i
UNION
COUNTY
OREGON,
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IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
: AND
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
The vallevH arc of an average elevation ofnlxwt 2,000 feetaliovi; sea lovel, the highest mountain
peaks lsiing about li.OOO feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is drv 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 three weeks at a time. .
The mean temperature for the winter months is alout U0 decrees above freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 nliove zero, the heat of the day being oflset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season usually begins alwut the first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when the husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for ins springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weather is broken by frequent showers
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 Julv, August and September, which are the harvesting months in thin
county, the weather is usualy" dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in tha autumn mouths to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit the farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain. ,
There is no country in tho United State" more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as the vigor and enterprise of is citizens wilt prove.
Tho various contagions provident in manv localities are 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 chifls and fever are totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste the country, destroy projierty and ihe lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor do we have the fogy and damp atmosphere wluch is found W est
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,497,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County; the rest is unsurveyed, the unsur
voyed portion tieing valuable for Timber, I'asture and alounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of tho County are Grande Rondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eagle, Pine and.Starkey. The
soil in these valloys is well adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Bye, 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 perlection. ,
The yield of Wheat is from 'J5 to GO bushels to the acre, Barley from 40 to ,0, Oats alout the same
as Barlev, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bu&hcls of oats has been raised to
tho acre! Tho Mountains are covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pine, Tamrack,
Tho most valuable is the Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species of Tamrac, but this class of timber is used clnetly to turnisli woou ties, etc., which
Spruce, etc.
iu iimrilc uiiftliMimt in Himtilv the HtlrmnndillL' count TV for lieeS.
The mineral resources of the County are only partial v developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline the mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will be a great factor in the general summary ot
tf-u wealth of the County.' A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of the
County will be found further on.
STOCK ZfcAIKIIVO.
The assessment roll of tho county tor the year lKtW. shows that there were 1U.7I0 head of horses,
28.I1M Head of Ottle. 55.Ft)5 Head of Sheep, and 5,ri7l Mead of Swine, showing of Itself that the County
is a great Stock Raising Region. Thousands of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat profit on Ihelr Investment.
In fact, the stock business has been and still is the most paying of auy in the country ' and it
bids fair to continue to bo such for many years to come. The bunch grass growing upon the hills and
mountains is very nutritious, stock fattening in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock has
to he fed hnr for 'from one to two months during the winter, but iu manv places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well. The climate Ih such that Hto -k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, wiving to work horses a strong constitution and powerful muscle.
-rn,,. .in, imr.. tlti nrfntloi. Slii-PD are verv healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business In the last few years has developed into a large and prolttable one, the country being
specially adapted to tho business by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent lance, the laroro nuautlty ot
larg
raultl v takii'tr the Dial
It is sal I more profit can be realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other in the
United Sta.es, one Instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net profit to the owner
of $173 1 sides tho calf. ,, , , ,.,, , . .
Two en ameries are In operation at the Cove, In this county, whlrh make laJ.fOl) pounds of cheese.
worth It eenti per pound, and 75,0(0 pounds butter, worth i23 cents per pound. ,M ,
This year a cream ry is in operation at La Grande, with what success remains to be seen, although
no doubt can be entertained but that it will proo to he a profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Tho Mining District of Un'on County are Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
ipeclally adapted to tho business by reason of the milk producing qualities ot me grasses ana me ex
client iange the largo quantity of hay and galn raised per acre, the healthfulness of animals, the
arge water supply and the quick market of Butter and Cheese. The Jersey, Holstine and Durham are
apidly taking the place of the common breed of cattle, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
In tho Ksstern portion or the uounty, aim enmrucus u muui mui n u iu ic-(i'i Y ln"'K" ""
are about (MM) quartz locations. Tho formation Is granite aild slate; the lodges running In a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made hern in IBM. 1 ho quartz contains Gold and
Sliver tho gold predominating. Some of the lodes are free milling, but they generally contain base
mctal'an In consequence wl'l have to be treated in reduction works. Assays have been made of ore from
.i... jnr... ..u uiimvinirim aviTiiue vleht of from &-5 to JU'O por ton. When tho proper methods
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are employed to work these ledge to the best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered the New
"Hldorado of the West." t- i i . i i.
The Or uon Gold Mining Company, of Louisville, Iy., Is tho only company represented m the dis
trict It has opened up ovoral of lis ledges, which woie obtained at from 810,(100 to f 20,000 each.
The Red. Jacket, belonging to this company, Is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, was found to be a mass of the golden metal. This
....... i..n .lastninn Mill running night and dny upon the ore taken from this ledge. Soven thou
sand the hundred pounds ofsulphurots were secured tho first month of this spring s operations, beside
inmense quantities or tree jioiucaug n upon u.o .u. ... .
