OREGON,
UNION
COUNTY
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
Tho vallovH are of an average elevation of about 2,000 feet above sen level, tbe highest mountain
leakH Iming about i,000 feet anl continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is drv ami healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisturo of the soil and mature
crops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in tho valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to three weeks at a Unto.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about 20 degrees above freezing point, and for
(ho summer months almut 70 uljove zero, the heat of the day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing anil invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season usua ly begins about the llrst of December and lasts till the middle of Fftbruury
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 tho ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assure the
fanner an abundant yield.
During tho months of July, August and September, which are the harvesting months m 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 tho ground sudiciently 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.
Tho 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 oidy been one case of Smallpox in
Union' County since its settlement, and chifls anil 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 the life out ot humanity. Nor do we have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
Thero is 1 ,107,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County, tho rest is nnsurveyed, the unsur
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pusture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of tho County aro Grantlo Hondo, Indian, North I'owder, Big Creek, Kaglo, Pino and Starkoy. Tho
unll in flman vnllnva in well nduiited to the raisinir of Wheat. Oats. Barlov. Hve. Timothy. Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such ns Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact, all of tho smaller varieties grow to perlection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 23 to 50 bushels to the aero, ltarloy from 40 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Hurley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high ub 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
.i..r Tim TUnniitiiiiiH urn covered with a Flno Growth of Timber, consistini: of Pino, Tamraek,
Siiriwn. nii Tim most valuable is the Pino, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
. . 1 . .... ..,,, r , i ..i i e 1 it ...1
lecics oi lamrae, nut tins cinss oi tinnier is useu cmeny 10 iuriusn oou hub, ut., i
rhich
iu iitimVv uiillii'.iKiil In Hiiimlv the surroundim; countrv for aires.
The mineral resources of the County are only partialy developed, but sullicient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
the larger specjc
Sill C1C
sullicient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in the general summary of
t'-o wealth of the County." A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of the
County will bo found further on.
HTOCK rvisiivc-.
Tho assessment roll of tho county lor tho year 1888, hIiowb that there were 21.7-10 head of horses,
iM.llii Head of Cuttle, fi5,fi"5 Head of Sheep, and 5,5711 Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
is o great Stock Kalslug ltoirloii. Thousands of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat profit on their investment.
In fact. I lie stock business lias been anil still is the most paying of any in tho country and it
bids falrto continue to bu such for many years to come. The bunch grass growing upon the lulls and
mountains is verv nutritious, stock fattening hi a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock his
to lie fed liar for from one to two mouths during the winter, but in iimnv places horses will winter upon
tho bunch grass anil do v ell. The climate Is such that sto k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, Kivinglo work horses a strong constitution anil powerful muscle.
Tho milk cow hero attains perfect! in. Slioep are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business in the Ift't few years lias developed into a large and profitable one, tho country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of tho nillk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent ninge, the large quantity of liny and g ain raised per arre, tho henlthfulness of animals, the
large water supply and ttiu quick market of Hut tor and Cheese. Tho .Jersey, llolstino and Durham are
rapully taking the place of tlie common breed of eat'le, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to I lie ir edh'g of tlielr cows.
It Is nlil more prollt can hs realized per year from a milk cow iu this country than any other iu tho
United Siates, ono Instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net prollt to tho owner
of $I7."i hesliles the calf
Tw creameries aio In operation at tho Covo, In this county, whi h niako 12(1 0J pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 75.1K 0 pounds butter, worth 25 cents per p und.
This year a ercannry is in operation at I .a (ir-Miile, with what success remains to bo seeu, although
no d ubt can boenturlained hut that It will prove to ho a profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Tho Mining District of Un'on County aro Cornucopia, Spurta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in tho K stern portion of the County, and eniln-ac.'s a section about ten hiIIch square, within which there
are about (KM) quirts locations. The formation In granite and slute; the ledges running in a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made here In 18HI. The quartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of tho lodes are free milling, but they generally contain Iiuho
metal an Iu consequence wi I nave io no ireaieu in rcuuciiou wrrKs. .Axsaya nave wen maue or ore irom
dilierent Krouus, sliowlng an averngo yiem oi iroin to iiu per ton. wiien tho proper inetln ils
tho
the best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered tho New
rmnnanv ha a lU-ytuiun Mill running night and day upon tho ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pound of sulpltuivts were soeurcil the llrst month of thin spring's operations, hcbiilcs
aro employed to work these ledgca to
'Kldnnulo of the West."
