The herald., 1897-05-24

and nuts. was one vast barley field,
while the few residents Of the land
scarcely dreamed of the marvellous de-
velopmentS that were close upon them.
Whittier proper is about fourteen miles
southeast Of the city Of Los Angeles, has
a population Of about 1900. covering two
square miles, and is the seat of the State
Industrial institution.
The Quakers were the founders of
Whittier. coming from diffeffrent parts
OF the Union, and to them largely the
town owes it's steady increase in popula-
tion, business and prosperity ,and the
many beautiful and happy homes that
now adorn the gently sloping hills. Sit
uated as Whittier is, with an altitude
Of about 400 feet above sea level eighteen
miles from the ocean, with that same
balmy atmosphere characteristic Of all
OF Southern California, and with euf-
ficient elevation to command view
stretching far away over the valley to
the sea and on to the wave-washed
island of Catalina, it is one of the most
envable spots on earth in which to live.
Protected on the northeast by the
Puente hills, which form picturesque
and healthy background, Whittier Is
winds that in some localities sweep down
the canyons clouding the air with sand
and dust. Then, too, one can almost
aver. without fear Of contradiction, that
the Whittier belt IS practically frostless,
for not in the history of the town has
frost ever done any material damage,
even to the tenderest plants that grow.
Vegetables grow abundantly, both in
summer and winter, due to the strength
of the soil, and the capacity it has for
retaining moisture almost indefinitely.
Oranges, lemons cabbage, peas, pota-
toes figs, pumpkins and fruit of every
Cline may be seen growing prolifically
on the same place. 1t is an interesting
sight to the easterner when for the first
time he seee the gardeners picking peas
and gathering other vegetables in the
open fields in January. In fact, it is hard
to find spot where so large a variety
OF products can be raised successfully.
and from which such good money re-
turns are to be had as in this immediate
section. Walnuts, which can only be
grown to any great advantage in few
localities, here yield abundant returns.
Alfalfa, that grows so luxurantly, offers
also great inducement to cattle grazing
and the dairy industry. Water is abund-
ant, both in Whittier and East Whittier.
which. with its fine reservoirs, fumes. ir
rlgating ditches artesian wells and cis-
terms, and the welcome rains that fall in
due season, complete the Inducements for
the settler in Whittier. The people of
this charming place are of high moral
character. taking deep interest in re-
ligioue and educational matters. The
Friends, Methodislts, Congregationalists
Holiness and Catholics have commodious
buildings, large congregati tion@, and their
pulpits are filed by able divinew. The
other denominations, the Episcopal
Christian and Salvation Army, hold reg
ular services.
The public schools are excellent, with
commodious buildings for exercises
Whittier also has the Southern Califor-
MIA Conservatory of Music, whose teach
ers rank high In ability. and whose work
compares with the best of large cities.
In the apportionment of school money
last year Evergreen district, which in
cludes Whittier and East Whittier, rank
ed the third largest in amount of any
district in Los Angeles county, outside of
the cities of Los Angeles. Pasadena and
Pomona. The other two which were
larger include the cities Of San Pedro
and Santa Monica.
Land in California may be of the best
its location all that could be desired, but
without water 1t cannot be said to be
very valuable, being fit only for raising
barley about two seasons out Of three, or
for pasturing during portion Of the