UNION
COUNTY
OREGON
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
Tlie valleys arc of an average elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest mouiitain
penks being about (i,000 feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Ih dry nnd healthful, there being a miflloient rainfall to preserve the nioiHture of the noil and mature
crops". Snow Heldoni falls to tho depth of one foot in the valleys, and never reinnins longer thr.n from
two to threo weeks at u time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about 20 decrees above freezing point, and for
tho summer months about 70 alove zero, the heat of tho day being ollset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season usua ly begins ulwut the first of December and lasts till the middle of I'Yjbrtiary
or first of March, when tho husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, tho monotony of warm and dry weatiieris broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suOcicnt 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 in this
county, tho weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in thu autumn months to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit tho farmer to
ire pare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in tho 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 thev do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chills 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, the unsur
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, l'asture anil abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of tho County aro Grande Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, ICagle, l'ine and Starkey. Tho
soil in these valleys is well adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Kyc, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, I'lnms, I'ears, l'eaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of the smaller varieties grow to perfection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 25 to 50 bushols to the acre, Barley from -10 to 70, Oats about the same
as Barley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bu&hels of oats has been raised to
(ho acre. The Mountains are covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pine, Tamrack,
Spruce, etc. The most valuable is the l'ine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
the larger species of Tamrac, but this class of timber is used chietly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sulllcient to supply the surrounding country for ages.
The mineral resources of the County are only pa'rtialy developed, but sulljcient prospecting and
mining has been done 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
tl,e wealth of the County. A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo found further on.
stock ivisuvc;.
The assessment roll of tho county lor the year 1888, shows that there were 21.740 hoail of horses,
28,12.1 Mead of Cuttle, 55,fi'5 Head of Sheep, inn! 5,1770 Head of Swine, showing of Itself Hint the County
is a great Stock liaising KckIoii. Thousands of head of slock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat prollt on t-hclr investment.
In fact, thu stock IiuhIiiosh lias 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 hunch grass growing upon tho hills and
iiioiiulains Is very nutritious, stock fat tuning in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock hs
to he fed liar lor from one to two mouths during the winter, hut. in miinv places horses will winter upon
the hunch grass anil do w ell. l'lio climate is such that, sto k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, ulvlngjo work horses a strong constitution ami powerful muscle.
The milk caw hero attains perfection. Sheep aro very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business In tho last few years has developed into a largo and prolilalile one, tho country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of the mill; producing iiuafltius of tin; grasses and the ex
cellent lauge, the large iiuautily ol hay and grain raised per acre, the liealthfuluess of animals, the
large water supply and tint oniric market of Hut ter and Cheese. The Jersey, liolstiuo and Durham are
rapidly taking the place of too common breed of cattle, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to the in edbg of their cows.
It Is sal I more prollt can b realized per year from a milk cow In tills country than any other in the
United Slaves, one instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net prollt to tho owner
of ?I75 h -dilcs the calf
Two i leamerles are in operation at Hie Cove, in this county, whbh make 12(1,(011 pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 7f,W 0 pounds butter, worth 25 cents per p'Uiid.
This year a creamery Is In operntiou at I.a (ir'Mide, with what success remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can he entertained but that it will prove to he a prolltahle concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining Districts of Un'on Comity aro Cornucopia, Spartu and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in tho IC stern portion of the County, and emls-ac's a section about ten miles npiiire, w ithin which there
aro about (10(1 iiUHrtz locations. Thu format Inn Ih granlloand slate; the ledges running in a Soutliearturly
and Northwesterly direction. Tho Hrst locations wore made hern In IrsSI. The tpiartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of tho lodes ure free milling, but they generally contain huso
metal nil In conseiuenco will have lobe treated In reduction works. Assays have been made of ore from
the dlll'eront groups, showing an average yield of from 2."i to SVl) per ton. When the proper niethrds
are employed to work thesu ledges to the best advantage, Cornucopia will ho considered the New
"Kldorado of the West."
The Or'gon Cold Mining Company, of I.ouUville, Ky , Is the only company represented in thu dis
trict. It has opened uptuvoral of lis ledges, which weie obtained at from glU.KK) to $2l),P(X) each.
