Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1891, Part 132

Author: R.L. Polk & Co
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Indianapolis : R.L. Polk & Co.
Number of Pages: 892

USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1891 > Part 132
USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1891 > Part 132

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CALIFORNIA: ITS WONDERS AND RESORTS.

MONTEREY AND ITS VICINITY.

ONTEREY, a mile distant from the Hotel del Monte, although not strictly a resort, is so charming and interesting that we cannot afford to pass it unnoticed. It is the oldest town in the State, and many of its ancient adobe houses, built more than a century ago, are still standing, some in fine preservation and others in picturesque ruins.

Pacific Grove, three miles beyond Monterey, is a famous resort, particularly in summer. It nestles cosily in a great pine grove, is built on ground which rises gently from the door and delight- fulentertainment -or cottages may be had. bay to the sum- mit of the pen- insula, and is the ideal resting People of the more cultured sort, apart from those who pursue the lighter forms of fashionable pleasure, come hither by thou- sands; it is the resting - place of artists, teachers, musicians, liter- ary people and brain-workers in general. a consequence there are held here dur- ing the summer a SCENES AT MONTEREY large number of important con- place for those who, caring no- thing for the greater elegance of the Hotel del Monte, want to dream away a month of deli- cious repose. Bathing, moss- gathering and strolling along the rocky shore are favorite pas- times. El Car- melo, the mod- est sister of the Hotel del Mon- te, has an open ventions, such as the Chautauqua Assembly and others. A superb assembly hall is provided for this purpose.

One of the most interesting of the attractions hereabout is the famous Eighteen- mile Drive, a splendid macadamized highway, starting from the Hotel del Monte,

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SANTA CRUZ

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SANTA MONICA

CALIFORNIA: ITS WONDERS AND RESORTS.

passing through Monterey, crossing over the neck of the peninsula to Carmel Bay (passing the famous old Carmel Mission, not far away), and thence skirting the entire peninsula, passing, on the way, the curious gnarled cypress trees, which are peculiar to this little corner of the world ; some charming beaches, which yield mar- velous mosses and pebbles ; the seal rock, upon which thousands of seals scramble and bark; the great reservoir, which supplies Pacific Grove and the Hotel del Monte with water; Fremont's old fort, and then Monterey again.

While in this part of the State we may visit the Gilroy Hot Springs, reached by stage from Gilroy. This is a famous resort for invalids and pleasure-seekers. The hot mineral waters possess exceptional healing powers, and are useful both for drinking and bathing. The springs are beautifully situated in the Coast Range; and the hunting and fishing thereabout are an irresistible temptation to those who enjoy that kind of sport. The Madrone Mineral Springs, six miles north of the Gilroy Hot Springs, are also very popular. The Tassajara Springs, in Monterey county, are largely visited. Game and fish abound in all of this country bordering on the Bay of Monterey.

SANTA YSABEL

The Coast Division of the Southern Pacific continues its course southeast wardly through Monterey county, and terminates in San Luis Obispo county, traversing the rich, broad valley of the Salinas River. We shall find rare beanties all the way ; but our first objective point is the Paraiso Springs, seven miles by stage from Soledad. These yield hot soda and sulphur waters, and are very popular. Pursuing the jour- ney on the Coast Division, we arrive at the Paso de Robles Hot and Cold Sulphur Springs, in the northern extremity of San Luis Obispo county. Thousands of remarkable cures have been effected by the use of the waters which these noble springs yield. Not far from Paso Robles are the curious Santa Ysabel Springs, which lately have come into prominence. They yield hot sulphur water. In pre- historic times this must have been a great health resort, as the ruins of ancient dams are visible. Within the last few years the place has been improved with gar- dens and drives, and by the construction of an artificial lake of the warm spring water, where the visitor can indulge in a most enervating swing.

CALIFORNIA: ITS WONDERS AND RESORTS.

YOSEMITE AND THE BIG TREES.

