Imperial Valley press., 1909-09-11
COME TO Il CENTR0
Heart of the Valley, El centro Capital of Imperial Co.,, Cal.

 two story brick hotel, an opera house and office building, an electro light and power plant and ice factory, and then invited people to settle on the new townsite.
 In August, 1907, the town had only 125 inhabitants, but because of it's central location and it's railway con- nections it was made the county seat when Imperial County was created out of the eastern half of San Diego coun- ty.
 Settlement was rapid during the fall of 1907 and the following winter, and in April, 1908, El Centro was incor porated as a city of the sixth class, with a population of 1250.
 Unique Frontier Town
 Withdrawal of valley lands from en- try, pending completion of new gov 'ernment survey, retarded progress in Imperial County for about year, and in April, 1909, El Centro's population had increased only to 1500, although the construction of business and resi- dence buildings was not interrupted. Fl Centro's business section of six city blocks is built entirely of brick, constituting the most substantial frontier" town in the history of the west.
 Commercial Center
 El Centro is not only the political capital of Californias newest and most fertile county; it is the commer- cial and social capital of Imperial Val ley. More freight goes out of the valley from Fl Centro than from any other shipping point, and the receipts of the railroad from freight and pas tro station, being exceeded in South ern California only at Los Angeles.
 Educational Facilities
 El Centro is especially proud of it's public schools. It has two public school buildings, one of them, which has just been completed, being the largest grammar school building in Imperial Valley, costing $25,000. Gram mar schools nave six teachers; High school, six teachers and excellent equipment. SThe city has free pub9 lie library and Threading room, which will soon be housedin a $1O,OOO build ing provided by Andrew Carnegie.
 The Catholics, Methodists and Pres gbyterians have substantial church ed ifices, and the Baptists, Christian Church and Christian Scientists have strong congregations, which soon will have their own places of worship.
 Public Utilities
 The city has electric lights, power and water, supplied by private enter prise, and gas plant to supply fuel gas to El Centro and other cities, is in process of construction.
 The municipality has recently com- pleted septic sewer system at a cost of $35,000, and is about to install municipal water system, for which bonds will be issued. A fire depart ment is maintained by the city.
 The Fl Centro postoffice is of the third class. For the year ending June 30, 1909, it issued 5695 money orders, amounting to 1,O26, and paid 1789 orders amounting to $22,570. Stamp sales for the year amounted to $6,177
 Mercantile
 El Centro has two National banks, an abstract, title and trust company, two large department stores, hard ware and agricultural implement houses, clothing, shoe, grocery, pro- vision and other shops, two drug stores printing offices, jewellers and watchmakers and all the usual places of trade and commerce. There are two large brick hotels in the business district and several frame hotels out side the fire limits.
 industrial District
 Among the industrial establishments in active operation are: Light and