The herald., 1897-03-21
SAN DIEGO COUNTY

There are many fourishing cities on the
Atlantic seaboard, or In the Atlantic
States, that have been growing for two
and half centuries that cannot make
the showing of business street and
fine palatial residences that can be seen
in San Diego today as the result of prac-
tically one-tenth that space of time for
growth.
The writer visited San Diego in April,
1874 and wrote a letter regarding that
place which appeared in the columns of
the Los Angeles Herald of the date of
April 26 of that year. The Herald had
then been published but few months.
From this letter we extract the follow
ing:
AN OLD-TIME LETTER.
did you ever visit San Diego-the
metropolis (that is to be) of Southern
California? No? Then you have not
seen all the sights of this great sight
seeing state. I've just visited the me-
tropolis went from Los Angeles on the
cars to the lighterage, on the lighterage
to the steamer, and thence by steamer
to San Diego; slept all night, awoke at
daylight just in time to see the entrance
to the beautiful bay of San Diego. 1t is
a beautiful bay
Here the bracing atmosphere of
California morning rests over the un-
disturbed clear waters Of the finest har-
Dor In the world and the San Dtegans
know 1t and will tell you of 1t before
you have been ashore five minutes. Capt
Thorne brought his ship alongside the
wharf and hitched, while the passengers
got ready to disembark. The wharf Is
about half mile. long more
or less (probably less), and is
too narrow to allow teams to be
driven out In search of passengers.
had visited large cities before. and had
become somewhat accustomed to the
din of hotel runners and was greatly
disappointed on arriving at the wharf
at not being permitted to enjoy Bos-
ton-Gilmore jubilee chorus, given in the
interest of the San Diego hotels; but
on discovering the fact that must walk
to the shore end of the wharf, became
encouraged at the prospect of getting
my moneys worth on arriving at that
point. Disappointments crowd upon
each other sometimes very rapidly.
Z saw here waiting the arrival OF the
steamers passengers several coaches
and a number of gentlemen of leisure
standing around, but I didn't hear the
chorus. / stopped a moment waiting
for the Right this way to the Horton
House, the only first-class hotel in the
city, but I didn't hear 1t. Presently a
tion, and turned to receive the saluta-
ton, Ever been In San Diego beforeY'
NO, SIR Going to remain long?' No.
sir In search of real estate invest
ments? Have some very nice residence
lots, located but a short distance from
the Horton house; will sell them at
real bargain. A few days ago Prof.
Fowler bought a ranch just outside of
the city limits for 100000 1 thought
the man must certainly be a lunatic
en- route to Stockton In charge of the
sheriff, but looking around and seeing
nothing of that official. bade the San
Diegan q good morning and wended
my way toward the hotel.
"The Horton house Is located about
half mile from the wharf, and to reach
it one must pass up Fifth street. the
main business thoroughfare or the me-
tropolis. I passed up the street; every
little ways I came to business house;
twice en- route l stopped to enquire the
way and twice received invitations to
visit and purchase real estate. Stand
ing on the front steps OF the Horton
house, looking to the westward over the
still waters of the bay, and bringing
within the angle of vision the thickliest-
settled portion of the best laid out city
on the Pacific coast, one cannot help
but see much to admire. Struck with
the number Of real estate signs to be
seen from the standpoint 1 commenced
taking the census; had counted seven
teen when the bell rang for breakfast.
and I turned my thoughts and face in
another direction.
Five hours of tramp around city
will satisfy the most inveterate tramp
in the country. I was satisfied.
and at noon, having fallen in
with an old friend, we sought a liv
to the country The truth Of the matter
Is said the liveryman, I have but one
team in at present, and that is engaged
to go to funeral at o'clock this after
noon.' What. funeral in this health
inspiring placer Well, you see,
stranger, this man they are going to put
away today came here little too late,
had he arrived here few weeks earlier
he might have been well man today;
but you can have the team, and I will
try andsf1x out the funeral man with an
other rig
AFTER lunch myself and friend visit
ed National City-so called-a town
about the size of Florence, and five years
ago the rival of San Diego; Paradise
Valley, fine little valley extending in
land from the above mentioned city, and
another valley with horrible Spanish
name we have never attempted to either
pronounce or spell. Right over there
said my friend, Is Prof. Fowler's ranch
You see there Is money In real estate in
this country. A few weeks since Mr.
Horton bought a ranch for $4,000, kept 1t
two months and sold part of 1t to Prof
Fowler for $20.000
Driving up the valley some three or
four miles east of San Diego we sud
denly discovered sign stuck up on a
high, rocky, gravelly bluff to our left,
on which we read San Diego Railroad
Extension Homestead association or
some thing to that effect. An express
sion escaped my lips here which seemed
to nettle my friend, but the expression,
wouldn't this locality be a fine place
for q suburban residence brought
forth from him grunt of approval, and
we drove along to the fine residence and
grounds Of Mr.. Phipps.
This gentleman is wealthy invalid,
and has spent large amount in beauti-
flying his home. This Is a beautiful little
nook in the valley, and five years Of
growth will add greatly to its beauty
A. we left he remarked: This farm is
like gold mine, where you put five dol
lars in and take out one dollar The re-
mark was very appropriate, for the
largest portion Of the money spent in
the place was devoted to the orna-
mental. and 1t is quite evident that Mr..
Phipps desired comfortable, easy
home more than he did profitable in
vestment.
1T is a little amusing to hear thor
oughbred San Diegan refer to Los An
geles as our back country but, then,
people will become enthusiastic over
f6ofp ovyr, 1o0a1ffu opd K1oxx Fot a.