The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-04-13
CHICO COMMUNITY
OF VARIED INTEREST
(By A. D. Moe.)

winter or the rains and cloudy days of
| the Pacific northwest, makes but brief
stops, if at all, in the northern part OF
the state. Los Angeles is usually the
objective point, and he either stays
there or seeks other localities in the
southland to suit his fancy. The
southern Californian regards the north
ern part of the state as an alien coun-
try, devoid of interest, and of little I'M
portance. The tourist who hurries
| through the northern part of the state
makes a brief stop at San Francisco,
perhaps, and then hastens to join the
big winter colony that centers around
Los Angeles.
On our way south we drove down the
west side of the Sacramento valley. 1t
was cold, the landscape below Red
Bluff a fiat country with little to at
tract attention, and as we stated in
former letter, we saw little of interest
until we got to Sacramento. On our
return TRIP, desiring to visit old Hood
River friends at Chico. we took the
east side road from Sacramento to Red
Bluff. A contrast to the west side, it
was a route of interest from the start.
Being nearer the foothills of the noun
tains, the road winds through more
| hilly country, the ravines filled with
variety of trees and shrubs, the beauti
full live oaks, with their shiny ever
green leaves mingling with the dor~
mant oaks Of the kind common in Hood
| River.
The first city of Importance on the
west side route is Marysvlle, and we
began to see the rice fields and varied
farming Of the fertile Sacramento val
ley. The Yuba river separates Marys-
vile and Yuba City. Here the road
forks, one leading to Chico.
A few miles south of Chico is Dur
ham, where is located the state land
settlement of 800 acres. This project
was formed by the state in 1918, and
has been so successful that an addi-
tional tract will soon be placed on the
market. Under this plan small tracts
are sold to settlers on small initial pay
ment and they are required to become
members of settlers cooperative as
sociation and comply with the require
ments of a community operation of the
entire tract with regard to general in
terests. The first payment is five per
cent of the cost of the land and 40 per
cent of the 0ost of improvements. The
balance can be paid for in 20 years,
with five per cent interest. The com
munity is prosperous and progressive,
and many beautiful homes have been
erected on the tract.
Coming into Chico we were fortunate
enough to pass along the highway at
blooming time of the almond trees.
There are about 1000 acres of almonds
in the vicinity of Chico and $500 acres
of prunes. The almond trees all come
out at the same time, most of the bios
SONS white, these being of the thin
shell variety with occasional rows of
pinkish blossoms of the hard shell va
riety. The blossoms are quite fragrant,
and the air was filled with the perfume.
Chico is a city of about 10, 900 inhab-
itants. Ii is city of beautiful homes,
streets lined with olive, pepper, mag
nolia, palms and other evergreen shade
trees, which are not only beautiful in
winter, but cooling protection from
the hot summer sun. A new building
| Just being completed is pointed to with
pride. being a million dollar high
school, This is the most modern high
school in northern California. 1t has a
campus of 55 acres. A state normal
school is ako located at Chico, the
grounds containing an interesting col
1
lection of trees and flowers.
The city was founded in 1860 by Gen.
John Bidwell, California pioneer. who
was candidate for president in 1882.
He donated 300 acres of land to the
city for a park, the second largest mu
nicipal park in tie world. Extending
from the center ofthe city ten miles to
| the Sierra Nevadas, it is wonderful
recreation ground and thoroughly APP
preciated by the fortunate residents OF
| the city. In the park is located the
largest oak tree in existence, named
the Sir Joseph Hooker Oak. it is nine
feet in diameter, eight feet from the
ground, and its branches have a spread
Of l42 feet. Over 1000 persons can
stand under its spreading branches.
Through the courtesy of Mrs. Leo
w. Doyle we enjoyed a drive through
several miles of this wonderful park
along the bank Of a large mountain
creek which traverses the length of
the park from the mountains. About
five miles from town is a finely laid
out golf course which is patronized the
year round by Chico residents.
West of Chico are extensive rice
fields there being 40. 00O acres in Butte
county and 1000 acres in the state.
Fortunes were made in rice culture
during the war, but like many other
agricultural products, the last year or
two it has been a losing proposition.
While there has been a reduction in
rice growing on this account many are
staying with it having full confidence
that the profits will return.
Driving east about 10 miles into the
foothills we came to Paradise Valley.
district of about 1000 acres, which
grows apples, peaches, pears, cher
ries, and strawberries. About 800
acres are now in bearing apples, more
land being cleared and orchards set
out. Winesap. Delicious and Rome
Beauty are chiefly grown.
The climate Of Chico compares very
favorably with that Of southern Cali
fornia, except there is more rain. The
district is as free from killing frosts
as any part Of the San Joaquin valley,
and the summers while hot are cooler.
All varieties of citrus fruits are
gIown, but not extensively. Grapes
are an important crop, and there is a
greater diversity of crops than in the
southern part Of the state. The Sac
ramento river furnishes an abundance
Of water for irrigation. As place Of
residenice, it appeals more to the
northerner than the barren desert
country Of the southland. The noun
tians, the oaks, the streams. are here,