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Beauties of California, 1883
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On March 31, 1881, an article appeared in the Daily
Alta California describing the route to Santa Cruz upon the new South Pacific
Coast Railroad. The journey was undertaken by an unnamed trio of gentlemen
described as a General, a Colonel, and a Major, "… three military heroes of the
California Militia in days gone by." The old soldiers departed on at 8:45 a.m.
Sunday morning from the railroad’s ferry at the foot of Market street and
"… in due course were soon whirling rapidly on
the narrow-gauge through the beautiful town of Alameda, drawn by engine No. 7,
under direction and control of that most careful and competent engineer, A.W.
Standley, with the accomplished and gentlemanly S.H. Davis, Esq., for
conductor. The showers of the preceding night having effectually laid all dust,
we had a delightful run to the lovely City of San Jose, claimed to be and
called by its people the 'Eden of California;' thence to Los Gatos, a beautiful
village at the foot of the grade over the Santa Cruz Mountains, and at which
point begins one of the most beautiful and picturesque railroad rides in the
United States, [equaling] in all, and surpassing in many …"
"The General, war-worn and weather-beaten, seated
himself on the rear platform and seemed 'a boy again,' in his delight at the
ever-changing scenes as we ascended the grade along the windings of the [pellucid]
and rushing Los Gatos Creek the eddies and pools of which, we learned from
gentlemen on the train, are alive with the 'speckled beauties.' Nine miles from
Los Gatos we came to the long tunnel (6200 feet), during the construction of
which the great explosion took place, killing a number of white men and
Chinamen. We made the passage in six minutes, without any inconvenience
whatever for want of pure air; in fact, the same may be said of all the tunnels
on the road. On emerging at the west end we saw by the course of the water in
the tributary to the San Lorenzo River that we had passed the Summit, and were
on the down grade for Santa Cruz through grand scenery on every hand. We soon
reached Felton – a pretty place and much used, in conjunction with the Big
Trees, for picnics; thence we soon passed the powder works on the San Lorenzo
River, above which, on a seeming pinnacle, stands the beautiful residence of
the Superintendent, Bernard Peyton, Esq. It is a lovely spot, and, we were
told, entirely safe from any explosion that might occur at the works … On sharp
time (12:54 p.m.) we reached our objective point, and in the Pacific Ocean
House Bus were soon conveyed to that really cozy and comfortable hotel … The
city is literally a flower garden. At 2:36 p.m. sharp, we were on our train,
homeward-bound, arriving safely at 6:40 p.m., after a day of unalloyed
enjoyment."
"If it did not sound like a 'puff,' we would
speak more of the railroad, but we can truthfully say that for solidity of
construction, smoothness, safety, speed and regularity, with attentive and
gentlemanly employees, the South Pacific Coast Railroad will not stand second
with any road in the State; and whoever may wish a day’s recreation cannot
better themselves in any other direction or route from San Francisco. The
public at large is deeply indebted to President A.E. Davis and his associates,
who, without bonus or subsidy, had the boldness and energy to build this outlet
for pleasure and traffic. May their success be commensurate with their public
spirit and enterprise. Truly yours, The Three Military Heroes Aforesaid, San
Francisco, March 29th, 1881."
Source: “Santa Cruz – A Beautiful and Enjoyable
Ride Over the South Pacific Coast Railway,” – editors - Daily Alta
California, March 31, 1881.
