The San Francisco call., 1897-11-21

OHlCO, the metropolis of Butte
County. with a population OF 1000
- Inhabitants. Is situated on the Cali
fornia ana Oregon Railroad, 1875 miles
north OF San Francisco and six miles from
the Sacramento River. The Rose bow
cred City," as 1t Is sometimes called, has
a superior location, being situated i'm
medigtely between two clear mountain
streams, Arroyo Chico and Little Chico.
These two streams form the northern and
southern boundary OF the corporate limits
of the city.
Chico was settled as early as 1850, but
the town plat was not surveyed until
1860, when J. s. Hennings, at that time
County Surveyor, performed tho work
under the direction OF General John Bid
well. on whose land the site stood.
Since the laying out of the size many
industries have been introduced, and
there has been a stendy growth OF build
ings and trade facilities until to-day Chico
Is one offhe iiyeliest as well as one of the
prettiest cities i'll the northern part OF the
state.
The elevation of Chico is only 200 feet
above udewater, yet the climate Is ex-
ceedingly moderate the year around, 100
degrees Fahrenheit being about as high as
the thermometer reaches in midsummer
aud 30 degrees above zero as low as ii falls
in winter. On the warmest summer day
there Is always cool breeze astir, and as
soon as the sun sets the mountain air
quickly cooIs the heated valley, making
tho nights comfortable. Some idea can
be gained OF the mlldness of the climate
from the fact that roses of all kinds and
many other garden flowers bloom here the
year through in the open air.
In the heart of large agricultural lis
trict Chico nioys a substantial trade, and
II also receives large business patronage
from across the mountains. From the lst
OF September until the snow closes the
roads across The summit merchants load
team after team with provisions and hard
ware. for the small villages and towns of
+ umas and Lassen Counties.
The vicinity OF Chieo IS rich IN orchards,
farms. mines and lumber. Stock raising
and dairying are also carried on to a great
extent. A new creamery has just been
completed and is now N running order.
The City Government.
Chico is incorporated as city of the
fifth class, governed by Council elected
from the five different wards. The mem
bers OF the present Council are: DR.. J.
Ellis Rodley (chaiTman). +. f. Garfield,
Q. l.. Clark, II. W. Bartlett and f. A.
Warren. II. c. Mansfield is the City Mar.
shal, and lie has two assistant guardians
Of The peace. Guy r. Kennedy is City
Attorney. ii. c. Woods CleEk and ]. Ii.
Sawtell Treasurer.
The sanitary conditions are looked after
by the Board of Health of which the fol-
lowing gentlemen are members: DR..
Wasley, A. c. Broyles }. S. Sawyers. Ii.
Ii. Hallet. William Bradley and George
Hamln. Mr.. Hamlln is the Health on
Ger OF the city and is also appointed by
the Supervisors to look alter the unin-
corporated limits of Chico.
Board OF Trade
The merchants, seeing the necessity OF
some definite and cooperative plan 10
regulate trade and protect their interests
have organized local Board of Trade. OF
which every business man in Cuico is a
member. A. II. Crew, cashier OF the Bank
OF Chico, is the president, and V David
secretary.
Chico is protected from fire by volnn-
teer fire department. 10 which the most
active and influential citizens belong. The
department Is divided into several com
panies-Deluge, Engine No. /, Engine No.
aud Western and also one hook.and-
ladder company. The steamer is OF the
La France pattern, and valuable ac-
quislloR to the department. Theodore
Schwein is chief engineer. with Ray Boyd
as assistant chief engineer.
Important Enterprises.
The Chico Gas and Water Company is
the oldest coronation in Chico. This
company was organized IL the early 70's.
and has prospered ever since. The com.
pany supplies the city with water, gas
and electricity.
The Sierra Lum Der Company has one OF
It's large planning mills in Chico. The
Iumo Der Is shipped 10 the mill from the
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