F course the crowning glory of California's natural attractions is the Yo- semite Valley ; and no real visit to the State can be made without seeing this marvelous creation. As no other natural wonder in the world has been so often and ably described as this, we shall do hardly more than mention it. To reach it, we cross the bay from San Francisco to Oak- land, and there take the Southern Pacific Company's train by way of Martinez and Lathrop. Here we enter the great, San Joaquin Valley, the southern end

Liberty Pra

THE YOSEMITE VALLEY

of the vast interior basin of which the Sacramento Valley is the northern end. On the right, toward the west, lies the Coast Range, low and dark, and on the east the towering Sierra Nevadas, whose giant peaks are forever covered with snow. It is into the heart of these snow-clad summits (though below the line of perpetual snow) that we must penetrate to find the Yosemite Valley. We leave the main line at Berenda, one hundred and seventy-eight miles from San Francisco. and take a branch railroad. called the Yosemite Division, which runs eastwardly into the Sierra foothills to Raymond, twenty-one miles from Berenda. Here we take the stage for the Mariposa Big Trees and Yosemite. The ride is superb ; for as the road, with thousands of turnings and twistings, rapidly climbs the Sierra, it brings into view a series of scenic wonders and beauties which only these extraor- dinary mountains disclose.

The Mariposa Grove of Big Trees is on the way to Yosemite; and the visitor to the valley cannot afford to let these monarchs of the forest pass. The Rev. T. De Witt Talmage says of them : " Who that has seen them can think of them with- out having his blood tingle? Trees are now standing there that were old when Christ lived. These monarchs of foliage reigned before Cæsar or Alexander; and the next thousand years will not shatter their scepter. They are the masts of the continent ; their canvas spreads on the winds while the old ship bears on its way

CALIFORNIA: ITS WONDERS AND RESORTS.

through the ages. Their size, of which travelers speak, does not affect me so much as their longevity. Though so old now, the branches of some of them will crackle in the last conflagration of the planet."'

We find ourselves at last on Inspiration Point, gazing down upon the incredible wonders of the Yosemite Valley,-a long, irregular chasm in the heart of the mount- ains. Stupendous walls of granite in grotesque and suggestive forms inclose the valley; and far down a beautiful sparkling river winds gracefully through the floor of the valley. The snows of the Sierra, slowly melting, collect into rivers, and these plunge headlong into the valley over the towering ledge of the granite wall. "That valley of the Yosemite," says Dr. Talmage, " is eight miles long, a half mile wide and three thousand feet deep. It seems as if it had been the meaning of Omnipo- tence to crowd into as small a space as possible some of the most stupendous scen- ery of the world. Some of the cliffs you do not stop to measure by feet, for they are literally a mile high. Steep, so that foot of man nor beast ever scaled them, they stand in

everlasting

defiance. If Jehovah has throne on earth, these are its white pillars. Stand- ing down in the immense chasın of this valley, you look up and wonder at Ca- thedral Rock, vast, głoomy minister, built for the silent worship of the mountains. Yonder is Sen- tinel Rock,- three thou- sand two hun- dred and sev- enty feet high -bold, solita- ry, standing guard among the ages, its top seldom touched, until a bride one Fourth of July mounted it and planted the national standard, and the people down in the valley looked up and saw the head of the mountain turbaned with the Stars and Stripes. Yon- der are the THE BIG TREES thysts, the water in diamonds. That cascade flings down the rocks enough jewels to array all the earth in beauty, and rushes on until it drops into a very hell of waters, the smoke of their torment ascending forever and ever."

Three Broth- ers, four thou- sand feet high, Clouds' Rest, North and South Domes, and heights ne'er captured save by the bayonets of the thunder- storm. The Bridal Veil Fall, so thin that you can see the face of the mountain behind; yon- der are Yo- semite Falls, dropping two thousand six hundred and thirty - four feet - sixteen times greater descent than that of Niag- ara. These wa- ters are dash- ed to death on the rocks, so that the white spirit of the slain waters, ascending in a robe of mist, seeks heaven. Yonder are Nevada Falls, plunging sev- en hundred feet, the water in arrows, the water in rock- ets, the water in pearls, the water in ame-

CALIFORNIA: ITS WONDERS AND RESORTS.

OTHER SIERRA WONDERS.

