UNION
COUNTY
OREGON,
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
AIVD
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
.
The valleys nre of nn average elevation of about 2,001) feet above sea lord, tbe 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 ami healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and mature
crops. Snow seldom falls to tho depth of one foot in the valleys, and never remains longer then from
two to three weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about 20 degrees above freezing point, and for
tho summer months about 70 above zero, the heat of tho day being oflset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for tho fatigued
The winter season usually begins nbout tho first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when the husbandman is given an opjiortunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weather is broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suficicnt 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 aro the harvesting months in this
county, tho weather is usunly dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in the autumn months to moisten the ground sufficiently to pemjit the farmer, to
prepare the Bame for his fall grain.
Thero is no country in tho Unitod fitntes more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as tho vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
Tho various contagions prevalent in many localities are almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attack." when they do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chills anil fever aro totally unknown. Wo have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste the country, destroy property and the lives of people nor blizzards to
freeze the life out of humanity. Nor do wo have tho fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of tho Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
Thero is 1,497,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County ; the rest is unsurveyed, the unsur
vavwI norllnii inini vnliinlili' for Timiicr. Pasture and aboundimr in Mineral Deposits. The vallevs
of the County are Grande Hondo, Indian, North I'owder, Hig Creek, Eagle, Pino and Starkey. The
soil in these vallnvs is well adantod to the raising of Wheat. Oats. Uarlev. live. Timothy. Clover und
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 the acre, Barloy from 40 to 70, Outs about tho samo
as Hurley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bubhels of oats has been raised to
the acre. Tho Mountains aro covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrnck,
Spruce, etc. Tho most vahmblo is tho Pino, which is used in the lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species of Tamrue, but this class of timber is used chieily to furnish wood tics, etc., which
is amply sufficient to supply the surrounding country for uros.
The mineral resources of the County are only partial v developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges'oi ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
t'-o wealth of the County. A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo found further on.
STOCK RAISINC.
Tim assessment roll of tho county lor the Tear 1883, shows that there were 21.740 head of horses,
28,123 Head of Cattle. f5,no Head of Sheep and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itself that tho County
Ih o great Slock liaising Region. Thousands of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a nent profit on their invostmeiit. ....
In (act. the stock business lias been and still is the most paying of any in tho country and it
bids fair to continue to bo such for many yoar to come The buncli grass growing upon the hills and
mountains is verv nutritious, stock fattening in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock hos
to b fed tia for from ono to two months during tlio winter, hut in niaiiv places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well. The climate Is such that sio k raisud is of u hardy and healthful charac
ter, ulving to work horses a strong constitution and powerful mut-ele.
Th'i milk caw hero attain perfection. Sheep are very healthy and produce heavy iloeces. The
dairying; business In the latt few years has developed into a largo and profitable one, the country being
specially adapted to the bu-dness by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and tae ex
cellent lange, the large quantity of hay and gialn rained per acre, the healthfulneas of animals, the
largo water supply and tho quick market of Huttcr and Chense. Tho Jersey, Holstine and Durham are
rapidly taking the plsceof tliecemmon breed of cattle, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to the brcedi"g of their cows. ...... . ....
It Is said more profit can b realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other in the
United Stoic, one instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a ntt profit to the owner
of$175boi us tho culf , , ,
Two r luucries are In oporatUn at the Cove, In this county, which make 12(5,(01) pounds of cheese,
WOrtU l'l ci-llt per pollim, ailll VO,uu poumin uimur, worm - i crniB jior t uiiu.
Till year a creamery is in operation at La GrMido, with what surceas remains to be i
no (tpuiit can lie entertained nut mat it win prove u ne a iiroutauiu concern.
i seen, although
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining District of Un'on County aro Cornucopia, Spnrta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In thu K stern portion of the County, and embraces a section about ton miles i-quare, within whioh there
are about COO qurtz locations. Tho formation In grnniloand slate; the ledges running in a Southearterly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made here in 1884. Tho quartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of tho lodes are free milling, but they generally contain base
metal nn in consequence wl'l have to be treated in reduction vn rks. Avsajs have been made or ore from
the diR'-rent groups, showing an average vleld of from St&'j to ?1 0 per ton. When the proper methods
are employed to work these ledges to the host advantage, Cornucopia will be considered the Now
'Kldorudo of the West."
' Tho Or gon Gold Mining Company, of Louisville, Ky , Is the only company represented In the dls
ttlct. It has opened up several of its ledges, which weioobtained at from lu.COO to (f!2(l,PO0 each.
