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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1889)
42 THE WEST SHORE. and McMinnville, its county seat and chief town, is enjoying the prosperity naturally expected in a town bo surrounded. During the year 1888 forty-two new dwelling houses were built in the city, a court house costing $15,000.00, a school house costing $15,000.00, and several business houses costing $5,000.00 were erected. Jones k Co., owners of a saw mill and sash and door factory, have just purchased a tract of land and water power, where they will at once build a large factory and equip it with new machinery, and will also build a brick business block. A creamery company has recently been organized, the stock being freely subscribed by both the citizens and the farmers of the surrounding country, to whom it will be a mutual benefit Another project, that of a large fruit can nery, is under consideration. This enterprise will require a capital of $00,000.00, and a gentleman in terested in it and willing to invest a large sum of money is negotiating with Chicago gentlemen for the required capital. A building and loan association is being organized, similar in Bcope to those that have been so successful in Portland and elsewhere, and will bo of great assistance in providing homes for the people. During the current year many improvements will bo made. Water works, a sewer system, electric light plant and graded streets are the public improve ments expected to be made, and several new business blocks are promisod, while the number of new resi dences will undoubtedly exceed those of the past year. With such a solid foundation for its business to rest upon, McMinnville is one of the most substantial and prosperous cities of the Willamette valley, and in a few years will surpass, in business and population, some which have now attained a larger growth, but which do not possess the elements of steady and'per manent advancement to bo found in Yamhill's metropolis. WA8IIINQTON COUNTY, OREGON. T YINfl immediately adjacent to Portland on the It Bouth and west, and connected with its markets by two lines of railway and excellent wagon roads is the county of Washington, most excellently adapted, both by location and resources, to diversified farming such as dairy, fruity vegetables, poultry, grain, hay! etc The farmers have improved the extremely fa vorablo weather of the past few weeks to get in their crops, put their land and orchards in first-class condi ion, and in every way provide for a bountiful harvest the coming summer and fall As has been intimated nearness to Portland is one of the chief advantages ot J r MhiDgton coun y, as it enables them to reach mar ket quickly and cheaply, and therefore secures a hrl er net return for labor and capital invested in agricuj" tural pursuits. The prosDeritv of iha nn shown in the thriving condition of Hillsboro the county seat, and Forest Grove, the site of the Pacific University. Both of these towns depend upon the surrounding country for support, and are making a steady and permanent growth as the resources about them are developed. There are large quantities o! unimproved and partially improved land for sale at reasonable rates, whick is well adapted to diversified forms of agriculture, and an industrious man with but little capital can secure for himse'f a good home in a few years, chiefly by the work of his own hand steadily and intelligently applied. Improved laud can also be bought, but at much higher figures, yet at rates which would be considered low by the owners of high priced land in eastern states. There is room in Washington county for ten times the population il now contains, and choice land for all who seek it in. telligently. Hillsboro has shown decided advance ment during the past year, and the indications point to increased prosperity the coming year. Forest Grove is a most delightful town, occupying a beauti ful site and possessing charming residences. It ii one of the most pleasant residence towns in Oregon, and near enough to Portland to feel the effects of metropolitan improvements and growth. THE TOWN OF NEWBERG. THE remarkably fine weather of the past month has been improved to the utmost by the ener getic citizens of Newberg in doing work which had been planned to be done at the earliest opportunity, The progress being made in the matter of building up the town, clearing adjacent tracts of land, setting out fruit orchards and improving the highways, ii astonishing, and is equaled by none of the new towni of Oregon. Lying in the midst of a beautiful and fertile valley, where both soil and climate render fruit culture and all branches of agriculture specially prof itable, and enjoying both rail and water communica tion with the Portland market, Newberg certainly possesses elements of growth and prosperity that must recommend it to every thoughtful man seeking a location, either in town or country. The Chehalefl valley, though all owned by settlers, is not one-fourth under cultivation, and opportunities for purchasing the finest quality of unimproved lands within a abort distance of Newberg, and at extremely low figure can be found by any man seeking them. Small tractj for fruit culture have been cleared by the citizens p are offered for sale at prices below those charged "1 some other localities, tht,pbject of the citizens being to fill the vicinity with an industrious and intelligent class of people, and thus build up the town in iif stantial manner. The Chehalem Valley Board of 1 migration, of Newberg, is handling land of thisk for the accommodation of home seekers, and cheerfully give information to all who apply in P son or by mail
