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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1885)
THE WEST SHORE. 299 foet square and forty-five high, ami coot the Government $81,000. It ia of great oonvenionoe to the mining inter ests, as the assayer in charge ia supplied with funds from the United States Treasury for the purchase of bullion. A rival structure is now going up, being the new capitol building, which is being constructed undor an act parsed by the last Territoriid Legislature appro, printing $80,000 for that purpose. This is lciug erected in the centre of what is known as "Capitol Square," having the school house and court house on either hand. The square presents a most imposing appearance, as shown in an engraving on another page. The commis sioners who have the work in charge are four of the lead, ing citizens of tlio Territory -Messrs. It Z. Johnson, L W. M(K)ro, Peter Sonna and W. H. Kidcnlmugh, who have managed tho trust so judiciously that the splendid and architecturally beautiful structure shown in tho engraving is now partially completed and all under con tract for a total of $77,000, leaving a balauce of $3,(00 j the building fund. The court house, which stands on the right of the capitol, is a three-stery brick structure, excellently adapted in its interior arrangements for the accommodation of county otlices and court. It oost $(58,000. On the other end of the square stands a hand some school building, 82x100 feet, and four stories high with mansard roof. It is a brick structure, and was erected at an expense of $.r0,000. It hns few rivals as a school building on the Paciilo Coast. The school system is the pride of the city. It is thoroughly graded, has a principal and six assistant teachers, and is in such high favor and does its work so satisfactorily that no private schools are maintained, though there are more than 700 children of school age in the district Many families from a distance reside in the city for the purxwe of giy. ing thoir children these excellent educational advantage. A United States Signal Office has Imen located in the city since 1877. , At the military xrni, which is situated on a beautiful site overlooking the city, are stationed two companies of trooe under command of a field officer. The social, benevolent and religious iusliucU have strong hold Umu the people, Tho Methodist and Pre, byterian denominations have each a fine brick edifice, and the Episcoalians, Homan Catholic and Unptiat have substantial frame buildings. There are two lodge, a chapter and a commaudery of the Maaonio Order, a lodge and encampment of Odd Fellows, a lodge of Work men, of Good Templars and of Champions of the Ited Cross, ami a Turn-Voreiu. Each is iu a prerou oouditiou and owns valuablo real estate. There are also a free library association, a dramatic and literary club, and a Territoriid law library of several thousand volume. The citizens have taken full advantage of the ample supply of water for irrigating purposes. A a result well kept lawns, beautiful gardens and ornamental shrubbery are to be seen on every side, and the city is embowered in mas of thrifty and beautiful shade tree. Ho hid den are the numerous handsome residence by this green mass of shade that our artist was compelled to abandon the idea of sketching them. With the trees in, the hononn wonld he olwnml from view, and with tho tree omitted, to give a fair view of tho residence, the sketch would presont anything but the natural apioaranco of these beautiful homes. A glance at tho engraving of Grove street will give a fair idea of the beauty and den. sily of shade in this "Woodod City." UoisA City has felt the effect of the hard lime In common with every commercial point in the Union. There are, however, elements of prosperity present here that are lacking in many other places. As the metropolis of a region developing with great rapidity, it occupies a position that must continually bring increased business to it door, the more so that the citizens are enterprising and awake to all tho need of the hour. Six stage lines oentre in the city, while freight wagons loaded with mer chandise are constantly leaving for towns and mining camp many miles distant in all directions. ' The main lino of the Oregon Short Line passes fifteen mile to the south, the city being connected with it by two daily stage to Knna. At an expense of $45,000 the oltixens have secured tho right of way for a branch road to tap the main line at Caldwell, alamt twenty miles distant, and this will be completed by tho Oregon Short Line early in the spring of lHHfl. lloise will then have full railroad facilities, and being the natural terminal jmint will continue to be the base of supplies for the large area which i undergoing such rapid development This is the natural outlet for the famous Atlanta mineral dl trict (with which it will no doubt be ere long connected by a narrow gauge road) and the lloise llasin.- The val ley and mountain roads ara excellent for freighting, and many beautiful drive may bo found near the city, lly ascending Table IU'k, back of the town, the octator on the hottest day iu summer will he welcomed by refresh, ing mountain hreer.es, while the viow of the valley for miles around spreads out Iwfore him in all the beauty of mingled wilderness and cultivation. A favorite drive I to the Hot Springs, a few mile east of town. The spring are highly medicinal, containing iron, sulphur, soda, lime and magnesia. There are vajair, shower, plunge and mud bath. The teuieratura of the springs varies from 125 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit They are already a favorite resort, ami need only to lie known to lieeoinc as celebrated as the Hot Hprings of Arkansas Socially Iioisn is much similar to larger towns in tho Kast The lawlessness supposed to characterise so many frontier towns is unknown here. The culture, refinement and hospitality of the people of lloise are proverbial. There is laud enough iu the nclghborhaHl for all who choose to coma. The history of the past twenty years of this valley shows what energy and determination can aooomplish in the face of almost Insuperable obstacle. With these obstacle now removed, ami with the valley easily accessible by rail to the Immigrant seeking borne and the capitalist an investment for bis money, the growth of the next few years must be far greater and more marked than at any peritsl In the past Iloita I Valley proper is about sixty miles long awl from two to