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Map of Santa Monica Harbor, Showing Site of Proposed City
Ocean Terminus of Los Angeles & Independence Rail Road, 1875
with promotional text on reverse [continued]


larger image

[front]

Office of
The Santa Monica Land Company,

Santa Monica, Cal., January, 1876

Dear Sir:—In answer to your inquires regarding Santa Monica, its situation, business advantages, etc., we would state that Santa Monica is situated on the Pacific Ocean, in Los Angeles County, California, 340 miles south of San Francisco by sea, and 500 miles by land. Steamers leave San Francisco every three days. Time, about 36 hours; Fare—Cabin $12.00, Steerage $8.00 including meals. Trains leave San Francisco daily, at 4 P.M., via Southern Pacific Railroad, for Santa Monica, via Los Angeles; time about 32 hours.

Santa Monica is the ocean terminus of the Los Angeles & Independence Railroad, at present completed to Los Angeles, 15 miles distant, but will be pushed forward through the productive valleys of Los Angeles County, through San Bernardino, the rich mining regions of Darwin, Panamint and Coso, to Independence, Inyo county, California. These districts are very prosperous, producing a vast amount of mineral, and contain a large population, all of which is tributary to and dependent upon Santa Monica and the sea.

Santa Monica is the future terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad, by and through their connection with and ownership of the Utah Southern Railroad, now being rapidly extended through the valleys of the Southern Utah, to a connection with the Los Angeles & Independence Railroad, about 130 miles east from Santa Monica, and at the completion of the Texas Pacific Railroad, will connect with our road near San Bernardino, being the shortest route to China, Japan and South Sea Islands on the one hand, and Europe direct on the other.

Los Angles County has long been noted for its oranges, the yield last year amounted to 35,856,060 of the value of $717,133,20; also Limes, Lemons, Figs, Bananas, Grapes, Olives, English Walnuts, etc., etc. The quantity of wine manufactured last year, amounted to 1,460,000 gallons of the value of $730,000. The yield of honey in Los Angeles county alone exceeded the sugar crop of Louisiana, Texas and Florida. Small fruits ripen and vegetables mature under a January as under a July sun, and you may eat strawberries and green peas from your own kitchen garden EVERY MONTH IN THE YEAR. Beef and mutton are cheap and plenty, and of superior quality. The neighboring lagunas abound in wild game of every description, and the wharf is daily lined with successful fishermen. The crop of cereals is also great, 85 to 100 bushels of corn, and 60 to 80 bushels of barley and wheat per acre, being a common yield.

The town site of Santa Monica is about one mile square, laid off in blocks 320x600 feet with a 20 foot alley running the long way.

The blocks are subdivided in lots 50x150 feet. The streets and avenues are 80 feet wide, except California and Nevada avenues which are 100 feet.

The avenues are all named after the States and Territories of the Pacific Coast, the streets being simply numbered.

Ocean Avenue is a magnificent drive of three miles in length and 200 feet in width, along the bluff, 60 feet high, overlooking the ocean.

Every kind of business is represented here—First-class Hotels and Restaurants, Wekkly Newspaper, Telegraph Office, Post Office, Express Office, Lumber, Coal and Brick Yards, Churches, Schools, etc.

Adjoining the town are the VILLA FARMS, which are attracting so much attention, comprising from 5 to 80 acres each prices ranging at present from $50 to $150 per acre, but rapidly increasing in value.

Rough lumber costs $27.50, Surface and Rustic $40.00 per thousand; Bricks, $10 per thousand. Mechanic’s labor varies from $3.00 to $4.00 per day; Chinese and other house servants, $20.00 to $30.00 per month.

The sea-bathing is delightful the year round; average atmospheric temperatures 65 degrees.

We have a wharf extending into the bay 1740 feet, at which the largest ocean steamers and sailing vessels land and discharge their cargoes. Every facility for the rapid transfer of passengers and freight is provided.

The climate is charming, Nice, Mentone, Cuba or Florida forming no comparison; sickness is almost unknown; snow and frosts are equal strangers. The Winter is lovely, the Summer charming; for a person seeking a home away from the cold winters or burning summers, Santa Monica offers itself. Come and see it, and you will never live elsewhere.

Respectfully,
SANTA MONICA LAND COMPANY.



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This item was sold at auction on September 29, 2006.
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