UNION
COUNTY
OREGON
1
5
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
AIVD '
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
The valleys lire of an average elevation of about 2,000 feet above pea level, the highest mountain
IenkH being about (1,000 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 sufllcient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and mature
crops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in the valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to three weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about 20 decrees above freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 above zero, the heat of the day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
Tho winter season usiia ly begins iilwut the first of December and laits till the middle of lVruary
or first of March, when the husbandman is given an opportunity 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 suficient moisture to the ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of . Tidy, August and .September, which are the harvesting months in this
county, the weather is tisualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops, (.lenoraily
enough rain falls in thu autumn months to moisten the ground sufhVicntly to permit the farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in the United States more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as the vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
The various contagions prevalent in many localities are almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attacks when they do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chifls ami fever 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 life out of humanity. Nor do we have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found est
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,107,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County ; the rest is unsurveyed, tl
veyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. Tl
of tho County aro Grande Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eagle, Pino and Starl
the rest is unsurveyed, the unsur-
i. 'i lie valleys
Jniintv aro iiran u Hondo. Indian. North Powder. liiir Creek. Kaulo. Pino and btarkey. Ilie
soil in these valleys is well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of the smaller varioties grow to perfection.
The yield of Wheat is from 2" to fiO bushels, to the acre, Barley from -10 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Barley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
Tlio iMouiitalns are covered witn a Pino urowin oi i miner, consisting oi i mu, inmrnoK,
the acre.
Spruce
, etc. The most valuable is tho Pino, which Is used in tho lumbering industry, also 6
tho larger species of Tanirac, but this class of timber is used chielly to furnish wood ties, etc.,
also some of
which
is
imitilv siillicient to sunitlv the surroundinir country for aires.
'I ln tiiinornl rcHmirci's of t ho Count v urn nnlv nartialv dcveloned. but sufficient nrosneotinir 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, w ill bo a great factor in the general summary of
t'-e wealth of the County." A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo. found further on.
STOCJC ItAIHIiNCi.
The UHMi'MHiiient roll of the county lor the year 1888, shows that there were 21.7-10 head of liorsoH,
28, 2;l Head of Cettlc, fiii.fi Ti Head of Slice p. and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of Itself that the County
Is a great S ock R lining Region. Thousands of head of stock nro yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
tlio't-of a neat prollt on their investment.
In fact, iho slock business lias been and still It the most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to bo such fir many yours to comu The luiiicli grass growing upon the hills and
mnuuliiin Is very nutritious, stock fattui lug in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock his
to be fed liar for from one to two mouths durum tlio winter, but In liuinv places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well, l'lie cllmatu Is Mich that sto k raised Is of u hardy and healthful charac
ter, nlvingJo work horses a strong constitution and powerful miifc'e
Tho milk c;w here attain perfect! m. Slui-'p are very healthy and produce heavy fleeces. The
dahylnz business In the lat few years has developed Into a largo and profitable one, I he country being
speclallj adapted t the bii'lness by reai-nn of tho milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent Hinge, the largo quantity of hay and gain raised per acre, the healthfulness of animals, tho
largo water supply and tlin nnlcK market of Butter and Cheese. Tho Jcrs'y, Holstino and Durham aro
rapidly taking the nlscoof llio common breed of eatlo, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to tlio lr cill g of their cows.
it Is sal. I more profit can bn realized per ywar from a milk cow In this country than any other in tho
United Sin es, one lns'iutco being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a mt prollt to the owner
of 9175 h -i.ies the calf "
Two . uanieiles aio In oporatlon at the Cove, In this county, whl h make 12(5, OJ pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 7i, 0 jhwihIs butter, worth 2i cents per p und.
Th(h year a creami ry Is In operation at I .a fir nde, with what success remains to be soon, although
110 doubi can he entertained but that it will prove tJ l.o a profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining Dlstiiet-of Un on Crunty are Cornucopia, Sj arts and Sanger. Cornucopia District Is
In tho H stun portion of the County, and embraces a section about ten mile rquare, within which there
are about HOI) qtm tz locations. The formation In granite and slate; the ledges running in a Southearturly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made herr In 1P84. The quartz contains Gold and
Sliver, the gold predominating. Some of tho lode aro free milling,, but they generally contain base
molal an In consequence wl I have to be treated in reduction w rks. Asaj have been made of ore from
the diflVront groims, showing an aierago yield of from 1 2.i to tfl II per ton. When tho proper mctlnds
are employed to work these ledgoa to the best advantige, Cornucopia will be considered the New
"Eldorado of the West."
The Or gon Gold Mining Company, of I.ouUvllle, Ky , Is the only company represented in the ills
tt let. It has opened upeveral of P ledges, which woie obtained at from illy 00 to 2,000 each.
Tlio Red .Ia ki t, belong'ng to thin company, Is a well define ledge, averaging about four feet In
thlo'cnesa and when struck on the lowest tunnel, was found to be a inas of the Koldeu metal. This
company has iHO Stanip Mill running night and day upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand five If. mired pounds of sulphurets were secured the first month of this spring's operations, besides
Immense quantllliH of free cold caught upon the aiua'gam pans.
