Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-07-10
A Letter From California.


Visits to various points in Southern
California reveals many places of in
terest and pleasure. There are several
climates here, the desert, ocean, and
mountains are the discriminating
factors in the problem of temperature.
Beautiful cities have within a few
years been built where previous was
a vast ocean of sand. immigration is
doing the work of our western states.
The principal secret of the charm of
the winter in its health restoring pro-
perties dates to the dry pine air and
even temperature, makes it possible
for one to live continually out of
doors. The city, ranch, beach, de-
lightful fishing grounds, the beauti-
full sea, tropical trees, lovely flowers,
orange and lemon groves surrounded
by olive trees, are some of it's attrac-
lions.
Los Angeles, the metropolis of
Southern California in 1856 was an
adobe village dedicated to the Queen
of the Angels. 1t stands today city
of brick and stone with more than
fifty thousand inhabitants. 1t calls
itself "Queen of the State. - It's
streets are broad, many of it's build
ings massive and imposing and resi-
dences beautiful. The trolley system
which copnoctc en- many otbor baant;
full cities such as Pasadena, Redlands.
and Riverside is very complete. One
is attracted by the old missions. AL
though that -patriarchal life has
passed away it's influence still fingers.
How can / distinguish native
Californian from an Eastern man?
There are no native Californians.
Nine-tenths of the Inhabitants came
here from the East less than fifteen
years ago, many of them less than
five.
One charm of Los Angeles is the
sudden contrast within few minutes
ride brings you to the remains of a
beautiful Mexican village. 1t has
also it's Chinatown whose manners
and customs are very distinct from
Anglo-Saxon. One of the most in
terestiug places one may visit is the
Chamber of Commerce which has the
reputation of being the leading in
stitution of its character in the world.
The oil wells situated on the foot
hills of Whittier are interesting to
many. They burn the crude oil in the
engine which runs the machinery to
drill and pump the oil from the wells
which are 1900 to 1850 feet deep.
The oil is used extensively on the
railroad as it is cheaper than wood or
coal. 1t makes a very satisfactory
light and fuel. The oil wells like
mining has it's facination
/ watched All Sing obtain gold in a
rude way with pick, shovel. and a
rocker, far different from the dredge
like boat eight miles distance which
leaves a huge pile of stone and DESC
late country behind
San Francisco is fast being rebuilt
but there are blocks yet of ruins dat.
ing back to that memorable earth
quake.
Along the bays we find homes
enough for large town built on the
promontones of peninsulas which
looks like little gust of wind would
sweep them into the water below.
Business men from the city like the
novelty OF living up there but to US it
was too much to climb it.
Berkeley is noted for its fine resi-
dences and schools; climbing gerani-
ums in mass of bloom formed banks
and hedges around some of the build
ings. while magnolias were just in
their beauty.
We had the pleasure of hearing Miss
Eva Booth and Gov. Gillet address
an audience of IL. 900 at the Greek
theater that is constructed wholly of
cement and no roof.
Farther north we find naturedoing
more for vegetation. Around Sebasto.
pol irrigation is unnecessary for in.
dustries are carried on such as raising
hops. apples. pears, apricots, grapes,
peaches, and all kinds of berries.
They are partially matured and OBJ
tain moisture from the fogs from the
ocean, distance Of sixteen miles.
The cannery affords employment for a
large number of people Mr.. Bur-
banks experimental gardens are in
our midst.
We have the earthquakes and China
town. as well as the dried-up grass
which makes things look barren and
which l am trying hard to get ac-
customed to.
With kind greeting to all of my
Winnesheik friends, / will close.