UNION COUNTY, OREGON
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
,v rv i
COWIPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
The valleys are of nn average ulevation of about 2,000 feet above pea level, tlie highest mountain
peaks being about (1,000 feel, and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
nuineroiift strcaniH the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is drv and healthful, there being- a Biiflleient 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 Ii0 degrees above freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 altovo zero, the heat of the day being oflset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season usua.ly begins alxmt the first of December and lasts till the middle of l-oiriiary
or first, of iMarch, when the husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to.Iuly 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weather is broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing sulieient moisture to the ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield. , . .
During the months of Julv, August and September, which arc the harvesting months in this
county, the weather is iisualy drv anil adapted to tho successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in thu autumn 'months to moisten tho ground sutliciently to permit the farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain. , .
There is no country in tho United Stales mro blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as the vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
The various contagions provident in many localities aro almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attacks when thev do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its icttlemmt, and chilis and fever aro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lav waate 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 West
of the Caucade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
tho rest in unsurveyed, tho
Thcrts is 1,107,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County
voyed portion being valuable lor
of tho County aro Urando Itoude
uri ill III. 1.1.1 ifttllnt'C! tu H'flll II r 1 fl ni iwl
Alfalfa, Vegetables anil Fruits, such as Apples, l'luins, Pears, l'eaches, Cherries, strawberries,
in fact all of the smaller varieties grow 10 peiiecuon
unstir-
dlevs
Tho
and
uul
i 01 nurveycu i.aim 111 uiv wuini mv o. ... .
o for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. Ihe v
oude, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Hagle, Pine and Starkey.
adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Parley, Kye, Timothy, Clove
its, such as Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries
inliiiu trrnvv In iu n'liH't i nil .
The yield of Wheat is from '2o to fit) bushels to the acre, Parley from -10 to 70, Oats about the same
as Parley, with exceptions in some localities, when as lugli as 100 im&iieis oi oais mis iieeu rum u
the acre" The Mountains are covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of line, lamrack,
Spruce, etc. The most valuable is the Pine, which is used in the lumbering industry, also some of
the larger species of Tamrac, hut this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sulllcient to supply the surrounding country for ages. ,,,,.. .. ,
The mineral resources of the County are only partial v developed, but sutHcient prospering and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, winch, when
sulllcient capital is employed in their development, will be a great factor in the general nummary of
t'-o wealth of the County. A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Kesourcesof tho
County will lie found further on.
STOCI v JZ AIS IN Ci .
Tho assessment roll of this county lor the year 1888, shows that there were 21.740 head of homes,
llS.m Head of Cattle, r.n.iVT. Mead of Sheep, and fi,ri70 Head of Swine, showing of Itself that J im County
is a greatStock Haling Hogion. Thousands of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat pro lit on their investment. ...... . , , , i .,
Iu fact, tho stock business lias been and still Is tho most paying .f any in ihe country and it
bids fair to continue to bo such for many years to como. The bunch grass growing upon the hills and
mountains is very nutritious, stock fattening Iu a very short time, ready for market. Usually s oek hs
to he fed bar for 'from ono to two mouths during the winter, but in munv places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well. I'lio climate Ih such that h(o k raised Is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, ulvlnglo work horses a strong constitution and powerful muscle. ... .,
Tho milk cow horo attains perfection. Sheep are very healthy and produce heavy tleeces. I he
dairying business In the last few years has developed Into a largo and profitable one, thu country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of the milk producing uuafitles of the grasses and the ex
cellent iango the large quantity of hay and g.aln raised per acre, the healtlifulness of animals, tho
argu watei-supply and thenulck market, of Putter and Cheese. Tho.lcrsey Iolstlno and Durham aro
ra)liUy talflng'tbt) place of the common breed of cattle, and dairymen aro giving considerable, attention
tW "it Issal'imore.'roOt can'b realized per yenr from a milk cow In tills country than any other iu tho
United States one instance being given of a single cow for ono year, yielding a net prollt to tho owner
?Twnl'i' iimorlfH Il'rii In (ipcmlli.ii nt the Covo, hi HiIh county, which make litl,(0l) pounds of cheese,
worth II cents per pound, and 7",H 1"'1h butter, worth 25 cents per v und. mi
This year a creainerv Is iu operation at l.a Grande, with what success remains to be seen, although
no doubt can bo entertained hut that it will prove to he a prolltahlo concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining District- of Un'on County aro Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District, is
in the IC stern portion of the County, and embrac's a section about ten mill i-qiuire, within which there
aro about, 000 quart locations. The formation In granite and slate; the 'ledges running in a Southearturly
and Northwesterly direction. Tho llrsl locutions were made here In 14. '1 he quartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of tho lodes are free milling, but they generally contain base
metal an In consetiucnco will have to ho treated in reduction works. Assays have been made ot ore from
tho dlllercnt grout's, showing an average yield of from ! to 1 0 per ton. lien the proper methods
are employed to work these ledge to tho best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered tho Now
'hlTZllOrSon OoldMlnlng Company, of Louisville, ICy . Is the only company 'l'wrt in the dls
trlct. Ithas opened npsovoral of iu ledges, which weieobtalned at from jjlO.IOfl to 2H,000 each.