Tho Or gon Cold Mining Company, of LouUvillu, Ky , is the only company represented in tho ills
tiict. It has opened upovoral of Hh ledges, which weieobtalned at from 8l(,t'(X to $2l),000 each.
Tho Hed Jacket, belonging t' ihls company, is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, wan found to bo a mans of tho golden metal. This
ec
ImmmiHo ouantitiet of free colli caught upon the auia'gam pans.
Tills company's expenses In buildings, nmchlnery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
300 0 HI. They have the Whitman, which Juu a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows better as the work
progresses; tho Alia No. 2, which Is developed sullicient ly to Indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. Tho present superintendent, Profosor Smith, is hlihly pleased w ith tho prospect for his company
and predleiH a second l.eailvlllo of Cornucopia. Many other ledges of the camp with 100 feet or more
of development work aro showing up well, among which are tho Simmon gr up, comprising tho Key
stone, Cheekma'e, Kmplro and llurkoxo, all situated on the Simmons Mnuntain and Mild to be the I est
group or mines In tlie camp, mho ine nine isen, i.uue uasiuo ami .uonio inri io, situatett on iiiomnte
mountain and extensions of the Slmiuons ledges, showing tame grade and character of ore. The Wy
Up northeast or con
of tho lilue Hell am'
(Juecu, lied Hoy, M
an
nr In irri
of ore and only lacks capital to prove Its wondeiful richness
camps In existence. ,,.
Tho Sanger mines are operated by a San 1- rancisco Company, which began its cprrations two vears
ago, buying the ledges for $47,01 (land now cleaning up on on avorape of $70,0C0 per month. TIiono
mines aro on the road between Union and Cornucopia, about!) I miles eaut of Union, having a tri-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trail-
Thu Sparta mines aro about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for tho past
twenty years, still Yielding largo returns. Tho Sparta mines aro mostly placer, but quite a number of
ledges have latelv been found which, as far ns ilovelopou. indicate good paying ore. A mill is being
built hero and good returns aro expected from Its work.
irnucopla, shows some of the richest ore of any in camp and is no doubt an extension
1 Simmons group. The Union, Companion. Last Chan o, Itobert Kmmet, Forest
av Flower. Cox and Allen, lied Cross. Steen groune. Stella. Tiuer Hov. Climax
d Queen of the AVont are all sulllciontly developed to show (hem to be good ledges and contain paying
a In gnat quantities. The Cornucopia or Pine Creek district h a rich one with an unlimited amount
it is (lestineit to be one or tlie richest
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AGR TO UJ V UR. AJL, IIVTERESTS.
Xnw tnrptnrn in thi Airric.nltural Interests of the
Valley of Union County, Is the Famous Giaude Hondo,
County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
whose beauty is becoming known far and wide,
rest the blue vault above. Wherever the eye
Miirrniinilci liv nft.v mrimtnlus unon wnirn seems 11
gazes it caiuiothelpbeingenchantcdt.yourbcautlf.il scenery. This valley einoraccs ouu,uiu ui.ui
as lino Agricultural Land as cn b' found on the Pacific Const. v.tnrlv thrnimh the center
The f ramie Honde Hivcr enters its boundary on tho West and itf to j thro ug li Up . cci cr
of the ya Icy and thence Northerly and out at Is Nortliern 1m IU; Mx2, "Ufs is in 1 enRtl and brul.h
miri wiiii uatn urine urecK. t le larireHt muu
uiry oi iiiu uipihiu - . I
Mill Creek entering at the Kat ard Willow Creek entering at the North, w t he above
tributaries, make the Grande Kondc Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named t-treams afro-ding abundance of water the 'eason round.
