UNION
COUNTY
1
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
AND
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
The vnllcvH are of nn average elevation of about 2,000 feet above pea level, the highest mountain
peaks being aliotit (i,0(K) feet, and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water Htipply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is dry and healthful, there being a Hiidieient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and mature
crops. Snow Heldoin falls to the depth of one foot in the valleys, and never remains longer thr.n from
two to throo weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about L'O degrees alove freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 alcove zero, the heat of tho day being oflset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter houeoh usua ly begins about the 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 seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weatnoris broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suflcicnt 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 m this
county, tho weather is ustialy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in thu autumn months to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit the farmer t'o
prepare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in Uio United States more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as the vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
Tho various contagions prevalent in many localities are almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attacks when thev do aimear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union" County since its settlement!, and chills aim foveraro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes" to lay waste the country, destroy property and tho lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of Immunity. Nor do we have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
1,107,500 Acres of Survevcd Iind in the County; the rest in unsurveyed, tho tirisur
i helm: valuable for Timber. Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
r thu County are Grande Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eagle, Pine and Starkoy. Tho
ril in these valleys is well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Harloy, Rye, Timothy, Clover and
Ifalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Pears,-Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
There is 1 ,
voyed portion
01 I
son
Alfalfa.
in fact all of the smaller varieties irrow to perfection.
The yield of Wheat is from JJ5 to 50 bushels to tho acre, Uarloy from 40 to 70, Oats about tho samo
as Hurley, with exceptions in somo 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 The most valuable is the Pino, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also somo of
tho larger species of Tanirae, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sulllcient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
Tlie mineral resources of the County are only partialy developed, but sulllcient prospecting and
mining has been ilone to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sulllcient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
t'-o wealth of the County." A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo found further on.
stock rtvrjsiive-.
The assessment roll of the county tor the year 1888, sIiowh that there were 'J1.740 head of horses,
U8,'2;i 1 leml of Cuttle. r5,ri5 Head of Slieep. and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of Itself that tlin County
is o great Slock Kulhlng ltcuion. Thousands of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
theu-of a neat profit on sholr Investment.
In fart, the slock business liaH been and still is the most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to bo such for ninny years to comu The bunch grass growing upon the hills and
mountains in very nutritious, stock fattening in a very short time, ready for market. Usitully stock hxs
to he fed lia for from one to two months during the winter, lint in inanv places horses will winter upon
thu hunch grass and do wull. I'hu climate Is such that sto k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, ir.lvliig.lo work horses a stronu constitution and powerful mticlu.
Tho milk cow hero attains perfection. Slioen are very healthy and produce heavy lleeees. The
dairying business In thu lat few years lias developed into a largu and profitable one, thu country being
specially nt'aptod to the business by reason ot tho milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex-
re
I an
erlally ntaptcd to the business by reason ot tho milk producing qualities ot the grasses and
Hunt innge, thu largo quantity of buy and galn raised per acre, the healthfulness of aulmi
rgo water supply and the (illicit market of Hotter and Cheese. Tho Jersey, Holstinu and Durli
als, thu
am are
rapidly taking (lie pUcu of the common breed of cuttle, and dairymen are wiving considerable attention
to mo I'rrcui' g ot tneir cows.
It Is s.ild more profit can hi realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other in the
United Suites, ono Instance being given of a hIiikIu cow for one year, yielding a net profit to tho owner
of 175 besides thu calf
Tw reainei les are In operation at tho Cove, in this county, whifh make 12(1,(00 pounds of cheese,
worth U cunts per pound, and 7",bt 0 pounds butter, worth 25 cents per p unci.
This year a creauu rv Is In operation at i.a Grande, with what success remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can be enterlulned but Hint It will prove tj be a prolltahlu concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Tlie Mining Districts of I'n'on County aro Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In tho U stern portion of the County, nnd enibnie.'s a section about ten nil lea i-quare, within which there
are about WHI quirt locations. The format ion in granite and slate; the ledges running in a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The first, locations were nmdo here In 1884. Thu quartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of thu lodes uro free milling, hut they generally contain base
metal an in consequence will have to be treated in reduction works. Assa)s have been made of ore from
thu dill'erunt groups, showing an average yield of from 25 to $1 0 per ton. When the proper niethrds
are employed to work these ledge to tlie best advantage, Cornucopia will be considered the New
"Uldorado of the West."