Tills company's expensos iu buildings, machinery, roads, development, etc., ha amounted to over
100 0 0 They have the Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows better as the work
orouresses- tho Alta No. 2, which is developed sufficiently to Indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore Tho present superintendent. Professor Smith. Is hiahly pleased with the prospect for his company
i i, k..nint i...nilvlll of Cornucopia. Many other ledges of the camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which are the Simmons group, comprising the Key
stone Chockma'o Umpire and Buckeye, all situated on tho Simmons Mountain and mid to Ihj the best
group of mines in tho camp, slso tho Blue Bell, Little Casino and Monte Chrlsto, situated on the i-ame
en Bed llov May Flower, Cox and Allen, Hett t ross, sioen groupe, oiena, iiger Hoy. enmax
Queen of tho Vot are all sufficiently developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
In irrcat Quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pine Creek district is a rich one with an unlimited amount
re aud only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It is destined to be oue of the richest
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing same grade and character of pre. The Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest ore of any iu camp and is no doubt an extonslou
Of tho Blue Bell and Simmons group, me .union, yoimiauiuii. nasi, unaine, iiyucrt r.mmei., rurei
(Jueen, Bed Bov, May I'lower, uox ana micu, n - ", omjoh kiuuijt, oicnu, xivr uoy,
and (Jii
ore In ,
of ore i
i.. ..(.,.,....
The Satmor mines are operated bv a San Francisco Company, which began its operations two years
aao buvlnu the ledges for 817,000 and now cleaning up on an average of $70,000 per month. These
mines are on tho road be) ween Union and Cornucopia, about III) miles east of Union, having a tn-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication with Union, their trad-
'llK ThoSnarta mines are atout eight miles southeast of Sanger and have leen worked for tho past
twenty years, still yielding large returns. Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, but quit a number of
ledges have lately been found w hich, as far as developeu, indicate good paying ore. A mUl is being
built here and good returns are expected from its work.
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AGRICULTURAL INTEREST.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the.Famous Grande Ronde, whose beauty is becoming known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the blue vault above. Wherever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces aOO.OtO acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande -Rondo Hiver enters Its boundary on the West and flows Easterly through the center
of the va'ley and thence Northerly and out at i's Northern limits; 30x'25 miles is its length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Ronde. entering the valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at the Kast and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Ronde Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams affording abundance of water the eason round.
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich lom with clay subsoil, there being aout three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Ridge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield ot Wheat, Uats, Barley, Rye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to 0 bushels per acre of Wheat. Ml to 100 for Oats and Barley, and Hay from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three irops of Alfalfa being cut In one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th" producing and export of grain and hay from this valley is large aud growing in quantity eich
year. Besides the production of grain and hay for evport, an Immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, PmneB, Hears and smalle fruits, also garden vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheee is .also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engacea in largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Ronde
Valley as anywhere, stockmen and farmers always securing the best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes are no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can be bought at from 815 to H0 per acre, wh'ch Ls comparatively cheap. Many large
bodies of iand owned by single individuals and of the best quality can be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several trood 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 laud has been entered or taken p
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. R. & N. R. R. entering the vallev 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 11 miles.
The Hunt Railroad sjstem will be extended during the next year from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans to Summerville, in the 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.
L'uget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of the
Soend in competition for the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evidenced by the building
of tills second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Ronde Valley, it can" be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunity is otlered anywnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Ronde Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing indusKics of nearly every kind, of winch we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the farmiug and dairying husiness.
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 hardly an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Ronde Valley and see it and to investigate Its advantages, is to locate here. In no
instance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the best of reputatlou in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a g3od country.
The Grande Ronde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Grande &t the base of the mountains on the northwest, Summerville in the northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION ,
The County Seat of t'uioti County, is situated in the southern portion of the FertHf i.nnde ItouuV Valley, and ha
the bert Natural Location for a City of any town In Kasteru Oregon. Situated, just at the luse of rolling hill ou both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as nature ever distilled and held
(.impended iu her mountain rejerolra, furnishing immente wuterpower just waiting to be utilised by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact the water power Is amply sunicieut to make Uulou the Lowell
of Oregon if the attention of her enterprising cltlzem were turned in that direction, which will bo the case when new
blood and Kastern capitalists come In. This is one of the best places in oregon for the erection of manufaeturies.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and some energetic capitalist w ho is engaged iu such business would And
here the chosen spot for such au enterprise, right iu the heart of a great wool-grow lug section of the country. So
high freights to pay, water-power iu abundance, and in fact everything that such a business would consume is pro
duced here iu the valley.
