UNION
COUNTY
OREGON,
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
AND
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
Tho valleys are of an average elevation of about 2,000 feet ulxvo eea level, the highest mountain
peaks being alwtit 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 ono foot in tho valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to threo weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for tho winter months is about 20 degrees above freezing point, and for
tho summer months nbout 70 above zero, tho heat of tho day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
Tho winter season usually" begins alwut tho first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when the husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs peeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, tho 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 July, August and September, which are the harvesting months in this
county, tho weathor is usualy dry and adapted to tho successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in tho autumn months to moisten tho ground sufficiently to permit the farmer to
prepare tho same for his fall grain.
There is no country in tho United RtateH 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 aro almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attacks when thev do appear. There has only been ono 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 the country, destroy property and the lives of people nor blizzards to
freeze tho lifo out of humanity. Nor do wo have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found AVest
of tho Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,497,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in tho Countyj tho rest is unsurveyed, the unsur
voyed portion being valuablo 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. The
soil in these valloys iB well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, ltyo, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of tho smaller varieties grow to perfection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 23 to 50 bushels to tho aero, Barloy from 40 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Barley, with exceptions in some localities, whon as high as 100' bushels of oats has been raised to
tho aero. Tho Mountains aro covered with a Fino Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruce, etc. Tho most valuable is tho Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
tho lureor Bpecics of Tamrac, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sufficient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
Tlic mineral resources of tho County aro only nartialy developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, wnich, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
tbo wealth of tho County. A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Resources of the
County will be found further on.
(4TOCK XVISITVCV.
Tho assessment roll of the county tor tho year 1888, shows that there were 21.740 head of horses,
28,1211 Head of Cattle. 55,firt5 Head of Sheep, and f5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
is o great Stock Raising Rogion. ThouHands of head of Htock aro yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thori'of a neut prollt on tholr Investment.
In fact, the stock business iins been and still is the most paying of any in tho country and it
bids fair to continue to bo such for many yars to como. 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 b fed bar for from ono to two months during the winter, but in many places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well. The climate is such that sto k raised Is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, giving to work horses a strong constitution and powerful muscle.
Th'j milk cow hero attains 'perfection. Shep are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business In tho last few years has developed Into a largo and profitable one, the country being
specially adapted to the business by reaa.n of tho milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent range, the largo quantity of hay and gain raised per acre, the healthfulness of animals, the
large water supply and ttin quick market of Butter and Cheese. The Jersey, Ilolstine and Durham are
rapidly taking the place of t lie common breed of cuttle, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to the breeding of their cows.
It Is said more pro tit can be realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other in the
United Stale, ono hint unco being given of a single cow for ono year, yielding a net prollt to tho owner
of $175 besides tho calf
Two n umerics are In operation at tho Covo, In this county, which make 120, COO pounds of cheese,
worth I I cents per pound, and 75,00 ihiuiuIs butter, worth 25 cents per prund.
This year a creamery Is in operatUn at La Grnde, with what success remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can be entertained but that It will prove to bo a prolltablo concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Tho Mining District" of Un'on County are Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in the Ktstern portion of the County, and embraces a section about ten miles square, within which there
are shout (100 qunrtz locations. The formation li granite and shite; the ledges running In a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The first location were made hern In 1884. Tho quartz contains Gold and
Silver, the gold predominating. Soma f Uio lodes are free milling, but they generally contain bane
motal nil In consequence will hare to be treated in reduction works. Assays have been made ot ore from
the different groups, showing an averago yield of from $35 to $lu per ton. When tho proper metheds
are employed to work these ledges to tho best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered the New
"Uldorado of tho West."
Tho Orfgon Gold Mining Company, of Louisville, Ivy , is tho only company represented In tho dls
tiict. It has opened up tovoral of lit ledges, which weie obtained at from $10,000 to $20,000 each.
