UNION
CO
9
NTY
OREGON
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
j. rv x
COS1PRESES ABOUT ftSSSETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
Tho valleys are of an average elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest mountain
peaks 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 ami healthful, there being a nuflieiont ruin fall to preserve the moiBttire of the Hoil and inaturo
crops. Know seldom fallw to the depth of one foot, in tho valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to threo weeks at a time.
The mean temperature for the winter months is about -0 decrees above freezing point, and for
tho Hiinimer months about 70 above zero, the heat of the day being oil'set by cool nights that ensure
refreshiig and invigorating Bleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season timta ly begins about the first of December and lasts till the middle of FVjbrunry
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 weatner is broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing siilicient 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 tho harvesting months in this
county, the weather is usualy" dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in tho autumn months to moisten the ground sufliciently to permit tho farmer to
prepare 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 whollv 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 ot humanity. Nor do wo have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There i 1, '11)7,500 AeroB of Surveyed Land in the County; the rest is unsurveyed, the unsur
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, I'nsture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of the County aro Grande ltonde, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eagle, Tine and Starkey. The
soil in these valley is well adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Harley, Hye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables ami Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Tears, Peaches,' Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact, all of the smaller varieties grow to perfection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from U." to fit) bushels to the aero, Harley from -10 to 70, Oats about the same
as Harley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 btibhels of oats lias been raised to
the acre! Tho Mountains are covered with a Kino Growth of Timber, consisting of Pine, Tnniraok,
Spruce, etc. The most valuable is the Pine, which is used in the lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species of Tamrac, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sulilcient to supply the surrounding country for ages,
The mineral resources of the County are only nartialy developed, but. sullicient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sullicient capital is employed in theirdevelopmcnt, will be a great factor in tho general nummary of
t'-e wealth of the County. A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Resources of the
County will be found further on.
rSrXXOJv IfVLSSIN.
The assessment roll of tho county lor the year 1BS.H, shows that there were 'JI.7-K) head of horses,
2H,V,l Head of Cuttle, Tm,RR Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itself that tie' County
Is great Stock Raising Itcuiou. Thousands of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
theicof a neat protlt on sholr investment.
In fact. I lie slock business tins been and still Ih the most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to Ins such for many yearn to comu The hunch gmss growing upon the lulls and
mountains is very nutritious, stoik faito' ing in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock li is
to lie fed lia for from one to two months during the winter, hut in inanv places horses will winter upon
tho hunch grass and do well. I'he climate is such that sto k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, nlvingJo work horses a stronu constitution ami powerful mut-cle
Th") nullc cow here attains perfect! n. Sheep are very healthy and produce Iieavy lleeces. The
ilalrvluu business In the hc-t few yeurs lias developed into a large and prolllahlo one, the country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
ccllont lange, the large quantity of hay and gain jalsed per acre, the licnltiifulnL'ss of animals, the
large water supply and tlm quick tnarUetof 1 tin ter and Cheese. The Jersey, liolstine and Durham aru
raiidly talcing the phicuof llio common breed of cut (hi, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to l lie iirccdli'g of their cows.
It is sal I more prollt can In realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other in tho
United iSln'es, one Instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net prollt to the owner
of $175 hexj.ics the calf
Two . rcnmciics aie in operation at the Cove, in this county, whl h make lUO.'Ol) pounds of cheese,
worth M cents per pound, and 7o,h 0 pounds hotter, worth 2 cents per p uml.
This j ear a creamery is In operation at La (!r nile, witli what success remains to ho seen, although
no doubt can he entertained hut that it will prove to he a piolhahlo concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Milling Districts of Un'on County are Cornucopia, Sjmrtu and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In tho 1C stern portion of the County, ami embraces a section about ten iiiIIch sqtuuc, w ilhin which there
nre about (100 qu'trtz locations. The formation Is granite and slate; I lie ledges running in a Soethearlurly
and Northwesterly direction. The llrsl locations were made here hi 18K1. Tho qmutz contains (Jold and
Silver, the gold predominating. Some of the lodes ure fro- milling, lint they generally con tun Iinsc
metal n in consequence wHl have to he treated in reduction works. Assays have been made ot ore from
tlie dlll'eront groups, showing an average yield of from j- to $1 0 per ton. When tho proper metle ds
are employed to work these ledges to the best advantage, Cornucopia will ho considered the Now
"Kldorado or the West."
