The indicator., 1897-11-06
BUILT TO ORDER.
A Town in California Modelled
After Pullman, Ill.
Anticipating Great Bosm in tho
Lumber Tracts of sierra County
Planned for IL Long
Time.

Planned for Long
In the last few weeks there has
sprung into existence up in Sierra coun-
ty, close to the Nevada line, another
such town as Pullman city built
upon and around a great industry.
Gverton is the name of the town-a
compliment to Capt. James Il. Overton,
who will be the magnate of the noun
tain municipality and every inch of its
area. every splinter OF its neat, new
buildings belongs to the Hobart estate.
Capt Overton has been for years the
upcrintendent of the Sierra Nevada
wood and Lumber company, which is
one Of the Hobart enterprises, and he
viii be the representative of the estate
in directing the affairs of the mountain
city which bears his name.
The town is the result of the pro-
posed exploitation of the immense tim
Der tracts in the vicinity, which were
acquired hy the late Waiter ). Hobart
during the last 30 years Of his lifetime,
and subsequently by his executors.
I hey comprise no less than 10000 acres
al white, yellow and sugar pine and fir
all Il virgin forest OF this vast area
Of timber 10000 acres are to be cut,
sawed and manufactured, an operation
which it is estimated viii occupy the
time of large force OF men and the
employment of much machinery for 60
years to come. In this area of land it
i, estimated there are 1.jOO,OOO.O0O feet
of lumber, which VIII he worked up al
the rate of 25,OOO,uDO feet year. 49,,
oG0,000 feet going into lumber, W hich
viii be marketed principally in Nevada
and Utah, s,OOO,OG0 feet i'll fruit boxes
for the California trade, and the re-
maiuder in bu!!diug rstterial, all turned
put on the spot. Even when tins Is done
tract of 10000 acres viii be left for
the benefit of the children of the pres
rut owners children.
Oyerton, as it has now taken shape,
was the pet project of the lnte Mr. Ho-
bart, and has been carried out thus
Tar and will be perfected on the lines
which he himself laid down.
The beginning was made last year,
hut it has only been within few weeks
that the town has sprung into exist
cnce. Already, however, a broad-gauge
railroad has been built to Truckee on
The Southern Pacific, a distance of seven
miles. as well as a standard spur Of
Two miles to the timbeE.helt, and seven
miles of narrow-gauge Track are to be
laid TO be used as a logging road into
the neghboring hills and mountains,
The new town is Il model of its kind
in addition to its industrial Importance.
Every foot of land is owned by the
Hobart estate, which will not sell an
inch, as it desires to maintain complete
control over the place in the interest of
temperance and good order. Not sa-
loon or drinking place will be permitted
to open its doors in Overton, and all
that can be provided for the comfort
and health and intellectual improve
ment of the residents, whose number
will approximate 1000, will be carefully
looked out for. Broad. well-sewered
streets have been laid out, running at
right angles The water system IS
ample and complete, and many build
ings have been completed or are un-
der way. The water is carried a dis
tance of 2H miles through a siN-inch
pipe from Il mountain stream, and hy-
drnnts, with hose attached, are located
throughout the town, and especially in
the yards and buildings used for manu-
featuring purposes, so that the fire risk
is reduced TO IA minimum. y sawmill,
one of the largest in California, capable
Of turning out 125,OOO feet OF lumber iii
ten hours, has been completed and is
in operation.
\ box factory and factory for the
making of sashes, doors, blinds and
moldings are under way, and will be
finished in few weeks, residences have
been constructed for the superintend-
eut and the assistant superintendent,
as well as comfortable homes for the
workingmen having families, and bunk
houses for the bachelor contingent. In
addition two-story hotel will be fin
.shcd in few days, store will be built
where the employees Will be able to OBJ
tain their supplies at the lowest rates.
aGh a schoolhousc is projected for the
education Of the children.
1t is expected that the box and sash
and blind factories will run from May
/ TO December / each year, while the
Sawmill will be kept in operation
throughout the IL months, giving en-
ployment TO at least 300 men and sup
porting a population of 1000 souls.
The improvements in course OF con-
struction represent an outlay of $780,
900 and, taking into account the tim
Der lands which are to feed the new
town, the value of the property is esti-
mated at $4,000, ,O0O.-San Francisco
Chronicle.