Phantom Lots, Roads

At the Lake County Courthouse, I picked up a copy of a map from 1930 or so about the Lucerne Hotel (designed by a Alhambra man).

“Clear Lake Beach Subdivisions, Lake County, California,” is the title.

A few months ago, surveyors left their orange state markers, blue ribbons tied to trees and painted numbers on rocks. A few dirt roads were made.

Only three houses are up here where the map looks as though there are hundreds, and roads to go with them. ‘Tis not so. Water is too hard to find.

Is it true that someone is supplying big buffet parties in Los Angeles to attract people to hear the sales pitch that might sell these lots over and over, some more, and again?

MARY SHAFER OLDER

Lucerne, Calif.