The present population of I'nlou is about 1,200, but when the O. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will douDle her
populatlou inside of six mouths. Eager eyes are watching to take advautage of the present low prices In property and
procure for themselves a home where they may live in peace and plenty. Water works can be put iu at very little ex
pense by runuing apart of Catherine creek into n large reservoir on the hill buck of town. This will give all the fall
we waut-froro 150 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump aud the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
cau be, nude to run directly into the reservoir and all the waste can be utilized iu furnishing power for machinery
hen once w ater w orks are completed theio will be no need for w ells, springs, etc., for uo purer drlukiug w ater can be
Our school facilities are unsurpassed.
lln i.Vd it nn. nnl. n cnhnnl f 1. nit.. ... . .. .
..v u ui.i iiuiiw riuiui, tuKu cmuui uruue. i ue scuooi is suriDlleu
' uussioie ronvemence. r.veryiuing is luruislieil by our liberal Handed citizens, w tio believe iu givitiir their
chlldieu a flrst-class education and that they can bo educated in no better way than bv bavin Sn t Mrhi ,.t h,.,i
The school at present is divided into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, fctudents ou completing the nrel
jcribed course of study receive a certificate to that ettect. An addition to the present school building is iu con emula
tlou, also several hundred dollars worth of apartments is soon to be added. m
.Morauj auu socially, union s unexcelled aud her hospitality is widely know n throughout the surrounding coun
try. We have our churches, all iu a nourishing condition. There are -ix secret societies, doing much good to hu
inanity. e have a number of stores of dltl'erent kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a emit agV "cut
ura district and the numerous muilug camps in the near vicinity. Wo are also supplied with several sa oous. bar
bershoi.s, blaeksmlthshops, etc., one principal hotel aud several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of the
enlcuriau cau be fullv satisfied. We art- also sunn led with fun tlrxt.M.ma ill-.,.. .i .:.f.?..V . 01 ""-
1 mu strangers
e exhllleratlui;
coming to this town will have uo trouble In procuring a first-class team aud taking a drive out into thi
nuuu.iuire uu ii-tuui k ins ejos upon uie grauueur 01 our mountain scenery, aud breath tig iu the life-civiuir exvL-eii
that can bo found unu lprc so iinro h In 1'nlnn I'mmtv T,,il,.. Vui, i .. , ..." '". v"r('" Bh -Jhtu
nrat beholdlugour beautiful location, his first and InvolunTary Vxelamatiou ?.ceuer)'' WUe"
Our comity Court House Is w ell rluUhed in every particular, having a large and commodious hall, amply suthcient
to accommodate auy aud a l audiences. It also has In conuectlou a jail built by the I'aulev llrns -if'h .iV ti,.S; "Jt;
" 7- - ...r . "'"I"" n.iu ii j i louucrs uini nifty IX' ('I)IIIIIHHI thurMii fnr
Opera House Is one of the largest this side ot I'ortlaud, with handsomely decorated curiam aud finished iu s'uuerh
style. Oue large aud commodious Flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modern improvemenU, is situated aZln
tSrl. lumHudute ll,mbt'riu "d towSl quite J fiS-
Taken all In all, Union is one of the best towns iu Eastern Oregon
. Heretofore she has been kent back ou arranm
r"ut raiiruau laciiiui , , Ilt.u ,IU. uul 6illlcm Q junroau is eomp le ted into Union, it latent resources will hV"
developed aud It wll take Its place among the thriving cities of our faud. We have one of the loveHst tow-is
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth Is here already. All that is now needed is for people to Tcome and take a( Kntae?
of the great inducements soou to bo thrown at the feet of eery energetic man possessing either drains or muscle 8
The pleasure-seeker or the Invalid cau tlud uo better place to while away tile summer months Ouvh?tml!...
away can be found Hot Springs aud Lakes reveliug in inedleal virtues aud curative powers The ' fammw 'Kana lint
Spritigs," UheumatUm and such complaints disappearing as if by the baud of some magician, Ivewof the seatoriSl
art will find the beauaifu! sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain aud brook trou in thi
edge of the mountains largergame may be found, whllo out lu the valley aloSg the Grande Konde ? rive? nro
swan and ducks lu abundance. In tho the grain field prairie chickens are quite plentiful. TakiuJ Tall these natural
U-tU-rtnan & felclfe th'nk P'e U0klUC 'r " hme "n flud uo U their" wi'nU
?ltv
.hUHUlT..SmucHtSlnVUllroldLMSUmUad advance in prices thouch at
the present time city lots aud blocks may bo had at very reasonable rates, l"c" tnoiM.u at
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
asso-
intage
3tc. to
ie UIU un vcrj loaounuuiv icimo wi iwi vaoin
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
issociation, .
Now has in its possession tracts of land suitable for small farms, or they could be laid off into blocks. This
ClUiiun iicis o 1 ci 1 iuu 111 vii at iiiiii uuoiaj iiuf mg fiim if vi iiiv mvuiia vi nuiiuiiiig pivucriy iu a DettGr aciVS
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, blocks lots i
1 -i .
D
Who willclieorftilly furnish them with nil the information desired.
UJLVIOIV, OK.T32CJ-03V,