This company's expenses In bulldliiKii, machinery, roads, developments, etc., ha amounted to over
?!I(X) 0 0, They have tlio Whitman, which !ia a shaft sunk over 1,500 feel and shows better a tho work
progresses; tho Alia No. 2, which Is developed sutllclontly to Indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent, Professor Smith, Is hluhly pleased with the prospect for his company
and predicts a sec .mil Leadvllleof Connie ipla. Many other ledges of the camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which are the Simmons jn up, comprising tho Key
stone, Cheekuia'e, Umpire and Hurkeve, all situated on the Simmons M.untafn and tald to be the test
group of mines In the camp. Iso the Blue Bell, Little Casino and Monte Chri to, situated on the fame
iitoiiii tali) and extensions of the Simmons ledges, showing mnif grade and character of ore. The Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest ore of any in camp and It no doubt an extension
of the Blue Bell and Simmons group. Tho Union, Companion, Last Chan e, Hobert Kmmet, Forest
(jueen, Red Bov, Mav Flower, Cox and Allen, Red Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Roy. Climax
and Queen of the Vet are all sufficiently developed to show them to bo good ledget and contain paylm?
oro In great quantities. The Cornucopia or Pine Creek district i a rich one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks cipllal to prove Its wondeiful richness. It is destined to be one of the richest
camps In exlhtiince.
The Sanger mines are operated by a San 1' ranelsco Company, which began Its operations two years
ago, buying the ledges for $17,(M0,and now cleaning up on an average of I70.0U) per month. These
minus are on the road 1hI ween Union and Cornucopia, about 3 1 miles east of Union, having a tri-wcekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In dirct communication with Union, their trail
ing point.
The Sparta mines are aVout eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still Yielding large returns, Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, but quite a number of
ledges have lately been found which, as far as developed, Indicate good pa) lug ore. A mill Is being
built here and good returns are expected from Its work.
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Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the Comity, the Larsest, most. Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous G ande Roude. wtioso bemtr is I ecomi- g known far and wide,
sinroundodby lofty miuntalns upon whl h seems to rest the blue vult above. Wherever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces lit 0,0 0 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b found on the Pacific Coast.
The Grande Ronfle Blver enters its boundary on the West and flows KiMetly through the ccn'er
of the va ljr and thonce Northerly and out at 1 s Northern limits; 80x25 miles is im length anil bredih
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of Ihe Grande Ronde entering the vallej at Ihe South.
Mill Creek entering at. the Hat ai d Willow Cieek entering at Ihe North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Ronde Val'ey one of the best watered vallejs. in Oregon, all tf the above
named rtrcams nfTo ding abundance of watf r the 'catou round.
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich lo'ni wbh clay subsoil, there bring a' out three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, knnwn as the Sand Ridee, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of "Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Timol by, Alfalfa and C!ocr is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to fO bmhel per acre of Wheat 4; 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.
Th produ ing and export of grab a& 1 hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. IJeddei Ihe production of grain uuu hay for export, a immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Pruned, Pears and sn a'le fruits, alo garden vegetables aie raised In great quantities and
marketod in the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheee is alfo one of our staple pioducta. Sleek
raising is engaged in largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Ronde
Valley as anywhere, stocicinen and farmers alwajs securing the brat bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes arc no higher on fine than poor stock. The lauds of this valley have all been I aU en, but
choice place can be bought at from 815 to 30 per acre, wh ch is conip.r.alivcly cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of tho best quality ca-i bo had at very reasonable' rates,
which could be divided into several cood farms.
TIMBER.
The bills and mountains arc covered with timber of the best quality for lumlcring purposes and
easily reached. But little of the tiinLer lai.d has been entered or taken up
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. R. & N. B. B. entering the valley 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.
Tho Hunt Railroad system will be extended during the next, jear from Wal'a Walla, W T., through
the Blue Mountans to Summervillc, in tlio northern portion of the valley and will then Ira verm Ihe en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon Ihe building of this road the valley will
have the host 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 f r the trade of the Vallty. the iinpi rumce of wl iih is evii encid by ihe building
of this second line of read, in concluding this description of Grande Roude V- lley, it con bo mid w 1th
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppoMun'ti is 1 tiered any wreie in the Northwest for the homo
seeker ar capitalists than in Grande Rondo Valley and its ticimty. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing indust' ie of nearly every kind, of which wo now have
but. very few. It will sustain ten times tlie population it now has in the f inui g and dairying I usiness.
ottering in this lino advantages not to be found but in very few places. The iaiing of 1 borough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardly an individual here solely in that Im-iueHs atpresmt.
To visit Grande Ronde Valley snd see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
1- 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 lo constitute a good country.