-l... ..l...tl ll.nwi lioliirr n'mih three
The so of this va ey Is principally a uiacir, ncn iom wiin cm. nu.u... """o ,.--7 " i7,
Townships of land having a sandy soil known as the Sand Ridge, a 1 of which produces exec I t 8
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Darley. Hye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Closer is larg.-, the cciea s Jading
from 25 to fO bmhel- nJr acre of Wheat. 40 to 100 for Oats and Barley, and Hay from 5i Io 8 loin per acre,
V AllttV IS ailVWlll-Il!. HLUCKIIieil 1VI1I1 Itti IIICIO ill V aio oti ill tills
poses. Taxes aro no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all beei
choice nlacei can be bought at from 815 to S30 per acre, which is coinpAa lively cheap.
bodies of land owned
frequentlythree crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Tim produ-ing and export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year, liesliies the production 01 giain aim nay ior expon, h iiiuucubu 4"" "l ............e, -,'
nles. Plums, Prune8, I ears and siuailo fruits, al-o garden vegetables are ralf-ed in great quantities ana
f i.J I.! II. ...,l..l,l,lf,r, Donlinnu Ilntlor nnrl fllippsn Ih Illun DUO of OUT StaUle DrOllUCtg. MOCK
raiBing is engaged in largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Uonde
iV .. P 1 57. ........... .1 t Z ri...a .!.. il.. l.uci liruil fiiitmiilu for bnpiHiii? niir-
... n 1-
1 taken, but
Jlany large
by single individuals and of the best quality cau be had at very reasonable rales,
which could be divided into several good farms.
TIMBER.
Tlio hills and mountains are covered with timber of the best quality for lumbering purposes and
easily reached. Hut little of tlie timber laud has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. It. & N. H. R. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the valley on tho West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 milf s.
The Hunt Railroad system will be extended during the next j ear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans to Sumnierville, in tlie northern portion of the valley and will then traverse the en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon tlie building of this road the valley will
have the best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and tho cities of the
Soi-ndm competition for the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evidenced by the building
of this second line of road. In concluding tills description of Grande Rondo Vulley, it can be paid with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppoMun'ty is ollered anywhere in the Northwest for the homo
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Honde Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and Its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industiios of nearly every kind, of which we now have
hut very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the farming and dairying I usiness.
ollering in this line advantages not to bo found but in very few places. Tho raising of thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardlv an individual here solely iu that business at present.
To visit Grande Honde Valley snd see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
irstance 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 Rondo Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of tho valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest Sumnierville in the northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway ou tho cast side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County SchI of Union Comity, Is situated In the southern portion of the fertile Grniulo Hoiulu Valley, aiul has
the best Natural Location for n City of any town In Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling hills 011 both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as nature ever distilled and held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, fiirulshiug immense waterpower Just waiting to be utilized by tho hand of
mau for all kinds of manufaeturlug Industries. In fact the wnter power is amply sullieleiit to make Union tho Lowell
of Oregon If the attention of her enterprlslug citizens were turned In that direction, which will be the case when new
blood and Kastern capitalists come in. This is one of the best places iu Oregon for the erection of mauiifacturies.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and souo energetic capitalist who is engaged iu such business would flud
here tho choseu spot for such au enterprise, right In tho heart of a great wool-growing section of the country. No
high freights to pay, water-power In abundance, and in fact everything that such a business would consume Is pro
daeed here in the valley.
Tho present population of Union is about 1.200, but when the O. it V. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population lusldu of six mouths. Kager eyes are watching to tike advautage of the present low prices in property and
procure for themselves a home where they may live lu peace and plenty. Water works cau bo put iu at very little ex
pense by ruuuliiK apart of Catherine creek Into a large reservoir on tho hill back of town. This will give all the fall
we waut from 150 feet up; no expenso of keening a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
cau bo; made to run directly Into tho reservoir and all tho wasto can be utilized lu furnishing power for machinery.
When once waterworks are completed thero will bo no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water cuu be
found.
