One of the tragic ironies associated with the Donner Party is that the attraction of a life free of disease in the "salubrious and healthful climate" of California was one of the reasons for the party's journey west. But nearly half of the members died when they were stopped by severe winter weather and a pass they couldn't cross.

Health-seeking immigrants were inspired by reports that California's climate was so perfect that disease was non-existent. In his 1836 book, Two Years Before the Mast, Richard Henry Dana wrote that California was "blessed with a climate which there can be no better in the world; free from all manner of diseases, whether epidemic or endemic..."

Lansford Hastings, whose best selling book, "The Emigrants Guide to Oregon and California," persuaded thousands of pioneers to head west, wrote: "There will be no land on earth that can compare with California with respect to its wonderful climate, the excellent health of its inhabitants."

One 19th century physician stated: "From my personal observations, I can say that at least an extra 10 years' lease on life is gained by a removal to this coast from the Eastern States; not 10 years to be added with its extra weight of age and infirmity, but 10 years more with additional benefit of feeling 10 years younger during the time."

The rhetoric would certainly have appealed to George Donner. He was 62 and had five young children, so he was no spring chicken in 1846. Another major figure, wealthy James Reed, whose wife Margaret suffered from chronic migraine headaches, probably considered the health idea in deciding to head West.



Most of the early traffic was into Northern California. The L.A. Basin, isolated by a ring of high mountains, susceptible to drought, lacking a natural harbor and an adequate water supply, did not see the rapid population growth that occurred up north after the Gold Rush of 1849.

In the early 1870s, the Los Angeles City Chamber of Commerce began a climate promotion campaign to draw immigrants to the region. Health and longevity were trumpeted to easterners and Europeans. One advertisement boasted: "We sell the climate at so much per acre and throw in the land; it's $10 for an acre of land, and $490 an acre for the climate."


The photos are from the author's collection. Mark can be reached at mark@thestormking.com.