22
THE WEST SHORE
each sida On tlia north the valley is terminated by the
mountains coming into close proximity to each other,
being only separated by the gorge through whieh the
Grande Ronde River flows. Either in winter, spring,
snminer or autumn it is a magnificent picture when
viewed from any of the surrounding heights. The river,
which boars the same name as the valley, flows in from
tlio Blue Mountains on the western sido. It takes a
straight easterly course until it reaches the hills on the
eastern sido, thence it takes a northerly course, becoming
vory sluggish, aud follows an exceedingly crooked chan
nel. There are many smaller streams running down
from the mountains, and along the foothills copious
springs break forth, thus affording an abundance of
water, which converts most of the vulley into a natural
meadow. In the southorn part many of the springs con
Bist of warm mineral waters, often used for medicinal
purKmos. The largest of these springs has been named
the Hot Lake, for the reason that the water rises from
tlio ground in quite a largo stream and then spreads out,
forming a small lake, covering about three acres. The
water where it rises from the ground is at boiling heat.
Timber is conveniently noar in the surrounding moun
tains. The climate is subject to greater extremes than
that of Umatilla County west of the Blue Mountains,
though the winters are not extremely severe. Snow sel
dom lies on tho ground more than three weeks, and, as a
general tiling, cattle remain out all winter, only occasion
ally, as during tlio past soason, requiring care or feeding
at any time. Though there is considerable agriculture,
ttock raising aud dairying are the loading industries.
Thousands of cattle, sheep and hogs are raised, the cattle
grazing on tho fine grass of tho rolling hills and up the
mountain sides, and tho shoep in the mountain valleys in
summer and the lower valley in winter.
La Grande is the oldest of the six towns which lie in
Grande Ronde Valley, and was formerly the county seat
It is admirably situated in the foothills of the western
side of the valley, and is well protected from the prevail
ing winds, which in the winter time blow from the south.
It commands an oxecllont view of a largo portion of the
valley, and is well supplied with water, which is con
ducted from neighboring springs in mains. The 0. R. &
N. Co. have laid out mi addition to the town, and intend
to build round houses, machine Bhops and other improve
ments, and make it the central depot for the whole valley.
Here is located tho United States Land Ollice for the
counties of Umatilla, Union, Baker and Grant Two
good schools aud the Blue Mountain University supply
most excellent educational facilities. There are three
churches-Episcopal, Baptist and Methodist The La
Grande Ouzrlto is a well-conducted weekly newspaper,
devoted to tlio interest of the county. The Masons
Odd Follows and Workmen have thriving lodges. Be
sides the usuid number of prosperous stores, there are
two saw ami planing mills, a soap factory, furniture fac
tory and steam flouring milL The present population is
about COO.
Union is the county seat and largest town in the
county, having a population approximating 800. It is
prettily situated on Catherine Creek, in the southern end
of the vnlley, sixteen miles from La Grando and thirty
six from Baker City. Its water power is very valuable,
though at present but partially utilized. There are a
new flouring mill of 100 barrels daily capacity, a furni
ture, sash and door factory, tannery, soda water factory,
brewery, planing mill, town hall, national bank, six gen
eral merchandise stores and a number of other stores,
shops, etc. A number of storeB are built of brick, as are
also the public school building and court house. The
educational, religious and social influences consist of a
good publio school, three churches Methodist, Presby
terian and Episcopal lodges of Masons and Odd Fel
lows, and two excellent newspapers. The Mountain Sen
tinel is a thoroughly established paper, enterprising and
ably conducted. The Oregon Scout is a bright and newsy
semi-weekly, whose initial number made its appearance in
July last The streets are broad, the private residences
are neat and attractive, and both rent and taxes are low.
Not far from the town good copper mines are being
developed. The town has been growing rapidly during
the past five years, and under the impulse given the val
ley by the railroad must increase at a still greater ratio
during the next few years.
Island City is situated on Grande Ronde River, in a
most boautiful location, about five miles from La Grande.
It has a population of some 250 and is growing rapidly,
being a comparatively new town. It lies in the midst of
a rich farming community, of which it is the commercial
centra Its chief industry is the manufacture of flour,
the town having sprung up around the mill, which was
the first structure erected. There are also a planing mill,
four stores, a hotel and various other business enter
prises, also a good school and religious organizations.
The river supplies an abundance of water power which
might be still further utilized, and the "Island" is a
perfect garden spot, in summer producing flowers and
fruit in great abundance.
Oro Doll is a small town situated at the mouth of the
Grande Ronde River Canyon, two miles north of La
Granda For many years it has been a trading point for
the farmers in the neighborhood and teamsters on the
road. It possesses an excellent water power, which has
been improved by W. J. Snodgrass, who has erected a
dam across the river, with a fall of about sixteen feet
His old dam and a grist mill and planing mill were de
stroyed by the floods of 1882. The mills are being recon
structed upon new and improved plans, and this little
town will soon be the centre of a manufacturing commu
nity which will be a source of wealth to the county.
The most beautiful spot in Eastern Oregon is the
Cove, four miles from Union. Here a village has grown
up around a grist mill, but the name is applied to a
large farming country which runs back from the main
valley into the mountains, this fact giving it its nama It
is exceedingly fertile, thickly settled and well improved.
It contains more dwellings than any farming community
of ita size in Eastern Oregon. All kinds of fruit grow