UNION
COUNTY
OREGON,
1
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
AND
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
The valleys nroof nti average elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest mountain
peaks being alxmt (1,000 feet, and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water Htipply for
numerous BtrcaniH the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is dry and healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the noil and mature
crops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in tho valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to three- weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for tho winter months is about L'O degrees above freezing point, and for
tho summer months about 70 above zero, the heat of the day being oflset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
Tho winter season usua.ly begins alout tho first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when tho husbandman is given an opportunity to nreparo for his springs seeding.
From March 1st toJuly 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weatlioris broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing sulleient moisture to the ground and tempering tho atmosphere so as to assure tho
farmer an abundant yield.
During tho months of July, August and September, which aro tho harvesting months in this
county, the weather is usualy dry and adapted to tho successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in thu autumn "months to moisten tho ground sufficiently to permit tho farmer to
prcparo tho samo for his fall grain.
There is no co
i country in tho United States more bleBsed by a healthful elimato than Union County,
as tho vigor and enterprise of is citizen" will prove.
Tho various contagions prevalent in many localities aro almost wholly unknown here, and aro
usually very mild in their uttiieKs when they do tumour. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chills anil foveraro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste tho country, destroy property and the lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor do we have tho fogy and damp atmosphero which is found West
of tho Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
Thero is 1, -107,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County; tho rest is unsurveyed, the iinsur
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of the County aro Grando Hondo, Indian, North I'owder, Big Creek, Eagle, Pine and Starkoy. Tho
soil in these valloys is well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Parley, Uye, 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 perieetion.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 25 to f0 bushels to tho aero, Barley from -10 to 70, Oats about tho samo
as Barley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
tho acre. Tho Mountains aro covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruco, etc. Tho most valuable is the Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also somo of
the larger species of Tanirac, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sufficient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
The mineral resources of tho County aro only imrtialy developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done 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 tho general summary of
tho wealth of the County. A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo found further on.
STOCK 3i?.A.XSIIVCi.
The assessment roll of tho county tor the vcar 1888, shows that there wcro 21.710 head of horses,
28,123 Head of Cattle, 55.515 Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
Is a great Stock liaising Hoirlon. Thousands of head of stock uro yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat, prollt on their investment.
In fact. Iho stock biiHinoHH tins been and still is the most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to bo such for many years to como. The Imneli grass growing upon the IiIIIh and
mountains Is very nutritious, stock fattening In a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock 1ms
to be fed liar for from one to two months during the winter, but in many places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well, l'lie climate Is such that sto-k raised is of u hurdy and healthful charac
ter, giving to work horses a strong constitution anil powerful miihcle.
Tho milk cow here attains perfection. Slinep are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. Tho
dairying business in tho last few years has developed into a largo and profitable one, tho country being
specially adapted to the buMlness by reason of tho milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent range, tho largo quantity of hay and gialn raised per acre, tho healthfulness of animals, tho
largo water supply and tniimilcK market of Hut tor and Choose. Tho .Jersey, Holstino and Durham aro
mindly taking the place of llie common breed of eattlo, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to the breeding of their cows. ... . ...
It is said more profit can bo realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other in tho
United Stales, one Instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net profit to tho owner
of $175 besides tho calf
Two creameries are in operation at the Cove, In this county, which make 12(1,( 00 pounds of cheese,
worth 11 cents per pound, and 75,01 0 pounds butter, worth 25 cents per pound.
This year a creamery is in operation at La Grande, with what success remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can bo entertained but that it will prove to be a profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining Districts of Un'on County aro Curiiucopla, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in the Eastern portion of the County, and embrace a section about ten iuIIch square, within which thero
are about 000 quarts locations. The formation I granite and slate; the ledges running in a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made here in 1884. The quartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of tho lodes are free milling, but they generally contain haso
metal an in consequence will have to be treated in reduction works. Ansaj n have been made of ore from
tho ditJ'eront groups, showing an average yield of from 925 to $M) per ton. When tho proper methods
aro employed to work these ledge to tho best advantage, Cornucopia will lie considered the New
"Eldorado of the West." , , ,
Tho Oregon Gold Mining Company, of Louisville, Ky . is tho only company represented in tho dls
trict. It has opened up ovoral of IIb ledges, which weie obtained at from 810,000 to $20,000 each.