THER wonders abound in the Sierra. The Hetch-Hetchy Valley, on the Tuolumne river, sixteen miles in an air-line from Yosemite, is almost as marvelous as its better known sister. Its general character is the same, but it is smaller. Towering domes, stupendous cliffs and lofty waterfalls exist here as at Yosemite; and we shall be well repaid for a visit to this enchanted spot. It is hardly so easy of access as Yosemite, and is not so much visited; but for all that it is one of the wonders of California. The Calaveras Grove of Big Trees likewise demands our attention. It is reached by stage from Milton, which connects with San Francisco by rail. While in the vicinity we may pay a visit to the Wonderful Mammoth Cave of Cala- veras, fourteen miles distant from the Big Trees, or seven iniles from Murphy's. The Crystal Palace Cave, which has a hotel at its mouth, is not far from here. It is southeast of Murphy's, just across the Stanislaus River, and five miles north of Columbia, a stage station. Two natural bridges in this vicinity, one of them a re- markable formation, deserve a visit. A comparatively little known scenic marvel of the Sierra is the King's River canon. We may hire horses and reach it from either Fresno or Visalia. Here the scenery is wilder, grander and more picturesque than at Yosemite : but the valley, though very long, is little more than a gorge, the scenery lacks the finer finishing touches of Yosemite, and wonderful waterfalls are absent. The towering needles, domes and cliffs of granite pierce the sky thousands of feet above the floor of the valley, conveying an impression of the wildest and fiercest desolation. The finest fishing in this part of the State is found here; and those who are hardy enough to tempt fate in the form of a grizzly may find abundant opportunity. The Kern River canon, further south, but also opening into the great interior basin of the State, is probably equally as wonderful as the King's River canon, but comparatively little known.

BEAUTIES OF THE SOUTH.

VERYBODY has read of Southern California; and little can be said of interest in addition to the volumes which have been devoted to descriptions of these incomparable charms. Since Santa Barbara has been made acces- sible by rail, we may make it a flying visit. Hard and unresponsive indeed must be the nature which fails to be touched and quickened by the infinite

LONG BEACH

CALIFORNIA: ITS WONDERS AND RESORTS.

charms and graces of this favored spot. The climate is a perpetual spring; and tropical fruits ripen throughout the year. The city rises from a pleasant beach to the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and faces the south. The shore line runs east and west; the mountains shelter the town from the trade-winds. There are superb hotels here, including the Arlington, San Marcos, Commercial and others. To the north tower of the castellated crags of Santa Ynez, to the east and west stretch long vistas of beach and valleys, and to the south is the grand old ocean, with the beautiful islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa rising from its depths. Four miles from Santa Barbara is the charming resort, Montecito, with its springs. Back of Santa Barbara is the Ojai Valley, noted for its health-giving climate, and also for the Ojai Valley Springs at Nordhoff. This is a fine health resort.

Upon going to Los Angeles we find ourselves in the center of a delightful country. The city itself is beautiful; but a knowledge of its charms is common property. It is one of the most popular places of resort in California for Eastern

PALM VALLEY

people. Back of it rise the San Gabriel Mountains, from whose western slope roll thousands of acres of orchards, vineyards and orange groves toward the sea. At the base of these mountains sits the beautiful town of Pasadena, which has more wealth and refinement in proportion to its population than can be found elsewhere in the State. On the slope is the famous Sierra Madre Villa, a charming and popular re- sort, with a fine hotel; and near Pasadena is the superb Hotel Raymond. On the coast, eighteen miles from Los Angeles, situated on noble bluffs overlooking the sea, is Santa Monica, a famous seaside resort, with a fine hotel, and surf-bathing all the year round. A railroad running directly south from Los Angeles brings us to Long Beach, on the coast,-a popular resort for literary and other cultured classes, and the meeting-place of the Chautauqua and other societies.

. In San Bernardino county we may leave the Southern Pacific at Colton and make a short run to Riverside, the fame of whose oranges is known all over the world. A charming country is this, and one which, as travelers, we cannot afford to miss. The delights of San Diego, with its splendid climate, and of the Hotel del Coronado, that splendid structure with noble grounds on the Coronado Beach, are well known to all of us.

