ALBANY AND LINN COUNTY.
AMONG the growing towns of Ore
gon, none occupy a more promi
nent position than Albany, the
chief city of Linn county. Its selection
by the Oregon Pacific as its point of
junction with the Oregon & California,
and the site for large round houses,
which are in construction, has drawn
much attention to its advantages as a
business point This distinction has not
fallen upon Albany unearned, but is the
result of the enterprising spirit of its
citizens, who subscribed liberally to in
duce the Oregon Pacific to bridge the
Willamette at that point and make the
city its chief center of traffic on the east
side of the river. This same spirit of
enterprise is shown in other directions,
and is bearing fruit in the prosperity
and rapid growth of the community.
The Oregon Pacific is now being operat
ed fifteen milef east of Albany, and is
under contract for construction beyond
the summit of the Cascades. Another
year will see it as far east as Snake riv
er, and before a second shall roll around,
it will meet, at Boise City, another road
from the East, making one more trans
continental route. Albany will then be
the place where freight and passengers
by this new line will connect with lines
reaching points both north and south,
and will, of necessity, become of great
importance in the transportation system
of the coast The city now has a popu
lation of three thousand, which will, by
the time the road is completed, have in
creased fully twenty-five per cent
Albany is well built up with substan
tial business structures, and many neat,
and even handsome, residences. The
county buildings are brick structure?,
and cost about $50,000.00. Business in
all its branches is well represented, and
is increasing yearly in volume. One of
the best water powers in the West, tho
Santiam river, supplies an abundanco of
power for manufacturing, which is al
ready utilized by a number of indus
tries, chief among which is tho largo
Bed Crown Mills of Isom, Lanning k
Co., a complete roller mill, manufactur
ing standard shipping brands of flour.
As a manufacturing point, Albany pos
sesses many advantages of location, bo
cause of its situation at tho junction of
two great railroad lines. It will havo a
direct outlet by rail to Eastern Oregon
and beyond, to all points south and
north, and to tho two ocean shipping
ports of Yaquina and Portland. With
in easy reach aro vast forests of fir and
cedar, and groves of aider, oak, maplo
and cottonwood. Thousands of sheep
are at hand to supply wool of tho finest
grade, while cereal, fruit and vcgctablo
products aro obtainable in unlimited
quantities. Prom tho very naturo of
things, Albany must becomo an import
ant manufacturing and business com
munity. On pages 809 and 810 aro presented
engravings of several of tho busincHS
and public structures of tho city, includ
ing tho school house and now bank build
ing. These aro evidences of business
prosperity and enlightened enterprise,
which speak volumes for tho city and its
people.
A glance at tho surrounding and trib
utary country will give a good idea of
the city's position. Much of tho region