UNION
COUNTY
OREGON
1
9
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
.A. IV X
COMPRISES ABOUT MOIETY TOWWSHBPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND.
Tlio valleys are of mi average elevation of nlont 2,000 foot above pen lovel, tin highest mountain
peaks being about 0,000 feet-and continnnlly covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerotifi streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is dry and healthful, there being a Biiflleient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and mature
orops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot, in the valleys, and never remains longer thtin from
two to three weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is nbout '20 degrees ahove freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 ahove zero, the heat of tho day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The w inter season usua.ly begins about the first of December and lasts till the middle of FoJiruary
or llrst of IWareh, when tho husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July list, tho monotony of warm and dry weatlieris hroken by frequent show ers
of rain furnishing sufieient moisturo to tho ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assuro the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, August and September, which are the harvesting months in this
county, tho weather is usuidy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in tho autumn months to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit tho farmer to
prepare tho same for his fall grain.
There is no country in ho 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 w hen they do nnpear. There has only been ono case of Smallpox in
Union County since its sottlonioiit, and chills and fever aro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste the country, destroy property and ifio lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze the life out of humanity. Nor do wo have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
rest is unsurvcyed, the unstir-
There is 1, -107,500 Acres of Surveyed Ijuid in tho Countv; tho
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The vallevs
of the County are Grando Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eagle, Pine and Starkoy. The
soil in these valleys is well adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetahles and Fruits, such as Applet), Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of the smaller varieties grow to pertoction.
The yield of Wheat is from 2." to 50 bushels to tho aero, Barloy from 10 to 70, Oats ahout the same
as Barley, 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 Grow th of Timber, consisting of Fine, Tamrack,
Spruce, etc. Tho most valuable is the l'ine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species ot Jamrac, but tins class ot timber is used clneily to furnish wood ties, etc., winch
is amply sulllclent to supply tlie surrounding country lor ages.
Tho mineral resources of the County aro only nartialy developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that grout ledges'ii ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development;, will bo a great, factor in tho general summary of
f'o wealth of the County. A mom detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will be found further on.
STOCK XtA-XSIIVO;.
The assessment roll of tho county tor the veur 1888, show s that there were "1.710 lieait of horses,
2H,l2:t Head of Cuttle, fifi.finS Head of Sheep, and fi,7l Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
Is a greutSlook Hulslng Iloglon. Thousands of head of slock ure yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a uent profit on llielr Investment.
In fuel, Iho stock business lias been and wl III is the most paying of any In tho country and It
bids fair to continue to bo such for many yoirs to coino. The bunch grass growing upon tho hills and
mountains Is very mil rit Ions, stoik fintoi lug in n very short time, ready for market. Usually stock has
to h fed hat for from one to two months during t'uj winter, but in ninny places horses will winter upon
tho bunch grass anil do well. J'lie climate is such that sto k raised is of u hardy and healthful charac
ter, glviugjo work horses a strong constitution and powerful muscle.
Tim milk cow lion.) at tul us porfoctl'm. Sheep aro very healthy and produce heavy llecces. The
dairying business In Iho hut few years has developed Into a largo and profitable one, tho country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
cellent uiiige, the large quantity of hay and g ain raised per acre, tho hcnlthfulness of animals, tho
largo witter supply and tlionulolc niarketof Ituilerand Cheese. Tho .loisey, Ilolstino and Durham aro
rapidly till big the place of I he common breed of cattle, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to the iirteill' got their cows.
It is K.ii I more profit can hi realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other in the
United Stu.cs, one Instance being given of a single cow for ono year, yielding a net prollt to tho ow ner
of ?I75 l -ides the cair
Twni ivuineiiesuio In operation at the Cove, In this county, whbh make 1"0,( DO pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 75,(H 0 pounds butter, worth 115 cents per p mill.
Tins year a creuinrn' Is In operation at I.a (!r nde, with what success remains to bo scon, although
no doubt can lie entertained lint that it will prove t he a prolllahlo concern.
ITS MINING; RESOURCES.
