508 THE WEST SHORE.
gon and Washington. Between them in the lumber trade or vessels passing
and the city there exist a brisk trade, directly to and from other ports. With
which increases yearly. There are as the river open to navigation, and one or
fine opportunities here for securing a more railroads terminating here, the
homestead as can bo found in any of the commerce of the city will eipand, and
forest-covered portions of Oregon or Astoria will grow rapidly in wealth and
Washington. On the streams mentioned, population. A newspaper, daily and
and on the dozens of smaller ones, are weekly, called the Pioneer, will be is
largo areas of vacant land, covered with sued on August 1st, by D. C. Ireland,
timber, still open to settlement It re- the pioneer journalist of Astoria,
quires persistent effort and hard work For beauty and healthfulness of loca
te clear the land and reduce it to culti- tion, Astoria has no superior on the Pa
vation, but when it is accomplished, the cific coast It is located on the south
settler has a good home and a productive bank of the Columbia, about twelve
farm. An industrious man can always miles above the bar. In front of it
find work to aid him in supporting his flows the majestic Columbia, hero wid
family while he is clearing his land and ened out into a broad estuary, having
perfecting the title to his homestead, the appearance of a large and peaceful
There is a sure market, at good prices, bay. Situated on the margin of the riv
for vegetable.., hay, oats, fruit and poul- er, and extending up the sloping hill,
try. Many settlers are so situated that with a forest-crowned ridge rising cool
they can sell logs from their claims, and and beautiful above, never suffering
many derive quite an income from cord- from the overpowering heat of the sun,
wood and charcoal. but constantly fanned by cool and health-
Hefcrcnco has been made to coal and ful breezes from the open sea, this is a
iron. Coal of a superior qualily has delightful place of residence. The rain
been discovered in the southern portion fall is large in the winter season, but
of the county, and it is more easily ac- this is amply compensated for by an en
cesaiblo from Astoria than any other tire exemption from snow and excessive
point Iron ore, also, has been found, ly cold weather,
though its extent has not been ascer- From the heights back of Astoria, a
tained. Both of these will bo developed view can be obtained any summer even
upon the completion of a railroad, aid- ing, that is worth miles of travel to any
ing to build up the business of the city, one having an eye for the beautiful.
North of the river there is quite an ex- Looking in either direction (see pages
tensive area tributary to Astoria, whose 515 to 520), the immediate foreground
trade becomes larger every year. But is the city itself. On the east, four
it is not upon this increasing local trade, miles above, Tongue point thrusts its
nor upon her great fiehing industry, mass of green pines far out into the
that Astoria is to depend to make ol her stream, forming one side of the graceful
a great commercial city, but upon her bay in which the city lies. Though hid
unrivaled position at the mouth of the den from view, the course of the river
great Columbw river, when it shall be can be plainly discerned by the contou
opened to navigation. Seven hundred of the hills, whose fading blue melts
and sixteen vcase Is crossed the bar du, into the horizon JHfa
ing 18SQ, according to the returns pf Immediately at our feet Z h K
je custom hou.o to and from this ,,rt estuary of he OAnS
Thi. due. not include coastwise v, asels little caps of white and d2 1 withThe