UNION COUNTY, OREGON
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
.v rv i
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
Tlio valleys uro of an iivurnjio elevation of nloiit 2,(KH) feet above sen level, the highest mountain
peaks being nliout (,000 feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Jb dry and healthful, there being a sufllcient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and maturo
crops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of ono foot in tho valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to three weekB at n time.
Tho mean temperature for tho winter months is alout 20 degrees above freezing point, and for
tho summer months about 70 nlovo zero, tho heat of tho day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
Tho winter Benson usually begin h about tho firm of December and lasts till tho middle of February
or first of March, when the 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 suflcient moisture to the ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, ugust and September, which are tho harvesting months in this
county, tho weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in th autumn months to moisten tho ground sufficiently to permit the farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in the United fitatoH more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as tho vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
The various contagions pro vabnf i.i many localities are almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in tlieir attacks w hen thev do appear. There has only been ono case of Smallpox in
Union County sinco its settlement, and chifls ami lever aro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste the country, destroy property and the lives of pcople; nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor do wo have tho fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
the unsur-
valleys
The
Thero is 1,407,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County; tho rest is unsurveyed, the
veyed portion being valuablo for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The '
of tho Countv aro Grande Hondo. Indian. North Powder. Biir Creek. Eairle. Pino and Starkoy
soil in theso valloys is well adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Barloy, Rye, 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 perfection.
The yield of Wheat is from 25 to 50 bushels to tho acre, Barloy from 40 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Barley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bu&hols of oats has been raised to
the acre. Tho Mountains are covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruce, etc. Tho most valuablo is the Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
tho larcor species of Tamrac, but this claai of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sulllciont to supply the surrounding country for ages.
Tho mineral resources f tho County r only partialy developed, but sufllcient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that groat lcdgoi of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
Btiflicient capital Is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
t'io wealth of the County. A more detailed aocount of the Mines and Mineral Resources of the
County will bo found further on.
STOCK HA.ISIIV.
Tim assessment roll of the county lor the year 18R8, shows that there were 21.740 head of horses,
28,12:i Head of Cnttle, 55,firt5 Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of Itself that the County
is a great Slock Raising Region. Thousand f head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat pro lit on their iuveatnieut.
In fact. Ihu stock business has been and still in the moat paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to contluuo to be such for many year. o 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 btt fed har for from ono to two mouths during the winter, but in manv places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well, fhe ellmaU l such that "to k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, ulvlug to work horses a strong conilitutinn and powerful muiclo.
The milk cow here attains perfection. Shp are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business In the latt few years has developed into a large and profitable one, the country being
specially adapted to the business by reaaan of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
rellent lanire. the lame ouantitv of hay and tr ain raised per acre, the healthfulness of animals, the
large water supply and tho nulck markat of Butter and Cheeso. The Jersey, Holstlno and Durham ox.e
rapidly taking the iilaeeof (he common breed of tattle, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to (lie nn-cnit g or tnoir cows.
It is s.ild more prollt can ba realized per year from a milk cow In this country than any other in the
United Sluies, ono Instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net pcoilt to the owner
of 9175 bi'shles the culf
Tw i ivamerles are In operation at the Cove, In this county, width mako 12tl,r00 pounds of cheese,
worth I I cents per pound, and 75.WO pounds butter, worth 25 cents per pound.
This year a creamery Is In operation at I.a Grndo, with what success remains to be soon, although
no doiibt'cnn be entertained but that It will prove to lie a prolllablo concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining Districts of Un'on County are Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District Is
In tho K stern portion of the County, and embraces a section about ten miles Mjuare, within which there
are about 000 iinrU locutions. The formation It granite and slate; the ledges running In a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The llrsl locations were made here in 1881. The quartz contains Cold and
Sliver, tho gold predominating. Soma of the lodes are free milling, but they generally contain base
metal an in couhcUoiicu will have to be treated in reduction works. At-nays have been made of ore from
tho dlll'erent groups, showing an average yield of from 25 to $P0 per ton. When tho proper methrds
are employed to work these ledgci to tlio best advantage, Cornucopia will be considered the New
"Hldorado of tho West."
The Or gon Gold Mining Company, of l.ouUville, Ky , is tho only company represented in the dis
trict. It has opened up'overal of l'l ferlgei, whick wore obtained at from ll,(00 to $2(1,000 each.
