The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02
FRESNO TAKES
A HIGH PLACE
AMONG CITIES
Industries Proclaim 1t One OF
the States Big Market
Centers
Serves as Distributing Point for
a Large and Prosperous,
Country
Progressive People Build Thrive
ing Municipality Where
Once Was Desert

prepared for The Call by A. L.
Hobbs, president of the Fresno chamber
of commerce, and William Robertson.
secretary of the Fresno chamber of
eOmmerce.)
Fresno city is the county seat of
Fresno county and is situated in the
exact center of the state of California.
AS a city it's growth has been phe-
nomenaL it having become one of the
largest shipping centers in the state,
and also the distributing point for a
large district and rapidly increasing
population. The business part of the
city is composed of modern buildings
and the stores are conducted on a scale
of efficiency that is metropolitan. The
stocks are large, varied and well Sc
lected. enabling store patrons to make
chsice selections of merchandise that
are not usually to be found outside of
large cities such as San Francisco and
Los Angeles. The merchants have
maintained a keen, healthy cOmpeti-
tion. which has kept prices reasonable
and has been great factor in drawing
an immense patronage from other
points throughout the San Joaquin
valley
The courthouse is a handsome struc-
ture, beautifully situated in its extern
sive grounds. which are thickIy planted
with shade trees, that from underneath
are inviting as shelter and resting
places. The city hall is also splen-
did building. erected five years ago at
a cost of $4,000 II is of solid con-
struction. ornate in appearance, con-
venient in its interior arrangements
and a fitting monument to the enter
prise of the people of this great COM
mupity.
FINE PUBLIC BUILDINGS
A handsome federal building also
graces one of the principal city cor
ners, in which are housed the pOstofice
and other departments of the federal
service.
The city also possesses a public Ii
brary, which cost $50, 600. the gift of
Andrew Carnegie, containing 10000 vol
umes, and Young Mems Christian as
sociation building splendidly equipped.
which cost S65 900.
There are five commercial banks in
the city, with deposits averaging close
upon $4,000 600; also one PeOpis'S saw
ings bank. which combines with il a
strong building and loan society.
There are three daily newspapers,
one morning and two evening
The industrial interests OF the city
are rapidly increasing. among which
are a large -four mill three planning
mills, two macarOni factories. a largs
brewery. several agricultural machin-
cry and wagon manufacturing works.
large number of machine works.
several iron foundries, eight garages,
three soda water works, several
cigar factories. IA large fruit pack
ing houses, two ice manufacturing
plants, three large creameries. a COOP
erage with an extensive manufacture
ing capacity, a large brick and tile
works and also large number of
other enterprises OF various kinds
Fresno possesses good hotel accom-
modations. the demand for which is
constantly increasing. There are at
present four large hotels. and a nth
is in process Of construction, the esti-
mated cost of which is 100000
The~city also has an unlimited sup
ply OF the purest and best water in the
state. Among it's other utilities are
an excellent gas and electric light
supply and efficient telephone service.
Electric car lines extending over u
miles supply the city with transporta-
tion facilities. There is also an inter-
urban road running seven miles east
of the city, and one in course of con-
struetion which will serve a large
part of the southwestern part OF the
county and reach into Hanford the
county seat of Kings county.
MANY CITY PARKS
Fresno is well supplied with city
parks, foremost among which is the
famous Roeding park, the gift OF
Frederick Roeding. and which forms a
splendid exposition OF the landscape
gardeners art. The park commission,
and especially Charles Chambers,
deserve the thanks of the community
for the splendid work in transforming
an arid sand Hill into one of the most
beautiful parks in California.
There are also Commercial park. Ho-
bart park and Recreation park the
latter supplied with open air theater.
and various attractions suited to out
door amusements. Zapp's park is also
a favorite place OF amusement con-
tanning many interesting exhibits of
birds and animals, and lake for boat
ing. The famous Courthouse park. TO
which we have already referred. covers
many acres in extent and is a favorite
resting place, especially in the heated
term. because of it's being beautifully
wooded and provided with every ac-
commodatiOn for the comfort of visit
ors
Few cities excel Fresno in the archi-
teetural character of its residences.
and If pretty homes, well kept lawns
good sidewalks and clean streets are
any evidence OF wealth and refinement.
Fresno city certainly shows them
There are 40 churches in Fresno,
representing almost every shade of
religious belief
The educational advantages OF the
city are excellent and OF a high stand
ard. There are IL schools with an ag-
gregate attendance of 5000 pupils. The
high school Is accredited to the Uni
versity of California.
Fresno is famed for it's ladies' clubs.
the extent and character of their work
being of a very high order. The build
ing owned by the Ladies' Parlor lee
ture club is handsome and convenient
structure. well suited to the purposes
for which il was designed.
Fresno is also rich in fraternaI or