The Grande Roude Valley has several considerable towns and village-: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest Suiuuierville in the northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway 011 the cast side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The Couuty Best of Union County, Is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile (irainle lloinle Valley, and has
the best Natural Location for a City of nuy town In Hastern Oregon. Situated, just at the bine of rolling hills on both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure 11s nature ever distilled and held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense waterpower just waiting to be utilized by the baud of
man for all kinds of manufacturing Industries. In fact tho water power Is amply sulllcient to make Union the Lowell
of Oretou If the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned in that direction, which will be the case when new
blood and Kastern capitalists come in. ThU is one of tho best places In Oregon for the erection of mauiifueturies.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and srw.ie energetic capitalist who Is engaged In such business would find
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right in the heart of a great wool-growing section of the country. No
hljh fraltjhts to pay, water-power in abundance, and in fact ever) thing that such n business would consume is pro
daced here In the valley.
The present population of Union is about 1,200, but when the O. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population Inilde of six months. Eager eyes are watching to take advantage of the present low prices in property and
procure for themselves a home where they may livo in peace and plenty. Water works can be put in at very little ex
pense by niunini; apart of Catherine, creek Into a large reservoir on the hill back of town. This will give all the fall
we want from 1A0 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump and tho necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be; made to run directly luto the reservoir and all the wasta can be utilized iu furnishing power for machinery
When once water works are completed there will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can be
found.
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have in our public school, a High School Grade. The school Is suiudled
with every ponlble coiiTeulence. Kveiylhing is furnished hy our liberal handed citizens, nbo believe in giving thoir
children a first-class education ami that tbey can bo educated in no better way than by baviug a No, 1 hebool at home
The school at present U dlTtded luto four compartments, all thoroughly graded, students on completing tlio 11ns
scribed coarse of study receive a certificate to that eflect. An addition to the pieseut school building Is iu contemiila.
tlon, alio several bnndred dallars worth of apartments is soou to be added. 1
Morally and socially, Union Is unexcelled aud her hospitality is widely known throughout the surroniidlutr coun
try. We barn four churches, all iu a flourishing condition. There are ix secret societies, doing much good to bu
manlty. We have a number of stores of different kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they suiudy a great airrleiil.
tnrat district aud the namerous mining camps in Ihe near vicinity. We are also supplied with several haloons bar
bershops, blacksmlthiheps, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of tlm
eplcarfau can be fully atlifltd. We are also supplied with two first-class livery and feed stables so that strauVera
comint to this town will haTe no trouble iu procuring a first-clais team and takiug a drive out into tho exliillurathir
atmosphere aud feasting his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain sceiiery, and breathing Iu the llfe-irivltir mw5
that can be found nowhere 10 pure at in Union County. To live Hastenv, who is not used to mountain scenery, when
Urt beholdingonr beautlfal looatlou. his first and InvoluUlary elamatlou Is, "Paradise Found at I ast "
Our couuty Coart House Is well finished in every particular, having a large and commodious hall, amply sufficient
to accommodate any aud all audiences. It also has In connection a jail built by the Pauley Hros., with sll their latest
improwd cells, thus making things secure agalussrthe escape of any prisoners that may bo coutlued thwrelu Our
Opera lUuso Is one of th largest this side ot Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains and flu shed in s'unerb
style. Oue large and ccmodious Flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modern improvements, W situated adjoin,
ing the town. Also several saw mills lu the near vicinity. The lumbering interest is bound to become milto a lei.
ture in our industries. u
Taken all In all, Union Is one of the best towns lu Eastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on acconut
nf nnnr rillrniil (ai-IIHUa lint who, tlio limit fi. .!. nl Hall rn..l I. ...... ..In.... I , .. . .1 1 u. uu Hliunui
defclopidandra WehVwOT
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth is here already All that is now needed is for people to come and take m vVii.i
ntf if fvrv miMrirtMlf mnn luniai.li.n i i . w
of the great inducements soon to be thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing either brains or n
The pleasare-seeker or the invalid can flud no better place to while away tho summer months. Ouly
muscle.
., v - y , "; ivinim iunini uuuci iuii I'lirauve powers Ilie faillOllS "KHUkhh lint
8,,.rl"f,Vn R.bf,uT,,sm,?u,d funiidatuts disappeariug as if by the hand of some magician. Lover. of 'the TlscMorial
art will find the beautiful sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain and brook trout In th.
elite of the mouutaina lanrrriranin nmv ho fnitml. ivhll m, In tlm vollov -I ,V.V .1.'.. J . ... ' 'l""" ,r01Il. Ill Uio
wan anil iliirV. In hHiiiUmv In tlm lli fraln fl.,l,t ,.KI,.l-..,, ; ..i, arv geese,
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people looking for a home can And no place suppling all their" wants
better than the beautiful city of Union. 1 1 h """"
Mneo the much talked of lluut lUllroad Is an assured fact, proporty is beglnulag to advance In nriep. thnnvt,
the present time city lots aud blocks may be had at very reasonable rates. "uianco in prices, though at
T HE UNION REAL ESTA TE ASSOGATION
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, Ice etc to
be sold on very reasonable terms or for cash. 1
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
association,
rfivioiv, OJGM5GOIV,
Who will cheerfully furnish them with all tho information desired.