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About La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959 | View Entire Issue (July 13, 1934)
,ii if ft "in mimosa LA GRANDE EVENING OBSERVER, LA GRANDE, OREGON Page Eleven 'SWITZERLAND OF AMERICA' NEIGHBOR OF LA GRANDE Wallowa Lake Country Rich in Recreational Value, Historical Lore MANY TYPES OF FINE HOMES IN LA GRANDE LA GRANDE'S DEPOT IN 1900 In coming to the Semi-centennial Union Pacific celebration In La Grande next week, an oppor tunity also presents itself to out-of-town visitors (particularly those who have never been to the "Switzerland of America" to add several more days of pleasure to their trip by extending It to tako in Wallowa lake, and the recrea tional opportunities offered there. Wallowa lake Is three miles from Joseph, at the end of the La Grande-Wallowa Lake highway, and near tho end of the La Grande-Joseph branch line of the Union Pacific system. In the last quarter of a century the lake country has gained re markable prestige throughout the west as a playground, and each season attracts many new visitors to its shores. The lake itself is about four and a half miles long and a mile and a half wide and is surrounded by majestic moun tains, including three peaks that thrust their pinnacles into the clouds at more than 10,000 feet abovo sea level. The Wallowa lake country in cludes nearly every type of out door sport swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding to addi tional rich country In the Wallowa Lako basin, mirvelous scenery, golfing nearby, and -nearly every sort of pleasure. Incidentally, it is rich in history of this section. It was the old stamping ground of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians and Indian legends still tell of a mon ster that dwells in the depths of the bod? of water that is ready to prey upon anyone who ap proaches its hiding place. Some Indians still will hardly stand at the edge of the beautiful body of water, let alone enter a boat that would cruise over its placid sur facethis In spite of the fact that no white man has ever been able to locate either the monster or any Indication that it existed oth er than in legend. The lake In reality is no deeper than 288 feet, urn --.-:: - .,..3 Tim above I'niim Pacific depot, erected here in IJHio, will he remembered liy most present residents of Iai i mude, since It saw servlre for approximately 30 years before replaced by tin present magnificent structure. When first erected, the depot pictured above was one of the finest In Eastern Oregon. although legend also said It was "bottomless." The term "Switzerland of Amer ica" has been attached to this part of Wallowa county and scores of :pcrsons from all parts of the world after viewing its beauties, declare it Is unmatched anywhere over the globe. There are adequate accommodations at the lake resort for nil, ranging from camping grounds to a modern, well kept hotel. In the territory back of the lake in found the only glacier in East ern Oregon, and hundreds visit it annually. This is only one of the attractions in the country south of the lake. Another side trip that Is inter esting to thousands takes one to Buck Horn springs and the 'Box. canyon of the Snake river, which is the world's deepest canyon nearly a mile further Into the earth than the famous Grand Can yon of the Colorado. Surveys re veal that the canyon Is 7500 feet in depth. Carl Gray, president of the Un ion Pacific railroad, is quoted as having once said of the Wallowa lake country: "It is the greatest possession on the Union Pacific system,'' nutvi:sTiM; mu win; ax chop The Grande Rondo valley this month is engaged in harvesting a 1,000,000-bushcl crop of fine qual ity wheat. Of this approximately B0 per cent Is fall-sown wheat, and the remainder spring wheat. This is a normal wheat crop for the county since the government acreage reduction plan was In voked. Local farmers, with a good yield and hopes of a rapidly rising wheat market, are expecting very profitable returns this fall, since practically none of the crop has been sold as yet. HEAVY AGHICl'LTURAL INCOME The normal agricultural Income rn Union county Is nearly three millions of dollars. Of this amount tho " wheat crop, which ranges around. 1,000,000 bushejs or more, and the apple crop, which Is often valued at as high as $1,000,000, make up a large portion of the total. La Grande is a city that in the last 20 years has become noted for its fine residential dwellings, large ly located on the south side of the railroad track, although there are several fine homes north of the U. P. main line. Studded throughout with mag nificent trees and surrounded by well kept lawns and flower gar dens, the residential areas around this city's business section are a Joy forever to people living here or visiting tbls community. In the many fine homes over La Grande, one also may see traces of early history, Styles are ever changing and to one adept in architecture, a glance often tells him approximately the! age of the home at which he is looking. Just a casual glance at some of tho fine homes to determine their type. The Dr. A. L. Richardson residence is a true Georgian type colonial house, refined In detail of tho Adams period of England. It was first introduced into this country about 1725. Across the street Is the Bouvy home, a type of design ' more nearly American perhaps than any other being built today. California Mass Ion, with Italian adaptations in cor nices and wood lap siding, Che combination makes a very good design. The home of A. T. Hill is of plain California Mission type with wide eaves, simple straight and substantial lines. The home of Dr. J. L. Ingle Is a Spanish de sign, almost typical, originating many years ago from the adobo houses. The home of Adolph Sic grist Is a Dutch Colonial typo, originating in America about 1717, ; first being built In tho Hudson valley and on Long Island, Tho homo of Aug. J. Stange Is of tho very early types of New England colonial, detailed lightly with dorlo porch columns and wrought Iron balconies, modern openings, sided, with paneled shutters. The homo of W. H. Reutcr and Charles H. Reynolds are both of early colon ial, type, typifying a certain de sign of its own. Tho W. R. Leis man home Is of English half tim ber design in stucco, and Its steep ' pitched roofs, leaded casements and iron baskets are typical of the English home. The William Siegrlst home Is a typical Call- fornla bungalow with attractlvo exterior enhanced by beautiful planting. And there are many others, but to touch upon them all would be Impossible In the lim ited space in this edition. ;itAM)i;'.s payroll LAUit2 La Grande's payroll, In normal times, ranges well over $4,000,000, and Is not for below that figure at present. MMch of the payroll comes from tho Union Pacific railroad shops, the two large saw mills and the flouring mills. The Story of the Railroad is a Story of Service From its very beginning down through its great progress un til today, the story of railroading is truly a story of both human and mechanical effort devoted to public service. We of La Grande owe much to the railroad progress of these past 50 years. It is well and proper that we fittingly observe the anniversary of its coming here. At times there comes to the thoughtful traveler a dis turbing realization of the Immense labor that planted the rock-sure roadbed over which his train is traveling. These railway - worker keep in repair the foundation of our speedy transportation. TtailweM Workers The stAtlon master seeing ' the rest of the world rush by Is Intent upon their safety and convenience. Like the man described by Tho rran, "He Is so busy that he may escape attention. He I so necessary that his ab sence will imedlately empha size his Importance." 'tf -rti 3rfr. Sfaiion Master WALKERS Funeral Home Phone: Main 42 - La Grande, Ore. "See the Birdie!" . . . said the photographer man to Gus and Lizzie, and there and then the dream was complete. They were married! Joined in huly wedlock, as the photograph would prove, and in spite of what Lizzie's Pa said about Gus never amounting to much. Lizzie wasn't blinded by love, however. She knew that though Gus never earned much, he saved plenty. So they up and did it. Newlyweds of today ! i . . . and Old Weds and every other kind of Weds and Unweds will do well to investigate the savings to be ac complished in trading for your hard ware needs at this store. - All quality merchandise that will perform right up to standard and make life easier and happier along the way. WAGNER'S HARDWARE " 1210 Adams Ave.
