miles of pipe before it
could be brought to the university town.
Bear Gulch, as at present developed, would
not furnish enough water, and it would
cost nearly $100, 900 to build dam to make
the supply adequate. The Squealer Gulch
would necessitate the purchase of land
valued at $4,000, and the construction of
canal nine miles long.
Redwood City is supplied with water en-
tirely from artesian wells, which more
than pay expenses. The profit on the
water works helps to pay the city taxes.
The town of Santa Clara, having recently
placed its bonds voted for last November,
is putting in artesian water works.
AT Palo Alto artesian water is struck at
depths of 60, 100 and 200 feet, most of the
wells being 200 feet deep.
In consideration of these facts the COM
mittee will report to the Board of rustees
at Palo Alto this evening that at present |
they do not consider the development of |
the mountain water sources feasible, and |
they will recommend the establishment of |
an artesian water system. ]. S. Butler, as |
chairman of the committee, will probably |
also recommend the name of some engi- !