The herald., 1897-02-23
PUBLIC OFFICES ALL CLOSED
Streets Thronged With Citizens and
Visitors During the Entire Day
Many Excursions to Points Of Interest in the
Immediate Vicinity
The intercollegiate Field Sports at Athletic
Park-Inspection and Parade of the Fire
Oepartment-Sons and Daughters
ofthe Revolution Celebrate

Washington's birthday was duly cell
ebrated in Los Angeles by the inhabit-
ants thereof enjoying themselves after
their individual fancies and tastes. with
but little refererGe to honoring the
founder of the greatest republic on the
face Of the globe, and if the father of
his country had dropped down on this
burg he would not have known the occa-
sion of the gala day enjoyed by his chill
dren unless some one told him. True,
being a legal holiday, all the public Of
fees, federal, county and city. were
closed, as were also the banks and other
public institutions, but the business
houses, with but few exceptions. re-
mained open during the entire day.
AS to the day itself, it was an ideal one,
even for Southern California, and the
people were evidently determined to
make the most of 1t. 1t was just cool
enough to be bracing. with enough ozone
in the atmosphere to raise everybody's
spirits and put them in a good humor, as
was evidenced by the merry counte-
nances and happy laughter of the
throngs Of citizens and visitors.
There being no set observances or Gel
ebrations in honor of the day. the people
were left to their own sweet will for
recreation and pleasure, and it is need
less to say that they found it,.
The streets were crowded from early
morning, the first trains from out of
town bringing in large delegations from
the college towns who came in to wit
ness the intercollegiate field sports at
Athletic park. The distinctive college
colors were very much in evidence, and
everywhere were heard the noisy col
lege yells, as troops of the students pass
ed each other and shouted defiance.
One unique feature of the DAY was than
snow was seen on the principal business
streets of Los Angeles. But it did not
grow here; it was an imported article
Early in the day a load of ''the beauti-
full was brought in from Mount Lowe,
which was distributed around as a GU
riosity, and it was amusing to see the
sensation which it created. One en-
terprising Spring street merchant dis
played a large straw hat full of snow q.
his front door, and allowed all corners to
test its genuineness, and also gave pack
ages of real snow as premiums to pur-
chasers as long as the supply lasted.
Large numbers of people went out to
Pasadena, Rubio canyon, Echo noun
tain and Mount Lowe TO get real taste
of winter weaEaer according to the east
ern style. The electric road handled
the crowd with ease, but only about half
of those who went up to Rubio canyon
could. make the ascent up the inclined
railway, owing to one of the cars being
out of repair. Nevertheless. they got
a very fair idea of the general mountain
scenery a. close range.
Many visitors to whom snow is no nov
city preferred the beauties of the sea-
shore, and went down to Santa Monica,
Redondo and other nearby coast re-
sorts, while those who did not care to
go so far rode over the city on the cleo
tric cars.
The semi-annual inspection and parade
of the fire department was another
pleasing feature and ELECTED much IA
vorable comment
In the afternoon many people attend
ed the intercollegiate field sports 1t Ath-
letic park. where a fine program was
given.
The various theaters and other places
of amusement were also well patron
lied
Taken as a whole the day was very
pleasantly spent, and the people will
resume their regular routine this morn
ing all the bester for their rest and recre-
alton.