The San Francisco call., 1896-04-13
brings one into some of natures loveliest

brings one into some of natures loveliest
haunts.
Almost within the town, on beautiful
wooded hill stands the Altenheim the
handsome house which the Germans have
recently built for the old people OF that
race, and on the opposite side of the town,
in the midst of orchards and gardens,
is the Fred Finch Orphanage. Fruityale
Is for beauty one OF the notab ble avenues in
this country. II abounds In lovely places,
and is shaded for its whole length with
majestic trees, bordering inviting gardens.
The Tillmann place is one of the handsom-
est of these, where the senior partner of
the San Francisco firm of Tilimann IL Ben
del has made a beautiful home, and near
is the residence of Mrs. Florence Blythe
Hinckley, which the Blythe millions are
turning into spot OF wonderful charm.
At the upper end of the avenue, check
ing its further progress in fact, is the resi-
dence of the late Hugh Dimond, from
which place the popular Dimond Canyon
and the postofice take their name. D1-
mond Canyon is a famous picnic ground
and gathering place just now for all the
artists and sketching CLUBS within radius
OF twenty miles. 1t is a deep, but easily
accessible ravine, densely wooded with
laurels and oak, and flowing through it is
a beautiful stream that dashes over several
pretty falls on its way to the bay.
One of the most interesting sights to be
seen anywhere in the neigh borhood OF San
Francisco is giant oak that stands near
the Dimond residence. A veritable grand
old man" among trees IS this venerable
monarch of the forest. In fact 1t is said
to be, of its kind, the largest but one in
the United States. One needs to walk
about it and contem plate it for some little
time before realization of its gigantic
proportions actually takes hold of the
mind. Its head towers high above all
save the tallest eucalyptus trees in its
t.
stretched branches have spread of SO
feet 1t is a majestic tree, shapely and
sturdy, and as seen now in the glossy
beauty of its springtime foliage is sight
never to be forgotten.
How much of population is already
hidden away in the pretty homes that
. show everywhere among the bills may be
Judged from the handsome new school
house which has Just been completed, to
meet the growing demands OF the district.
The MethodIsts are at present Dullolng
house of worship, and the Presbyterlans
have q neat edifice not far from the school
building
For scenic interest and variety the coun-
try Immediately about Dimond IS un-
eGualed elsewhere in the neighborhood oi
the hay. Diverging from the electrician
terminus are several roads leading up into
the hills, and a new road connecting these
and traVersing the summit has Just been
opened by the Board of Supervisors and
will sooD be ready for travellers. When
completed it will form the desired connect
ing link between Alameda and Contra
Costa counties, that has so long been
subject of earnest discussion.
1t will be more than this, for syndicate
of capitalists, of whom f. M, Smith is
one, are already applying for franchise
for an electric railway that shall follow the
route of the new highway into the Moraga
Valley. thus giving The people of that re-
gion entrance into Oakland. There is no
more wonderful outlook in the State than
is afforded ali along this road. 1t is posi-
bic now TO drive the greater part OF the dis
tance over il, but those citizens OF San
Francisco and Oakland who enjoy the use
of the organs of locomotion with which
nature provided them, have long since dis
covered this to be delightful and readily
attainabe holiday walk.
When completed the road will be con-