UNION COUNTY, OREGON
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
9
AND
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
The valleys are of an average elevation of alout 2,000 feet above eea level, the highest mountain
peaks being about 0,000 feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is dry and healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and mature
crops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in the valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to threo weeks at a timo.
The mean temperature for the winter months is about 20 degrees n)xvc freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 nlwvo zero, the heat of tlio day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season usually begins about the first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when the husbandman is given an opportunity to preparo for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weatlieris broken by frequent Bhowers
of rain furnishing suflcient moisture to the ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, August and September, which are the harvesting months 5m thin
county, the weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in tho autumn months to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit the farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in the United States more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as tho vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
The various contagions prevalent in many localities aro almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attacks when they do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chills and lover aro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste tho country, dostroy property and the lives of people nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor do we have the fogy and (Limp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascado Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,497,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the Countyj tho rest is unsurvpyed, the unsur
voyed portion being vahmblo for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. Tho valleys
of the County are Grande Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eaglo, Pino and Starkoy. Tho
Boil in those valloys is well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of the smaller varieties grow to perfection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 25 to 50 bushels to tho aero, Barley from 40 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Barley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
the acre. Tho Mountains are covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruce, etc. The most valuable is the Pino, which is used in the lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species of Tamrae, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
js amply suflicient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
The mineral resources of tho County are only imrtialy developed, hut sutlicient prospecting and
mining has been dona to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in the general summary of
f'o wealth of the County. A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Resources of the
County will be found further on.
HTOCK IfcAItSIIVG.
The assessment roll of tho county lor tho year 1888, shows that there were 21.740 head of horses,
28, 1 it Head of Cuttle, 55,FtS5 Head of Slieep. and 5,570 Henri of Swine, showing of itelf that tho County
is o great Slock liahdng Iioidon. ThoiiHandri of head of Htoclc are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat profit on their investment.
In fact, the stock business lias been and still is the most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to be such for many years lo come. The bunch grass growing upon the IiIIIh and
mountains Is very nutritious, stuck fattuning in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock has
to he fed har for from one to two months during the winter, but in many places horses will winter upon
thu bunch grass and do well. The climate Ih hucIi that slo k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, giving to work horses u strong constitution and powerful iiium-Ic.
i'h) milk cow hero attains perfection. Sheep are very healthy aud produce heavy HceceH. The
dairying business In tho last few years lias developed into u largo mid profitable one, the country being
specially adapted to the business by reubon of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent lange, the largo quantity of hay and giain mixed per acre, the healthfulness of animals, the
large water supply and ttie quick market of llutter and Cheese. Tho Jersey, liolstine mid Durham are
rapidly talcing the place of the common breed of cattle, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to the lin eill' g of their cows.
It Is sui I more profit can ba realized per year from a milk cow in thlri country than any other in the
United Snlen, one Instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net profit to the owner
of 9175 In Miles tho calf.
Two creameries are In operation at the Cove, In this county, whtrh make 12(1,(00 pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 75,(H (I Munris butter, worth 23 cents per pi mid.
This year a creamery is in operation at. La Grnric, with what success remains to be seen, although
no doubt can he entertained but that It will prove to ho a profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Tho Mining Districts of Un'on County are Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in the Eastern portion of the County, and embraces a section about ten ml leu t-qunre, within which there
are altout (MX) quartz locations. Tho formation is grauile and slate; the ledges running in a Snuthcarturly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made here in 1881. The quartz contains Gold and
Sliver, the gold predominating. Some of the lodes are free milling, but they generally contain bane
metal an in consequence will have to Iks treated in reduction works. A-xays have been made of ore from
the different groups, showing an average yielit of from 25 to $1 0 per ton. . When the proper methods
are employed to work these ledges to the best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered the New
"Kldorado of the West."
Tho Orgon Gold Mining Company, of Louisville, Ky , Is the only company represented in tho dls
tiiet. It has opened up several of lis ledges, which weie obtained at from VIO.OOO to fL'O.t'OO each.
The Bed Jacket, belonging to this company, Is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, wns found to be a mass of the golden metal. This
company has a 40-Stamp Mill ruunlng night and day uoii tho ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pounds of sulphurets wore secured the first month of thin spring's operations, bebides
immense quantities of free gold caught upon tho amalgam pans.
