i
.TiO
THE WEST SHORE.
with the North Umpqua, and some twenty miles
north of Iloseburg, and it is surrounded by high
hills, m are all the towns of that region. The poul
try product shipped from this station is greater than
from any two others on that line of road, between
810 Francisco and Portland. The value of the poul
try product shipped from Oakland last year exceed
ed 115,000.00. Wool, grain and lire stock interests
are alao large. It has efficient public schools, three
churches and a grange association, and the volume of
business conducted is surprisingly large. Much ex
Hlent agricultural territory under cultivation is di
rectly tributary to Oakland and jives it special prom
inence. The third incorporated town of Douglas county is
Drain, on the railway north of Oakland, and it is a
pleasant town of about five hundred inhabitants.
Hnowdcn springs, located near here, are well known
as a summer resort A largo saw mill, a flouring mill,
mining headquarters and the patronage of the sur
rounding country make it a live business town. An
academy, which in 1880 was mado a normal school, is
located here.
The other towns of Douglas county are Canyon
villft, Jxiking Glass, Gardiner, Scottsburg, Elkton,
Mjrlle Creek, Yoncalla, Wilbur, Kiddle and Glendale.
BootUburg is the oldest commercial point in the conn
ty, ling at the head of tide water navigation and
thus moat accessible by boat The county has a pop
ulation of about fourteen thousand, anc the assessor's
valuation of property in 1&S7 was $1,203,580.00. At
Winchester a cantilever bridgo is being constructed
nt a cost of $15,000.00. A road to Crater lake has
been surveyed and is considered the most feasible of
any of the routes that have been undertaken to reach
that curious sheet of water. Various enterprises for
the improvement of the county are in contemplation,
and the good condition of the county finances will en.
able them to be carried out without being a burden to
the tax payers.
Those who are best acquainted with Douglas conn,
ty are enthusiastic in its praises. They regard it as
one of the best fields for a diversified development of
any section of the Pacific slope. The numerous val
leys and slopes afford the finest locations for agricul.
tural operations, the hills are covered with timber
and the streams furnish an abundance of water pot.
er in every portion of the county. The inducement!
for manufacturing are leading many to invest capital
in that branch of the industries of the region. There
are extensive supplies of raw materials wood, wool,
grain and minerals water power is ample, and the
markets are easily reached. Salmon fishing on 1
large scale is conducted at the forks of the Umpqua
and is a source of much profit to the people of that
locality. The climate is another of the strong points
urged in favor of the Umpqua valley, and it is truly J
delightful. As the tide of immigration spreads over I
the county, its richness is being developed and it is
found to be an empire in itself. Industry is the fac-
tor that is needed to improve the natural conditions
which exist there. The intelligent application of
means at the disposal of the humblest settler can not '
fail to produce most gratifying results. The field for
settlement is an attractive one, and there is almost
unlimited room for expansion.