The Or gon Gold Mining Coyipanv, of Loutxville, Ky , is the only company represented in tho ills
ttlct. It. has opened up several of Its ledges, which w cio obtained at from 810,1 00 to $2(i,('(X) each.
The Wed Jacket, belonging t lhln company, is tt well deHncd ledge, averaging al.out tour feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, win found to ho a muss of the golden metal. This
company has a lO Stiimp Mill running night ami day upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pounds, of stilphun'ts were secured the llrst month of this spring's operations, besides
immense quantltloH of free void eaoght upon the ama gam pans.
This company's expenses In buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., lias amounted to over
?:t(X) 0 0. They have ilio Whitman, w hich hat a shaft sunk over I,5h0 feel and show s better as Hie w ork
progresses; the. Alia No. which Is developed sullicient ly to indicate a w ell defined ledge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent. Professor Smith. Is Id 'lily pleased wnli (lie prospeet for his company
end predicts a second Leadvillo of Connie ipia. Many other ledges of the camp w ith 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which are tho Simmons gr up, comprising the Ke.
stone. Clieckma'e, Umpire and Iiuckeye, all situated on the Simmons .Mountain and aid to lie the I est
group of mines in the camp, slso the lllue Hell, Little Casino and Mnuto Cliri to, situated on the same
mountain and extensions ot the Simmons ledges, showing same grade and ihnractcr of oie The ay
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the rlcho-1 ore of any in camp and Is no douhi an extension
of the lllue Hell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion Last Chan e. Unbel t lCinniot. Forest
Queen, Hod Hov, Mav Flower, Co and Allen, Hed Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Hoy. Climax
and Queen of the West are all sullleleotly developed to show them to lie good ledges and contain paying
ore In great quantities. Tint Cornucopia or I'lne reek district It a rich one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It is destined to be one of the richest,
camps in existence.
The Sanger mines are operated by a San Francisco Company, which ticgan its r.prations two vears
ago, buying the ledges for 5? 17,0' 0 and now cleaning up on an average of 70,010 per month. Thee
mines are on the road between Union and Cornucopia, aliout II miles east of Union, having a tn-wceklv
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In dir. ct communication with I niou, their trail-
ThoSptirtu mines are about, eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still yielding huge returns. The Sparta mines aro mostly placer, but quite a number of
ledges have lately been found which, as fur as developed indicate good palng ore. A mill Is liolng
built here and good returns are expected from Its work.
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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 tiie Famous Gande Homle. whose beauty is I ecoining known far and wide,
surrounded bv loftv nic untains upon whHi seems to rest the blue vu t above. Wherever the eje
. . . . . I it 1 IIM.l.. ..nllnll nilll-nll(lU '1 11 III II llf't(U Hi
enc haute'! iv our ncaniiiiii scenery, mis vuiicj cuuira ,...wv,
L'.'izes It cannot hem heme i
.... II.... A ...I.,,. II,. -.. 1 I .....I u 1. . fnimil mi tin. 1'iintllf ("Vinut.
Ills llllu n."'liiin iiuiiu ... ...v ,....- w- -
The Grande Hondo IHver enters its boundary on the West and ilows Latterly through the center
of the va lev and thence Northerly and out at i h Northern limits; :Wx23 miles is its length and oredtn
mid witli Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Hondo entering the valley at the faoutii.
