The herald., 1896-09-27
SANTA barbara COUNTY and COAST railroad

xest to the appetite of the hungry trav-
eler two articles for which that thriving
colony is justly famous. Arroyo Honda
was the rendezvous many years ago OF
the notorious bandit, Vasquez, who with
his followers at intervals pounced upon
the traveller or settler unawares from
his well protected retreat in the canyon.
The stage enters Gaviota pass, thirty
nine miles from. Santa Barbara, leaving
Gaviota landing to the southwest. Here
are scenes that delight the artist. and
indeed one of that fraternity who was a
passenger on the stage and had a
camera, was so delighted with the
scenery at the bridge across the creek
that he asked permission to stop five
minutes to take Photographic view OF
the scene. A description of the majestic
and picturesque scenes in this pass is re-
gretfully omitted but the traveller is as
sured that a visit to Gaviota pass will
amply repay the expense and trouble.
The driver on this end of the stage
route, Ed Hecox, proved to be model
of compendious information and accom-
modating withal, which the inquisitive
scribe greatly appreciated. After emerg-
ing from the Gaviota pass the stage en-
ters the San Julian rancho of 4S, 900 acres,
which is all fenced in, and contains 40
900 sheep, 5000 head of cattle and 800 to
400 horses. Between this rancho and
Lompoc colony comes the Rancho Sal
Sipuedes (get out If you CAM of 1000
acres, which Is rented by Chas. Nolan as
q stock ranch.
The reader will form some idea of the
immense area of land not yet subdivided
in the district situated between Arroyo
Honda (thirty miles north of Santa Bar
bara) and Lompoc, from the statement
that the stage goes through two estates
only (Hollister and Dibblee) in its route
Of nearly thirty-three miles.
LOMPOC COLONY.
A charming section of country and a
hospitable, enterprising class of people
this was the verdict of the writer after a
three days sojourn for the first time
in this prosperous section of Santa Bar
bara county
Lompoc colony was founded in 1874,
by a company of families possessed of
superior qualities, socially and intellec-
tualiy, and who are withal thrifty. In
conversation with one of the founders
of Lompoc, the scribe learned that there
has never been failure among business
men or any other class Of settlers since
the colony was founded. and 1t is claimed
that there is larger percentage of peo-
pie out of debt in this section than in
any other in California. W. w. Brough-
ton, who is accredited with being the
promoter and founder of the colony, has
labored long and faithfully for the up
building of its general interests. He Is
an old Californian. having come to this
state in 1859. The aggregate acreage in
the colony Is 1900, which was purchased
in 1874 for s11 per acre, making the orig
inal investment over $500. 900. 10 per cent
of which was paid cash and the balance
In annual installments of 10 per cent.
The thrifty appearance of the farms
and orchards, elegant church and school
buildings, and substantially built town
(much resembling an Illinois or Iowa
agricultural business center) attests the
prosperous condition of the colony. The
population of the colony Is about $500.
The center of the colony being stu
ated ten miles from the ocean and with
foothills only partially intervening, the
ocean currents. warm in winter and cool
in summer, render the climate delight
full. The soil is marvelously fertile, as
the diversified products of the colony in
dicate, and flowers are always in bloom.
The principal products are mustard,
beans, barley, wheat, corn, oats, pota-
toes, pumpkins, beets and carrots, be-
sides all kinds Of deciduous fruits. This