Imperial Valley press., 1909-04-24
Frontage of Brick Business Buildings Doubled in
 Dull Period
snc~ease in Number of Substantial Dwellings indicative Of Steady Growth In Permanent Population Continuing Activity In Construction of all Classes of Buildings.

Since April, 1908, the growth of El Centro has been considerable, not withstanding the dullness of business and the suspension of land transac- tion due to the delay in approval of the resurvey of the valley. A year ago an accurate count of buildings | In the town showed 78 per manent dwellings and 188 tent houses and tents. A count made this week shows 123 substantial dwellings of frame. tile and cement, 165 tent houses, most of them built well enough to be classed as permanent structures, and 45 tents and tempor- ary shelters.
 Last year the brick buildings in the business section covered about 1000 feet of street frontage. Now there are 1915 feet frontage of brick and tile buildings west of the rail- road, and the value of brick struc lures in the city is easily doubled There are 240 feet of three-story frontage. 975 feet of two-story from tage, and 800 feet of one- story from tage. not counting the large brick structures In the industrial section east of the track, which have been extended during the year.
 Structurally, the city of El Centro is now constituted as follows: 2SS dwellings,; 45 temporary shelters, 1915 feet frontage brick business buildings; 24 frame business build ings; 2 brick hotels; frame hotels; 1 hospital: 4 churches; court house; brick ice factory, power plant, steam, laundry, creamery, machine shop; 2 iron warehouses; 3 cantaloupe sheds; two lumber yards with sub stantial sheds and office buildings; brick depot; freight house and plan Ing mill.
 A brief summary of Fl Centro's building activity shows that the city Is maintaining its remarkable record for expansion. The era of permanent, comfortable homes has arrived and every street has been the scene of notable transformations from "shacks" and tent houses to pretty bungalows and cottages. The business streets have kept pace with the residence sections, and the new business blocks are nearing completion.
 The last work on the Bill block, with it's 1O0-foot frontage on Main street, was done this week. The sev- en store rooms on the first floor of this block are now occupied, and the upper story received it's first tenants this week.
 Contractor J. l.. Travers is putting the roof on the two-story brick block being erected by H. H. Peterson. This week cement floors will be laid and the plasterers will complete their work. The unique front on this struc- ture Is attracting much attention. It is of clinker brick and the arcade ex- tends out over the sideawlk
 The hanosomest block in Imper- ial Valley was completed in El Centro this week This Is the Thomas Beach building at the northwest corner of Main and Sixth streets, built of buff ;and salmon -colored hollow blocks of terra cotta.
 The first floor of this block will house the El Centro postofice, the First National Bank and the City Hall. The bank fixtures are all in place and present handsome appearance. They are of Flemish oak, with a base of Carrara marble around the counters and partitions White and blue tile in small designs form the floor of the bank lobby.
 The cottage being erected for Miss Martha Hildebrand, on Olive street, between Fourth and Fifth street, will be finished next week.
 A. Fink is completing his cement block cottage at the northwest cor ner of Sixth and Olive streets, and this Is to be occupied at once by Dr. Mattocks and family.
 Good progress Is being made on a mission style bungalow for Samuel w. Dunaway. on Olive street. near Sev- enth, and Sanford Carey has work in progress on his new cottage on the same street
 Paul Roman has recently completed