COUNTY
OREGON
5
UNION
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
Tlio valleys nre of nn average elevation of nlout 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest mountain
peaks lieing alwut 0,000 feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous stroams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is dry and healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and maturo
crops. Know Beldoin falls to the depth of one foot in tho valleys, and never remains longer then from
two to threo wcokH at a time.
Tho mean temperature for tho winter months is about 20 degrees above freezing point, and for
tho summer months about 70 alwvo zoro. the heat of tho day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for tho fatigued
Tho winter seaEon usua.ly begins about the first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when tho husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, tho monotony of warm and dry weather is broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suficicnt moisture to tho ground and tempering the atmosphero so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, August nnd September, which are tho harvesting months ns this
county, tho weather ia usualy dry and adapted to tho successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in the autumn months to moisten tho ground sufficiently to permit tho farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in tho Unitod Plates mor blessed by a healthful climato than Union County,
as tho vigor and enterprise of is citizen will provo.
The various contagions provnln'it ia many localities aro almost wholly unknown hero, and are
usually very mild in their attacks w hen they do appear. There has only been ono case of Smallpox in
Union' County sinco its settlement, and chills ana lover aro totally unknown. Wo have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste tho country, destroy property and Iho lives of pooplj nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nordo wo have tho fogy and damp atmosphero which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,497,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in tho County : the rest is unsurveyed, tho unsur
voyed Krtion being valtiablo for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of tho County aro Grande Rondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eagle, Pino and Starkoy. Tho
..-! !.. II ..-II I ..II ...1 l. ..I.,!..,, -f UM,f ftnta llo-lo,. 1?trn Timnfllv fllnmir nllfl
SOU 111 menu viuiuyo in wnii iiuiijiiuu w iuu mining ut Tiiiuub( vina, jtu . , xj . g .iuiuuii,
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all ol the smaller variotics grow to perioction.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 26 to 50 bushels to the acre, Barley from 40 to 70, Oats about the same
as Barley, with exceptions in eomo localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
the acre. Tho Mountains aro covered with a Ft no Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruce, etc. The most valuable is tho Pino, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
tno larger spooies oi iiimrau, uui mis oioss oi nmoer is ubuu umuuy ij lunumi mwu mi-b, mntn
sullicient to supply tlio surrounuing country ior ages.
ih ii m
The mineral roBourcos of the County aro only partialy developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mliiiiiL' bus been done to nrovo that ercat ledges of ore interlino tho mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in the general summary of
t'0 wealth of the County. A moro dotailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo found further on.
STOCK ItVlSIIVCi.
Tho assessment roll of tho county tor thn year 1888, hIiows that there were 21.7-10 head of horses,
28,12.1 Head of Ottlo, 55,5115 Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
Is a great Stock Ruining Region. Thousands of head of stock aro yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thori-of a neut profit on hoir Investment.
In fact, ilie stock business lias been nnd Htlll is tho most paying f any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to bo such for many y.ars to como. The bunch grass growing upon the hill and
mountains is very nutritious, stock fattening In a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock his
to be fed liar for from one to two months during the winter, but in mouv places horses will winter upon
tho bunch grass and do well. The climato Im such that Mo k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, irlving to work horses a strong constitution and powerful muscle.
The milk cow hore attains perfection. Sheep aro very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. Tho
dairying business In the hitt few years lias developed into a largo and profitable one, tho country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent lauge, the large quantity of hay and guin raised per acre, tho healthfulness of animals, the
large water supply and tint quick niarkot of Hut tcr and Cliee.se. The Jersey, Holstino and Durham are
rapidly taking tlio place of the common breed of cattle, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to the owed! g of their cows. ... . .
It Is said more profit can In realized per year from a milk cow in tins country than any other in tho
United Staie-t, ono Instance being given of a single cow for ono year, yielding a net profit to the owner
of 9175 h"d 1 m the culf
Two 11 nnicrles are In operation at the Cove, in this county, which make 120,(00 pounds of cheese,
worth 14 cents per pound, anil 75.1K pounds butter, wortli 25 cents por p uind.
This year a creamery is In operation at La Grande, with what success remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can ho entertained but that it will prove to bo 11 profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining District of Un'on County are Ornticopla, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District Is
In the E -stern purtlon of the County, and embraces a section about ten miles square, within which there
aro about 000 qusrtx locations. The formation Is granite and slate; the ledges rupnlngin a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction The first, locations were made hero in 1881. Tho quartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of tho lodes are free milling, but they generally contain baso
metal an lit consequence wl'l have tobu treated in reduction werks. Assays have been made of ore from
the different groups, showing an average yield of from 25 to $1 0 per ton. When tho proper niethrds
nre employed to work these ledge to tho best advantsgo, Cornucopia will be considered tho New
'Eldorado of the West." , , . ,.
Tho Or gon Gold Mining Company, of Louisville, Ky , is the only company represented in the dis
trict. It has opened up overal of lis ledges, which weio obtained at from $11,I.0U to $20,000 each.