Tlio lied Jacket, belonging It tlila compaay, 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
company has a 40-Stamp Mill running night and day uon tho oro taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pounds of sulphiirets were iccurrd the tlrst mouth of thin spring's operations, bebides
Immense iiiiautltlei of free gold caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses In bulldlngi, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
SHOO 0 .0, They have tlio Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows better us the work
progresses; the Aim No. 2, which Is developed suttlcleiitly to Indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
oro. The present superintendent. 1'rofonfcor Smith. Is hlahly pleased with the prospect for his company
and predicts a second Leudvllle of Cornucopia. Many other ledgos 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, Clieeknia'e, Kmplro and Uurkeve, all situated on the Simmons Mountain and uld to lie the best
group of mines In the camp, flso the Blue Hell, Little Canine and Monte Chrl to, situated on the mine
mountain and extensions of the Simmons ledges, showing eamo grade and character of ore. Tho W sy
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows home of tho richest ore of any in camp and is no doubt an extension
of the llliie Bell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion. Last Cham e, Robert Kmmct, Forest
Queen, Red Boy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Red Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Boy, Climax
and Queen of the AVost aro allmittlclontly developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
oro In great miantltlos, The Cornucopia or Pine Creek district U a rich one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks tMpital to prove its wonderful richness. It is destined to be one of tho richest
ramps In existence.
The Sanger mines aro operated by a San Francisco Company, which began Its operations two years
ago, buying the ledges for $ 17,0U) and now cleaning up on an averauc of $70,000 per mouth. These
mines are on the road between Union and Cornucopia, about tt) miles east of Union, having a tn-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trad
ing point.
The Sparta mlties are alour. eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still yielding largo returns. The Sparta mines aro mostly placer, but quite a number of
ledges havo lately been found which, as far as developeu, Indicate good paying ore. A mill Is being
built here and good returns are expected from Its work.
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AGRICULT URAL Ij TJTJSREJTS.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Lareest, most Fertile and attractive
v alley of Union County, is the Famous Grande Ronde, whose beautv is 1 ecomlng known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the blue vult above. Wherever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted bv our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces aC0,0l 0 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Ronde Biver 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; 30x25 miles is its length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Ronde entering the valley at tho South,
Mill Creek entering at the Kat and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
trlbutaties, make the Grande Ronde Val'cy one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named htrcams alTo'dlng abundance of water the eiwon round.
llie soli of this valley is principally a black, rich Iomh wiih clay subsoil, there being avout three
is excellent gram,
cereals yielding
n P. tnna nor nrre!
iriMjueiiuy wiree crops or Tirana being cut in one season.
ine soli of tills valley is principally a black, rich lom wiih clav subsoil, there being
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Ridge, nil of which produces ex
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Barlpy. Rye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cer
from 25 to 0 bmheN per acre of Wheat. IU to 100 for Oats and Barley, and Hay from '1 to 8
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th producing and 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
ples, Plums, Prunes, Hears and smallo fruits, al-ogar 'en vegetables are raided in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butter and Chee-e is alho 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, stocKtiicn ami farmers always securing the best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes aro no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of thin valley have all been taken, but
choice places can re bought at from 815 to 30 per acre, when is comparatively cheap. Many large
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 cood 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.
Tlio 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 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will bo oxtended during the next ear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans to Summerville, in the northern portion of the valley and will then traverce 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.
Puget Sound, W. T Is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of the
So"nd in competition fur the trade of the Valhy, the importance of which is oviaenced bv the building
of this second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Ronde Valley, it can" be t-aid with
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunity is offered anywnere 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 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 fanning and dairying I usiness.
offering in this line advantages not to be found but in very few places. Tho raising of thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardlv an individual here solely tu that business at present.
To visit Grande Ronde Valley and see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
ir 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.
The Grande Ronde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Grande at theba.e 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 Union Couuty, Is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile Orsiiiie Kotnle Valley, and has
the host Natural Location for a City of auy town hi Kastern Oregon. Situated, just tit the huse of rolling hills on both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters uro pure ii nature ever distilled and held
suspended In her mountain reservoirs, furnishlug Immense waterpower Just waiting to he utilized by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact the water power is amply sulllciont to make Unlou the Lowell
of Oregon If tho attention of her enterprising citizens were turned In that direction, which will he the case when new
blood and Kastern capitalists come lu. This is one of the best places iu Oregon for the erection of manufacturles.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and som energetic capitalist who Is engaged lu 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 in abundance, and In fact everything that such a business would consume Is pro
duced here In tho valley.