Tho lied Jacket, belonging to this company, is a well dotlneU ledge. averglng alwut four feet, in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, wan found to bo a mass of tho go den metal. Ibis
company has a Ill-Staim. Mill running night and day upon the oro taken from this ledge. Sore a thou
sand live hundred pounds of sulphurrts wore secured the tlrst month of thU spring s operations, bolides
liniuensu quantities of free nold caught upon the amalgam pans. ... . i , ...
This company's expenses in buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., ban amounted to over
e:W0 O KI. They have ihe Whitman, which has a shaft, sunk over 1,500 feet and shows better ;as tho work
progresses; the Alta No. 2, which Is developed sulllcient ly to Indicate a well dellned ledge of high grade
ore. Tho present superintendent, Professor Smith, is hthly p easel with tho prospect for .is company
and predicts a second Leadvillo of Cornucopia. Many otlmr ledges of tho camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among wiilch are the Simmons group, compr sing the Key
stone Checkma'e Kninlro and Huekove, a s mated on tho Simmons Mountain and aid to bo the best,
gmup of inlnes in'tl.e camp. ilso the lllue Hell, Little Casino and Monte Ci.ri to, situated on the tame
mountain and extensions of the Simmons ledges, showing same grade and character of ore. Ihe V ay
Up northeast or Cornucopia, shows some of the richest oro of any In camp and U no doubt an extension
of the liluo Dell and Simmons group. The Union. Companion. Last C ham e, Ilobert htnuiet, Forest
Oueen, lied lloV, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Hed Cross Steen groupo, S ella, Tiger Boy. Clin ax
and Queen of the West are all sultlclontly developed to show them to he good ledges and contain paying
oro In great quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pine Creek district U a rich one with an unlimited amount
nfi oro und only lacks capital to provu Its wonderful richness. It Is destined to be one of the richest
" Tho Sa?S mines aro operated by a San Francisco Company, which began Its operations two years
ago, buying ihe ledges for $I7,IM) and now cleaning up on an voraue of ,0.WH) per nionth. 1 heso
nines are on tho roml bel ween Union and Cornucopia, about .10 miles east of Union, having a n-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication with Union, their tiad-
,,IK The Sparta ml nes are about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still yielding large returns. Tho Sparta, mines are mostly placer, hut quite a nun. her f
ledges have latelv been found which, as far as developed, indicate good paying ore. A mill is leing
built hero and good returns aro expected from Its work.
o
R
E
G
O
N
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous G'ande Honde. whoho beauty is t ecoiniug known far and wide,
sutrounilod by loftv mruntains upon which seems to rest the blue vault above. herever the eye
gazes It cannot he'lp being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces 3t0,0t0 acres of
as tine Agricultural Land as can b found on the Pacific Const.
Tho Grande Honfie Hiver enters its boundary on tho 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 tributarv 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 tho Grande Honde Val ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named ctrcams ntt'o'dlng abundance of wati'r the 'eason round.
Tho soil of tliis valley is principally a black, rich lonn with clay subsoil, there being nvout three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Itidge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Parley, llye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to 0 buihN per acre of Wheat. 40 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 producing and export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. Pcuides the production of grain and hay for export, ,n immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples Plums, Prunes, Hears and sinalle fruits, also garden vegetables aie raised In great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheei-o is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is ensmied iu larselv and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Hondo
Valley as anywhere. stocUinen and farmers alwajs securing the best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes arc no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice place can re bought at from il. to ao per acre, which is tomp.r.atively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality cats be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several food 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 land has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. H. & N. H. It. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Sodthtvest. passos out Of the valley on tho West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Itailroad sjatem will be extended during the next jear from Wal'a alia, . 1., through
the Blue Monntans to Summerville, in the northern portion of tho valley and will then traverse tho 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. , ......
Pugct Sound. T. T., is tho terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of tho
So' nil in competition f.ir the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evioenccd by the building
of this second line of road. In concluding this description of Granite Bonde Valley, it cm be haid with
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunity is cllered anywhere in the Northwest for tho homo
seeker er capitalists than in Grande Honde Valley and lis vicinity. Tho resources of the valley and its
tributary ncctions will sustain manufacturing indnst'ies of nearly every kind, of which we now have
lint very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the farming and dairying I usiness.
ottering in this line advantages not to be found but in very few places. The raising of thorough bred
stock is a prolltable business and there is hardlv an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Hondo Valley mid see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
i stance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the bestof reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a gDod country.
Tho Grande Honde Valley lias several considerable towns and villages: Lnion in the southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northw est. Summerville in tho northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Klgin in the extreme northern part of tho
valley.