Tholted Jacket, belonging to litis company, Is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet In
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, wan found to be a muss of toe golden metal. This
company has a 40-Stamp Mill running night and day uikiii the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand five hundred pounds of sulphuruts were secured the first month of this spring's operatious, besides
immense quantities of free sold caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses in buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
?300 (Ml. They have lite Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 feel and shows better as tho work
progresses; tho Altn No. 2, which is developed sufficient ly to indicate a well defined lodge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent. Professor Smith, Is hiahly pleased with tho prospect for his company
and predicts a second Leadvllle of Cornucopia, many omer leuges oi tne camp wun iu ioet or more
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or development worn are snowing up wen, uniou wmi-n ru mu ouiiiiiuu-i ku'i. iuuiiuiiuik
stone. Checkmate, Umpire and Huekeje, all situated on the Simmons Muuntain and uld to bo the best
group of mines in tluxamp, Mso the Hlue Hell, Little Casiue and Monte Chri to, situated on the fame
nwimitnln mill itYioiiMintitt of the Simmons ledses. show! tiir r-amouradu and character of ore. The Why
lchet ore of any In camp and is no doubt an extension
of tho Hluo Hell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion. Last Clian e, Robert hmmct, lorest
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of tho rlche
nf tlm Itlmi Iti'll nnil Simmons irroun. The Union. C
O11..011 lti.it Unv Mrv Klnwnr. Pox and Allen. Hed Cross. Stoen croupe. Stelln. Tiger Hoy. Climax
und Queen of the West are all sufficiently developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
oro in great quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pine Creek district Is a rich 0110 with on unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks c.ipltnl to prove Its wonderful richness.
camps In existence.
It is destined to be ono of tho richest
The Sanger mines nre operated by a San Francisco Company, wlilcli began its operations two years
ago, buying the ledges for 947,1X0 and now cleaning up on an aveniBo of S70.0U) per mouth, itieso
mines are on the road between Union and Cormucopia, about H I miles east of Union, having a In-weekly
mall from Union 011 to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication with Union, their trad-
'"K The Spsrta mines are a-out. eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still Yielding large returns. The Spnrtn mine are mostly placer, but quite a number of
ledges have lately been found whlcJi, as fsr as developed Indicate good paying ore. A mill Is being
built here and good returns are expected from its work.
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AGRICULTURAL I2VTJ3"RElia$rJ7S5$.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Giande llonde. whose licautv Is I ecoming known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mruntalns upon which seems to rest the blue vsult above. Wherever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces bXO.lKO acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b- found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Hondo Hlvcr enters Its boundary on the West and flows Easterly through the confer
of tho va'ley and thence Northerly and out at I a Northern limits; 30x25 miles is il length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Hondo entering the valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at. the East and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tribtitaies, make the Grande Konde Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams afro-ding abundance of water the eason round.
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich losm with clay subsoil, there being avout three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Ridge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Harley. Hye, Timothv, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 tn 0 bin hel per ncre of Wheat 40 to 100 for Oats and Harley, and Hay from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
The produfing an'' 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 1 immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, ('ears and sinalle fruits, al-o garden vegetables ate raided in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheese is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engHced in largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Ronde
Valley as anywhere. stocKinen and farmers always seeming the best bred animuls 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 he bought at from $?lf to per acre, wh eh is comparatively cheap. Many largo
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality can be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several eood 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 up
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. R. & N. II. H. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the vulley on the West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad sslcm will be extended during the next, jear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
tho Hlue Mouutans to Sunimerville, in the northern portion of the valley ;uul will then truvert-e tho en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon the building of this road the valley will
have tho best railrond facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Porta ml, Or., and the cities of the
Send in competition fur the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evidenced by the building
ot this second lino of road. In concluding this description ot Grande Hondo Valley, it c-in bo taid with
out fear of contradiction, that, no better oppoMunitv is oll'ered anywreie in the Northwebt 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 indiibt ies of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the furnih g and dairj ing I usiness.
offering in this line advantages not to be found but in verv 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 Vulley mid see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
if stance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a gjod country.
Tho Grande Ronde Valley lias several considerable towns and villages: Union in tho southern end
of tho valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest. Sunimerville 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 Comity Seat of Union County, is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile nrimde Itoude Valley, and has
the hest Natural Location for a City of any town in Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling hills 011 both
sides of Cathiriue Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters nre pure at nature ever distilled and held
subpeuded in her mountain reservoirs, furnishing Immense watcrpower just waiting to he utilized by the hand of
man for all kluds of manufacturing Industries. In fact the water power is amply sulliclent to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon If the Attention of her enterprising citizens were turned iu that direction, which will be the case when new
blood and Kastern capitalists come iu. This Is one of the best places in oreson for the erection of manufacturles.
