July 15, 1899-Esparto (Yolo County)

ESPARTO- (Yolo County) rebuilt in 1899- the original Town Layout bought from the Railroad.

San Francisco Call, Volume 86, Number 45, July 15, 1899

COLONIZATION SCHEME TO REBUILD ESPARTO

George D. Fiske, a Member of the Syndicate, Interviewing Eastern Capitalists

Woodland, July 14.— Esparto, in the western part of Yolo, first came into existence when the Vaca Valley Railroad was extended from Winters to Rumsey.

It was expected that it would develop into the most important town in Western Yolo.

A syndicate of “Woodland Capitalists”- constructed a fine Hotel and several pretentious Store Buildings, all of brick.

The soil is fertile, the location desirable, and the buildings are all a substantial character: nevertheless “the town has not prospered, and for some time many of the buildings have been unoccupied.”

These conditions are said, “to be due to conflicting interest that all efforts so far have failed to harmonize.”

A few days ago George D. Fiske, a member of the Syndicate, left Boston. It was announce, “that the trip was undertaken purely for rest and recreation.”

It is now currently rumored— that before Mr. Fiske left— He induced the Bank, Hotel and Railroad companies “to fix a price for their property.”

Mr. Fiske’s real purpose in going to Boston—- was to induce some Capitalists (with whom he is personally acquainted,) to interest themselves in the property.

Rumor also, has it that if his Mission is successful ,his further plans contemplate, “the colonization of Esparto and a part of the surrounding country with Eastern people.”

If these rumors are true, “the people of Yolo County” are much interested in the success of Mr. Fiske’s mission with the Syndicate.