UNION
COUNTY
OREGON,
5
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
COIVIPRSSES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF
The vnllovH nreof an iivuraco elevation of al'oiit 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest inouutnin
jwakH being nliout (1,000 feet and continually covered with miow, which furnisbea a water nuttly for
numerous strcanm the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Ih dry and healthful, there being a Huilleiont rainfall to tin-nerve the inoiHtnre of the Hoil and mature
crops). Snow Holdout fulls to the lcjtb of one foot, in the valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to tbroo weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about 20 degrees above freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 above zero, the heat of tho day being odset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating Bleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season usua ly begins alwut the first of December and lasts till the middle of Fabruary
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 the ground and tempering tho 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, the weather is timidly dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in thu autumn months to moisten tho ground sulliciently to pe rmit tho fanner to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in the 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 they do appear. There has only boon one case of Smallpox in
Union Count v since its settlement, and chills ami fever are 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 wo have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found est
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,1117,500 Acres of Surveved Land in the County ; the rest is unsurveyed, the unsiir
royed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of the County are Grande Hondo, Indian, North I'owder, Big Creek, hagle, 1'ine and istarkoy. Jlio
soil in these valleys is well adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, lunotliy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, I'lums, Tears, I'caches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of tho smaller varieties grow to perfection.
The yield of Wheat is from 25 to r0 bushels to the aero, Barley from -10 to 70, Oats about the same
as Hurley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
the acre Tho Mountains are covered with a Fino Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruce, etc. The most valuable is the Pine, which is used in tlie luniDering industry, also some oi
the lamer species of Tamrac, but this clasri of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
! 1 '.It . ... 1 1 1 ' ll 1! .. f..
IB amply Hllllicieiii. io supply uiu mirnmiiiiuiK iiiuiiu iui an.
The mineral resources of the County are only partial' developed, but sulhcient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
Hiillieient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
t'-e wealth of tho County. A more detailed account of the Minos and Mineral Resources of tho
County will lie found further on.
Nrrojic atvirsiiNCi.
The assessment roll of the county lor the year 1K8S, shows that there were 21.710 head of horses,
28 I2:t Head of Cuttle, rr,irt5 Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of Itself that thu County
Ih'b Krenl Stock liaising Heidon. TIiiiuhiuuIh of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
theieof a neat prollt on their Investment. .,,,, , , ,
In fact. Uiu stock business tins been mid still Is thu most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to contlnuu to bo such for many yearn to come The bunch grass growing upon the hills and
mountains Is very nutritious, stock faite .ing In a very short thins, ready for market. Usually stock Irs
to be fed ha for from onu to two months during the winter, but in inanv places horses will winter upon
tlio bunch grass and do well. I'liu climate In such that sto k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, izivlnglo work horses a strong constitution anil powerful musclo.
Th) inllk cow here attains perfectlm. Sheep are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business hi the lat few years has developed into a largo and prolltablo one, thu country being
specially aiapteJ to the biiMiness by reaMiii of thu milk producing qualities of the grasses awl the ex
rollout iiuige, tho larjzo quantity of hay and gain raised per acru, thu healtlifulness of animals, the
largo water supply and tlitiqulok market, of Hotter and Clieosu. ThoJersry, Holstino and Durham are
rapidly taking- thu nlacoof tho common breed of cat'lo, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to thu iinoill. gof tholrcows. ,,.,, . ., .
It Is s.i hi nioro pr.illt can ba realized per yenr from a milk cow In this country than any other in tho
United Si i es, one Instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding u net prollt to tho owner
of 8175 bcfiiies the calf ... ... ...
TW" reaniorles aio In operation at the Cove, In this county, whl h make 120, 0'J pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 75,01 0 pounds butter, worth 25 cents per p unil.