The Heil Jacket, belonging to this company, is a roll dellneJ ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on tho lowest tunnel, was found to be a mass of tho golden metal. This
company bus a lO titainp Mill running night and day upon the oro taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pounds of sulphurets were secured the llrst mouth of till 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
?:X) 0 '0. They have (lie Whitman, which lias a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows butter as tho work
progresses; the All No. 2, which Is developed sulllclently to indicate a well detlned ledge of high grade
ore. Tlie present superintendent. Professor Smith, is hiurhly pleased with tho prospect for his company
am! predicts a second Lcndvlllo of Cornucopia. Many othur ledges of the camp with 1(H) feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which are thu Simmons group, comprising the Key.
stone. Checkiuae, Umpire and Huckojo, all situated on thu Simmons Muuntain and Mild to be the best
group of inlnes In tho camp, clso the lllue Hell, Little Casino and Monte Chrl-to, situated on the fame
nioiiiitaln and extensions of the Slininons ledges, showing saiue grade and character of ore. Tho Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of tho richest oro of any In camp am! Is no doubt an extension
of the Hlue Hell and Simmons group. Tho Union. Companion. Last Cham e. Kobert Hnimot, Forest
Queen, Bed Hov, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Bed Cross, Steon groupe, Stella, Tiger Hoy, Climax
nnd (jueen of the West are all sulllclently developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
oro in great tiuantltles. The Cornucopia or Pino Creek district Is a rich one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only laeks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It Is destined to bo ono of tho richest
camps In existence.
Tho Sanger mines aro operated by n San cranelsco Company, which began Its operations two years
ago, buying iho ledges for $I7,0C0 and now cleaning up on an avurimo of 870,000 per month. These
minus tiro nn thu mad between Union and Cornucopia, about !IJ miles east of Union, having a tn-wookly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trail-
1"K l'."l- . . ... ... . , . .. . ... ..
Hie .Sparta mines are anout oigut nines souiueasi oi oungcr ami nave oeen worKeii ior me past
nt y years, still yielding Inrgu returns. Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, hut quite a number of
t U'Ulll V
ledges have lately been found which, as far nH dovelopeu, Indicate good paying ore.
mult here anil gooil returns aro expected iront us woru.
A mill Is lielug
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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 Gaude Honde, whose beauty is recoming known far and wide,
stir rounded by loftv mruntalns upon which seems to rest the blue vmlt above. Wherever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanter! by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces 3C0,Ot 0 acres of
as line Agricultural Land as can b found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Ronfle Hiver enters its boundary on the West and (lows Kasterly through the center
of the va b-y and thence Northerly and out at 1 h Northern limits; Ii0x23 miles is its length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, the laigest tributary of the Grande Hondo enteriuKtho valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at the Kat and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Honde Val'ey one of tho best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams iiMo'ding abundance of water tlie eaon round.
The soil of this vallev is principally a black, rich loin with clav subsoil, there being avout three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Hidge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Barley. Hye, Timothv, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to f 0 bushel- per aero of Wheat 10 to 100 fo'r 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 produrlng and exportof grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. Besides the production of giain and hay for export, a i immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Pears and smailu fruits, al-o garden vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheese is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engaiieo in laigely and profitably; as tine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Honde
Volley as anywhere, stooKmen and farmers always securing the best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Tuxes are no higher on line than poor stock. The lands of this vallev have all been taken, hut
choice places eau be bought at from 815 to IiO per acre, wh'ch is comparatively cheap. Many large
boilles of land o ned by single individuals and of tho best quality can 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. Hut little of the timber land has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. H. & N. H. B. entering the vallev at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the valley on tiie Went, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance nf 14 miles.
The Hunt Bailroad system will lie extended during the next jear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Hlue Motiiitans to Sumiuerville, 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 tlie best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of the
So' nil in competition for the trade of tlie Valley, the importance of which is evioenced by the building
of this bccond line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Honde Wiley, it ctin" lie said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppoMunitv is t tiered anywnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Honde Valley and Its vicinity. Tlie resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing imiustiies of nearly eveiy kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now lias in the farming and dairying I usiness.
oll'ering in this line advantages not to he founit but in verv few places. The raising of thorough bred
stock is a prolltahle business and there is liardlv an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Honde Valley and see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
'stance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the bustof reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a gsod country.
Tlie Grande Honde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Giande at the base of the mountains on the northwest Sumiuerville in the northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Klgin in the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County Sent ot Union Comity, Is situated In the southern portion of the Fertile (iranilo Hondo Valley, and lias
thu best Natural Locution for a City of any town In Kastern Oregon, situated, just at the base of rolling hills on both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whoso waters are pure as nature ever distilled and held
suspended in hor mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense waterpower just waiting to lie utilized by tlie baud of
man for nil kinds of manufacturing Industries. In fact the water power is amply sufficient to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon If tho attention of hor enterprising citizens were turned in that direction, which will be tho case when now
blood anil Kastern capitalists come in. This is one of the best places In Oregon for tho erection of mauufaeturles.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and siwio 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
high freights to pay. untor-powcr in abundance, and in fact everything that such a business would consume Is pro
dnced hero In tho valley.
