OREGON
UNION
1
COUNTY
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
A?fD
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
ivi'd portion beinir valuable for Timber. Pasture and abounding in iMmeral Deposits. 1 lie
of tho County nro urando Hondo, Indian, iNortli I'owdor, isiji
ve
Tlio vnllevs arc of an average elevation of about 2,000 feet above sen level, the highest mountain
peaks being aliout 0,000 feet, and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water Hiipply for
ntiuieroiift streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is lry and healthful, there being a suHicient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and mature
crops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in the valleys, and never remains loiter than from
two to three weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about '20 decrees above freezing point, and for
tho summer months about 70 aliove zero. the. heat of tho day being oilset by eool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
Tlio winter season usua ly begins uliotit the lirst of December and lasts till tho middle of Fdbruary
or llrst of March, when tho husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weatlioris broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing sullciont moisture to tho ground and tempering tho atmosphere so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, August and Septemlvr, which are the harvesting months in this
county, tho weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
onough rain falls in thu autumn months to moisten tho ground suHiciently 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 provalont 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 and lover aro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste the country, destroy property and iho lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor do wo have tho fogy and damp atmosphero which is found West
of tho Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1 ,'107,500 Acres of Surveyed uind in the County ; the rest is unsurveyed, the (insur
ing in iMinerai uepositB. ine vaueyB
Greek, Eagle. I'ino and Starkoy. Tho
hoII in these vallovs is well adanted to tho raising of Wheat. Oats. Harlev. live. Timothy. Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, I'hnns, Tears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of tlio smaller varieties grow to peitection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from U5 to 50 bushels to the aero, Hurley from 10 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Hurley, witli exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100" bushels of oats has been raised to
the acrel Tho Mountains aro covered with a Fino Growtli of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruco, etc. Tho most valuable is the Pine, which is used in tlio lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species of Tanirae, lint this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sullieient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
Tho mineral resources of the County are only nartialy developed, but sullieient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sullieient capital is employed in their development, will be a great factor in tho general summary of
t'-o wealth of tlio County. A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will lie found further on.
SIOCK TtzVlSIiNO.
The assessment roll of tlio county tor the year 1888, shows that there were 21.740 head of horses,
i!8, Head of Cattle, 55.55 Head of Sheep, and 5,571) Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
Is u great S'ook liaising ltcginn. Thousands of head of slock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thuieof a neat prollt on their investment.
In fuel, Iho stock business Iiiih been and still is the most paying of any In tho country audit
bids fair lo continue to be such f ir niuny years to coino The bunch gmss growing upon tlio hills ami
mountains Is vury nutritious, stock faitui lug in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock Irs
to bit fed liar for from one to two months during the winier, but In iiianv places horses will winter upon
the ImiucIi grasH and do v oil. I'lio climate In such that sto k raised Is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, glvlngjo work horses a strong constitution and powerful nuncio.
The nilllc caw hero attains porfoetl in. Sheep aro very healthy and produce heavy lleeees. The
dairying business In tho he-t few years has developed Into a hi'go and nmtltnhlo one, thu country being
specially adapted to the htedni'sH by reason of tlio milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent Hinge, the largo quantity of hay and gain raised pur aero, the healthfulness of animals, tho
large water supply and thunuluK marketof Mutter and Cheese. ThoJursry, llolstino mid Durham are
rapidly taking tho nlscoof the common breed of eut'lo, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to tlio ir edi g of tlielr cows.
It Is said more Prollt can In rea'l7.ed p"r year from a milk cow in this country than any other in tho
United S Mies, one Instance being given of a sluglu cow for onoyear, yielding a nit prollt to tlio owner
of $175 In hi. les the calf
Tw reamei les aie In operation at the Cove, in this county, whi li make 120,' 00 pounds of cheese,
worth 14 cents per pound, and 75,t 0 miuikIh butter, worth i! cents per p und.
Th's year a creamrrv Is in operation at La (ir udu, with what success remains to lie seen, although
no dculit can bo entertained but that it will prove to lie a prolllahlo concurn.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Tli Mining District- of Un'on County are Cornucopia, Spurta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In the V. stern portion of the County, and embraces a section about ten inllen Miuuro, within which there
aro about (UK) qurtz locations. The formal Ion Is granite and slate; the ledges running in a Southearturly
and Northwesterly direction. The llrst. locations were made here in 1881. The quartz contains Cold and
Silver, thu gold predominating. Some of tho lodes aro frod milling, but thoy generally contain huso
nielnl mi in consequence wl I have to bo treated in reduction vi rks. Asay h have been mado of ore from
tho dlllVrent groups, showing an average yield of from r25 to $1 0 per ton. When tho proper nietln ds
are employed to work these ledges to tlio bust advantage, Cornucopia will ha considered tho Now
"Kldorado of the West."
The Or gon (Sold Mining Company, of LouUvllIe, Ky , Is the only company represented in tho dis
trict. It has opened up everal of its fudges, which woioobtalned at from I0, 00 to 120,000 each.