' Tho Red Jacket, belonging to 1 1lia company, Is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet In
thickness and when struck on tho lowest tunnel, was found t be a mass of the golden metal. This
company has a 40-Stanip Mill running night and day upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pounds of sulphuret were secured the first mouth of this spring's operations, besides
immense quantities of free gold caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses In building, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
8!UX) Oil), They liavo the Whitman, which has a shaft suak over 1,500 fet and shows better as tho work
progresses; the Alta No. 2, which Is developed sufficiently to indicate a well defined ledge of high grado
ore. Tho present superintendent. Professor Smith, is hlahly pleased with the prospect for his company
and predicts a second l.eadville ot 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 tho Key
stone, Checkmate, Umpire and Buckeye, all situated on tho Simmons Mountain and raid to be the best
group of mines In the camp, Mso the Blue Bell, Little Caaiu and Monto Chrl-to, situated on the rame
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing same grade aud character of ore. The Way
Up. northeast of Cornucopia, shows some ot the richest ore of any in camp aud U no doubt an extension
of tho Blue Bell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion. Last Chance. Robert Kmmet, Forest
Queen, Red Boy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Red Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Boy, Climax
and Queen of the Wot are all sufficiently developed to show them to he good lodges and contain paying
ore in great quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pine Creek district is a rich one witli an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks capital to prove its wonderful richness. It is destined to be one of tho richest
camps In existence,
Tho Sanger mines aro operated by a San 1'runplseo Company, which began its operations two years
ago, buying tho ledges for JJ I7,0C0 ami now cleaning up on an averuge of $70,009 per month. These
minus are on the road between Union aud Cornucopia, about 30 miles east of Union, having a tn-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trail
ing point.
The Sparta mines ore about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still yielding largo returns. Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, but quite a number of
ledges have lately been found which, as far as developeu, Indicate good paying ore. A mill is being
built bore and good returns aro expected from its work.
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KXOUTVXUIAJ 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 Ronde, whoso beauty is lecomlng known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the blue vault above. Wherever tho eye
gazes It cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces 300,010 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b- found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Ronde River enters its boundary on the West and flows Easterly through tho center
of the va'ley and thence Northerly and out at lis Northern limits; 30x25 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 East and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Ronde Val'cy ono 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 losm with clay subsoil, there being a-out three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Ridge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Barley. Rye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
iroin za 10 ou DiiMieis per acre oi wneat. w to iuu tor uats ana uariey, ant
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
, and Hay from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Tim producing anH 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 immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
pies, Plums, Prunes, Hears and smalle fruits, al-ogarHen vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed In the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheese 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 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. Tho lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can be bought at from 815 to $30 per acre, winch is comparatively cheap. Many largo
bodies of land owned by single Indlviduols and of the best quality can be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several cood farms.
TIMBER.
Tho 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, year from Walla 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 tho building of this road the valley will
have tho best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of tho
So'tnd in competition fur the trade of the Valley, the importance of winch is eviaenced bv the building
of this second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Ronde Volley, it can be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppo-tunitv is offered anywnero in the Northwest for the home
seeker er capitalists than in Grande Ronde Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industiles of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the farming and dairying t usiness.
offering In this lino 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.
lo visit Grande Ronde Valley mid see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
irstance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than tho best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a good country.