Mill Creek entering at the Fast and Willow Creek entering at the North, w ith numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Honde Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams ntlb' ding abundance of wan r the cason round. ... , . . . .,
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich lom wiih clay subsoil, there being a' out three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, know n as the Sand Hidge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The vield of Wheat, Oats, Hurley. Hve, Timolliv, Alfalfa and Clotcr is large, the cereals yielding
from 'Si to cO bmhel- tier acre of Wheat '10 to 100 for Oats and Harley, and Hay from !i to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th jirodiHng am' export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. Hesides the production of giain and hay for export, a i immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples. Plums, Prunes, I ears and tinaiu fruits, al-ogar len vegetables aie raised in great quantities and
marketed in tne neigiuiormg sections, miner ami oneeso is oisu uuu m uur mnjnis inuuutm.
raising is engmred in lurgely and profitably; as line stock may be seen noon the farms of Grande Hondo
UlCtl illlilllfllS JU1 UiCCIlIILl lllll-
all been taken, hut
cheap. Many larue
bodies of land ow ned bv simile individuals and of the best quality cat: be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several trood farms.
raising is engmred in lurgely ami proiimiiiy; as line sioci; may oe seen upon me iai in
Valley as anywhere. stocKinen and farmers always securing the best bred animah
poses. Taxes are no higher on line than poor stock. The lands of this valley have i
choice place-can bo bought at from 815 to :S0 per acre, w heh is competitively
TIMBER.
The hills and mountains aru covered witli 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. H. entering the valiev at the southern portion and following tho foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the valley on llio West, traversing tile Southwestern boundary of the valley
lor a distance of I I miles.
The Hunt Hailroad system will be extended during the next jear from Wai'a Walla, W. T., through
the Hlue Mountans to Suniinerville. 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 tho valley will
have the best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portend, Or., and the cities of the
So' ml in competition for the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evicenccd by the building
ot this second line of read. In concluding this description of Grande Honde Vslley. it c-ui lie said with
out tear of contradiction, that no better oppoMuniu is tiered anywhere in the Northwest for the homo
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Honde Valley and its vicinity. Tho resources of lhe valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing indust. ies of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the fsrmi"g and dnirj ing I usiuess.
ottering in this line advantages not to be found but in very few places. The raising of thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardly an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Hondo Valley ud see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
iestance have people, who have visited this valley givm it other than the best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and even thing that goes to constitute a gDod country.
Tlie Grande Honde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest Suniinerville in tlie northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Iilgin in tlie extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County Sent of I'liion County, Is situated in the southern portion of the l'ertlle Oriuulu Homle Valley, mul has
the best Niiturtil Location for n City of nny town in Kaitorn Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling hills on both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparklluc stream, whoso waters are pure us nature ever distilled mid held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense, watcrpower just waiting to be utilized by the hand of
mini for id 1 kinds of iiiKiiufiietiirlug Industries. In fact the witter power is amply btilUeleiit to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon If the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned In that direction, which will be the case when new
blood mid Kastern capitalists come in, This Is one of the best places in Oregon for the erection of manufactories.
A woolen mill is greatly needed now, and kou energetic capitalist who Is engaged In such business would find
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right in the heart of a greut wool-growing section of the country. No'
high freights to pay, water-power in abundance, itiid in fact ever thing that such n business would consume Is pro
dnced hero in the valley.
The present population of Union Is about 1,'JOO, but when the O. it V. T. railroad reaches heru she will double her
population inside of six mouths. Kager eyes are wateliiiig to take advantage of the present low prices 111 property unit
procure for themselves a homo where they may live in pence mid plenty. Water works can be put In at very little ex
peino by running a part of Catherine creek into a hirge reservoir on the hill buck of town. This w ill give all tho fall
wo want from liiO feet up; no expense of keeping a steam puiui and tho necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be) made to run directly Info the reservoir nnd all the waste can be utilized in furnishing power for machinery.
When once waterworks are completed there will bo no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can bo
found.
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We bnve In our public school, a High School Grade. The school is supplied
with every possible convenience. Kverythiiig is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, who believe In giving their
children a ilrst-cjass education mul thut they can be educated in no better way than by having a No. 1 .school at home
The school at present Is divided into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, hludents on completing the pre
scribed course of study reecho a certificate to that etlect. An addition to the piesent school building is ill Voutempla
Hon, also several hundred dollars worth of apartments is soon to be added.
