021 929 696 4 1- ■\A^. iiji'. -s^i 1)1 C.i.ii. C. Fi.iNi. I. 1... :, AiciiiiL-. area, and producing ,that lisolationlwhich makes rural life so distasteful to many persons, five or ten acres here make a homestead. The result is that a country road resembles a suburban street, with homes near enongh to be neighborly, en- joying the school, the church, the library, the telephone, the electric car and rural delivery. The country roads are, indeed, but extensions of the city streets. As they are built up they are finished with cement sidewalks and treated with oil. Homes less than two years old are already embowered in foliage and blossoms, and each one is within hail of its neighbor. In nearly every house is a piano and the latest magazine. Some of these rural homes are occu- pied by families which have means to live upon. Side by side with these are families which must make their living out of their little ranches. That they are able to do this and live in comfort is due to the following reasons : The soil is very fertile, and being free from stumps or stone, every inch is available. The climate is such that culture goes on all the year round. Every month in the year the rancher has something for the market. The proximity of a popular seaside resort, thronged with visitors winter and sum- mer, provides a market at good prices for all manner of local products, especially small fruits, eggs and chickens. For ex- ample, a single acre of berries has paid about $1000 in one year. The greatest reason is stated last, and that is the abundance of water. The peace of mind that is suggested by this an- nouncement can be best appreciated by the rancher who has suffered during recent dry years from a diminishing water sup- ply. Rival water companies supply city and suburbsabundantly and cheaply. The city also owns a tract of water-bearing land with a view to developing its own water supply. The supply is from artesian wells one thousand feet deep. So great is the underground pressure that the water rises by gravitation, and is piped to the consumer without coming into contact with the atmosphere. No reservoir is ''j^^^^^^^^^^^^K'' ^^^MW- -^ ■p^ff^r^^ir ■IHRhp'*'^^ OL niiiAyjjj^H L ^^^Br* - ^fl5^^ s-^^-^Hm^^^^^^ ^^^" P Interior Viow. First National Bank. 11 Julian Hotel, Opposite Pacific Park. Mrs. Bulterfield, Proprietress. m^fmmmm mimmmF ^ mmmammmfi^ — ..^^ P««, i«^ l_ -_ p_ _^ Shackleton Block, 131 W. Ocean Avenue. 12 used, except for irrigation. The water is remarkably soft and pure. It is almost a specific for kidney troubles. So abundant is the flow that there are streams and lakes, rushes and water fowl, where formerly there were only cactus and horned toads. It is a great deal to say that the Long Beach citizen or suburbanite may have all the water he wants for all purposes. Domestic water for house and garden, costs Si. 00 per month. Acreage in plantation can be irrigated for the highest culture at a cost of three dol- lars a year per acre. The choicest land about Long Beach is on the southern slopes of Signal and Reservoir hills. Here, above frosts and fogs, oranges, lemons and guavas are raised successfully, contrary to opinion that such fruits can- The Kkach on a Holiday. not be grown in the vicinity of the ocean. Acreage on these hills is be- coming very valuable, as it is being rapidlj' bought up for residences. It can easily be seen why Long Beach has become the popular watering place for Southern California. Here, there, and yonder, are the various pleasure cities whose thrift and beauty have made them famous. Queen among them is Los Angeles, the Capital of the Southwest. They are all reaching eagerly along their electric lines to join hands with the City by the Sea. The Pacific Electric Railway is making the entire country one vast suburb. A smooth, straight, double-tracked electric railway — one of the finest in the world— makes a direct and luxurious avenue to the sea. Every fifteen minutes the palatial cars are darting along, making it easy for the inland dweller to skip down to the ocean and take his plunge, either in the surf, or in the magnificent swimming bath. This railway has 13 •. ■:«^.';; The Sea Sands been running- for only a year, and it already has branches east and west opening- up outlying tracts and making them available for suburban homes. The Southern Pacific and Salt Lake railways also reach Long Beach. The latter is the new short line which will soon connect Salt Lake City with the sea. It owns Terminal Island below Long Beach, giving M^ Jt-^#^ i -^ W "-- ?- Bathing at Long Beach. 14 AND THE City. control of the east side of San Pedro harbor, and breaking the monopoly control of the water front, which might otherwise prove disastrous. The Salt Lake Railway has improved its road bed and rolling stock, until its equipment and service are strictly up-to-date, running frequent trains, and several " flyers" which make the trip from L,os Angeles without stopping. Moonlight on thk Uakuuk. 