Tho present population of Union Is about 1,'JOO, but when tho 0. .fc W. T. railroad reaches hero she will double her
population inside of six mouths. F.ager eyes aro watching to take advantage of tho present low price in property aud
procure for themselves a home where they may live in peace and plenty. Water works can bo put in at very little ex
pense by running apart of Catherine creek Into a largo reservoir on tho hill back of town. This will give all the fall
wo want from 1M) feet up; no expense of keening a steam pump aud the necessary repairs. Tills mountain stream
can be, made to run directly into tho reservoir nut! all tho waste can bo utilized lu furnishing power for machinery
When onco waterworks aro completed there will bo no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water cau bo
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have In our public school, a High School Grade. The school Is supplied
with every possible convenience. Kveiything is furnished by our liberal hauded citizens, who believe In giving their
children a llrst-class education and that they can bo educated in no better wav than bv having a No, 1 School at homo
Tho school at present Is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, students on completing tho nre
.cribed course of study receive a certificate to that elteet. An addition to the picseut school building is in cotitemida
tlon. bIso several hundred dollars worth of apartments Is soon to bo added. '
Morally aud socially, Union Is unexcelled mid her hospitality Is widely known throughout the surrounding coun
try. Wo have four churches, all in a nourishing condition. There are lx secret societies, doing much good to Im
munity. We have a number of stores of dlffcrcm kinds, all doing a profitable business, as thev supply a great agricul
tural district and the numerous mining camps In the near vicinity. We are also supplied with so oral saloons bar
bershops, blacksmithshops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of thn
eplcuriau cn be fully satisfied. We aro also supplied with two tlrst-class livery and feed stables so that stranirers
coming to this town will have no trouble lu procuring a llrst-chus team and taking a drive out into the exhilleratliiJ
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upon tho grandeur of our mountain scenery, and breathing in the lifc-clvhig oxviren
that can bo found nowhere so pure as In Union County. Totlu.- Kitten v. who is not used to mountain scenery when
ply suftleleut
I their latest
thurelu. Our
i..tui....i i.. .
style, Ono largo and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller process, with' all modern improvements, is situated atlfnlti.
lug the town. Also several saw mills in the near vleiuity. The lumbering interest is bound to become unite a fea
turo in our Industries. ...u. .
Taken all In all, Union is one of the best towns iu Kastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
of poor railroad facilities, but when the Hunt System of Kallroad is completed into Union, its latent resources wit h
developed and It will take its place among the thriving cities of our fund. We Iibvo one of the loveliest towns in
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth is hero already All that is now needed is for people to como aud tako aclvHiitLrn
of tho great Inducements soon to bo thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing cither bruins or muscle
Tho pleasure-seeker or the invalid can tlud no bettor place to while away the summer months, Only three'miles
away can bo found Hot Springs aud 1-akos reveling lu medical rimies and curative powers the famous 'Kansas Hot
Springs," Uheumatlsm mid such complaints disappearing as If by tho hand of some magiciau. Lovers of the piscatorial
art will find tho beauaiful sparkling waters of Catherine crock aflve with the gamv mouutalu and brook trout in thn
eilge of the tnouutalus largergamo may la-found, while out in the valley along the Uraudo Untitle river aro .
swan and ducks in abundance. In the tho grain field prairie chickens are ijuito plentiful. Taking all these iiatiiriii
advantages for Pleasure ami business, we think people looking lor a homo can dud no place mippMiic all their u', ni
better than the beaut I (id city of Union. " - "" uia
since the ;inuch talked of Hunt Railroad Is an assured fact, property is beginning to advance lit nrlees thmmh nt
tho present time city lots aud blocks may be had at very reasonable rates, u 1 nits' ,noufu at
tltftt hcholdltigour beautiful location, his llrst ami iuvolutnarv exclamation is, "Paradise Found at 1 ast "
Our county court House is well Mulshed iu every particular, having a large anil commodious hall amnli
to accommodatoauy anil all audiences. It also has In connection a Jail built bv tho l'aulev ltros with n
improvectl colls, thus nuking things secure againsr tho escape of any prisoners' Unit may" be confined thu
Opera House Is one of the largest this side ot Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains and finished
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
USDUUIUIIUII, ,
Who will olicorfully furnish thorn witli till tho Information desired.