Thu Or gon Gold Mining Company, of I.oulovllle, Ky , Is the only company represented in tho dis
trict. It has opened up'ovorul of Hh ledges, which woio obtained at from M0,('(X to f 20.WX) each.
The Hud Jarkit, belonging ti 1 hit company, is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, was found to be n mass of thu golden metal. This
company has a -ID-Stamp Mill running night and day upon tho oru taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand five hundred pounds of sulphuruts were itecurcd thu first month of thin spring's operations, besides
Immense quantities of free "old caught uimiii the ttuia'gain pans.
This company's expenses in buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
PIIOO 0 i(). They liavo tlio Whitman, which hut a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows liutteras tho work
progrossus; thu Alia No. i, which is duvelopod sufficiently to Indicate a well definod ledgu of high grade
ore. Tho present superintendent. Professor Smith. Is hiuhly pleased with tho prospect for ills company
ami predicts a second I.eadvilloof Cornucopia. Many other ledpes of tho camp with 100 feet or inoro
of development work aro showing up well, among which aio thu fainunons grup, comprising tho Key
stone, Cheukma'e, Ktnplru and Huekcyc, all situated on the Simmons Mountain and ald to be the best
group of mines In thu camp, slso tliu llluu Hull, Little Caslne and Monto Chrl to, situated on the Fame
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing tnnio grade and character of ore. Thu V y
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of thu richest oru of any in ramp and W no doubt an extension
of the llluu Hell and Simmons group. Thu Union, Companion. Last Chain u, Robert Kminct, Forest
Queen, Red Hoy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Red Cross, Stoen groupo, Stella, Tiger Hoy. Climax
and Queen of tho Went are all sufilcluntly developed to show them to ho good ledges and contain paying
oru in great quantities, Thu Cornucopia or Pine Creek district is a rich one witii an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It is destined to bo one of tho richest
camps In existence.
Tho Sanger mines are operated by a San 1" rnnclsro Company, which began its operations two years
ago, buying tho ledges for M7,0'0 and now cleaning up on an averauo of 970,000 per month. These
iiikiiuH aro on the road liul.ween Union and Cornucopia, nhout.'i) miles east of Union, having n tn-weekly
mail from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication witii Union, their trad-
loir nolnt.
Tint SimrtH mines aro about eltrht miles southeast of Sanger and
twenty years, still yielding large returns, 't liu bpartn mines are mostly placer, out quite a number of
ledges have lately been found which, as far as developed, indicate good pay lug ore,
built here and good returns aro expected irotn us worn.
have been worked for tlie past
A mill is being
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Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, Is the Famous G aude Honde. whose beauty is tecoiniug known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon whi-li seems to rest tlie blue vii t above. Wherever the eye
gazes It cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. '1 his valley embraces .WU.UtU acres oi
as fine Agricultural Land as can b-found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Ronde Hiver enters its boundary on the West and fiows l-.asterly through tlie center
of tlie va ley and thence Northerly and out at i s Northern limits; 30x25 miles is its length and bredtli
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Honde entering the volley at theboutli.
Mill Creek entering at the Fast ami 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 airording abundnnce of watr the eason round. ... , , . .
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich loni 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.
Thevieldof Wheat, Oats, Harley. Rye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to 0 bui-heN per acre of Wheat -IC to 100 for Oats and Harley, and Hay from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th producing anH export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. Resides the production of grain and hay for export, a immense quantity of truits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Hears and smalle fruits, aNo garden vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Hutter and Chces-e is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engaged in largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon tho farms of Grande Ronde
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 lands of this val lev have all been taken, hut
choice places can be bought at from 15 to $1(0 per acre, which is conip?: a lively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality can lie had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several irood farms.
TIMBER.
Tlie hills and mountains are covered with timber of the best quality for lumbering purposes and
easily reached. Hut little of the timber land 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 tho West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will be extended during the next ear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Hlue Mountans to Sunimerville, in the northern portion of the valley and will then traversu the en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon the 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 the
Soi-ndTn competition fur the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evioenced by the building
ot this second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Ronde Vslley, it can be mid with
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunity is cfi'ered anywnere in the Northwest for the homo
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Hondo Valley and its vicinity. Tlie resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industues of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the funning and dairying I usiness.
ottering in this line advantages not to be found but in verv few places. Tho raising of thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardlv an innividual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Ronde Valley nnd 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 good country.