A woolen mill Is Rretly needed now, and some energetic capitalist who Is engaged iu such business would find
here tbe chosen spot for such au enterprise, right iu the heart of a greut wool-growing section f the country. No
high freights to pay, water-power in abundance, and iu fact everything that such a business would consume is pro
duced here in the valley.
The present population of Unlou Is about l.'JOO, but wheu the O. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population Inside of six months. Eager eyes aro watching to tako advantage 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 in at very little ex
pense by runuitif apart of Catherine creek into a large reservoir on the hill back of town. This will give all the fall
we want from 150 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
eon be, made to run directly luto the reservoir aud all the waste ran bo utilized in furnishing power for machinery,
found 01100 WB,"r wor" "rL c'0I"Ple,'tl ,nere will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can be
Oiir school facilities are unsurpassed. We have in onr public school, a High School Grade. The fchool is supplied
with every possible convenience. Everything is furnished y our liberal hauded citizens, w ho believe In giving their
children a first-class education and that ihey can be educated In no better way thau bv having a No. 1 School at home.
The school at present Is divided into four compartments, all thoroughly graded. b"tudeuts 011 completing the pre
scribed course of stndy receive u certificate to that ettect. An addition to the present school building is in conteinpla-
t nil start luvarul h t 11 ti i-tiil iIhIIupu unrd. nf ......, n I ,.n.. .1 4 0
tawu, nsu uusiusvv wwisme 11 Ul tu Ol IO IS BUUU IU lf UUlltTU
jiuroii) auu luuinii), uuiuii is unexcenei auu aer uospuauiy is widely known throughout the surrounding cosu
try. Ve have four churches, all in a flourishing eonditiou. There are six secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. e have a number of stores of different kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a great agrlcul
urn district und tho numerous mining camps in the near vicinity. We are aUo supplied with several Miloons, bar
bershops, blacksmithfchops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of the
etilcnriail can be fully satisfied. We ari also Minnllpri with Inn tl.i'lu llv..n. ,...,1 . !.!., ... .1,... .t,.n....
coming to this town will have no trouble iu procuring a first-class team and takiug a drive out iuto tho exhlllerattug
atmosphere and feasting his ees upon the grandeur of onr mountain scenery, and breathing iu the life glvlag exygen
that can bo found nowhere so pure as in Union County. To the Eastener, who is not used to mountaiu oceucry, when
first beholdingour beantlfal location, his first and involuntary exclamation Is, "Paradise Kouud at Last."
um lu""'; iu, uuuic u iui uuiuini iu tim pwucomr, oaTiiig a large ana coinmoaious nan, umpiy sumcient
to accommodate any and all audiences. It also has in connection a jail built by the Pauley Hros., with 11 their latest
improveed ee ls, thns making things secure against the eseape of any prisoners that may be confined therein. Our
Opera llousp Is one of the lurvcst this slue of Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains anil finished in superb
Myle. Ono large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modern improvements, is situated adjoin
ing tnetown. Also several saw mills in the near vicinity. The lumberiug interest is bound to become quite a fea
ture iu our Industries. '
Taken all In all, Union Is one of Uie best towns in Kastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
of poor railroad facilities, but wheu the Hunt System of IUtlroad is completed into Union, its latent resources will be
developed and It will take Its place among tho thriving cities of our land. We have one of the loveliest towns In
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth Is here already All that is now needed is for people to come and tako advantage
of the great Inducements soon to be thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing either brains or muscle.
1 ho plcasnre-seeker or the invalid can find no better place to while away the summer months. Only three miles
away can bo found Hot Springs and Lakes reveling iu medical virtues aud curative powers the famous -'Kansas Hot
Springs , Hheumatism and such complaints disappearing as if by the hand of some magician. Lovers of the piscatorial
art will find the beaualful sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain and brook trout. In the
edge of the mountains largergame may be fouud, while ont in the valley along the Grande Itoude river are geese
swan and dHeks Iu abaudauce. In the the grain field prairie chickens ure quite plentiful. Taking all these natural
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people looking for a home can fiud no place supplvlng all their wants
better than the beautiful city of Union. '
Since the much talked of Hunt llallroad is an assnred fact, property is beginning to advance iu prices, thonxh at
the present time city lots and blocks may be had at very reasonable rates.
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOC ATION
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,
TJ2YIOTV, OHEGOTV
Who will cheerfully furnish them with nil the information desired. 9