UNION,
The County Scat of Union County, Is bituntcd in the southern portion of Ihe Fertile (Jrnnile Itoude Valley, and 1ms
the best Nnturnl Location for n City of any town In Hastern OroROii. Situated, jit nt the bnc of rolling hills oti both
side of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparklOu; Mrenm, vhoo waters are pure us nature ever distilled and held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, lurnlshliiK Immense, watcrpower just waiting to be -utilized by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufticturini; industries. In fact the water power Is amply sulllcient to muke'Unlon the lxjwell
of Oregon If the attention of her enterprisIiiK citizens were turned in that direction, which will bo the vniu when new
blood and Kustern capitalists come In. This is ono of tho best places in Oregon for the ereetiou of manufactories.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, und so.ie energetic capitalist who Is engaged in such business would find
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right iu the heart of a greut wool-growing section of the country. No
high frolghts to pay, water-power Iu abundance, and In fact everything that such a business would consume Is pro
dnocd here in tho vulley.
The present population of Union is about 1,'JOO, hut when the O. .V W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population lusido of six months. Kager eyes aro watching to take advantage of the present low prices In property and
procure for themselves a homo where they may live In peace and plenty. Water works can be put In ut very little ex
pense by runnluc a part of Catheriuo creek into a lnrge reservoir on tho hill back of town. This will give all the fall
we want from 160 feet up: no expense of keeping a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be! made to run directly Into tho reservoir ami all the waste can bo utilized in furnishing power for machinery.
When once water works aro completed there will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can be
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have In our public school, a High School Grade. The school is supplied
with every puaitble convenience. Kverything Is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, who believe In giving tholr
children a flrit-clasi educatlnu and that they can bo educated in no better way than by having a No. 1 school nt homo.
The school at present i divided into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, btudents on completing tho pre
scribes! course of study receive a certificate to that ettect. An addition to tho pieseut school building is In contempla
tion, also several hundred dallars worth of apartments Is soon to bo ndded.
Morallj and socially. Union is unexcelled and her hospitality Is widely known throughout the surrounding conn
trv We have four chnrche, all in a nourishing condition There are lx secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. We hai a number of stores of dlSerent kinds, all doing a prolltahlo business, as they supply a great agricul
tural district and the namerous mining camps In the near vicinity. Wo aro also supplied with several saloons, bar
bershops, hlaukamttushaps, etc., one princlpul hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of the
epicurism can be (ally tatlsrled. Wo aro also supplied with two first-class livery and feed stables so that strangers
coming to this town will have no trouble In procuring a tirst-claks team and taking a drive out Into tho exhllleratlug
atmosphere and feanttnt his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, and breathing In tho llfe-glvlag oxygen
that can be found nowhore so pure as In Union County. Totlv Kastenv, who Is not used to mountain scenery, when
tlrst beuoldlncour beaHtifsl lotwtlou, his tlrst and involuntary exclamation is, "Paradise Found at Last."
Our county Cottrt House Is well finished In every paiticuhir, hu-ing a largo and commodious hall, amply suflkieut
to accommodate-any aud all audiences. It also has In connection a Jail built by tho Pauley Hros., with ll their latest
improveed cells, thus mating thlugs secure agalmf the escape of any prisoners that may be eonliued tborelu. Our
Opera House Is ono of the largest this side ot Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains aud finished In superb
stvle. One large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller proces, with all modern improvements, Is situated adjoin
ing the town. Also several saw mills Iu tho uear vieluity. The lumbering interest is bound to become quite a fea
ture In our Industries.
Taken all in all, Union is one of the best towns in Kastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept hack on account
of poor railroad facilities, but when the Hunt System of Hatlroad is completed into Union, its latent resources will be
de eloped aud It will take Its place among tho thriving cities of our laud. We have one of tho loveliest towns In
Oregon, aud a great deal of wealth Is here already. All that is now needed is for people to como aud take advantage
of the great inducements soon to he thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing either brains or muscle.
The pleasnre-seeker or the Invalid cau find no bettor place to while away tho summer mouths. Only three miles
awav can be found Hot Springs and Lakes revellug iu medical virtues and curative powers the famous 'Kansas Hot
Springs," Kheuiaatism and such complaints disappearing as if bv the hand of some magician, 1-ovors of the piscatorial
art will find tho beaualful sparkling waters of Catheriuo creek alive with tho gamy mountain and brook trout. Ill tho
edge of the mountains largergnme may be found, while out in the valley along the (iraudo Houdo river arogeeso,
swan aud ducks iu abundance. In tho the grain field pralrlo chickens are ouito plentiful. Taking all these natural
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people lookiug for a homo can find no place supplying all tholr wants
better than the beautiful city of Union.
Mnco Ihe much talked of Hunt Itailroad lsan assured fact, property is beginning to udvauce in prices, though at
the present time city lets aud blocks may be had at very reasonable rates.
THE 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.
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
association, WILS(V & HACKJETT,
XJIVtOIV, OKEGOW,
Who will cheerfully furntuh them with all tho Information desired.