Tho Bed Jacket, belonging to iIiIh company, Is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, was fund t bo a mass of the golden metal. This
company has a lO Stamp Mill running night and day upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand five hundred pounds of Hulphurots were secured the first month of this spring's operations, besides
Immense quantities of free gold caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses In buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
9I100 Out). They have the Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows better as tho work
progresses: tho Alta No. 2, which Is developed sufficiently to indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent. Professor Smith, is hluhly pleased with tho prospect for his company
and predicts a second Leudvillo of Cornucopia. Many other ledges of tho camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which aro tho Simmons group, comprising tho Key.
stone. Checkmate, Empire and Buckeye, all situated on the Simmons Muuntain and faid to be tho best
group of mines in tho camp, slso the Blue Boll, Little Caslne and Monto Chrl to, situated on the same
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing same grade and character of ore. The Way
Up. northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest oro of any In camp and U no doubt an extension
or the Blue Bell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion, Last Cham o, Bobert Emmet, Forest
(Jueon, Bed Boy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Bed Cross, Stoon groupe, Stella, Tiger Boy. Climax
and Queen of the Wet are all sufficiently developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
ore in great quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pino Creek district Is a rich one with an unlimited amount
of oi-o and only lacks capital to prove its wonderful richness. It Is destined to bo one or tho richest
camps In existence. .... ,. ...
Tho Sanger mines aro operated by a San Francisco Company, which began Its operations two years
ago, buying the ledges for n,0:0 and now cleaning up on an averane or 870,000 per month. Theno
mines aro on the road between Union and Cornucopia, about 31) miles east or Union, having a In-weekly
mall rroin Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trad
lug point. , , ,
The Sparta mines aro about eight miles southeast or Sanger and have been worked ror the past
twenty years, still yielding largo returns. Tho Sparta mines aro mostly placer, hut quite a number of
lodges have lately been round which, as far as dovelopeu, Indicate good paying ore. A mill Is being
built here and good returns aro expected from Its work.
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AGRICULT URAL IIVX1
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests or the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Grande Honde, whose bcautv is I ecoming 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 leautiful scenery. This valley embraces 300,010 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b1 found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Ronfle Biver enters its boundary on the Wfst and fiows Easterly through the 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 Honde entering tho valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at the Eat and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Honde Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams affording abundance of water the cason round.
The soil of tliiH valley is principally a black, rich lo-un with clay subsoil, there being a'out three '
iownsiiips or land Having a sandy soil, Known as the band nidge, all ot wnicli produces excellent grain.
froi
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Barley. Bye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
n 'Jo to oO tunnel per acre of Wheat. '10 to 100 for Uats and liarley, and Hay fro
from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
PRODUCTIONS AMD EXPORTS.
The producing anrt 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, Plums, Prunes, I'ears and snialle fruits, al-o garden vegetables ate 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 Hondo
Valley as anywhere, stockmen and farmers alwajs securing the best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes are no higher on fine than poor stock. The lauds of this valley have all been taken, but
choice place can be bought at from 815 to 30 per acre, wh'ch 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 good 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. It. It. entering the vallev at the southern portion and following the foothills on tho
Southwest, passes out of the valley on the West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
Tho Hunt Hailroad system will be extended during the next year from Walla Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans to Suniinerville, 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.
I'uget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of tho
Sotind in competition for the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evioenced bv the building
or this second line of road. In concluding tills description of Grande Honde Vslley, it can be said with
out fear or contradiction, that no better opportunity is offered anywnere in the Northwest ror the homo
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Honde Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and ita
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 ban in the farming and dairying business,
oll'erlng in this lino advantages not to be found but in verv few places. The raising or thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardly an individual here solely In that business at present.
To visit Grande Hondo 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 tho best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a gjod country.
Tho Grande Honde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in tho southern end
of tho valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest, Suniinerville in the northern
end of tho valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of tho
valley.
UNION,
The County Scat of Union County, is situated In tho southern portion of the Fertile Grande Komie Valley, and has
tho best Natural Location for n City of any town In Kastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling Rills ou both
sides of Cathorlue Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as nature ever distilled and held
suspended in her mouutuiu reservoirs, furnishing immense waterpower just waiting to bo utilized by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact tho water power Is amply sufficient to make Union tho Lowell
of Oregou if the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned in that direction, which will bo tho case when new
blood ami Kastern capitalists come In. This is one of tho best places in Oregon for the erection of mauufactiiries.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and some energetic capitalist who is engaged lu such business would find
hero the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right In the heart of a great wool-growing section f the country. No
high freights to pay, water-power iu abundance, and in fact everything that such a business would consume Is pro
dnced hero in tho valley.