This company's expenses In buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., ha amounted to over
9300 0 0, They have the Whitman, which ban a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet aud shows better as the work
progresses; tho A Ha No. 2, which Is developed sulllcleutly to Indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent. Professor Smith, Is hivhly pleased with the prospect for his company
and predicts a second Leadville of Cornucopia. Many other ledges of tho camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which are the Simmons group, comprising the Key
stone, Checkmate, Kinptro aud Buckeye, all situated on tho Simmons Mountain and Mild to be tho best
group of mines In the capip, nlso the Uluo Bell, Little Caslne and Monte Chri-to, situated on the mine
mountain and extensions of the Simmons ledges, showing same grade aud character of ore. The Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest ore of any in camp aud is no doubt an extension
of tho Blue Bell aud Simmons group. Tho Union, Companion, Last Cham e, Bobert Kmmet, Forest
(Jtieon, Bed Boy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Bed Cross, Steen groupc, Stella, Tiger Boy, Climax
and Queen of tho West art all sulllclontly developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
ore In great quantities. The Cornucopia or Pine ('reek district is a rich one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It Is destined to be one of the richest
camps In existence.
The Sanger mines arts ojeratcd by a San Francisco Company, which began Its operations two years
ago, buying the ledges for V47,0C0 and now cleaning up on an averaue of 870,(Mfl per month. Thee
mines are on the road between Union aud Cornucopia, about It ' miles east of Union, having a tn-weekly
mall from Union ou to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trad
ing iK)lnt.
The Sparta mines aro about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still yielding large returns. The Sparta mines am mostly placer, but quite a numlHTof
ledges havo lately been found which, as far as developeu, Indicate good paying ore. A mill Is being
built here aud good returns are expected from ita work.
u
N
I
O
N
C
O
U
N
T
Y
O
R
E
G
O
N
AGRICULT UIVL INTERESTS.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Grande Kondc, whose beauty is becoming known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mcuntains upon which seem to rest the blue vault above. herever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces 300,010 acres ot
as fine Agricultural Land as can bi found on the Pacific Coast.
The Grande Bonde Biver enters its boundary on tho West and flows Lasterly through the centc
of the vadey and thence Northerly and out at is Northern limits; 30x25 miles Is its length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Bonde. entering the valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at the Kast and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributat ies, make the Grande Bonde Val'ey one of tho best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams affording abundance of watr tho teason round.
The soil of this valley Is principally a black, rich lom wiih clay subsoil, there being aNnit three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Bldge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Barley. Bye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to 60 bui-lieN per acre of Wheat. 40 to 100 for Oats and Barley, and Hay from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th producing arH export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing In quantity each
year. Besides the production of grain and hay for export, a i immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, PluniB, Prunes, Pears and suialle fruits, also garden vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed In the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheere is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engaged in largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Bonde
Valley as anywhere, stockmen and farmers always securing tho best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes are no higher on line than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can he bought at from $15 to $30 per acre, wh'ch is comparatively cheap; Many large
bodies of land-owned by single individuals and of the best quality can be had at very reasonable rates7 .
which could be divided into several cood farms.
TIMBER.
The hills and mountains are covered with timber of the best quality for lumbering purposes and
easily reached. But little of the timber land has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. B. & N. R. B. entering the vallov at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the valley on the West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will be extended during the next year from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans to Summerville, In tho northern portion of the valley and will then traverse the en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon the building of this road the valley will
have the best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is tho terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and tho cities of the
Sovnd in competition for t lie trade of the Vallty, the importance of which is evidenced by the building
of this second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Bonde Vnlley, it can be said w ith
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunity is ottered anywnero in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalists than In Grande Bonde Vslley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industMes of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the farmiug and dairying business,
ottering in this line advantages not to be found but in very few places. The raising of thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is harrilv an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Bonde Valley and see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
icstauce have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes lo constitute a gDori country.
Tho Grande Bonde Valley lias several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest. Summerville in the northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Klgin in the extreme northern part of tho
valley.
UNION,
The County Sent of Union County, Is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile Grande Ronde Valley, Rnd has
the beat Natural Location for a City of any town In Eastern Oregon. Situuted, Just Ht the base of rolling hills on both
sides of Catherine Creek, u beautiful, sparkling stream, whoso waters are pure as uuture ever distilled and held
suspended In her mountain reservoirs, furnishing Immense waterpower Just waiting to be utilized by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact the water power la amply suflicient to make Union the iiowcll
of Oregon if the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned In that direction, which will be the case when new
blood Hud Kastern capitalists come in. This Is oue of the best places In Oregon for the erection of manufactures.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, aud some energetic capitalist who is engaged In such business would Mud
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right in the heart of a great wool-growing section of the country. So
high freights to pay, water-power in abundance, uud In fact everything that such a business would consume Is pro
duced here in the valley.