The lied Jarket, belonging to t 1i!h company, Is a well donned ledge, averaging about four feet In
thickness and when struck on tho lowest tunnel, was found to bo a mass of the golden metal. This'
company has a 40-Stiunp Mill running night and day ujkjii tho ore taken from this ledge. Seve 1 thou
sand five hundred pounds of sulphurets were secured the first month of this spring's operations, besides
immense quantities of free pold caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses In building, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to ovor
g'HX) 0.:0. They have tlio Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows better as tho work
progrcsNoa; tho Alta No. 2, which I developed sufficiently to Indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. Tho present superintendent. Professor Smith. Is hluhly pleased with tho prospect for his company
and predicts a second Leadvillo of Cornucopia. Many otbor ledges of tho camp with 100 feet or moro
of development work are showing up well, among which aro the Simmons group, comprising the Key
stone. Choelcina'o, Empire and Buckeye, all situated on tho Simmons Mountain and udd to bo the lest
group of mines In the camp, lso the liltio Boll, Little Casino and Monto Curl-to, situated on tlio rame
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing same grado and character of ore. The Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest ore of any in camp and U no doubt an extension
of the Blue Bell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion. Last Chain o, Robert Emmet, Forest
Queen, Bed Bov, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Red Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Boy. Climax
and Queen of the Wist are all MiifUeioiitly developed to show them to lie good ledges and contain paying
ore in great quantities. The Cornucopia or Pino Creek district is a rich 0110 with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks capital to prove its wonderful richness. It is destined to be one of tho richest
ramps in existence.
The Sanger mine nre operated by a San lmnelsco Company, which began its operations two years
ago, buying the ledges for 9 17,0.' O and now cleaning up 011 an averao of S70.0CO per month. These
mines aro on the road between Union and Cornucopia, abont.D miles east of Union, having a tn-weekly
mull from Union on to Cornucopia, tlutn being placed in direct communication with Union, their trad-
'" Tho Sparta mines are about, eight miles nouthoat of SiMiRer and havo licen worked for the past
twenty years, still Yielding lHrgi returns. The Snort mlnea are mostly placer, but quite a number of
lodges have lately Iwen found which, as far as rievelopeu, indicate good paying ore. A mill is being
built here and good returns are expected from lt work.
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-AGr OR JOXJTT URAL INTERESTS.
Now to return to tho Agricultural Interests of the County, the Lamest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Grande Ronde. whose teatity is lecoming known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the blue vault above. herever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our lieailtiftil scenery. This valley embraces yCO.tXO acres ot
as fine Agricultural Land as can b- found on the Pacific Cost.
Tho Grande Rondo Blver enters its boundary on tho West and flows Easterly through the center
of tho va'ley and thence Northerly and out at in Northern limits; 30x25 milos 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 East and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Ronde Val'ey ono of tho best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams nfTo'-dlng abundance of water tho 1 eason round.
Tho soil of this valley Is principally a black, rich lo-un with elav subsoil, there being avout three
Townships of land having a sandy Roll, known as the Sand Ridge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Barley. Rye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, tho eereals yielding
from 25 to 0 bushels per acre of Wheat 4C 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.
Tli producing and cxvortof grain and hay from lids valley is large and growing iu quantity each
year. Besides the production of grain and hay for export, a immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples. Plums, Prunes, Hears and sinallo fruits, al-o garden vegetables aro raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheero 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. stocKiuen and farmers always seeming tho 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 he bought at from 815 to :W per acre, wh eh is comparatively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single Individuals nnd of the best quality can bo had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into sevoral (rood 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. R. R. entering the vallev at the southern portion and following tho 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 oxtended during the next vear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mount ana to Summcrville, in the northern portion of the valley and will then traverse tho en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon the building of this road tho valley will
have tho best railrosd facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and tho cities of tho
So"nd in competition fur the trade of the Valley, tho importance of which is cviaenced by the building
or this second lino of road. In concluding this description of Grande Ronde Valley, it wn be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppoMunltv is oflored anywnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker er capitalists than in Grande Ronde Valley and Its vicinity. The resources of 1 he valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industiies of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the fsrmiug and dairying t usiness.
offering in this lino advantages not to be found but in very fow 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 Roode Valley nnd see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
IrKtauce 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.
The Grande Ronde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of tho valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest. Suiiimerville in tho northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
Tho Comity Scat of Union County, Is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile (Jrmiilo Koudc Valley, and has
the best Natural Location or n City of any town In Eastern Oregon. Situated, just tit the base of rolling hills 011 both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters aro pure as uature ever distilled and held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, furnishing lmmeuso waterpowcr just waiting to be utilized by tho baud of
muu for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact the water power is amply sufficient to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon if the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned In that direction, which will be the ease when new
blood and Eastern capitalists come in. This is one of the best places In Oregon for the erection of mauufacturles.
A woolen mill is greatly ueeded now, and sume energetic capitalist who is engaged in such business would find
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right iu the heart of a great wool-growing section of the country. No
high freights to pay, water-power iu abundance, and in fact everything that such 11 business would consume Is pro
dnced hero iu the valley.
