Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, April 24, l924

Santa Cruz, Cali., April l2, l924.
Mr. Geo G. Meek, Leon, Iowa.

Dear Uncle George:--As you have so many pleasant memories of California, during the few short years you spent here, I will write you something of what we have seen, and how we have spent the past four months. It will help to pass away the time for you. I was sorry to hear of your illness, but glad to know you are better. You know we left home on the fourth of December stopping at San Bernardino for a month. It is called the gateway of southern California, and it is rightly named. There is so many miles of desert before reaching San Bernardino, makes it look like a paradise. Of course the town was named after one of the Franciscan fathers, who established so many missions all over California, several of them still remain. The town was later rebuilt by Mormons from Salt Lake City, which accounts for the broad streets. It is close to the mountains and they are capped with snow. It is a pretty drive through the mountains, but not caring to see snow, I did not go, however, we did go up to the Hot Springs at the foot of the mountains. The government has a large hospital there for disabled soldiers. The town has a population of thirty thousand. The Santa Fe shops comprising their largest pay-roll.

We were over at Redlands one day and drove over Smiley Heights, a wonderful drive. That is where so many of the railroad folders get their views of the snow capped mountains and the orange trees just below. The trees were ladened with fruit, a view which would have to be seen to be appreciated. Two English bachelors had built this estate, their names being Smiley, afterwards giving it to the city, and also built a library called Smiley Library, which was a magnificent building.

We spent one day at Riverside and most of the afternoon was spent at the Mission Inn, well known to pleasure seekers. The romantic history of early days is well preserved in its construction and furnishings. Surrounding Riverside are miles of auto drives lined with tall eucalyptus, pepper and magnolia trees. Pasadena is particularly attractive to the eastern visitor because of its wealth of semi-tropic trees and flowers. Its tournament of roses on New Year's day is famous and vies in popularity with football played on the same day. We paid twenty-five cents each for an orange box to stand on to view the parade. Pasadena certainly has some sumptuous homes among her palm bordered avenues.

We came to Los Angeles on the ninth of January and spent three short months there. We were nicely located just a half block from MR. and MRS. J.M. CHASTAIN. We enjoyed many trips together. Los Angeles has many beautiful parks, there being twenty-one within the city limits. They provide a playground of continual pleasure and enjoyment for tourists. Los Angeles is especially favored in its location, between the mountains and the sea. About Los Angeles are no fewer than fifty towns with attractions that hold the visitor. Hollywood is one of the attractive resident sections of the city. We made several trips to Hollywood, to the Egyptian Theatre and Burnheimer Home, a Japanese home and grounds costing a million dollars. We also attended memorial services for ex-President Wilson at the Hollywood Bowl, a large open air theatre.

We were at Long Beach twice and would have liked to have spent more time there. We were at MR. and MRS. GEORGE DOCKSTADER's at Downey a couple of days. They drove us through vineyards, walnut groves, orange groves, alfalfa and dairy farms, also numerous oil fields. MRS. DOCKSTADER is a sister, of MRS. FRANK CHASTAIN.

We were in Santa Ana and Orange, both pretty places surrounded by orange groves. We left Los Angeles April first and came via the southern Pacific to Santa Cruz, following the ocean for about three hours, then through Santa Maria Valley, a very fertile spot where they raise artichokes and cauliflower. Passed through seventeen tunnels, one being two miles long and took them three years to built it. The Salinas Valley is another oasis we reached in viewing, where dairying seemed to be the principle industry. Santa Cruz is a seaport of fifteen thousand, but I remember now you told me you lived in Sea Bright, a suburb of Santa Cruz. That happens to be our abiding place, and I am wondering where you lived. We are about three blocks from beach and half block from street car line. The main throughfares are all paved. Within six miles of Santa Cruz are the Big trees, the largest in the grove being three hundred and six feet high, and sixty-four feet in circumference.

We expect to be in San Francisco a few days and Santa Rosa perhaps a week. There I hope to see the Petrified Forest. We will soon be starting homeward but may stop in New Mexico a short time. Everything is very pretty here now. Poppies are bloooming, lilacs and roses look their best. They have had more rainfall than in southern California. Peas and potatoes are blooming, and I saw a man digging potatoes across the street this afternoon. Sweet peas have bloomed on hedges all winter. I hope you will enjoy this California message, and will continue to improve in health.

Sincerely,

MRS. ROY GAMMON,
l92 Sea Bright Ave.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
June 5, 2002