The Story of our Health Message

Negotiating for the Property

For a period of about eighteen months after this there were negotiations with the agents of the property at Paradise Valley. The prices were lowered from time to time, until early in 1904 the place was offered for $4,000. SHM 338.1

Even at this price the Southern California Conference hesitated about securing the property. A prolonged drought in the region was urged as one reason why it would be hazardous to conduct a sanitarium in the vicinity. With a faith born of conviction that the Lord was leading, Mrs. White borrowed $2,000 from the bank, and with Mrs. Josephine Gotzian made the payment that closed the bargain. It was held and operated for a time by a stock company. SHM 338.2

The Paradise Valley Sanitarium was purchased at just the right time. San Diego and vicinity began to take on new life and activity immediately after the opening of the institution, and have steadily advanced ever since. The long, severe drought which terminated in 1905 was valuable to this section, in that it drove the people to develop an abundant supply of water, and taught them how to conserve it when developed. A new continental railroad, with terminus in San Diego and running within two miles of the sanitarium, now gives the place a direct connection with the eastern states. All these considerations have caused great increase of valuation of property. Had we delayed longer, the property would have been beyond our reach. In fact, when the papers were finally signed, thereby closing the deal, there was en route from New York a letter offering $6,000 for the property. SHM 338.3