The Mining Districts of Un on County are Cornucopia, Spnrta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In tlni K stein portion of the ( oiuily, and embraces a section about ten miles s-quaro, within which there
am about 000 qiiHiiz locations. The foimation is granite and slate; the ledges miming In a Southemiorly
and Northwesterly direction. The llrst locations were niiule here in 18hl. Tho quartz contains Gold and
Silver, thi gold predominating. Some of (ho lodes are free milling, but they generally contain hist
metal an In consequent'!) wid have to he treated in reduction works. Assays have been made of ore from
thy inherent groups, showing an average ylehl of from t'25 to $li 0 per ton. When the proper niotlieds
urn employed to work these ledges to the best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered the New
"Kidoiadoof the Wc.t."
The Or gou Cold Mining Company, of Louisville, Ky , is tho only company repiosented in the ills
1 1 let. It has opened up u vend of J is ledges, which vvoie obtained at from tfio.i 00 to $2(1,000 each.
The lted ,lai ki t, belonging to this company, m a ivoll defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on tho lowest tunnel, was found to bo a iiiohh of tlie golden met il. This
company has a 10-Jitanip ftlill running night and iNy upon tho ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hnidrurl pounds of sulphuret were secured the llrst month of this spring's operations, heebies
immense quantttici of free pohl caught upon the amalgam pans.
Tills company's expenses in buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to ovor
EHO0 0 0, Thoy have ibis Whitman, which !m a shaft sunk over 1,5(10 feet and shows better as tho work
processes; the Alia No. If, which is developed sufficiently to Indlcoto a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent. I'mle-sor Smith, is hluhly pleased with tho prospect for his company
and predion a second Leadvilloof Conine iphi. Many other ledges of the camp with 100 foot or more
of development, work are allowing un well, among which are the Simmons gr up, comprising the Key.
stone. Choi'knia'o, Umpire and Ducket o, nil sltuuK'd on the Simmons Mwuniam and uid to be the cost
group ofiulneti In tho camp, Uo the llluo Dell, Little Owine and Monte Chrl to, situated on the tunic
mountain and exteimioiiH i f the Siiinuons ledui's, Khowing nunii grade anil diameter of ore. The Way
Up noi'theiiHt of Cornucopia, shown some of iln rleho-t ore of any In camp ami In no doubt an extension
of the lllun Hell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion. Last Chan-e, Robert Emmet, Forest
(Jticoit, Hod Hoy, Aluv blower, t ox mm Allen, iteu cross, btoen groupe, Stella, Tiger Jlov. Climax
ami (juoun of the West are all sullhituitiy developed to show them to be good ledges and contain paying
oro in grfiit quoiitille. The Curnuconla or I'lue reek district is a ilch one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks eaidtal to prove Its woudetful richness. It Is destined to be one of tlie richest
cum ok In existence.
Tho Sanger mines are operated by a San Francisco Company, which began its operations two vears
ngo, buying tho ledges for 317,00 ami now cleaning up on an averaue of 70,010 per month, Those
minus aro on the road between Union and Cornucopia, about 11) miles east of Union, having a tri-woekly
mail from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trad
lug point.
Tho Sparta mines aro ahout eight miles southeast of Sanger and have boon worked for tlie past
twenty years, htlll yielding largo returns. Tho Spuria mines aro mostly placer, but quito a number of
ledges have lately been found which, as fnr us devclopeu, indicate good paying ore. A mill is being
built here and good returns are expected from its work.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Grande Hondo, whose beauty is Vecoming known far and wide,
surrounded bv lofty mountains upon whirh seems to rest the blue vxult above. herever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces 1400,010 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as cn b" found on the Pacillc Const.
The Grande Rondo lllver enters its boundary on the West and Hows baeterly through the center
of tlie va ley and thence Northerly and out at i's Northern limits; JiOxo miles is its length and bred t It
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Hondo entering tlie valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at the Kat and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grando Ronde Val'ey one of tlie best watered vallejs in Oregon, all of tlie above
named htreams alloMling abundance ot water the eaon round.
The soil of this vallev is principally a black, rich hvm whli clay subsoil, there being a' out three
Townships of land having a sand v soil, know n as the Sand Ridge, all of which produces excellent grain.