Tho Hed Jacket, belonging to UiIh company, is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, was found to bo a mans of tho golden metal. This
company has a lO Stamp Mill running night and ds)-upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pound ofsulphurets were secured tlio llrst month of this spring's operatioas, betides
Immense quantities of free gold caught upon the aiiia'gain puns.
This company's exponses In buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
8!t00 0 0. They have the Whitman, which !uu a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows bottoms tho work
progresses; tho Alia No. 5!, which Is developed sulllciently to Indicate a well detlnod ledge of high grade
ore. Tho present superintendent Professor Smith, is hlahly pleased with the prospect for his company
and prediels n second Leudvlllo of Cornuciplu. Many other ledges of tho camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are Hhowlng up well, among which are tho Simmons gr up, comprising the Key
stone. Checkma'e, Kmplro and lJuekoje, all situated on tho Simmons Mountain and utid to Iks the l est
group of mines in tho camp, "Iho the llluo Hell, Little Casino and Monte Chrl to, situated on tho funic
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons lodges, showing fame grade and character of ore. Tho Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows sonio of the rlehe-t oro of any in camp and is no doubt an extension
of the llluo Hell and Simmons group. Tho Union, Companion. Last Chan e, Kohcrt Ktninct, Forest
Uncoil, Hed Hoy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Hed Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Hoy, Climax
ami Queen of the West are all sulllciently developed to show them to ho good ledges and contain paying
oro In gruit quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pino Creek district is a rich one wilii an unlimited amount
of oro and only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It Is destined to be one of tho richest
camps In existence. ....
Tho Sanger mines aro operated by n San Francisco Company, which began Its cperatlons two years
ago, buying tho ledges for 917,010 and now cleaning up on an avorimo of 870,000 per month. Those
minus nro on the road between Union and Cornucopia, aliout !l I miles east of Union, having a tn-weekly
mail from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication witli Union, their tract-
'U1, 'I'ho'sparta tnlneH aro about eight miles southeast of Sanger and havo been worked for the past
twenly years, still Yielding large returns. Tho Sparta mines aro mostly placer, but quite a number of
lodges havo latolv been found which, as for as dovolopeu, Indicate good paying ore. A mill is 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 Fatuous G ande Honde. whose be.iuty Is becoming known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mruntuins upon whl'h seems to rest the blue vpult above. Wherever the eye
gazes It cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces C0,Ot 0 acres of
as tine Ag- icnltural Land as can b found on the Pacific Const.
The (.runde Honfle Piver enters its boundary on the West and flows Easterly through the center
of the vu l-y and thenre Northerly and out at i s Northern limits; I!0x5 miles is its length and bredlh
and with Catherine Creek, the laigest tributary of tho Grande Honde entering the valley at the South,
Mill Creek enti ring at the Kat at d Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Ronde Vul ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named breams ado ding abundance of wat r the ouon round.
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich lo-m wbh clay subsoil, there being a' out three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, kn 'w n as the Sand Kidge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Uarlcy Hye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clo-er is large, tho cereals yielding
from 25 to f 0 bin bel- per acre of Wheat. 40 to 100 for Oats and Barley, and Hay from 52 to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th produ ing and 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, n immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Pears and Hinaile fruits, abo gar ten vegetables aie raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. liuttcr and Cheese is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engaged in largely and profitably; as fine stock may bu seen upon the farms of Grande Hondo
Valley as anywhere, stockmen and farmers always securing thu btst bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Taxes are no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can he bought at from $15 to ?!!0 per acre, wlrch is comparatively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality cats be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several cood 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 laud has been entered or taken up
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
Tho O. H. & N. It. H. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the vulley on the West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Hailroad system will be extended during the next year from Wal'u Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Moimtuiis to Sunimerville, 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 the best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is tho terminal point of this line, putting Portend, Or., and the cities of tho
So' nd in competition fur tho trade of the Valley, the imjx rtance of wl ieh is evioenced by I he building
ot this second line of road. In concluding this descriptioi- ot Uiunde Honde V. Hey, Item be i-aid with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppo-tun t is ( tiered any wnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalihts titan in Grande Hondo Valley und Hh vicinity. Tho resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing indust ios of nearly eveiy kind of which we now have
but very few. It, wlil sustain ten times the population it, now lias in the farm! g and dairying I usiness.
oll'erlng in this line advantages not to bo founO but in verv. few places. The ruining of thoroughbred
stock is a prolituble biiHiness and theie is hardlv an innividual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Rondo Vnlley pud sue it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
instance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the bestof reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes lo constitute a gDod country.
The Grande Honde Valley has several considerable towns and villages; Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the base of thu mountains on the northwest Sunimerville in tlio northern
end of the valloy, 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 Kcrtllo (intuitu Honde Valley, ami has
thu best Natural Location for a City of any town In Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling hills on both
shies of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are jmre as nature ever distilled anil held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense wuterpower Just waiting to be utilized by the hand of
muu for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact tho water power Is amply sullieient lo make Union the Lowell
of Oregon if tho attention of her enterprising citizens were turned In that direction, which will be the ease wiieu new
blood and Kastern capitalists come In. This Is one of the best places in Oregon for the erection of liiauufaeturies.
