Beautiful and costly residences, occupying commanding sites and standing in the midst of green lawns ornamented with a profusion of flowers and shrubs, are one of the noticeable features of Tacoma, and they speak of the culture and refinement, as well as the material prosperity of the people. In the topography of the ground upon which the city is situated, an excellent opportunity is offered for elegant and sightly residences. Rising in a gradual ascent from the business portion, the residence area offers an unbroken view across the bay and valley to the mountains, so that the windows of nearly every house in the city command a view of the snow-crowned monarch of the Cascades, set in a landscape of wonderful beauty. Many extremely elegant and costly residences have been erected. Among these are the homes of Gen. J. W. Sprague, J. M. Buckley, Esq., J. S. Baker, Esq., Isaac W. Anderson, Esq., Geo. E. Atkinson, Esq., A. C. Smith, Esq., Allen C. Mason, Esq., and E. Pierce, Esq., engravings of which are given on the opposite and succeeding pages. For so young a city, and one whose energies have been taxed to the utmost to provide facilities for its expanding business, the number of beautiful homes is remarkable, and indicates that its people recognize the advantages nature has given them to build up here one of the most beautiful cities on the continent. They are accomplishing this very rapidly.
FARRELL & DARMER, ARCHITECTS.
ISAAC W. ANDERSON ESQ. J. S. BAKER ESQ.
TACOMA’S BEAUTIFUL HOMES.
HOPS OF THE PUYALLUP VALLEY.
Hops are the leading agricultural product of the Puget sound region, and hop ranches are nearly all directly tributary to Tacoma. Puyallup valley, whose fame as a hop producing section has encircled the world, lies just east of the city, the line of the Northern Pacific passing directly through it. Upwards of three thousand acres are now in vine, which yielded twenty thousand bales in 1887, and twenty-five thousand in 1888, when an average of one thousand seven hundred pounds per acre of both old and young vines was secured. The superior quality of the cones, the freedom from pests and disease, the enormous yield and the rapid growth of young vines, combine to render this region foremost in the world in its adaptability to this special crop. Not only does the Puyallup valley produce hops, but other crops as well. Several thriving villages and numerous highly cultivated farms attest the prosperity of its people, as well as giving evidence of the valuable nature of the agricultural area immediately tributary to Tacoma. Puyallup hops are in demand in Japan, Europe and the eastern states of America, because of their superior quality and appearance. In the picking season the hop fields are the scene of great industry, and the numerous camps of pickers present a pleasing picture as the train passes up the valley.
