The herald., 1898-01-02
THE FITHIAN BLOCK

Nearly half a million dollars worth OF
improvements completed within the year
is the proud record of Santa Barbara
The past twelve months have witnessed
more building in the Flower City and
immediate surroundings than ever be-
fore occurred within so short time. The
season has been, like the one before it,
one of prosperity for the townspeople
and the city is maintaining a healthy
progress and a steady growth.
More dwellings have been built in 1897
than in any corresponding period. In
1896 the main improvements were in the
line of business blocks, but the largest
and most costly, the Fithian building,
was completed during the following
spring. The total cost of it was over
500 1000. But, as stated the bulk of the
building during the past season has con-
sisted of residences, ranging from the
modest cottage of the workingman to the
palatial mansion of the capitalist. Sew
eral notable instances in the latter class
may be noted. They have been confined
to no paticular portion of the city, lndl-
eating that there is no lack of suitable
sites. For instance, on the foothills,
two miles away from the sea, stands the
new houme of f. w. Hadley, costing
over $4,000 to construct; while in an OPP
poste direction and within a stones
throw of the beating surf the bachelor S
hall of w. E. Beale is now nearly fin
ished. 1t occupies a commanding posi-
ton on Beale hill, fronting the boule-
ward. The buildings and other improve
ments represent an outlay of upwards
of $50, 900. Others equally fine and cost
ly are the new homes of B. F. Thomas
and c. H. Crocker. Residences costing
from $1,000 to $4,000 each have been erected
in large numbers; still there are very
few vacant houses in the city.
That charming and fashionable sub
urb Ell Montecito, continues to augment
it's population of wealthy and arsto-
cratic people. Conspicuous among the
additions of the year is Mrs. Cyrus Nc
Cormick, widow of the inventor of the
famous Mccormick reaper and other
agricultural machinery. Mrs. McCor-
mick is at present in Montecito, giving
her personal attention to the gigantic
improvements under way. The con-
struction of the large stone residence,
the laying out of the grounds, and al
terations and repairs of the old buildings
will require, it is presumed. an eXpendi-
ture of at least 100000. Several other
fine homes have also been erected in this
valley.
The commencement of work on the
new water system, to be owned and con-
trolled by the city; the extension of cleo
trio railway; the grading of several i'm
portant streets; the opening of the
mountain boulevard; the beginning of
the foothill drive, that will skirt the brow
of the chain of sloping mounds and make
accessible one of the most delightful
residence portions of the place; all these
will mark the year 1897 as one of adj
vancement in the city of Santa Barbara.
IN OUTSIDE DISTRICTS
The same spirit of enterprise has
seemingly. pervaded the entire county.
At Summerland the oil industry has de-
veloped with great rapidity and the num-
Der of wells has been nearly. doubled.
The field is broadening and the discovery
of oil has turned a sleepy spiritualist col
ony into one of the most thriving and
lively towns on the coast where no one
is idle and where everyone can. with lit
tie COST own a we'll and draw an income
from the petroleum market.
At Carpenteria the town has increased
in size and the farms have undergone
improvements that show the presence
of prosperity. Among the buildings
erected during the past few months was
a lemon packing house.
In Goleta new stores and houses have
been built, and the same may be said OF
Santa Ynez, Lompoc, Los Olives, Santa
Maria and other busy towns and cities
of northern Santa Barbara county.
THE SISQUOC ENTERPRISE
But the greatest of all improvements
In the county, or within the seven south
ern counties, with the possible excep-