Tho present population of Union Is aboat 1,'JOO, but when the O. & W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population luslde of six months. Eager eyes are watching to take advantage of the present low prices in property aud
procure for themselves a homo where they may live in peace aud pleuty. Water works can bo put lu ut very little ex
pense by running a part of Catherine creek Into a large reservoir on the hill back of town. This will give all the fall
wo want from 160 feet up; no expense of keeping a stuani pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can bo, made to run directly into the reservoir and all the waste can be utilized In furnishing power fur machinery
found "L' wa,er"ork" "re completed '"ere will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can be
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We hare In onr public school, a High School Grade. The school is supplied
with every possible convenience. Kverything is famished ky our liberal handed citizens, who believe Iu giving their
children a tlrBt-class education aud that they can hu educated lu no better way than by havlug a No. 1 School at home
The school at present Is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly graded. Students ou completing the pre-
wiui-u muncui siuuy reueive a ceruncaic 10 uai enect. All audition totlie pieseut school bu dlugis lu eoutenipla
tlou, also several huudred dollars worth of aparUnents Is soon to be added. luuiiiupia
.uiiniiy aim oeiaiiy, uuiou is nnexce
try.
nia
tural
leil aUO ber UOStlltalltV is wlllolv ktimvil tlirnimlinnt Mtn
We have four churches, all lu a floarUhiug condition. Thero are six secret societies, doing much good to hu-
IlltV. 0 have a number ofstnrra nf rifft.rr.nt klmU. 11 ilnl.in. .. ,.r,,tl, ,!., l,.i.,.. ... '..r.i.. .'?"...!!
district and the namerous milling camps iu the near vicinity. W o are alo n'iirll..il i.m. , r..
bershops, blaeksmlthbhops, etc., oue principal hotel aud several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tusles of the
epicnrUn can be fully "U.fltd. We are also supplied with two first-class livery aud feed stables so hat stranger!
coining to this town will have no trouble in pro. urlug a flrst-clu.s team aud taking a drive out Into the exhilleratliic
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, ami breathing lu the life-giviag Vxy Jen
that can bo found nonhere so pure as iu Union County, To the Eastener, who is not used to mountain scei cry! whe u
first beholdlug our beantifal hx-stion. his first and Involuntary exclamation is, "Paradise Found at 1 . 1st '
Our county toart llop is well finished in every particular, having a large and commodious hall, amply sufficient
o accommodate arty aud a 1 audiences. It also has In connection u jail built by the Pauley llros., with I the r latest
linproveed ce Is, thHs makiug thtngs secsre agaiust tho escapeof any prisoners that may bo confined therein. Our
Opera House is oue of the largest this side of Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains ami finished In Superb
style. One large and commodious flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modern improvements, 1 situateVl aVnoin.
lngthotowu. Also several saw ml la in th iiiHr vHtiltv "h lntnlx.rlm. i,...r.t i L,... ... f' !'.f" l.....7 J
' W ......w...n ...tv.vo. o tv.t.111, U UVLUIUU IJUilU H
ture ill our industries.
laKeu an in an, union Is one of the best towns In Kastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
111 be
us iu
autaeo
The pleaiare-sceker or the Invalid can find no better place to while away tlie summer month". Only threemlles
the famous ''Kansas Hot
l-overs ot the piscatorial
aud brook trout. Iu the
itouue river are geese.
.I..vi7r.,..7i it win i t-Vi i.. . : . . .i '., i """"mu Kiuijucieu iiiio union, its latent resources w
nr ..,, ; .... T . . , , ' i i T i. K , ,,"r" ',' P tinea m our lanu. ve nave oue ol the loveliest to
................. j,.iv ui ui ni-ouii in inn- aireauy. aii mat is now ueeoeii is lor people to come and take adv
ut wii-miai iiiuui'duruis Biifiii in ih iiirnmi mi inn !.! m nv.rp innrvni r i
--j v... ......... iiui oniuK9 nun ijiiii meting iu lnemcai viriues anil curative powers
ttlirlllP IMlt.lllMMtlfttl, Ult.l ll..Kl.ll.t. .II..... .1. it i. .. ..... , ... .
'. . Tii .i --"-" .iniiiuiiiFi.iiiw ...u1i.vmiiiK u iuc iiauu oi some magician,
art w ill find the beaualfnl sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain
edge of the mountains largergame may be found, while ont in tho valley along the Hraudo
. .. 7 7 " ...t m.i.i mm ii.Mivwuiiknn .ic uiic lueiuiiui. lading an luese natural
belter than til. ftaVlTS "iit o7un"u.We K0,''e lookluc'or home "u fiui1 u l'Uce lri.vtug all tielr wauu
Since the maeli talked of Hunt ltaliroad Is an aaonred fact, property Is beginulag to advance in prices, thouih at
Uie present tlmo city lots aud blocks may be had at very reasonable rates. prn.es, mougn at
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSO CATION
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
a ssociation,
WILSON & HACKETT
Who will cheerfully furnish thorn with all tho information ilealrod.
XJIVIOiV, OREGON,