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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1882)
The West Shore. VOL. 8 No. 8. ( L. Ramuel, Publisher, ( . S Wuhlngton Bt, Portland, Oregon, August, 1882. Kntitml il iIik PlMllllNlw. Pnr Annum, I Hlngl ran ; Any one receiving this copy of -The West Shore will please consider it an invitation to be come a regular subscriber. , COMPLETE FILES NOW READY. Complete files of The West Shore from Jan uary to June, inclusive, can be had, postage paid, by remitting $1.00 to this office. . OUR SEPTEMBER NUMBER. The next number of The West Shore will be principally devoted to Seattle, "The Liver pool of the Pacific." All the engravings (eight pages) in that issue are illustrative of this young and thrifty metropolis. ABOUT OUR CLIMATE. SOME BEAUTIES OF THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. It might not be out of place, to cor rect an erroneous impression prevalent among many who are not familiar with the Pacific coast. The reasons for the mildness of our climate, as compared with like latitudes on the Atlantic coast and in the Mississippi valley, are not generally understood, and in fact among many of those who have never visited his, these facts are not believed. I In Oregon and Washington Terri tory, west of the Cascades mountains, f we are exempted from the rigors of cli J. mate usual so far north. The reasons fare obvious, and only require a reason Jable knowledge of physical geography (to account therefor. It is an estab lished fact, that the motion of the earth ,from west to east, tends to throw the Arctic currents to the western shores of -the two great oceans. ' Hence we see ,;that of the Atlantic driven west and south, along the eastern coast of Amer ica, chilling its atmosphere, and im parting to it a climatic influence, par taking in some degree, of that found in jhe Arctic regions, modified of course, .as the equator is approached. ' While ,the Arctic current passes southward along , the. eastern shores of America, chilling them with its icy breath, the Gulf Stream, direct from the tropics, having met the continent of America, nd been forced to recoil, turns east and ;north, across the Atlantic ocean, bear ng with it, the warmer waters and balmy breezes of the south, strikes the west coast of . Eurooe far north, where it turns again to the southward, impart ing its warming influence, to the climate of the countries whose shores it washes, and giving to the same latitude of west ern Europe a much milder and more genial climate than is possessed by the same parallel on the east coast of America. So, also, the Arctic current. flowing into the Pacific ocean through Behring Straits, is from the same phys ical causes thrown to the west, chilling the eastern shores of Siberia and Chi nese Tartary, while the Japan current fresh from the tropics, is thrown to the north-east, with the same climatic in fluences as those effected by the Gulf Stream, to warm and cheer the western coast of the continent of America. Striking British Columbia, and south ern Alaska, it also turns south, along the shores of Washington Territory and Oregon, sending its warmth and mois ture inland, until intercepted by the lofty Cascade Range, which, with its peaks clad in eternal snow, acting as a great condenser of its moisture, causes it to congeal, and to fall on these dizzy heights and the country east of them, in the form of snow; while to the west warm and plentiful rains reinvigorate nature, and though ever in the presence of winter's garb, enjoying the blessing of that which elsewhere would be con sidered no more than the cool damp breezes of spring. It is true that at times snow falls in the valleys west of the Cascades to the depth of a few inches, but never tarries more than a four hours, and such a diversion as sleigh-riding is seldom enjoyed here The cold winds from the high moun tains, however, mingled with the wintry damn of this .lower region, sometimes produces a very chilly and unpleasant atmosphere. Among the greatest enjoyments of the people here, are eummer excursions into the mountains where a few days or weeks are pleasantly spent in fishing, hunting and general rusticating. The Willamette valley is certainly one of the most favored regions of earth, in climate and general characteristics, A trip from Eugene City, near the head of the vallev. and at the head oi navi - " . . A k Jgation, funusnei to -many aricd attractions, llml hc must be a very sour and unnatural creature, in- eed, who could not enjoy a ride by rail through it. The principal town along this route, after leaving Eugene, are', first; Junction City, a wheat ship ping station, though young, of great thrift and enterprise, and which bids fair to rival some of its more ancient neigh bors; Albany, the county seat of Linn county, is a delightful place of about 4,000 inhabitants, situated on the cast bank of the Willamette river, and also a station on the Oregon and California Railroad. It is the third place in rank of size in the state, is located in the very heart of the great valley, rapidly grow ing in importance. It is particularly noted for its schools, good society and strictly moral tone. Fifty-one miles from Portland, and situated on the east bank of the river, and also on the rail road above named, is Salem, the Capital city of the state. This city contains about 5,000 inhabitants, is splendidly aid out, excellently located and con tains many attractive and costly build- ngs. The Capitol building is yet un finished, but when completed will do credit to this great state. The Insane Asylum, the Penitentiary, the Wil- amettc University, the court-house are among the finest on tnc coast the Methodist church and the Chcmcketa hotel, arc all buildings of which the ncople are justly proud, and would rank high in any state. There are many fine residences and the city is tastefully orna mented with numerous parks and other public attractions. It is called the "City of Churches," which title indicates the character and predominant class of society here. A line of steamers ply regularly between Salem and Portland. The country surrounding it' is of the finest and most productive character, and the great variety and profusion of shade, fruit and ornamental trees gives it an appearance of comfort and culture. The people of Salem are justly jealous of the good name, reputation and many attractions of their little city, While here I crossed the river and rode to the summit of the "Polk county hills." This is a range which runs north by went, bearing away from the river