The Grande Ronde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in tlie southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest Summerville in the northern
end of thu valluy, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County Seat of Union County, Is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile Grande Konde Valley, anil has
the best Natural Locution for n City of any town in Eastern Oregon. Situated, Just at the base of rolling hills ou 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 sullieleiit to make Union the l,oweU
of Oregon If the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned iu that direction, which will be the case when new
blood and Eastern capitalists come in. This is one of the best places In Oregon for the erection of mauufaeturies.
A woolen mill is greatly needed now, and srwie euergetlc capitalist who Is engaged iu such business would find
here the chosen spot for bucIi 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 ever thing that such a business would consume is pro
dated here in the valley.
The present population of Union is about 1,'JOO, but when the O. A V. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population Inside of six mouths. Eager eyes lire watching to take advantage of the present low prices in property aud
procure for themselves a home where they may live In peace aud plenty. Water works can be put iu at very little ex
pense by running apart of Catherine creek into a large reservoir ou the hill back of town. This will give ail the fall
wo want from 150 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can bojinade to run directly into the reservoir and all the waste can be utilized iu furnishing power for machinery.
When once waterworks are completed there will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water cau be
found.
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have iu our public school, a High School Grade. The school Is supplied
with every possible convenience. Everything is furnished ky our liberal handed citizens, who believe iu giving their
children a tlrst-class education and that they cau be ed Heated lu no tietter way than by having a No, 1 School at home.
The sohool at present is divided luto four compartments, all thoroughly graded. Students ou completing the pre
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that eflect. An addition to the present school building Is lu contempla
tion, also several hundred dollars worth of apirtineiits Is soon to be added.
Morally aud socially, Union is unexcelled and her hospitality is widely known throughout thu surrounding coun
try. Wo have- four churches, all lu a flourishing condition. There are six secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. We have a number of stores of different kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply n great agricul
tural district and the numerous mining camps iu the near vicinity. We are also supplied with several saloons, bar
bershops, blacksinltlithops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurauts, so that the most fastidious tastes of the
epicurism can be fully satisfied. We are also supplied with two rirst-class livery aud feed stables so that strangers
coming to this town will have uo trouble iu procuring a first-class team aud taking a drive out luto the exhllleratlng
atmosphere aud feastlnx his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, aud breathing lu the Hfe-glvlag exygeu
that can be found nowhere so pure as in Union County. To the Kaitenv, who is not used to mountain scenery, when
first beholding our beautiful location, his first aud Involuntary uxtlaraatlou is, "Paradise Found at Last."
Our comity Court House is well finished in eery pastlcular, having a large aud commodious hall, amply sufficient
to accommodate any aud all audiences, It also has in connection a jail hullt by the Pauley llros,, with all their latest
improveed cells, thus making things secure agalnrf the escape of any prisoners that may be confined therein. Our
Opera House is one of the largest this side of Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains aud finished In superb
style. One large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modern improvements, Is situated adjoin
ing the towu. Also several saw mills iu the near vicinity. The lumbering Interest is bound to become quite a fea
ture lu our industries.
Taken all lu all, Union Is one of the best towns lu Eastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
of poor railroad facilities, but when the Hunt System of Katlrottd is completed luto Uuiou, its latent resources will be
developed aud It will take its place among tho thriving cities of our land. We have one of thu loveliest towns in
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth is here already All that is now needed is for people to come and take advantage
of the great Inducements soon to be thrown at the feet of every euergetlc man possessing either brains or muscle.
The pleasure-seeker or thu invalid can Mud no better place to while away tho summer mouths. Only three miles
away cau be found Hot Springs aud Lakes reveling iu medical virtues and curathe powers the famous -'Kansas Hot
Springs," Rheumatism and such complaints disappearing as if by the baud of some maglelau, Lovers of the piscatorial
art will Mud the beaualful sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain and brook trout. Iu the
edge of the mountains largergame may be found, while out in the valley along the Graude Konde river are geese,
swan and ducks in abuudanre. lu tho the grain Held prairie chJrkeus are quite plentiful. Taking all these natural
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people lookiugfor a home cau Mud uo placo supplvlug all their wants
better thau the beautiful city of Uuiou.
since the much talked of Hunt Railroad is an assured fact, property is beginning to advance iu prices, though at
the present time city lots aud blocks may be had at very reasonable rates.
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
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, loc, 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,
WILSON & HACKE1T,
TJTVIOIV, OREGOiX,
Who will cheerfully furnish them with all tho information tlcsirtnl.