Tho present population of Union Is abaat 1,200, but when the O. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population luslde of six mouths. Eager eyes are watching to take advantage of tho 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 ruunlnif apart of Catherine creek Into a large reservoir on tho hill back of town. This will glvo all the fall
we waut from 150 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
iimuc mi 1 im um-wi) uui) im.- ri-icrvmr auu nu me waste ran ue umizeu 111 luruisuiug power lor macliluery.
When once waterworks aro completed there will bo no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can bo
foil ml.
Our school facilities are unsurnnspd. We bare In our Dublin nrhnnl. n Illirh Knhnnl lirmln Tim tMmni Bi...nn.i
with every possible convenience. Everything is furnished hy our liberal handed citizens, wbo believe In giving their
children a first-class education and that they can be educated iu no better way than by having a No. 1 School at home.
Tho school at present Is divided Into four compartments, alt thoroughly graded. Students on completing the pre
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that eltcct. An addition to tho present school building is in contempla
tion, also several hundred dnllars worth of apartments is soon to be added. .
.lummy aim suuinii , tmiiii is uurzeeuou anu acr nospnaiiiy is wiueiy Known lurougiiout tne surrounding conn
try. Wo have four churches, all In a tloarlihlng condition. There aro six secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. We have a number of stores of different kiuds, all doing a profitable business, us they supply a great agricul
tural district and lho numerous minim.' cami Iu the npar vleinltv. Wn nri lun Minullil rlth .v.i.un.,. ,.
bcrshops, blacksmlthkhops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of the
eplcurian can he fully satisfied. We are also sopplled with two first-class livery and feed stables so that strangers
I'uuuiiK i 11110 iuw 11 win nvr no ironuiu in procuring n nrsi-ciass ream ami laving a urive out Into the exhilleratluc
atmosphere and feasting his eyes npon the grandeur of onr mountain sceuery, and breathing In the life-glvlag exygen
that rau bo found nowhere so pure as In Union County. TotUe Eastenv. who Is not used to mountain scenery, when
Orot beholdlngour bcantifal loi-tlou. his first and involuntary enalamatlon is. Paradlan lVunwl nt 1 . "
Our county Court lloruo is well finished in everv nartictilar. havincr a lircn ami rninmniiininh.11 ..'.. .1 mi....
to accommodate any and all auiHences. It also has In connection a jail built by the I'unley llros,. with li their nu-nt
""i"""1" " i ' huk u"s immure mu ni:jnui au prisoners inai may no confined tuarelu. Our
Opera Honso Is ouo of the largest this side ol Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains and finished in suncrb
style. Ouo large and commodious i Flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modern improvements, Is situated adiiiu
lug the town. Also several saw mills iu the near vieinity. Tho lumberlug Interest is bound to become ouite a fea
turo In our Industries. .tu.,c mm
Taken all In all, Union is one of the best towns In Eastern Orisron. Heretofore she has been kept back on aeconnt
of pmtr railroad facilities, but when the Hunt System of Railroad Is completed into Union, its latent resources will be
developed and It wll take ita place among the thriving cltlea of our land. We have one of tho loveliest towns In
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth Is here aJremly All that Is now needed is for people to come and take advantaio
of the great inducements mhhi to be thrown at the feet of ercrr enertretlr man nn. iti.. k..i..1 . ',. . su
The pleasnre-seeker or the invalid ran find no better place'to while away the summer months. Only three miles
way can Ihi found Hot HpriiiRs ami Ukes reveling In mistical virtues and curative powers the famons 'Kansas Il.it
' . fii'ii "" """" ni ji y..uipiiwi uiramn-uriuK nn u oy uie narm oi some magician. Lovers of the piscatorial
art will find the be-maUnl sparkling wa en. of Catherine ctwk a lvc with the gamy mountain and brook trout In the
edge of the mountains larger game may bo fonud, while out In the valley alon? the Grande Hondo river are cilr.
swan and ducks In aiindanee. In the the grain field prairie chickens are qulhi plentiful Takiin; all th nal
advantages for pleasure and bu; ues, we thiuk people looking for a home can Snd no plaeo sapplvlng all their want,
belter thau the beautiful city of Union. 1 " b 11 ulc,r ,T0Ul
binee the imaeh talked of Hunt Kallroad Is an iwim-H fact, property Is bceinnlag to advance in nrleea thnni?i. ut
the prccut time city lota and bloeks may be had at very reaaonable rate. prices, tbougli at
THE UNION REAL EST TE ASSOCATION
Now has in its possession tracts of land suitable for small farms, or they could be laid off into blocks This an
ciation has started in on a firm basis, having within its power the means of handling property to a better advnntaI
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, blocks lots ti
be sold on very reasonable terms -or for cash. ' ' eic' 10
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the mana?pr nf hio
association, B tz UI Lms
I W JJUWOJN As HACKETT
5
Who will cheerfully furnish them with all tho information desired. XJlVXOlV, OHEGQlV,