DIVISION FIVE — NAMES. 403 



great pine forests ; while on the way up there are many beautiful spots to 

 which branch roads will be run. The Henniger Flats property, recently 

 purchased by Harry C. Allen, consists of 120 acres — the only mesa land on 

 the mountain side. Here a park will be laid out and resort buildings con- 

 structed, in connection with the mountain road. This land, and the land 

 owned by the company on the summit, is not included in the government 

 forest reservation. The summit is now connected by telephone with Pasa- 

 dena, L,os Angeles, San Francisco, etc." 



SwiTzer's Trail. — The Valley Union of May 29, 1885, said : 



" C. P. Switzer has filled a ' long-felt want ' by making a direct trail up 

 the mountains from Brunk's to the big fall of the Arroyo Seco. He has 

 taken up a claim at the falls, and built accommodations for tourists, who are 

 furnished with a good trail at a nominal price, and bed and meals for such 

 as stay over. He is about half way to the summit, and tourists can make 

 the trip up from this place and back in a day, and thus make a very com- 

 fortable trip of it." 



The waterfall referred to was named Virginia Falls. It is a beauti- 

 ful mountain cascade, but not so high as those in Eaton, Rubio, or Millard 

 canyons. Switzer 's trail and mountain camp enjoyed much popularity for 

 five or six years, until Mount Wilson and other points of loftiest outlook 

 were made easily accessible. The following account of a trip up Switzer's 

 trail, with some notable historic associations, was published in the Union of 

 May 14, 1886 : 



"At 7:30, May 4, a party of young folks left Orange Grove Avenue 

 for a trip to the mountain top, via Switzer's trail. At Mr. Thompson's on 

 the L,as Casitas ranch, they expected to meet the guide with burros for the 

 ascent, but he failed to put in an appearance ; and so for that day they con- 

 tented themselves climbing the beautiful hills around the ranch, from which 

 (by the aid of the historic field glass formerly owned and used by John 

 Brown at Harper's Ferry, in 1859,) they had a most charming view of the 

 valley below, and of Pasadena. 



"Mrs. Thompson (John Brown's daughter) kindly entertained them 

 for the night ; and in the morning Mr. Owen Brown, (the only survivor of 

 Harper's Ferry) with his usual kindness, offered his services as guide. From 

 a neighbor they obtained two horses. They thought it would be hard work 

 to divide two horses between six people, but concluded to try it. Two 

 young ladies and Mr. Thompson started at noon, on foot, for Mr. Brunk's, 

 up the Arroyo ; Mr. Thompson felled trees and helped them safely across 

 the stream. At Mr. Brunk's they procured two more horses, but no saddles, 

 and fortunately found Mr. S., a young man from Chicago, who was rusticat- 

 ing for a few days, and who joined the party. After a few minutes delay, 

 the rest of the party came up. After leaving Mr. Brunk's they followed 

 the valley up, crossing the Arroyo forty-six times during a five mile ride. 

 With laughter and song they rode along, making the valley ring. The 

 favorite song over this part of the road was, 'One more river to cross.' 

 After riding for some time two of the ladies dismounted, letting their horses 

 follow at will. All went well until they came to the last crossing ; as the 

 stones looked safe, the girls thought they could hop over ; but alas ! a little 

 shriek, and in they went. If the gallant Chicagoan had not rushed to their 