Tins year a croanu ry Is in operation at ha t!r ndo, with what success remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can ho entertained but that It will prove t ho a prolltablo concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Tho Mining DlHtrictM of Un'on County are Crniicotila, Spartn and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
lu tho K stein portion of the C ounty, and omlsnicis a M-etlon about ten miles hqunre, within which there
aro about. 000 qutrtz locations. The formation in granite and shite; the ledges running in a Soiithearturly
and Northwesterly direction. Tho tlrst locations were made here in IKS I. The quartz contains Cold and
Mining, uui. uhjv tcKiicraiiy couiHin oase
Vsaaja liavo been niailo of ore from
ton. When the proper metlirds
la will be considered tlio Now
mu-..f tlin i.,, M tiroiliiniinntlmr. Some of tho lodes uro froo
.w...tyr.'.- , , , V . 1 ...... .1 I . . I. . . ..
metal an In consequence wi i navu 10 do ireaicu in rciiuciion witkh, .ivss
tho dllt'erent groups, showing an average yield of from 25 to ffl 0 per toi
aro employed to work those ledge to thu best advantage, Cornucop
"Hlilorado of tho Went.'
The Or gon Cold Mining Company, of l.outaviiio, ivy , is tlie only company represented in thu ills.
tiict. It has opened up'ovural of I'h ledges, which woieoniainid
at from sMIU'OO to 20.000 each.
company, Is a well detlneJ ledge, averaging about four feet in
wns lotind to bo a mass of tho Koldcn meti I. l i s
company has a lO-Stamp Mill running night and day upon tho ore, taken from this ledge. Seven thou-
uuisiues
The Hod .lacktt. bolomrlnir to tills
thickness and when struck on tho lowest tunnel,
.lll.Stiumi Alill runnliur nlirht and d
sand llvu hundred pounds of MUlphiircts were swuri'd tho tlrst mouth of this spring's operations,
Iminenso uiiantltlus of free pold caught upon the aiiia'gain pans.
This company's expenses in buildlnus, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
8U00 0 0. They have ilio Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 feot and shows bottoms thu work
progresses; tho Alia No. 2, which Is developed sutlkiently to Indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
oro. Tho present superintendent. Professor Smith, is hitlily pleased with tho prospect for his company
and predicts a second l.eadvlllo of Cortniopla. Many other ledges of tho camp with 100 feot or moro
of (iuvelopinont work aro showing up well, among which aro tho Simmons grrup, comprising the Key
stone. Cheektna'e, Ktnplro and Hiukojo, all situated on thu Simmons Mwiintain and Mild to bo the l est
grout) of mines lu the camp, dso the Blue. Hell, Little Casino and Monte L'hri to, situated on the mine
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing same grade and character of ore. The W ay
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows soino of the riche-t oro of any in camp and In no doubt an extension
of the Hluo Hell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion, Last Chan e, Hobert Kiumet, Forest
Queen, lied Hov, May Flower, Co. and Allen, lied Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Hoy. Climax
and Queen of tlio Wust aro all sullkiontly developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
oro in gn at quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pino ( reek district is a rich ono with an unlimited amount
of oro and only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It la destined to bo one of tho richest
camps In existence. , , ,
Tlio Sanger initios aro operated by a San l-ranclsco Company, which began Its operations two vears
ago, buying tlio ledges for I7,0 0 and now cleaning up on an averauo of "0.0) per month. Those
mlnos aro on the road between Union and Cornucopia, about!! I miles east of Union, having a tri-weekly
mail from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication with Union, their trad.
The Sparta mines aro about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been w orked for the past
twenty years, still vloldlug largo returns. Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, but quite a number of
lodges have latelv been found which, as far as developed, Indicate good pa lug ore. A mill Ih being
built hero and good returns aro 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 the Famous Gtande Hondo, whose beauty is tecoinifg known far and wide,
stu rounded bv loftv nifuntalns upon whirh seems to rest the blue vMilt above. Wherever the. eye
gazes it cannot lie'lp being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces atll.Ol 0 acres of
as fine Ag-icultural Land as can b found on the Pacilic Const.