15 Residence of Mr. J. B. Heartwell, 407 Cedar Avenue. The permanent population of nearly 7,000 (for city and suburbs) consists largely of new-comers, as it has doubled in the past two years, and prom- ises to do so again within the next two. The citizens are above the aver- age for thrift and intelligence. Many of them have retired to spend their Residence oi- Mk. Chas. L. lli aiviwi 16 Kit til ami Cedar. Residence of Dr. L. A. Perce, 413 Pacific Avenue. declining years where climate and situation are mutually agreeable. Many of the older merchants and professional men are now building elegant homes on the most popular streets, thus displaying the improvement in their circumstances. To this is added the moving population, the comers Residence ofU)k. Ivf.s, Cedar Avenue. 17 \Vm. Schilling & Sons, Pine Aveaue. and goers, that find in Long Beach the ideal pleasure and health resort. It is estimated that during special pleasure seasons or upon holiday occa- sions, the little city not infrequently becomes the temporary home, at least, of not less than thirty or forty thousand. Wm. Schilling i Sons, Pine Avenue Residence of Mr. A. B. Clapp, Cedar Avenue. The retail business of the city is much larger than its permanent popu- lation would seem to warrant. In fact the number of visitors is such as to give lyong Beach the appearance of a city of twice or three times its population. Residence of Mr. Jotham Bixby, Corne Mag-nolia and Ocean Avenue. 30 Residence of Mr. S. H. Wheeler, West Ocean Park Avenue. Fullj' alive to the fact that this is the chosen spot for a perfect all-year- round resort, Long Beach has provided a commodious Pavilion which at high tide stands directly over the dashing surf. The Long Beach Marine Band here holds open air concerts the year round, and thousands of people Residhnck of Mk. Fkank L. Wingakd, 13'' Liiulen Avenue 21 during every day of the year, whether it be midwinter or ;in the midst of summer, linger here in happy enjoyment as the nnirmur of the surf blends with the orchestral strains. To this attraction is added the magnificent Bath House, completed within the year at a cost of nearly 1100,000. Outside of San fTrancisco, it has no equal on the Pacific Coast. There are about 500 dressing rooms as well as hot, cold and salt baths with the most modern equipment in every detail. The upper portion of the Bath House is devoted to an extensive promenade, and here, protected by awnings, one has a grand, unobstructed view of the ocean and beach. Extensive bowling alleys are also provided for those who desire the sport, and adjoin the Bath House on the ground floor. There is also every response to the seeker of water sports in the line of launches Fun in the Breakers at Long Beach. Photo by Bacon and pleasure craft, together with the fishing boats that are always within ready call. Two strong banks have had a growing business for several years, and recently a third bank has been organized. Besides these, there are also two savings banks. There is now under construction a sewer system, and a commercial and pleasure wharf 2,000 feet long is an immediate prospect. Concerning real estate, it may be said, that while prices have advanced at an astonishing rate, they have not more than kept pace with the march of improvements. Land that was sold as acreage four years ago is now traversed by graded streets and cement sidewalks, thickly bordered with elegant residences occupied by families of culture who have made here 23 Residenck of Mr. John Carroll, Corner Fourth and Junipero. their permanent homes. When prices have advanced by reason of im- provements like these, they have usually advanced permanently. And that is largely the case with Long- Beach. The transition from a mere resort to a city of permanent homes cannot be better illustrated than by a glance at the churches and schools. Residence of Mr. F. E. Robinson, West Ocean Park Avenue. Some Long Bkach chckchks. Long Beach has reason to be proud of her schools. A few j-ears ago a single building sufficed. Then came the era of educational expansion. The High School was organized with an attendance of 20. It has now an enrollment of 150 and the use of a building costing with its equipment $22,000. This building is recognized as the model of architectural beauty and stands second to none in Southern California in any respect, being a fitting monument to the culture of the city and the lavish attention of her Residence of Mr. C. D. Paink, 1250 East Ocean Avenue. people to any investment that will beautify the place or otherwise improve her advantages. Next the Atlantic Avenue school was built, costing $15,- 000. "Within a year this was found to be inadequate, and the West Side Grammar School was built at a cost of $20,000. The city has just voted $25,000 for the next new school in the suburbs of Alamitos, thus keeping up Residence of Mr. G. W. Hughe? 26 Long Beach High School. Photo by Bacon the record of building one every year. Many families have located in Long Beach for the purpose of enjoying- the advantages of her schools. Nine church organizations own property approximating $100,000 in value, while several recently-formed congregations are as yet without a building. The Methodist Resort Association Tabernacle is the headquarters of the Long Beach Grammak Schooi,. 