- All over the long slopes grown with green,
With the white tents scattering in between,
The flickering camp-fires start to glow
In the groves of the fair Presidio:
- While the solemn chord
Of the evening hymn
Rolls over the Bay
Through the twilight dim
- As the flag comes down to an anthem grand,
- The brave, old song of our native land,
And Angel Isle, when the song is done.
Booms out "Amen"' with its sunset gun.
Although Marin County was first opened
up by the advent of the North Pacific Coast Railroad in
1875, it was not until the transfer to the North Shore that
the road was operated in its present modern system.
With the exception of the extreme North
and East where the trains are run by steam, the County is
traversed by well appointed electric trains which combine
easy riding with quick transit.
This was the first electric line in
California to be operated by the third rail system, and it
has proved satisfactory in every detail. Owing to the danger
of contact with the third rail, the road is fenced on both
sides, and the rail is concealed at stations.
At the head of Richardson's Bay, and but a
short distance from Mill Valley, is situated the North Shore
Powerhouse. Here the power, which is transmitted from
Colgate, over 150 miles away, is stored. Should there be any
accident and stoppage to the power, electricity is generated
at the Powerhouse by steam, which is always kept in
readiness.
As I gazed at the three switches, each in
its separate vault (in order to be kept fire-proof) it was
difficult to realize that in the small wires I beheld were
centered power to operate trains, illuminate and run
machinery and countless other utilities.
As this, the greatest motive power in the
world to-day, was long unknown except as an element of
destruction, until the man came who harnessed the lightning
and made it do man's work, so there are still undoubtedly
other forces of nature which but await the master mind to
discover their utility.
|
