Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-01-02

nowhere else in the country; q type en-
tirely distinct aud new among American
with it's romantic Spanish
origin still giving soft charm TO its
whole contour, aud an historic touch TO
its features; its troPic-like climate max
ing il hold to the old spirit of outdoor
pleasures and the love of a merry life,
and its awakening impetus under the
wand of American Capital, giving il the
inspiring hum and clean well-groomed
look of progress
EMBODIED in every direction-as it al
ways will be, for its natural beauty is
being cultivated by dropping fern-like
pepper trees, stately palms, glossy orange
and banana trees, and radiant with
brilliant blossoms the year around,
Santa Barbara is taking on, under its
prettiness, the staunch, bright look Of the
up-to-date business city. With none of
its old charms gone, it is acquiring all
the new charms of progress.
What is the power that is transform
ing the ancient, beautiful California
Mission town into this unique Ameri-
can City? Capital. Capital has fast
been changing crude Southern Califor-
mia into magnificent empire of resorts,
and in Santa Barbara, the last spot in
vaded, it found its easiest work.
The evolution of the place has been
wonderful. Time there was, but few
years, when even the wonderful heights
surrounding the town, and looking to-
ward the sea, were unimproved. After
awhile the first beautiful modern homes
and gardens began to grow there, but
the great curving water front was left
untouched. Then some one proposed a
boulevard around the bay. Well, why
not? So it was built and stands today
one of the most ideal drives in Califor-
mia, paved, archaeological, palnl-fringed.
But still the progressive men of Capt.
tai had not pushed in over the line Of
the old conservatives. But after awhile
the first of these broke in, with the re.
suit that the magnificent example of
Moorish Spanish architecture, the Santa
Barbara Bath House, was built on an
ideal site by the bay, and surrounded by
its now handsome palm garden, the two
costing near Sl0O,OOO.OO. 1t is struc-
ture the most beautiful resort-city might
well be proud of, and in the waves that
wash the edge of its gardens, bathing is
possible the year around. A modern
electric car system then invaded the
town, and now passes through the differ.
ent streets of the City, down the magni.
ficent boulevard to the bath house plaza
Following this great stride in civic
improvements came, during the past
year, the browning event of Santa Bar
bara's new era-the erection of a huge
hotel by wealthy concern known as thu
Potter Hotel Company. This hotel
built in striking California Renaissance
style, is said to be the finest, most mod
ern, and most luxuriously furnished re
sort in America. 1t stands on Sigh
eminence about 500 feet from the water
and its red tile roof is the first object il
the beautiful valley to greet the eye o
the traveller either by the Southern Paci
fic Railroad, or from the sea in tn
steamers of the Pacific Coast STEAMSHIP
Co. 1t is to have its grand openin
January 10, 1908, and will be conducte
the year around, thus assuring SAINT
Barbara busy time at all seasons
Such men as United States Senate
Thomas r. Bard, who lives not far fror
Santa Barbara, and his associates in tn
development of Southern California, ar
, interested in the mammoth caravansar,
The house will probably be called tn
Potter.
If you climb up on to the roof garden
of the new hotel upon which an army c
. workmen have been toiling since JAM
airy 10, 1902, and look out over the mas
of the city's lovely gardens to the ru
r ged mountains, you will see, on
slightly eminence, the most famous spc
in Southern California, and the age
structure which still dominates tn
spirit of the entire region with the flavt
of the past, Mission Santa Barbara.
the old days it was the greatest Of Mi
sions, as it still is, and from that anciel
religious beginning has grown Il
Santa Barbara which has made such
sudden spring into the line OF WEBSTER
Cities during the past year, and whie
promises to become this winter, and
following seasons, the most fashionab
resort in America. A TOURIST.
f During the year ending June 8
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