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Page: of 238
73 APRIL 8, 1877 GRASS VALLEY UNION
But away from the turmoil and bustle of the crowded commercial center, are miles and miles
of graded homestead streets, presenting on either hand many handsome, costly and inviting family
homes. As time passes and the elements of abundant wealth in this place are steadily developed, a
feeling of certainty is realized in its permanency and future prosperity, a home feeling together with
a pleasing sense of security is engendered.
The truth of this is shown in greater liberality of our energetic citizens in their greater
expenditures for home improvements, enlargements and extensions; as well as for floral and
arborescent adornments and domestic comforts generally. They are alive to the fact that they are
investing in domestic property, not for the present only, but for the long and promising future, as
well. A bright future of this growing inland city is being well assured, and its stability a certainty,
the thoughtful heads of families are erecting for themselves substantial homes and are lavish in the
decorations of their grounds. They do this with the pleasing consciousness that when life’s work shall
have closed with them that their loved ones and their names may inherit, occupy and enjoy the very
homes and homesteads they have builded [sic].
The growth of homes around us has been a marked feature to our municipal progress for some
years past, and if their construction, embellishments and keeping of them are indicative of the
intelligence, culture and refinement within, then Grass Valley may not fear any social criticism. From
beside the winding streams of our valley they are extending to distant eminences from the level
lands, they arise to irregular, picturesque succession up gentle declivities, until they crown the circle
of symmetrical hills that encompass the city. The topography of the country, undulating and broken
as it is, affords many beautiful building sites that would please the most fastidious. Those not already
occupied will, at no distant day, be sought for, and will become valuable.
Tho’ we may not exhibit proud palaces and colonnaded marble edifices, as could be done in
some great metropolis, yet, we can point with pride to representative Grass Valley homes, which
indicate taste, competency and home content. For illustration, let us visit School street and observe
the elegant residence of A. A. [sic] Dibble, Esq., just rebuilt from a recent destructive fire. With an
expenditure of about eight thousand dollars he has erected a house and beautified the surroundings
to a degree that would render it an object of interest in any city in this land. Its beauty, convenience
and comfort are fully equaled by the grand old hospitality dispensed beneath its roof.
Just beyond and nearly adjoining Mr. Dibbles is the attractive residence of Mr. Edward
Coleman, built at a cost of probably twelve thousand dollars. With its ornamental trees, native
and exotic, extensive lawn, now of the deepest and richest grass, winding pebbled walks, with a
full accompaniment of creepers and vines, render it just such a home as one would never willingly
leave. In this neighborhood are many other desirable homesteads. W. K. Spencer’s, Dr. Harris’s’,,
Stephen Moore's, Geo. W. Hill’s, Dr. Tompkins’, all graced with stately trees, and floral wealth, and
in the aggregate represents a large moneyed outlay. On Church street we meet with many similar
structures. Here in the midst of churches is the home of our popular foundryman, Jas. Lakenan.
House and ground improvements have cost eight or more thousands. Mr. L. was the first builder in
Grass Valley to use rustic siding. Viewed from the street, his home is stately and commanding. May
his name never desert so choice a resting place.
Going South we pass by the simple family residence of Mr. Jno. C. Coleman. This spot well
illustrates what artistic taste, good judgment and well applied means may accomplish on our hill
sides. From a place of former rocky barrenness, within the recollection of many of our readers,
it is now resplendent in the deepest verdure and richest fruitfulness. To see the beauties of this
gentleman’s mansion and its surroundings will recall the sentiment “there is no place like home.”
Mr. John Johnston’s the merchant, is another characteristic home. Perhaps not so pretentious or
imposing as some other yet it possesses all of the charm of half hidden seclusion, being just a step
or two from thronged Mill street on Neal. Probably no more cozy home can be found in our city, or