THE
CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
House Grove,” near Prospect Hill. This is a grove of second growth
fir trees, growing on the top of a prominent hill. The trees cover
about two acres of land and are entirely surrounded by fields which
were in grain but are now planted to orchards. There is in the center
a full-grown fir tree which formerly formed the dome, but unfortunately
the top of tins tree has died down to the level of the tops of
the other trees, and the dome effect is lost. Although less unique it is
still the commanding object of the Red Hills when viewed from North
Salem or Salem Prairies.
\\ hen the turn to the left is made, the road is lined on either side with
almost a continuous border of wild rose bunches, which in October are
loaded with bright red berries among the still green leaves. Soon the
crest of the Waldo Hills is reached. The Waldo Hills are not like the
Red Hills and the Eola Hills, which always seem to have a hill higher still
just beyond, but looking east one can see from a crest the hills roll on,
up and down like huge waves, until they reach the Cascade Mountains’
Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood rise above them all and break the blue
horizon with their white garbs. To the left the land falls awav and a
glimpse of Salem Prairies and the hills over the river add to the charm of
the landscape. It is marvelous how wonderful nature is. We have just
passed the Witzel place and are now on the edge of the Waldo Hills or
chard district; for the next mile the drive skirts these orchards. To the
provident mind man has added to this scene the many acres of well kept
rows of fruit trees, which can not help but intensify nature’s works.
\\ e are now near Macleay, but turn and come back to town on a good
road for Oregon, known as the Macleay road.
Many ride Rosedale way, as the best roads are there, and it is consid
ered a scenic trip, but when in Rosedale turn to the right and go around
the hill, when the McGilchrist four corners are reached take the Need
ham road leading south; a good road will be found, going up-hill most
of the way for about a mile. Presently a turn is made and the crest of
the next hill is the summit; without warning Ankeny Bottom almost
springs into view, if this is the first visit a surprise is in store and an ex
clamation, “ I didn’t know such a scene was about Salem” is invariably
heard. American bottom is across the river on the west, rolling lands are
be\ond, with the Coast Range of blue mountains far a background
Through the center of the picture the Willamette River winds in and
out among the trees, making a big bend over towards Buena Vista,
llie Oregon Electric Railway makes a straight line south through An
keny Bottom, and over towards the Looney Butte in the southeast- the
Sidney ditch crosses it diagonally. The whole scene is colored by’ the
fields of yellow stubble, the green of the trees and the sparkle of the
sun shining on the water of the river. A written sketch can not de-