p. 16 | The New California College by Stephen N. Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1909

The New California College

By Stephen N. Haskell

The readers of the Review may be interested in a description of the new conference college located at Anguin's, eight miles from St. Helena and five miles from the St. Helena Sanitarium. It is situated on Howell Mountain, about seventeen hundred feet above the level of the sea. It was formerly known in California as the Anguin Health Resort.

One year ago we made a contract for a place in Sonoma County, called the Buena Vista property, the fame of which has been heralded from one end of the country to the other. The entire estate contained about three thousand acres. There was a castle upon it, making it the most desirable property for a school that we had found up to that time. When the word came to us at Washington that the man from whom we were purchasing absolutely refused to give a clear title, the matter was laid before Sister E. G. White. Following her counsel, we abandoned the project, believing that the Lord had a better place for us. This hope we believe has been realized in this excellent property which has been secured for the school. It would have required at least five years of hard labor and fifty thousand dollars in addition to the purchase price of the Buena Vista property to bring it to as good and as practical a condition as the one we have now secured.

The new school property contains between seventeen hundred and eighteen hundred acres of land, most of which is mountainous, covered with woods. There is variously estimated to be from six to ten million feet of saw timber, pine, fir, and redwood. Some of these trees are six feet through at the base, straight as an arrow, and one hundred fifty feet high. There are many never-failing springs on the place, with an aggregate flow of three hundred thousand gallons of water daily. Three hydraulic rams raise this water to the highest elevation, from which the entire property can be supplied with water in the driest season.

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the mountain tops surround this valley of rich bottom-land, containing about one hundred acres in a high state of cultivation. There are thirty acres of alfalfa, and twenty acres of fruit—apples, pears, peaches, plums, prunes, quinces, cherries, grapes, figs, blackberries, and both English and black walnuts.

There are ten buildings on the property. The main building, located in the midst of forest trees, is one hundred five by forty-five feet, and contains twenty-nine bedrooms, a dining-room that will seat one hundred fifty persons, a large parlor, a kitchen with accommodations to feed three hundred persons. A wide veranda extends around three sides of the main building on the first and second floors. The building is three stories high. There are six cottages of from three to eleven rooms each. A hall, thirty-six by seventy-two feet, formerly used as a dance hall, but now as a chapel, will seat over two hundred. Adjoining this hall were billiard rooms and a large bowling-alley, which have been converted into five or six good class-rooms. These buildings all come to us completely furnished, in good repair and ready for occupancy. Five hundred two-quart jars of fruit come with the place; forty-five tons of prunes have already been gathered, and more remain to be gathered.

Under the main building there is a cellar with several compartments that are as dry as the inside of the house. Another cellar near the main building is hewn out of the solid rock, where provisions can be kept cool during the hottest weather. There are three large barns,—one for horses, one for cows, and the other for storage of extra feed. These barns are all well filled with hay and feed. There is a blacksmith and a carpentry shop well equipped with tools. Truly, these are goodly buildings, “which thou buildest not, and houses full of good things, which thou fillest not, and wells digged, which thou diggest not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedest not.” Deut. 6:11.

There is a swimming tank, forty by one hundred feet, covered, and furnished with dressing-rooms and bath-rooms. This tank and the bath-rooms can be supplied with warm water. There is also an acetylene gas plant on the premises, which is of sufficient capacity to furnish two hundred lights.

There came with the property thirteen horses, six colts, twenty-three head of cattle, over one hundred tons of hay; wagons, buggies, surreys, three of which can seat nine passengers each. The personal property is estimated to be worth not less than ten thousand dollars.

It was only two days after the committee had decided to take the property, and the first proposition was made to the owner, before the trade was closed. Forty thousand dollars was paid, and twenty thousand dollars more is to be paid in six months, without interest.

Immediately after the property was secured, it was decided to open the school the twenty-ninth of September, less than one month from the time the school property was purchased. The school opened with an enrolment of about fifty students, which was good, considering there had not been time to issue a calendar, or even to print a circular. There are no Seventh-day Adventist families living nearer than five miles of the school, so there were no day students. Students are coming in from different parts of the conference, and they expect soon to have the rooms all filled.

The climate is delightful. Some winters the snow falls for a few days, and the average temperature in winter is twenty-five degrees above zero, while in the summer it is eighty-five degrees.

The day of the dedication was a day of interest. Three four-horse teams, six two-horse teams, and several single carriages brought visitors to the spot. Sister White was present at the dedicatory services, and spoke very decidedly and clearly, stating that it was God's providence that had given us this place. Others bore a similar testimony, while Prof. C. W. Irwin outlined in a few words the general policy that would be carried out in the school. The dedicatory prayer was offered by the writer.

The faculty consist of Prof. C. W. Irwin, Elder A. O. Tait, Prof. Geo. W. Rine, Mrs. C. W. Irwin, Miss Hattie Andre, and Miss Lois Randall. Drs. H. F. Rand and M. L. Edwards will render assistance in giving medical instruction. The close proximity of the St. Helena Sanitarium is a great advantage, as the spirit of prophecy has told us that our schools should be connected with a sanitarium. Each of these institutions can be a help to the other.

It should be mentioned that there are prospects that the school will exceed its present capacity. Arrangements have been made for the purchase of a portable sawmill, so that by student labor a new dormitory may be erected, using the lumber on the place, without any outside expense except for the hardware.

We have not heard one word of criticism regarding the purchase of this place, and the brethren have freely pledged for the purchasing of this property. Some have doubled their pledges. Our brethren and sisters have set their heads and their hearts to wipe out the indebtedness on this conference institution, and to begin this new school according to the light of the Testimonies regarding manual labor.

Prof. C. W. Irwin, who has successfully demonstrated the manual labor problem, both financially and in developing all-round missionaries for foreign fields, stands at the head of this new school. He is supported by a faculty and a committee who believe in these principles. Our hearts say, “Praise the Lord.”

S. N. HASKELL.