27 Photo by Bacon Mks. H. C. Dillon, President of Long- Beach Ebell Society. ^''Cultivation is as necessary to the mind as food to the body.''' — Cicero. The Long- Beach Ebell Society (a literary club for women), was organ- ized in 1896, and federated in 1898. The object of this society is advancement in all lines of general culture. The work is divided into sections for the study of Cicero, Shakespeare, the Bible, etc. The membership, which was at first limited to twenty, has been extended to all — the club now numbering eighty. Oi- 1 l|S|:f, Ani.Dii' ^v 11 AUi'.KWASs liLocK, Corner Pine and Srcoud. Chautauqua Assembly. Here for ten days in July may be heard orators and vocalists of continental fame. The vast audieiices that gather for these occasions give their intellectual tone to the society of the town. The 29 Ijath H(.ir.sK Tabernacle is also the recognized place for conferences and conventions of many churches and societies. The convention season commences in Ma}- and continues till late in the fall. The old Tabernacle, that has been the scene of many stirring- occasions, is outgrovrn and plans for a new audi- torium for convention purposes, to seat 5,000, have been accepted at this vrriting. The moral sentiment of the town finds expression in the vigorous " No Saloon " policy which has recently been commended and adopted by the most progressive communities in Southern California. If there be in California any community healthier — physically, morally or socially— or with greater promise of sound and lasting prosperity than Long Beach, the writer is not acquainted with it. No attempt has been made in this article to do more than suggest its points of advantage and attraction, but there is an energetic Board of Trade which will supply de- tailed and exact information to any enquirer. BATHING AT LONG BEACH. " Behold yon lofty portico and stately colonnade Where the proud builder has his skill displayed. Through whose damp runways every moment press Women with damp attire and men with — less. 'Tis the great bath-house in whose capacious tank Sports a gay multitude of every rank. Survey it well, admire it if you will ; It cost a hundred thousand by the bill." The great advantage of the bath-house is that it enables one to acquire the art of swimming in still water of graduated depth. It is also several degrees warmer than the ocean. The bath-house is open all the year 31 1. Mr. Jolia Ena's. Some Uong Beach Homes. 2. Mr. T. W. Williams'. 3. Mr. C. P. Patterson's. 4. Dr. J. W. Wood's. Residences of Mk. Wm. Welch, E. Ocean Park Avenue. round, and is very largely patronized, people coming by the carload from the interior towns. Every evening it is thronged qntil a late hour. Surf bathing, however, still draws the multitude. It looks alarming to a new-comer to see those walls of water, capped with foam, rising in thi Residence of Mr. J. V, Bartow, 1086 American Avenue. 33 A 362-PoDND Jew-Fish, Taken Near Long Beach Bay View Transfer. A. B. Rothrock, Proprietor, back-ground higher than the heads of the crowd of bathers. But every- thing has been done to make it perfectly safe. A certain area has been enclosed with ropes and floats, and expert surf-men are in constant at- tendance. Therelis not, and never was, any danger for those who are satis- iMninmii'"''*^''^^^*^^^^" — u W. L. Gaines Block, Second Street. 35 ■■KW' W I lllll 11 '"Hrrrirfrfrri \ssociATioN Block. I fied with surf bathing in shallow water. And now for the protection of those who venture beyond the surf a boat is constantly moored just outside the line of breakers. No drowning has taken place since the life-saving service was installed. E. L. WiNGAKD Block, Pine Street. 36 SPORT AT LONG BEACH. The picture on pag'e 34 is a story without words. Anything- we could write upon sport at Long Beach would be less eloquent than that monster suspended between his captors. That such a giant could be taken with a CouGiiRAN Block, Corner Pine and Fii-;. 37 Mr. F. C. Yeoman's. Anothkk Gkoui' of Long JIeach Homf:s. Mr. J. A Miller's. Mr. Harry Barndoller's. Mr. Geo. F. Hirsch's. RKSIDBNCE (II Mk-. 1'. L. SPADLDING. line is almost past belief. Yet the slight rod and reel in the hand of the elder man is the only apparatus that was used in capturing this tish weigh- ing 362 pounds. The Long Beach professionals place set lines several miles out at sea. These lines are of great length, and support hundreds of hooks Residence of Mk. J. Dkiskill, 014 Locust Avenue. baited for halibut. Larger fish are also attracted, and then comes the opportunity of the sporting- fisherman. The jew-fish, or sea-bass, in our picture, was taken near one of these set lines. Once fairly hooked, the fish took charge and dragged the boat over the ocean for two hours before RESIDENCE OF Mk. T. H. Bkown, 1043 E. Fuurlli Street. 