The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters

September 4, 1905

Glendale, Los Angeles, California

September 4, 1905

We have recently purchased another sanitarium property, known as Loma Linda. I am most grateful to the Lord for making it possible for us to secure this property. It lies sixty miles east of Los Angeles, on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railway. It's name, Loma Linda, - Beautiful Hill - describes the place. Of the seventy-six acres comprised in the property, about thirty-four form a beautiful hill, which rises one hundred and twenty-five feet above the valley. Upon this hill the sanitarium building is situated. PC 185.1

The main building is an imposing structure of sixty-four rooms, having three stories and a basement. It is completely furnished, heated, by steam and lighted with electricity. It is surrounded with large pepperwood trees and other shade trees. PC 185.2

The entrance steps broaden as one ascends, and from them is entered the glass parlor, a large, beautiful room three sides of which are glass. In this room there are ten rocking chairs, and more can be supplied if necessary. At appropriate distances, there are two decorative pillars, which look something like bowls turned upside down, and round these pillars are seats. This room opens into another large parlor, carpeted with excellent body brussels. In this room there are three lounges, ten rockers, and some upholstered chairs. PC 185.3

The second parlor opens into a spacious hall, which is furnished with easy chairs. At the right of the hall, double doors open into a large dining room. Ascending a few steps, one enters an office room, this room opens onto a beautiful grove of pepperwood trees. PC 185.4

About ten rods away, on what is known as Summit Hill, there is a group of fine cottages. The central cottage has nine beautiful rooms and two bathrooms. In the basement is the heating plant for the five cottages. Prettily grouped around this large cottage are four small ones, having four rooms each, with bath and toilet. An interesting feature of these cottages is that each room has its verandah, with broad windows running to the floor, so that the beds can be wheeled right out on to the verandah, and the patients can sleep in the open air. PC 185.5

There is another building, which was known as the Recreation building. In this is a billiard table, which must have cost several hundred dollars. This, of course, will be disposed of. A partition runs through this building, and we have thought that one side could be used for meetings, and the other side for class rooms. PC 185.6

The land is well cultivated, and will furnish much fruit and vegetables for the institution. Fifteen acres of the valley land is in alfalfa hay. Eight acres of the hill are in apricots, plums, and lemons. Ten acres are in good bearing orchard. Many acres of land round the cottages and the main building are laid out in lawns, drives, walks. PC 185.7

There are horses and carriages, cows and poultry, farming implements and wagons. The building and grounds are abundantly supplied with water. PC 186.1

This property is now in our possession. It cost the company from whom we purchased it about one hundred and forty thousand dollars. They erected the buildings, and ran the place for a time as a sanitarium. Then they tried to operate it as a tourist hotel, but this plan did not succeed, and they decided to sell. It was closed last April, and as the stockholders became more anxious to sell, it was offered to us for forty thousand dollars, and for this amount our brethren have purchased it. PC 186.2

O, how I long to see the sick and suffering coming to this institution. It is one of the most perfect places for a sanitarium that I have ever seen. I thank our heavenly Father for giving us such a place. It is provided with almost everything necessary for sanitarium work, and it is the very place in which sanitarium work can be carried forward by faithful workers. PC 186.3

The buildings are all ready, and work must be begun in them as soon as we can secure the necessary physicians and nurses. For some time I have been looking for just such a place as this, with good buildings, all ready for occupancy, surrounded by shade trees and orchards. When I saw Loma Linda, I said, Thank the Lord, This is the very place that I have been hoping to find. PC 186.4

Ellen G. White -