Tho (irande Itonfle Piver enters its boundary on the West, and Hows K.v telly through the center
of tlie va ley and thence Northerly and cut at i s Northern limits; 80x25 miles is its iengtb and bredlh
and Willi Catherine Creek, the hugest tributary of tho Grande ltontle entering the valle at tlie South,
Mill Creek entiling at the Hast and Willow ("reek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make tlie Grande Honde Val'oy one of the best watered vallojs In Oregon, all of the above
named Steams n fib' ding nbiiudnnco of water the ' oaon round.
Tlie soil of this valley is principally a black, rich lo-m with clay milfoil, there being n'out three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, l;nw n as the Sand Hidge, all of which produces excellent grain. .
The vield of Wheat, Oats, Harley Hye, Timoihv, Alfalfa and Closer is large, the ceieals yielding
from 25 m ft) btthel per acre of Wheat 40 to 100 for Oats and Harley, and Hay from 2 to S ions per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th" prod u ing anri export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. Besides thu production of giain and hay for export, a immense quantit of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Tears and su a.le fruits, al-ogaHen vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butler and Cheese is also onu of our staple pioducts. Stock
raising is engaged in largely and profitably; as line stock may be seen upon tho farms of Grande Hondo
Valley as anywheie. stockmen and farmers alwajs secuiing the btst bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes are no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of this vallev have all been taken, but
choice place can l-u bought at from $15 to ,'i0 per acre, wh ch is conip.Satively cheap. Many large
bodies of Innd owned by single individuals and of liie best quality can be had at very reasonable rates,
which could bu divided into several good farms.
TIMBER.
The hills and mountain 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.
Tho O. H. & N. H. H. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the valley on the West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
tor a distance of 11 mil' s.
The Hunt Hailroad system will be extended during tlio next, jear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Moiintans to Suiuiiierville, in tho northern portion of tlie valley and will then traverse the en
tire Ungtli of the valley through its center to Union. Upon tlie building of this road tlie valley will
have the best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is tlie terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of the
So1 ml in competition for the trade of the Valley, tho impi rtance of which is evidenced by the building
ot this second line of read. In concluding this description ot Granite Honde Vclley. it. cun be said with
out fear of contradiction, that, no better oppoMun'U is i Herod any wnere in tlie Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Hondu Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing indust ios of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the fnrmi"g and dair ing 1 usiness.
ottering in this lino advantages not to he found but in very few places. Tlie raising of thorough bred
stock is a piolltable business and there is hardly an individual here solely in that business at. present.
To visit Grande Honde Valley and sou it and to iuvestigato its advantages, is to locate here. In no
it-stance have people, who have visited this valley given It other than the best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and ever) thing that goes to constitute a gaod country.
The Grande Hondu Valley has several considerable towns and villages; Union in the southern end
of tho valley, La Grande at the basu of the mountains on the northwest. Suminerville in the northern
end of tho valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin in tlie extreme northern part of the
valley.
The County Seat of Union County, is situated lu tho southern portion of the Fertile Grande Konde Valley, and has
the beid Natural Location for a City of any town in Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the lae of rolling bills on both
sides, of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as nuture ever distilled and held
Misiouded In her mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense waterpower just uniting to be utilized by the hand of
man for all kluds of manufacturing industries. In fact the water power Is amply sullielent to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon If the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned in that direction, which will be the ease when new
blood ami Eastern capitalists come in. This Is one of the best places in Oregon for the erectlou of maiiufacturles.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and s(wue energetic capitalist who is engaged In such business would find
hero the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right in the heart of u great wool-growing section of the country. No
high freights to pay, water-power lu abundance, and in fact ever) thing that such a business would consume is pro
dnced here in the valley.