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 mouths. Eager eyes aro watching to take advantage of the present low prices In property aud
j.iuu.u mi luciusi-ites a uomu wuero mey may live in peace ami plenty. Water works can be put iu at very little i
i.cuoc u, ruumiiK a puri ui v..aiuenue creeii mio a large reservoir ou tho Mil back of town. This will give all the fall
we want-froni 150 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump and tho necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be, made to run directly into the reservoir aud all the waste can bo utilized in furnishing power for Machinery
hen once waterworks aro completed there will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can tie
Our school facilities are uusurpassed. Wo have iu our public school, a High School Grade. Tho school is sum
with every possible convenience. Everything is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, who believe in giving
children a llrst-class education and that tlu-v pmi I... ..diwut,.,! i,. i,,. i,..ti..r , ti,.... .. v.. , ..'i.
Tho school at present is divided into four compartments, all thoroughly graded. Students ou completing tho pre
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that etlect. An addition to the pieseut school building is iu coutempla-
Vi I, . """J1-" nu.iu ui uittl uueuis 19 BUUI1 III UO milled
pplled
meir
ome.
.uuiiiiiv nun siiuiuuy, union is unexcelled auu Her liosnlta ltv Is wlilelv known t hrniiirhnni tlm .n.fm..iii.vn.n.
try. Wo have tour churches, all in a nourishing couditlon. There aro six secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. We have i a number of stores of different kiuds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a great agricul
ura district and the numerous mining camps in the near vicinity. We are also supplied with several saloons, bar
bershops, blacksmithshops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that tho most fastidious tastes of tho
eplcuriau can be fully satisfied. We are also supplied with two first-class livery and feed stables so that strangers
coming to this town will have no trouble lu procuring a tlrst-clais team and taking a drive out into the exhilleratiuK
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, and breathing In the Hfe-givUg exygeu
that can bo found iiowhere so pure as in Union Comity. Totlw; Eiistenv, who is not used to mountain scenery, when
first beholding our beautiful loo-tlou, his first and involuntary oxelamation Is, "Paradise Found at l ast '
Our county Court Houjp Is well finished in every particular, having a large and commodious hall, amply sufficient
to accommodate any and a 1 audiences. It also has u connection a jail built by the Pauley Ilros. wi h 1 their latest
improveedce Is, thus 'making thlugs secure agalnthe escapeof any prisoners that may be co i hied hurelu. Our
?.ttra n( 18 01,0 ?' ,h lnr?,C8t "I ? U ,.,,tla".(, wlth handsomely decorated curtains and flu shed in superb
i m,V.. rBfi,l"d "'minodious Flour ng Mill, full roller process, with' all modern improvements, Is situated ailRu
turl'inouVlndustH 0 lumbor,uB Merest is bound to become quite Tiel-
JHi'i?1,! .HlliiV.!lIo,i ls.",e '.t.he Kcst ,own m Eastern Oregou. Heretofore she has been kept back ou account
S'.J rllr0V 'ao1i1I,lt.u;'' V.lU hen Ul Hu"t System of Kailroad is completed into Union, its latent resources will bo
developed aud It will take its place among the thriving cities of our faud. We have oueof the loveliest towns In
Oregou. and a great deal of wealth is hero already. All that is now needed is for people to come and take advantage
of tho great inducements soon to be thrown at tho feet of every energetic mau possessing either brains or muscle.
The pleasure-seeker or the Invalid can flud no better place to whflo away tho summer mouths Only three miles
away can be found Hot Springs aud Lakes reveling iu medical virtues and curative powers , the famous 'Kansas Ilot
.rou i. in uie
,Mv of 111., innnn I ...l ..l.,, . 1 f "I.:.!. .Vl,". : ? ' '" "" " "TOO. 1
. .... ... ... .....,... ,.iav. Ka,uv umj ipviuuuu, nuiioiiui mini- vaney aiong mo urauuo Konue river are eeese
f.i .,'La,b"u',."V't::.. " "l0 .u,f,5rVn fltfId Hral.r! chicken, are quite plentiful. Taking all these uKtural
it, Tt,,r.iV; Z...u..y X . i , ilul"c lounm-iur a nome can una no place supplying all their wants
Since the much talked of Huut ltallroad is au assured fact, property is begiunlsg to advance iu prices, thoueh at
the preseut time city lots aud blocks may bo had at very reasonable rates. ' " pritts, laougn ai
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOGAT I ON
us asso-
Now has in its possession tracts of land suitable for small farms, or they could be laid off into blocks. Thi
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 etc to
be sold on very reasonable terms or for cash. '
Parties desiring information of U nion County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
association, , n
Who will cheerfully furnish them with all Uio Information desired..
X!TVIOIY, OREGON,