40 Residence of Mk. F. A Parker, 509 Cedar Avenue. being brought to gaff. Most amateurs, however, vrould be satisfied with sport of less heroic proportions. For these a trip on a fishing boat with a trolling line affords great entertainment. Yellow-tail, sea-bass, barra- cuda, bonita, albicore, and many others are taken in this manner, their weights ranging upward to fifty pounds. Ki sill]. NCI oi Mk'. T. a. Si ) rill ns, American Aveiuu Residenck of Mk. S. Merrill, 527 Cedar Avenue. More sedentary and less exciting is angling- on the pier, where herring, smelts, surf-fish and mackerel are taken. There is also frequently a run of much larger fish within reach of the man on the pier. Besides the usual run of edible fish, occasionally monsters are drawn up on the pier, such as Residence of Mr. D. M. Catk, Kasi C^coan i'ark Avenue. 43 A Spouting Well of the Citizens Water Company. sun-fish, sharks and porpoises. Thus the loungers on the pier are con* stantly expectant of some interesting [piscatorial event. The hauling of the seine on the beach also affords unich interest. THK WATKK SUl'PI.Y. The picture on the opposite page illustrates the water supply of Long Beach. These mighty spouting wells are changing the face of the country. Holes are bored eight hundred or a thousand feet deep, and water rises by its own force until it stands several feet above the top of a twelve-inch pipe. It is piped into the town and supplies force enough for fire purposes. Only those who live in an arid country can appreciate the statement that water is abundant, pure and cheap. Water can be piped to every acre for miles around hong Reach. Such is the effect of the great irrigation facil- ities in this neighborhood, that on both sides of the car lines the land is green and luxuriant at every season, contrasting pleasantly with the arid appearance of the country in other direclions. Home-seekers in Califor- Residbncic ov <.. W Nil dh am, 211 W. Fifth Street, nia should make careful inquiries concerning both the quality and quantity of the water supply. THE NEW I'lEK. Perhaps the most striking evidence of the ambition of this rising city is her proposal for a new pier. The old pier has served its purpose, but it does not meet the needs of the present, and still less of the near future. A new pier of the most modern design is in order, and the plan adopted is said by expert marine archi- tects, to be the most up-to-date affair. As it will be required to meet the needs of commerce and sea-going travel, and also to serve pleasure /. O. G\ T. Members of this Order arriving in Long Beach, whether they come as visitors or permanent residents will be assured oj a welcome at the local lodge. Meeting every Thursday evening in the Chapel of the Congregational Church, corner of Third and Cedar streets. purposes, it will consist of two decks, the lower being- devoted to vehicles, freight and baggage, and the upper being exclusively a pleasure promenade. The dimensions will be as follows : From the south line of Ocean Park Avenue there will be an abutment of walls filled with earth and paved ivith cement. This will have a length of 135 feet, and a width of 40 feet. From thence to the north line of the pavilion will be a 40-foot walk, giving a spacious approach to the pavilion. From the north line of the pavilion begins the double-decked wharf, the lower deck being on a level with the lower floor of the pavilion. The lower deck will have a roadway 20 feet wide, with two sidewalks each 5 feet wide. This will extend 1000 feet, where it will widen into a platform 100 feet wide and 312 feet long. The upper deck, or promenade, will be 20 feet wide for 1,000 feet, where it will widen into a platform 60 feet wide and 200 feet in length. The elegant finish will make a work of great beauty. The whole will rest upon a substructure known as the "Holmes" sys- tem, consisting of piles which are constructed as follows : Three piles are driven in a cluster surrounded by a cylinder 4^ feet in diameter. This cylinder is then filled with concrete in which is embedded expanded metal. The entire length of the pier will be 1830 feet, and its cost $100,000. It will be the finest structure for the purpose on the Pacific Coast, and there is nothing finer of the kind on the Atlantic. It is hoped to have the pier in use in time for the opening- of the summer season of 1904. While this will result in a large sea-going passenger traffic through this place, its main interest for the tourist and visitor is the opportunity it affords for an unrivaled marine promenade above the roaring breakers, and out over the ocean billows for 1,800 feet. THE STORIED PAST. The notion that everything in and around lyong Beach is fresh and crude can be dispelled by a few hours drive. After crossing the lowlands to the west, we enter a broad avenue of towering eucalyptus, which conducts us to a spacious lawn and a stately mansion resembling equally an English manor or a Southern home. Near by is a forest in which are scattered buildings whose appearance indicates antiquity. These are the remains of the famous Drum Barracks. Following the cession of California to the United States here was a military station. Strange memories haunt these "^ m jfl . '>-.J^^^^ w M^- -M. 199 -^ij^w - .^ Sn:'''~ 1 ' ' ' ■■ ■■ ■ --- W-' \ "■"■MUknl-J 1 ' ' J •.^^■■^^^ Residence of Mr. G. H. Blount. 46 ?s,