The record-union., 1897-07-15
PLACER'S TOWNS And MINES.
A MOUNTAIN DISTRICT THAT
HAS PRosPERED.
Orchards in the Foothills and Gold
Mines in all Parts of
the County.

Especial Correspondence of Record -Union.)
The town Of Colfax boasts of one of
the finest halls in the mountains. 1t
has a large two-story school building
the upper story being used as pub
lie hall 1t is said to be S0xl0O feet
in dimensions. Another institution OF
which it is proud is it's local paper.
The section is pretty we'll surround
ed with orchards and the fruits raised
are said to equal if not to excel that
Of other parts Of the State. The some
what celebrated Chicago Park, al
though in Nevada County, claims to be
a suburb Of Colfax. The park was
settled by people from the East some
ten years ago, and although the boom
which attended its colonization long
since waned, yet there are about elgh-
teen orchards of from ten to twenty
acres each now in bearing, which in
point of thriftiness and cultivation are
the equal Of the best. The experiment
has proven that the section is as well
..dapted to most kinds of fruit cul-
ture as any in the foothills. No irriga-
tion has been resorted to but system
attic cultivation has brought sufficient
moisture to the surface to cause d
healthy, if not SO rapid, a growth. The
fruit there is declared to be OF the
best quality.
From Colfax up to TOwle's Station
are also orchards and small vineyards
In the immediate vicinity Of ColfaX
there is not much active mining be-
ing prosecuted at present, though
there are quartz mines near by that
have been great producers, some OF
which will again be operated in the
near future.
DUTCH FLAT.
This old town, which had record Of
being a great producer of bullion be-
fore hydraulic mining was enjoined.
has been very quiet of late years. ii
is an oId-fashioned mining town and
has many beautiful and pretentious
residences. Some of the business
houses are closed but there are still
enough to do the business coming to
it from surrounding sections. the
climate from Gold Run TO Blue Canyon
is declared to be the healthiest in the
State. No such thing as malaria IS
known, and those who go there with 1t,
find it soon leaves the system.
For health seekers and those desirous
of enjoying the most lovely night air,
the section from Gold Run to Blue
Canyon is the place to visit.
The scenery is beautiful, the water
pure and healthful, and the conditions
are all favorable for the rapid recov-
cry of invalids.
Probably the most attra&ive place
for tourists is
ALTA
1t has a we'll kept and commodious
hotel, and near by is an artificial lake
of pure water, seldom equalled in love-
liness
The lake is fringed with a dense
growth of young pines and along the
shores in these bowers of beauty are
numerous rustic seats which afford a
cool resting place and a view OF a
fountain in the lake which throws
water over a hundred feet in the air.
Beautiful rainbows are frequently
seen in the spray from the fountain
which with a backs ground Of green
pines forms a beautiful picture. There
are shady walks around the shores
which afford delightful rambles to Wis
itors and altogether it is a cozy and
restful place to spend a few weeks
during the heated term. The altitude
is 3,612 feet. 1t is distant seventy
miles from Sacramento and the fare
is but 50 70 Those seeking pure air.
pure water, freedom from malaria,
mosquitoes and other discOmfortS do
not know of this quiet little nook or
il would be crowded throughout the
summer. The grounds surrounding the
lake are the private property of George
Sperry of Stockton, who has resi-
dence there, where his family and
friends pass the summer. Those who
do not abuse the privilege, we under
stand, are welcome to enjoy the beau
tiful surroundings.
Towle's Station is the most important
business place between Auburn and
Truckee
The Towle brothers started the lum-
ber business there in 1869, and have
followed it continuously ever since.
They have cut the timber from an
area three miles wide and twenty
eight miles long. A narrow-guage
railroad thirty-five miles long runs
from the station to the front, which is
now way out in Navada County. The
mill cuts on an average 10000 feet Of
lumber daily. All the logging is per
formed by steam power, traction en-
gines, steam wagons, etc, being used
for the purpose.
The company have a box factory and
ship a carload of shocks per day. They
also have wood pulp mill in opera
ton. About 200 men are employed
There were 122 votes cast there last
election which indicates a population
of about 500. There is a comfortable
two-story hotel, a large general mer-
chandise store, owned by the COM
pany, a cozy town hall, a substantial