. .iTno GirRn t Rode Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in tho southern end
of the i valley, La Grande at tho base of the mouutains on the northwest. Suininerville in the northern
end of the valley, Covo about midway on the east side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of the
UNION,
The Comity Sent of Union County, is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile Oraude Honde Valley, and lias
the best Natural Location for a City of any town in Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling bills on both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as nature 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 is amply sufficient to make Union tho Lowell
of Oregon if the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned in that direction, which will bo the case when new
blood and Kastern capitalists como in. This is one of tho best places in Oregon for the erection of manufactures
A woolen mill is greatly needed uow, and same energetic capitalist who Is engaged iu such business would find
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right in the heart of a great wool-growlng section of the country. No
daced hero lV 8UCh bu8lllcss would consume Is pro-
The present 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. Kager eye, are watching to take advantage of the present low price, in property and
procure for themselves a home where they may live in peace aud plenty. Water works can be put in at JeryUtUe ex
pense by running aoart of Catherine creek into a large reservoir on the hill back of town tm. m ii . ,
we waut-from 150 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump and life nSaVy 're mlrl Th.i nt , ? UU
Tho ichool at present s divided luto four compartments all thnmnJhiv iTr,i2.7 J, i ? K l0, 1 bchol at home,
scribed course' of study receive a ccrtincate toXt ettect. ' An addUloif to'th witichSSuuSMiSt'tlug !he l
Hon, also several hundred dollar, worth of apartments is soon to Tbo added 1 building is in coutempla-
Morally and socially, Union is unexcelled and her hospitality is widely known iimroi,( ,
try. Wo have four churches, all in a flourishing condition. There are six iee?2t .nT-K.. Uit,ihe iurroM"ng conn
fi"",1'? . V ! haS..a "uraber ot 8,ores of different kind s , all d o I u g a proatable bus u h' l Ruch K0.11 t0, hu'
ural district aud tho numerous mining camps iu the near vicinity. We are also . KJ Ji, ' pIy B, grtat aK'lcul
bersho.s, blacksmitluhops, etc., ono principal hotel and several restaurants so tffiV,Vh .s.u,Vral salons, bar
eplcurfan can be fully satisfied. We are also sapidied yn,V .w?0.?1 'astllous tastes of the
coming to this town will have no trouble In procuring a flnt-clas team fm JiftLS iUel 8tf b,k'8 80 thut strangers
Opera House Is one of the largest this side of lmland wi ,nai .bo C0.n(Hl thsre u. Our
style. One largo and commodious Klouring Mill, full rolK curtains and finished in ,uj,e"b
or J&pffi!tVS& aHsn u1;1eio,1?s,Mn,lei,t back 011 a t
developed and it will take its place among the thriving cities T of our land w. i,.,1.'0"' lts '."'A'"1 fcsurces will be
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth is herelready. All that is umvTeded s for JoS tnS f ,ho elet "vns n
01 'h&emeu's soon to J thrown at tn' feet of tneaTLlit:.
...w r.jl.o,,c-ovv&vr ur iuu iiivnuu can nnu no better nlace to whlln uv t,., ....... " 'i luuscie.
away can bo found Hot Springs and Lakes revellngin radical Tirtues and f curat! . ,.'iLr m"tb,i- Only three miles
Si'.rl.HnV- "heuinatism and such complaints disappearing as if by the ha nt lhVl"," "J 'B'nou -Kansas Hot
...... ,uu ui aim j.Hkes reveling in medical rlrtues anil Vnrotiv . wree mues
Springs," ltheuinatism and such complaints disappearing as if by the a ni ,S" " famu "Kansas Hot
i I wVf,,?,,d th boau1,"" "l'kllng waters of Catherine creek MwmammYmliu: Jfft" '. tbe I'ls"tnl
edge of the mouutains largcrgame may be found, while out in the vallny in,?.a .LV"?!1" u u a. 1(1 broolf tro"t. In the
nu nnu uiira in aDuuiiaiice. in tho the grain field prairlo chickens an. Vi it?, X,,mi S. """' rlver are geese,
thoe beglniilagto advance la price., though at
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOGATION
Now has in its possession tracts of land suitable for small farms, or thev could hAhiri Aff ui ... .
... . - .... ' J vri i I lis u UCKK. I l-iic
ciation has started in on a firm oasis, naving witnm its power the means of handling nmnprtu u: . u-
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the citv: farms hlnX ge
be sold on very reasonable terms or for cash. & y' Iarms' 'ocks, lots, etc., to
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
WXLSOIST & HACKETT,
Who will cheerfully furnish thorn with nil the Information desired.
UIVIOIY, OttEGOlV,