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have in our public tchool, a High School Grade. The school Is supplied
with every possible convenience. Kveiything is furnished by our liberal banded citizens, who believe In giving their
children a ilrst-cjass education and that they cau bo 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. Studeiils on completing the pre
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that cttect. Au addition to the piesent school building is iu contempla
tion, 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. Wo havo four churches, all in a UourlhIng condition. There are ilx secret societies, doing much good to hu
inanity. We have a number of stores of dill'erent kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a great agricul
tural district tuid the umucrnus miutug camps iu the ucar viciuity. We are also supplied with several saloons, bar
bershops, blacksmllhshops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of tlie
cplrurian cn bo fully satisfied. We are also Mipplled with two llrst-class livery aud feed stables so that strangers
coming to this town will havo no trouble In procuring a llrst-class team and taking a drive out into tho e.xhllleratlng
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upou tho grandi ur of our mountain scenery, and breathing lu the llfe-glvlag exygen
that cau bo fouud nowhere so pure as in Union County. To the Kastenv, who is not used to mountain scenery, when
first beholdlngour beautiful IohhIIoii, his first and involuntary exclamation is, "l'axadlse Found at Last "
Our county Court House is well finished iu every particular, having a large and commodious hall, amply sullicient
to accommodate any and all audiences. It also has in connection a Jail built bv the Pauley llros., with ill their latest
iiiijiroi ecu eeiis, imia iiuihiijk tunics bi-uiiii- iiKtiiiirr mu escnpr ui uuj prisoners mill may oe COUUueU thoreltl Our
Opera House Is one of the largest this side of Portland, with haudsoinely decorated curtains aud finished In simorh
Dlj IV. will' ml h- nut, ..uiiiiutntitftia . imiuiifi ...ill, lull iwii
nig me town. Also several saw uuus in ine near vie
tore in our Industries.
Taken all In all, Union Is one of the best towns In Kastern Oregon. Heretofore she has lieen kept back 011 accouut
of poor rallroa I lacllltle.s, but when the Hunt S stein of Hallroad Is completed into Union, its latent resources will be
itviiitiia.i iiim u mil tn.v no mivi- nuitinh ,nu liiiiitu uiiiira ill uui lllllll. II L UttVU O110 OI 1110 lOVI'llPSL tmi'lia It,
M....(ll. Ullll II itiviu, il..nl ill it'imltli I. Iw.n. Ill lliu, lu ,..ln.l I-. ... iuimiicv 1U1I11S 111
with"it mi... .. sttni TTVi.ii.. in ..iiu nuiii.ij.
01 ine grear muuccmenis soou 10 do uirowi
ine pieasure-f eekcr or tne nivalin can 1
II roller nroccs, with all modern improvements, Is situated adjoin
inlty. The lumbering interest is bound to become quite a rea-
iuk mo inrivii g cuies 01 our laiiu. w e have one of the loveliest towns lu
re already. All that is now needed isforpeoplo to come and tako advaulaso
own at the feet of every energetic man possessing either brains or muscle
an find no better place to while away the summer months. Only three miles
1... 1 1 nn. c . .1 .....1 t
in" mninimi iivioi'iinfBiiuu Mum invmis in lui-iiicni urines iiiui curative powers Ilie famous "Khiishs lint
Springs," Kheuiniitlsm and such complaints disappearing as If by the hand of some magician. Ixivers of thn i,l.I,tMViui
art will fln.l the bcauaiful sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain ami brook tro 1,, tho
edge of the mountains hirgergame may bo found, whll- out in the valley along the tiraudo Hondo river iiVe ireese
swan and ducks In abundance. In the the grain field prairie chickens aro quite plentiful. Taking all these natural
advantages for pleasure and bus ness, we think people looking for a home cuu Unci 110 place suppK ing all their wauti
be Iter than tlie Iteautiful city of Union. ' 1 b ""-,r
the
Since thu much talked of Hunt Hallroad Is au assured fart, property is beginning to advance lu nrl
present time city lots and blocks may bo had at very reasonable rates. '
ecs, though at
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
asso-
Now has in its possession tracts of land suitable for small farms, or they could be laid off into blocks. This
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 & HACKETT
Who will cheerfully furnish thom with nil the Information desired.
XJlVtOIV, OREGOiX,