October, 19 lo 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



383 



But there was no clamor. They knew that in the cellars, 

 which had been constructed with the profits, wines lay 

 aging that would some day make a name for the institu- 

 tion. At the end of sixteen years, their fondest hopes 

 were realized — their triumph was complete. To-day the 

 Colony is capitalized for over a million dollars and for 

 fourteen years now, the stock has been making up liberally 

 for every deferred dividend. 



From the very inception of the Colony, Andrea Sbar- 

 boro, banker, agriculturist, author and philanthropist — 

 California's foremost Italian-American citizen — has been 

 one of its most energetic officers and advisers. He has 

 played an important role in the settling and upbuilding of 



When the directors of the Colony began ornamenting 

 the wooded canons, the riverside and convenient knolls 

 with rustic bungalows, Swiss chalets, and rambling Mission 

 structures, Mr. Sbarboro decided to beautify his oak-dotted 

 grounds along the Russian River with a unique country 

 home where he could entertain the numerous friends of 

 the family. He talked the matter over with much-traveled 

 visitors, with whom he had long conferences, at which 

 countless suggestions were considered and then cast aside. 

 Finally he consulted with noted architects. But none of 

 them could suggest what he wanted — something suited to 

 the Asti summer climate and surroundings; something dis- 

 tinctive and characteristic of the Italians who had estab- 



~1^> -, -•?"'■ 





The pillared entrance to the villa Pompeii 



the State and his career, like that of the Colony which he 

 helped found, has been associated with epoch-making events 

 and interesting experiences. He came to San Francisco In 

 the pioneer days, a penniless youth; to-day, he is reputed 

 to be a millionaire and is looked upon as one of the finan- 

 cial leaders of the Pacific Coast. 



The Italian-Swiss Colony at Asti has been one of Mr. 

 Sbarboro's pet enterprises. He has contributed much of 

 his time, energy and wealth to Its growth and development 

 and nearly every week-end of the year, summer and win- 

 ter alike, finds him rusticating at Asti. It is only a three 

 hours' trip from San Francisco and at his picturesque coun- 

 try place, known as the "Villa Pompeii," he enjoys an Ideal 

 out-door life. 



llshed the Colony; something of a permanent nature that 

 would remain long after the owner had passed from his 

 adopted country. 



In the midst of his dilemma, Mr. Sbarboro left for an 

 extended trip abroad, hoping that Italy itself might aid him 

 In solving his problem. And where do you suppose his 

 search for appropriate plans ended? In the uncovered 

 ruins of Pompeii ! — when he was being shown about the 

 Domus Vettlorum, the partly restored house of the Vetti, 

 which gives the visitor an excellent idea of the residences 

 of the Roman patricians who lived In the days before the 

 ancient city was burled In the lava maelstrom. In excavat- 

 ing during 1894 and the following year, care was taken 

 to retain in its place every object found and to reproduce 