A woolen mill is greatly ueeded now-, and soie energetic capitalist who Is engaged Ih such business would find
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right In the heart of a great w ool-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
duced here In the valley.
The present population of Union Is about 1,'JOO, but when the 0. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population lnsldo of six mouths. Kager eyes are watching to take 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 a part of Catherine creek into a large reservoir on the hill back of tow n. Th!s will give all tho fall
we want from 1&0 feet up; no expense of keening a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
cau bejmailo to run directly Into the reservoir and all the waste can bo utilized in furnishing lower for machinery
When once water works are completed there will bu no need for wells, Springs, etc., for no purer drinking water cau bo
found. 1
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We havo In our public school, a High School tirade. Tho school Is supplied
with every possible convenience. Kverything Is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, who believe In giving their
children a llrst-elass education and that they can be educated In no better way than by having 11 N'o. 1 School at home
Thu school at present Is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly graded. Students on completing the pre
scribed course of study receive a certllleate to that etlect. An addition to the piesent school building Is in contempla
tion, also several hundred dollars worth of apartments is soon to bo added.
Morally and socially, Union Is unexcelled und her hospitality Is widely known throughout the surrounding coun
try. Wo have four churches, all in a nourishing condition. There are tx secret societies, doing much good to till-
tumuli. nv unti:ii 11 ill nut iiipiiiivn if I uiui-ii-iit, blllua, nil iiuiiik 11, iiiiiiauiu lillBlut'SS, lis 1110 Klipply a gft'Ut UgrlCtll
turat district and the numerous nulling camps in the near vicinity. We are also supplied with several saloons bar
ucrsnops, niacKsmuubnDps, etc., one principal noiei ami several resiaurauis, so mat tue most fastidious tastes
L'llll lirillll ('Mil IMi I1111V KHHHIiril. t1 Hn IUM1 Hlllll 11111 Willi IWII 11 TNI -I'lllSN I1VITV Hllll IIWUl Ulnh ... i !...
Of tho
coming to tills town will havo no trouble iu procuring a tlrst-chus team and taking u drive out into tho exhllleratiiig
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upou the grandeur of our mountain scenery, ami breathing la the life-giving exveen
that can bo found uowheru so pure as In Union County. Totlwi Kusteuvi who is not used to mountain scencrv vhin
II rat beholdiiigour beautiful location, his llrst and luvoluularv exclamation Is. "I'Hr.nlts,. K,,iin,i ,,, i , " """
Our county Court House Is well finished in every particular, having a large und commodious hall, ainnlv sufllclimt
to accommodate any and all audiences. It also has In connection a jail built by the Pauley Pros., with 11 their latest
llllfilifirvil
upcra i
style.
lug thotowi
turo in our industries.
Taken all In all, Union Is ono of the best towus In Eastern Oregoti. Heretofore she has been Vent back on Recount
of poor rallroai facilities, but w hen the Hunt System of Railroad Is completed iuto Union, its latent resonn'.'s u-i i lit
developed and it w ill take Its place among the thriving cities of our land. We have I one of tui loveliest to A,
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth Is here already. All that Is now needed Is for people to como and tako m lviiVititi
of the great Inducements soon to bo thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing either brains or musH,"
The pleasure-seeker or the invalid cau timl no U'tter place to while away tlio summer months. Ouly three mi les
away can bo found Hot Springs and Lukes reveling in medical Tirtues and curative powers the famnim iv-nn.,..
, inr, iima untmiiK iiiiiik" rtuii! milium uiu iui iiio in mi prisoners mai may do confined thureln our
nouse is one 01 me largest tins sine 01 rortiauu, witu iianusoiiiely decorated curtains and finished fn sinTrh
One large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller nroeei. with all modem
1. Also several saw mills in the near vlcinitv. The lumberlnu lntiri. I. L,.,.i V i.:.. . ..Y.'";"'
----- a -"... ivj wvvuiuu ijuiiu n jea-
fpriugs, uneuinaiism ami suen compiaiuts nisappeariiig as n uv tlio Hand of some magician Lovers of tin. i JnLtnVi.i
art w ill find tlio beauatful sparkling waters of Cattieriuo creek alive with the gamy mo mm" In and brook tro i,?r.u.
edge of the mountains largcrganio may be found, w hile out iu tho valley aloiig the Urau'le ondJ tivlr .'...fi .
swan and ducks iu abundance. In tho tho grain field prairie chickens are quite pletitiful Tukiinr all ihi.r .ihitfil
advantages for ideasuro and business, w e think neoi.lo looklnefor a homn iu, i ,,,, i.V. .. f h.H'i ..1???. "Mural
. v .. hum .iu 'iulu Oil 11 111 111LT HI I 1 I H T U'HIir.
better than the beautiful city of Union.
biueu the uilieh talked of limit Kiiilroad Is an assured fact, nroncrtv la lu'ulnnlui. n 0,i,..,.,.. i.. .,
tho lireseut time cltv lots ami blocks mav bo had at verv reasoiiabl.! rati.k. " pnns, inougn 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 property to a better advantage
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, Ice, 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,
urviorv, oitasooiv,
Who will cheerfully furnish thorn with nil tho Information desired.