The San Francisco call., 1909-12-04
SCENIC HOMESITES
YET UNDfVEIOPfD
Lack of Transportation flinders
Progress OF Sections Equal
to Pacific Heights
Bv G. A. BEAN

In plotting strangers through our
city and endeavoring to show them the
beauty and attractions OF our residence
districts We naturally lead them to
those parts made of easy access by the
car lines. Thus they all see the fine
homes and beautiful views of Our Pa
cific heights. Presidio heights. Mob hill
and Russian hill. In our city of hills
there are many locations as scenic and
as desirable to reside in as any OF
these. but they remain almost unknown
even to our old residents. The only
reason for their lack of developments
lies in the absence of transportation
Directly to the east of the Excelsior
homestead. and adjoining. there lies one
of the most beautiful and neglected
sites that can be found in all San Fran
cisco. Walking TO the top of the low
hills, from Mission street. one is sur
prises and enchanted at the vista
spread out before him.
In the immediate fore ground are seen
the rolling ana gently slopinS hills that
constitute the University homestead
and it's extensions. Here we see the
beautifully kept grounds of the Lick
parts of the tract are found gardens,
where are raised all varieties Of flowers.
violets, lilies, roses. dahlias, carnations
and all kinds of pOtted plants. Here
they all grow TO perfection, and the
city markets depend on this neighbor-
hood for their supply.
Looking to the north we have spread
before US the grand view of the heart
of our city. Here, in plain sight. are
all the prominent buildings of the
greater San Francisco. Looking beyond
these, 10 the north and cast, we have
as fine a view of our beautiful bay as
can be found anywhere. Away over the
water one is charmed by the clear vista
of the Alameda county shores.
Perhaps the grandest sight of all is
the bay itself. Dotted with steamboats,
and ships of all nations, sailboats.
yachts and all kinds of smaller craft. it
presents view that one must always
remember with the greatest pleasure.
Hunters point, where are located our
immense drydocks. is seen to the east
Adjoining this homestead on the
south lies the Refs tract and the far
famed Visitacion valley. Here is where
the. great work of the Southern Pa
cihc is bringing results that will very
shortly astound the people of this city
and state.
The water line. as known by the old
resident, can hardly be located by him
at the present time. over 140 acres
of what was water is now high and
dry land. On this made land are hun
dreds of tracks used by the railroad
for its cutoff service in both passen-
ger and freight traffic Here all of
the transcontfnentaI Southern Pacific
freight Will arrive. be segregated and
depart. Here will be shops for con
struction and repair. Here are gas
works and power houses A payroll,
made up for the employees of these va
rious industries. will make OF this val
ley and its immediate neighbOr. Uni
city within a city. In the face of the
can not help coming TO pass and the
next few years will surely see il.
University mound is not eXcelled in
it's own city or elsewhere in the points
of scenic attraction. climate or soil The
only thing that has kept it from COM
ing to it's own is lack of transpOrta-
tion. Car service will bring this To-
cality as close TO the ferry as the
Richmond district now is and nearer
than Sunset 1t is a lovely location
for beautiful homes.
Any one who enjoys beautiful scenery
or who is of inquiring turn of mind
and wishes to ascertain what must hap
pen in the future from what has hap
pened in the past, and is now being
DONE can do nothing more profitable
than to visit these sections. Going
there with open eyes and clear mind
he can not fail to realize the great
future in store for all the city lying
between Mission street and the beauti-
full bay to the eastward.