A desire to see the strange and peculiar beauties of Palm Valley tempts us to follow the Southern Pacific into San Diego county. Leaving the road at Seven Palms, we find near by a singular gorge in the San Jacinto Mountains. The tall granite mountains rise abruptly on either hand; and the floor of the valley, for miles into the mountains, is covered with native palms of a height ranging from seventy-five to a hundred feet. A rich tropical undergrowth completes the picture. There are hundreds of these stately palms ; and annually they are loaded with palat- able fruit of the date variety. In the midst of this valley is a large hot mineral spring inclosed in a natural basin one hundred and fifty feet in diameter. The water is pushed up in a great column ; and wonderful cures for rheumatism, sciatica and kindred afflictions have been effected by bathing in this pool.

After leaving Seven Palms we travel a few miles southeastwardly on the railroad and then encounter the singular experience of dropping below the level of the sea. Indio is twenty feet below, and a short distance beyond we touch the lowest point, two hundred and sixty feet below, at Fink's. This is an arid country, there being no natural vegetation ; but where water is artificially applied there appears to be no

CALIFORNIA: ITS WONDERS AND RESORTS.

limit to the fecundity of the soil. Indio is rapidly coming into notice as a place where astonishing cures have been made by the dry, pure air. For those suffering with pulmonary affections this undoubtedly is an earthly paradise. Returning, we must stop at Colton and visit a celebrated resort, the Arrow Head Springs, near San Bernardino, which are annually visited by thousands of health-seekers.

Unless we be controlled by a desire to visit the more fashionable and popular resorts, where the highest and finest luxuries of our civilization are provided at a reasonable charge, we may find with little trouble quaint, chiarming, out-of-the-way places without number, where gentle Nature paints her pictures and sings her songs forever. Wonders abound. Some have a home and must be sought ; others abide everywhere, and constitute the life and essence of almost universal health, happi- ness and prosperity. Not to see California and its wonders; not to constitute a part of it ; not to be a child of this infinitely gentle mother ; not to be here and enjoy these bounties and blessings, to the end of securing greater prosperity and happi- ness,-is to be denied a priceless privilege; for in the possession of these natural charms California stands wholly alone in the world. Nature flings open our doors, and with an alluring smile invites us to leave our houses and go to the woods, the mountains, the fields, the seashore, showing in all her moods of fretfulness or repose that though her duties are as boundless as the universe, her heart and home are in California.

HOW TO REACH CALIFORNIA.

EOPLE of delicate health, invalids, convalescents, tourists and pleasure- seekers residing in northern latitudes often turn their thoughts, fancies and desires to balmier and more congenial climes. This naturally induces the query, "Where, and how shall we go?" The question is easily answered-to California. The beauties and boundless natural resources of California, the " Cornucopia State," have been graphically memorialized in verse and prose by our eminent poets and authors. Its rapidly growing popularity as a sanitarium and tourist resort is a convincing evidence that the beneficial and climatic influences of the Pacific Coast are becoming universally conceded. Having discovered the desired haven of health, rest and pleasure, the important question of transportation presents itself. In deciding upon a route via which to travel to the Pacific Coast, one should be selected which possesses the advantages and com- forts which tourists so much desire. The "Sunset Route" of the Southern Pacific Company affords to the traveler incomparable climate, balmy atmosphere, beauti- ful, historic and romantic scenery, and every modern convenience, comfort and luxury. This great line reaches from New Orleans to San Francisco.

The "Central Route," or as it is more commonly called "The Pioneer Line," reaches California by way of Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, and passes through the Grand Sierra Nevada Mountains. The "Shasta Route," or "Great Scenic Line " of the Pacific Coast, reaches California by way of Portland.

In selecting either of the above-named routes, tourists and pleasure-seekers may be assured of courteous attention, and every facility to make the trip pleasant and enjoyable.

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R. L. POLK & CO.'S

INDIANA State Gazetteer

FOR 1892

HE canvass for the SIXTH VOLUME of this work will be commenced in a short time. It will contain full and com- plete lists of all business and professional men in every town and city of this State, making it a

A Valuable Book of Reference, as well as a first-class

Advertising Medium.

R. L. POLK & CO.,

PUBLISHERS,

S. E. Cor. Meridian and Circle Sts ..

INDIANAPOLIS.

DENNISON MEG. CO.

-MANUFACTURERS OF -

Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1891, Part 132

Author: R.L. Polk & Co Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Indianapolis : R.L. Polk & Co. Number of Pages: 892

Author: R.L. Polk & Co
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Indianapolis : R.L. Polk & Co.
Number of Pages: 892