Morally and socially, Union is unexcelled and her hospitality is widely known throughout the surrounding coun
try. We have four churches, nil in a nourishing condition. There nre six secret societies, doing much good to liu.
inanity. e have a number of stores of dltl'erent kinds, all doing a profitable business, as thev supply a great agricul
tural district nnd the nutncinus mining camps in the near iclnity. We are nlso supplied with seeral saloons bar
bershops, hbieksialthshops, etc., one principal hotel anil seeral restuuriiuts, so that the most fastidious tnstes o'f tho
I " niiiiii i .ii i'v imij runout " ,,,, 1 1 i 1 1 u i mi i,,u tiii-i-uips iii iTt mm u'cu siuuies so mat strangers
coming to this town ill bnve no trouble in procuring a llrst-chus team nnd taking a drive out into tho exhilleratlng
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, mid brenthing in the life-giving owgeu
tluit iiiu bo found nowhere so pure ns in Union County. Totlv Kustenv'i who is not used to mountain scenery vlieu
llrst belioldlngour beautiful loc.ilion, his first and Involuntary oxclumutlou is, "l'nrndlse Found at I ust "
uiir ciiuuiy onri iiuiise is wi-n iiiiisiicu hi eiery pnrueuiiir, nuMiig a large unci coiiiinoillousliiill, uiiudy sullleleiit
to accommodate any nnd nil audiences. It iiImi bus in connection u jnll built bv the Pauley Pros., witli 11 their Intest
iniproveed cells, thus nmkliig tliuigs secure uguiiisf tho cseiipeof mi) prisoners" that may bo conilned thurcln Our
Opera House is one of the largest this side of Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains and finished in simerli
style. One large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller liroces. with all modern improvements, is situated ndfoiii.
iugthetowii. Also several suw mills in the nenr viciullv. The lumberlnir interrst k Um.i t.. k.,.., i... ..' .
- " - ' ' "...IIIL I J I 1 1 1 11 l-l-
Hire in our industries.
I iikcn nil in all, Lnlou Is one of the best towns in Kastern Oregon
Heretofore she bus 1
of poor rnllroH.I fm llities, but when the Hunt System of lUilrond is completed Into Union, its Intent resources will 1
dooloped nnd It will take its place among the thriving cities of our html. We linvo one of the loveliest towns in
Oregon, nnd u great ileal of wealth is here Hlreudy. All thnt Is now needed is for people to come anil tuke ndvuiitiiL'H
of the grout Inducements soon to be thrown at the feet of every energetic mull possessing either brains or muscle
The nlensuro-seeker or the Invalid can find no belter ubiee to h lillu nwnv iin ..n,.,,,,.., ,n,J ..i .1.. .. ."
nwiiy can be found Hot Springs mid l.nkes reveling in medical virtues and 'curative powers the fiimoiis 'Kuiishn Hot
S,'.ru,fn',fl u1ll,l;m'll5V,l,,l,l n"'J,impliiiats dlsuppeHriiig us if by the hand of some magician, hovers of the piscatorial
art will find the beiuiulful spurkllng w titers of Catherine creek ntivc with tho guinv mountain and brook trn i
edge of tlie mountains lurgcrgumo may he found, whilw out iu the vullev nlong the (iranile ltonde river
swun mid ducks in almndmiee. in tho the grain field prairie chickens aro quite plentiful Tnking nil the
udVMiitnges for pleasure ami business, w e think people looking for u home emi ilnd no nlnce kinnilviin; nil tl
lutter Ihini the lu'mitlftil i'ltv of rnl.ni 1 h 11
since the much talked ot Hunt Ituilrond Is uu assured fuet, property is beginning to advance in urlei. ti,ni, n(
the present time city lots mid blocks may bo had at very reusohubli rules. "lh""""h lo "'"""cl m prills, though at
In tho
are geese.
these natural
all their wants
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. 1 "J
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
association, to
TJTVIOiV, OXISGJOiV,
Who will ulieurfully furnish thorn with all tho information desired.