The Journal of San Diego History Winter 1975, Volume 21, Number 1 James E. Moss, Editor Original Articles: When the Imperial Valley Fought for its Life By Robert L. Sperry The Little Landers Colony of San Ysidro By Lawrence B. Lee Merchants and Dons: San Diego's Attempt at Modernization, 1850-1860 By Mario T. Garcia Book Reviews: California—Where the Twain Did Meet By Anne Loftis. Reviewed by Richard H. Dillon. Rock Art of Baja California By Campbell Grant. Reviewed by Ken Hedges. Mining Camps and Ghost Towns: A History of Mining in Arizona and California Along the Lower Colorado By Frank Love. Reviewed by Duane A. Smith. No Tears for the General. The Life of Alfred Sully, 1821-1879 By Langdon Sully. Reviewed by William Hanchett. San Francisco, 1846-1856. From Hamlet to City By Roger Lotchin. Reviewed by John Bernard McGloin Sembradores. Ricardo Flores Magón y el Partido Liberal Mexicano: A Eulogy and a Critique By Juan Gómez-Quiñones. Reviewed by Richard H. Tullis California's Railroad Era. 1850-1911 By Ward McAfee. Reviewed by Richard H Tullis California's Black Pioneers: A Brief Historical Survey By Kenneth G. Goode. Reviewed by Lawrence B. de Graaf Book Notes On the Cover:   RANCHO BUENA VISTA By Richard Gabriel Chase The first in a series of nine 20-foot wide by six-foot high murals depicting the Mexican-era history of North San Diego County was unveiled November 21, 1974, in the Vista office of Southwest Bank. Painted by Richard Gabriel Chase of La Mesa, the mural shows a typical household scene such as might have been seen during the l850s at Rancho Buena Vista, the Mexican land grant ranch upon which present-day Vista is situated. Sidney Fox, Bank president, states that "few of us take time to reflect upon the heritage those early Californians left us—the heritage of warmth, friendship, and appreciation for the wonderful area in which we live. It is our hope that through these murals we will be able to create an increased awareness of the heritage we all enjoy." Charles L. Bridges, Bank vice president, pointed out that the murals are unique in that they will be movable and will be rotated among the Southwest Bank offices in North San Diego County, and that reprints will be distributed to schools throughout the area, along with copies of rancho maps. Chase, a noted Southern California artist, who is a native of Massachusetts began his art studies in Boston and graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art. He studied at the Worcester Art Museum School and privately with such eminent portraitists as Ernest L. Major and Victor Humann. He has taught life drawing and portraiture at San Bernardino Valley College. His murals may be seen throughout Southern California in financial institutions, business and professional offices, schools, hotels, and churches. Courtesy: Southwest Bank and the Tolle Company This Journal issue was scanned and proofread by volunteer Martha Schreffler. Learn how you can help, too!