The present population of Union Is nbout 1,'JOO, but when the O. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population inside of six months. Eager eyes are watching to tike advantage of the present low prices In property and
procure for themselves a home where they may live in peace and plenty. Water works can be put in at very little ex
pense by running apart of Catherine creek into a large reservoir on the hill buck of town. This will give ail the fall
we want from lt0 feet up; no expense of keening a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can lie; made to run directly into the reservoir and all the waste can be utilized in furnishing newer for machinery
When once waterworks are completed theie will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can bo
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have in our public school, a High School Grade. The school Is suimlled
with every possible convenience. Everything is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, wlio believe in giving their
children a tlrst-cas education and that they can be educated in no better wav than bv having a No. 1 fcchool at home
The school at present Is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, students on completing tho nre
tcrlbed course of study receive a certificate to that ellect. An addition to the pieseut school building is in toutemipltt.
tlon, 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 have four churches, all in n flourishing condition. There aro dx secret societies, doing much good to hu.
inanity. We have a number of stores of dlH'crent kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a great ultIciiI
tural district and the numerous mining camps in the near vicinity. We are also supplied with several saloons bar
bershops, hlacksmlthshops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of thn
epicunan can Is) fully satisfied. We are also supplied with two first-class livery and feed stables so that' slraiiVers
coining to this town will have no trouble lu procuring a first-class team and taking a drive out into the exhilleratiiig
that can be found nowhere so pure as In Union County. Totlv Kastenv, who'is not used to mountain seeiiery-hen
first belioldingour beautiful looatlou, his first and involuntary exclamation Is, "l'aradiso Found at I at " ', "ucu
Our county Court House is w ell finished In every particular, having a large and commodious had. iiiiuilv sulllcient
to accommodate any ami all audiences. It also has lu connection a jail built by the Pauley Pros,, with 1 the ir Ut.'lt
iuiproveed cells, thus nmking things secure asalinf the cscapeof any prisoners that may bo confined thorn! lint
Opera House is one of thf largest this side of Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains and finished in sm.rh
style. One large ami commodious i Flouring .Mill, full roller proces, wilti all modem improvements, is situated adVolii.
iugthetown. Alsoseveral saw mills iuiho near vicinity. The lumbering interest Is Uind to bet-oa 1" .inite afe
lorn in our Inilliktrles. nil-
Taken all in all, Union is one of the best towns lu Eastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
of poor rallroa facilities, but when the Hunt Systemof Hailroad is completed into Union, its Iiten resources will bo
developed and it wil lake its lace among the thriving cities of our land. We have one of the loveliest towns In
Oregon, au.i a great .leal of wealth is here already. All that is now needed is for peopt to come ' and take .ulvaniai.
of the greid ludiicemenu toon to be thrown at the feet of every energetic mall possessing either brains iir miisi'l.'
he summer mouths.
II II linkoKkvlllir hi lli.iv I,-.. I . . t
IM... -.1 1 1 III l.. ' I. ' ' i 1 . .. ' WHW til ni IIS llf UIU&CML'.
iiiu lui-asuri-M'Cavur ur int.' nivalin run iiiui mm ir'iut iuhci io wiiiin inmv thn .nmm.u mm.ti, .1. ' : ..
away ran U (omul Hot Si.rlims and Lakes iwelinir in mwlienl Tlnin hiu! Vimitiv.. , i, . V.;.""M.V'"-U m"cs
Si.rimrs." lthtMiinatism utiil Mirh nmnihiint iliuii.nrhiir H If hv t)i.. tiniui f ....i.Y" 1 ""'I". hhs not
" ... . - . ... ' ' ... .. . rwmv nintuinii. iuvi-rai i tii() til inn tnef . 1
art win nun tne neauainii sparkling w a ers of Catherine creek alive w ith the gamy mountain and brook trout lii thn
edKeoftlie moiiiitttlnslurgergamoiiiay bo found, while out iu tho valley along tlio Grande 1 on c river nV i'.J; .
swan and ducks in abundance. In tlie the grain field prairie chickens are quite plentlfii 1 Tak g all tlu'sL nstl
beVier limn the lKuHlttci;VoVunTo.'..WU iKvW' l00k,n8 " humc C"U fllld " ",Uco "'I'l'ly lu"' all their TZl
since the much talked ot Hunt Hailroad is an assured fact, property Is beginning to advuuee lu nrlces tlminOi
the present time city lots and blocks may bo had at very reasonable rates. pnus, though at
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 prooerty 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, .
TJ3VIOIV, OREGOiX,
Who will cheerfully furnlah thorn with nil the Information deuiroil.