The preseut population of Union Is about 1,200, but when the O. & W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population Inside of six months. Eager eyes are watching to take advantage of the present low prices Ju property aud
procure for themselves a homo where they may live In peace aud plenty. Water works cau be put lu at very little ex
peuse by running apart of Catherine creek into a large reservoir ou tho hill back of town. This will give all the fall
wo waut from 160 feet up: no expense of keeping a steam pump aud the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
cau be,' made to run directly into the reservoir aud all the waste can be utilized lu furnishing power for machinery.
When once waterworks aro completed there will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for uo purer drinking water can be
found.
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have In our public school, a High School Grade. The school is supplied
with every possible convenience. Eei) thing is furulBhed by our liberal handed citizens, wno believe in giving their
children a Hrst-cluss education and that they cau bo educated lu uo better way than by having a No. 1 school at home.
The school at preseut is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly graded. Students ou completing tho pre
scribed course of study receive a eertitieate to that effect. An addition to the piesent school building is in coutempla-
i ...... a.cw ovtvtai ituiutivu uuiioia mum in njiai uui'uis is bu'ju iu uo auueu.
iuding conn
i good to hu-
l great agrlcul-
1 siil.trwit,
bershons. blacksmithshoits. ete.. ohm nrini'liiHl hotel anil several refttmtrMtitM. un lmt th. mn.t f.yHdirti,. taua
eplcuriau cau be fully satisfied. We are also supplied with two flrst-ciass livery and feed stables so that strangers
coming to this town will have uo double In procuring a flrst-elas team aud taking u drlo out into the exhilleratlug
atmosphere aud feasting his eyes upou tho grandeur of our mountain scenery, aud breathing in the life-giviag exygen
that can be found nowhere so pure as in Union County. To the Eustener, who is not used to mountain seeuery, when
first boholdiugour beautiful location, bis tlrst and involuntary exclamation is, "I'aradise Found at Last "
Our county Court House is well finished in eery particular, having a large aud commodloushall, amply sufflcieut
to accommodate auy and all audiences. U ulso has in connection a Jailhullt by the Pauley liroa., with all their latest
lmproveed cells, thus making things secure agalusttbe escape of an prisoners that may be couflued thureiu. Our
Opera House Is ouo of the largest this side ot Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains and finished lu superb
style. One large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modem improvements, is situated adjoin
lug tho town. Also several saw mills lu the near vicinity. The lumbering Interest is bound to become quite a fea
ture in our iudustrles. '
Taken all in all, Untou Is one of the best towus in Eastern Oregon, Heretofore she has been kept back ou account
of poor railroad facilities, but when the Hunt System of Kallroad Is completed into Union, Its latent resources will be
developed and it will take its place among the thriving cities of our laud. We have one of tho loveliest towns in
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth Is here already. All that is uow needed is for people to como aud take advantage
of the great inducements soon to bo thrown at the feet of every euergetlc man possessing either brains or muscle
The pleasure-seeker or the Invalid can flud uo better place to while aw ay the summer months. Only three'ralles
way cau bo found Hot Springs and l.akes reveling In medical virtues aud curative powers tho famous -'Kausas Hot
Springs," Ilheumatlsin and sueh complaints disappearing as if by the hand of soraemagiciau. Lovers of the tdscatorlal
art will flud tho beaualful sparkllug waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain and brook trout. Iu the
edge of the mountains largergame may be found, whilo out iu tho valley aloug the Graudo Koudo river are ireese
swan aud ducks iu abundance, lu the the gralu field prairie chickens aro quite plentiful. Taklug all these natural
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people looking for a homu cau flud uo place supplviug all their wants
better than the beautiful city of Uniou. " ' 6 "" ""'
Muce the much talked of Hunt Kallroad isau assured fact, property is beginning to advuuee In tiriees. thoueh t
the preseut time city lota aud block may bo had at very reasonable rates. prues, mouf,n at
.norany ami socially, union is unexcelled ana uer uospuaiity is widely known throughout the surroi
try. Wo have tour churches, all iu a nourishing condition. There are six secret societies, doing much
inanity, we nave a number of stores ol dttlereut kinds, all doing a profitable bustiiess. as they supply n
tural district aud tho numerous iniuiuir eamiis in the near vleinltv. Wo Hrn also Ktinnll.-d u-lth .".. r,.
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
Now has in its possession tracts of land suitable for small farms, or they could be laid off into blocks. This asso
ciation has started in on a firm basis, having within its power the means of handling property to a better advantage
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, blocks, lots etc. to
be sold on very reasonable terms or for cash. '
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
association,
WILSON & HACKETT
Who will cheerfully furnish them with nil the information desired.
TJIVIOTV, OREGON,
T"