The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

and more recently there have been meet
ings of importance held at La Canada,
Glendale and Verdugo. Committees to
secure right f.way, the probable tonnage
to be moved and various statistics have
been actively at work for the past few
weeks.
The figures which show the traffic al
ready moving, Notwithstanding the present
disabilities, have been secured. 1t should
be remembered that these figures are
actual not merely "estima ed" and they
are regarded as very favorable. 1t is re-
ported that the Eastern capitalists have
signifed their desire and intention to
push the line speedily if the statistics OBJ
tanned will insure the cost of "axle-g grease
for the first year.
Already there is no doubt in the minds
of interested parties that more than the
desired amount can be secured. There is
much enthusiasm IN La Canada, and both
in the valley and along the remainder of
the route the ranchers are up and doing.
At La Canada it was reported few days
ago that rights of way had been granted
throughout the territory to be traversed.
Because of the present isolation, or
rather inaccessbility, of La Canada, there
are few people, relatively speaking who
are acquainted with the smiling little val
ley nestled in the foothills of the Sierra
Madre Mountains. But those who have
strayed among the hills, on a camping
expedition or sought the peaceful spot by
design, in search of health or to purchase
fruit, are unanimous in singing the praises
of the country, which reminds one of the
Happy Valley pictured by DR.. johnson in
"Rasselas. ~
The Sierra Madre Mountains keep a
solemn watch on the north. while the
Vendura Hills and the San Fernando
Range protect the spot on the south. To-
ward the east the mountains and the hills
join hands above the Arroyo at an altitude
OF 1900 feet, as though they were playing
"Open the gates as high as the sky to let
King Georges men pass by" To the
west the land again rises in
, similar but rather irregular man
. ner, with here and there q hill
and a knoll singing, "Thy Sentinel
Am l." The result of the whole confg-
uration is double concave elliptical val
ley having an average width of two miles
and extending upward of ten miles to
| within sight of San Fernando.
, Above the Devils Gate the Arroyo and
its sister chasm are spanned by two ro-
mantle bridges, where no doubt more than
two lovers have plighted their troth in
, the moonlight. A good road winds
| around the hills above the bridges look
, ing down on a vestibule basin which is
/; the antechamber of La Canada. From
the elevated eastern entrance the road
} cuts directly across the valley leading to
} San Fernando. passing trim school,
house (attesting the intelligence of the
community.
At about the middle portion the valley
is tapped by another good road through
the Vendura Canyon, leading more or less
directly to Los Angeles, distant about
twelve miles. Along a portion of these
roads the electric line will pass, and even
if the project of joining the Terminal is
not carried out, it would not be a difficult
task to extend the line to Los Angeles
along the Verdugo road.
La Canada being so high, there is little
difficulty in obtaining water of a good
quality, and thus the necessary factor for
recaiming the land not already under
cultivation has been introduced and
awaits the further enterprise of man to
blossom like the other ranches, where the
orange and lemon trees reward the energy
and industry already expended.
1t is worthy of note that the fruit
grown in La Canada commands a higher
price IN the market than the oranges and
lemons grown in other sections immedi-
ately tributary to Los Angeles. This is
because the fruit is bright and clean and
smooth, requiring no rehandling prepara-
tory to shipment. No smut or SCOT ever
disturbs the trees, and the protection af.
forded by the surrounding elevations
makes the land stranger to frost, while
: the altitude contributes a pure and brac-
ing air.
This last quality makes the valley de-
sirable place for the invalid who would
escape the more accessible but crowded
health resorts in this section. Already
people of wealth, who have had better
fortune than money can give, have dis
. covered some of the benefits to be derived
from residence in the Happy Valley"
with the result that architecture has con-
tributed its talents to beautify the natural
grace of the land in the vicinity of 1.-THE
CASTLE"
The old Spanish names of the towns and
landmarks between Los Angeles and La
Canada are rich with suggestions of
myths and legends about the ioings of
the early Mexican and Spanish settlers of
| CallIOrnlds
Among the stories current are few con-
nected with the locality known as Eagle
Rock Valley. Eagle Rock, from which
the valley takes its name, is a huge per-
pendcular stone which rears its solitary
head into commanding view OF the sur
rounding country, making clear the valley
lying at the foot of the rugged San Fer
nando peaks, and eastward the San Cab
rieI Valley fringed by the Sierra Madre
Mountains, with Old Baldy jewel in the
center.
In Eagle Rock itself either art or nature
or both have carved two caves, which at a
distance strongly resemble the out.
stretched wings of the bird of freedom,
and it would be most appropriate and
gratifying to behold 'Old Glory" swing
ing its folds to the breeze on the pinnacle.
One of the caves in the rock, if not both,
L L =. <~11