Tlie yield of Wheat, Oats, Uarlev. Hye, Tlinothv, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to fill bushel per acre of Wheat )(.' to 100 for Oats and Rariey, and Hay from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th produring and export of grain and hay from tills valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. Resides tlie production of giain and hay for export, a i immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Pears and nina.lu fruits, al-o garden vegetables are robed in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Hotter and Cheese is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engauert in largely and profitably; as line stock may be seen upon tlie fanns of Grande Ronde
Valley as anywhere, stockmen and farmers ahvajs securing tlie best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Tuxes are no higher on line than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can he bought at from 15 to :t0 per acre, wh ch is cnmp.Xntively cheap. Many largo
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of tho best quality can be hud 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 tho timber laud has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
Tlie O. R. & N. R. R. entering the vallev at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of tiie valley on tlie Went, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the vulley
for a distance of M miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will bcuxtended during the next jear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountuns to Summerville, in the northern portion of tlie valley and will then traverse tlie en
tire length of the vulley through its center to Union. Upon tlie building of this road the valley will
have the best, railroad facilities.
I'tigot Sound, "W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Porta nil, Or., and tho cities of tho
Soend in competition for the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evidenced by the building
ot this second line of read. In concluding this description of Granite Ronde Vslley, it c-in be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunity is offered nnyvvnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalists than in Grando Hondo Valley and its vicinity. Tlie resources of iho valley and its
tributary sections will sustain mnnulacturing industries of nearly eveiykind. of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the f.irmii.g and dairying business,
offering in this line advantages not to be found but in verv few places. The raising of thoroughbred
stock is a profitable business and there is liardlv an individual here solely in that bu-duess at present.
To visit Grande Ronde Valley and see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
irHtunco have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the besiof reputation in regard to
climate, soil and evert thing that goes to constitute a gaod country.
The Grande Ronde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in tlie southern end
of tho valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest Suinmerville in the northern
end of the vulley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of tho
valley.
U IV 1 O JN ,
The County Seat of Union Vouuty, Is shunted In the southern portion of the fertile (iraniie Untitle Valley, unit lias
the best Natural Location for u City of nny town in Kasteru Oregon. Situated, Just tit tho base of rolling hills on both
pities of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sjmrklliin stream, wIiom) waters are pure as nature ever distilled and held
suspended In her mountain reservoirs, furnishing Immense waterpowor Just wailing to be utilized by the bund of
mail for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact the water power is amply suillcieut 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 now
blood and Eastern capitalists come in. Tills is one of the best places in Oregon for the erection of jnatiiifaetiirles.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and sowiu energetic capitalist who is engaged In such business would find
hero the chosen bpot for such an enterprise, right in tho heart of a great wool-growing section of the country. No
high freights to pay, wuter-power In abundance, and in fact ever) thing that Mieh a business would' consume is pro
ilnced here in the valley.
The present population of Union Is about 1,'JOO, but when the O. & W. T. railroad reaches here shu will double her
population inside of six months. Kager eyes aro wntohiiig 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 apart of Catherine creek into a large reservoir on the hill back of town. This will give all tho fall
wo want from l.'iO feet up; no expense of keeping u steam pump and the necessary lepalrs. This mountain stream
can be, made to run directly into the reservoir and all the waste run be utilized In furnishing power for machinery
When once waterworks are completed lliero will bo no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can bo
found.
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have in our public school, a High fcchool Urnde. The school is siiiiplled
with every possible convenience. Kverjthiug is furnished by our liberal banded citizens, wlio believe in giving their
children a iirst-cjass education and Unit they can be educated in no better way than by having a No. 1 fcchool at home
Tlie school at present is divided into four compartments, all thoroughly Kruded. Situdenui on completing tho nre
seribed course of study receive a certificate to that etlect. .n addition to the piesent school building is in contemiila
tiou, also several hundred dollars worlb of apartments is soon to be added.
Morally and socially, Union is unexe lied and her hospitality is wioely known throughout the surrounding coun
try. We have four churches, all in a flourishing condition. There are six secret societies, doing much good to liu
inanity. We have a number of stores of dltt'ereut kinds, all doing a profitable business, as ihev supplv a great agrlonl
llliiii district anil the numerous mining camps in the near titinit). We are also supplied with several saloons bar
bcrshops, bliicksmilbshops, etc., one principal hotel and several rcstaurunts, so that the mo-t fastidious tastes o'f Iho
epii urian cmi be. fully satisfied. Wo Hre also supplied with two llrst class liverv and feed stables so that straueurs
coming to ibis town vt III Imve no trouble m procuring a tlrst-tiass teilm and taking a drive out into tho exbllluratinir
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upon the giund. ur of our mountain scenery, and breathing in the life giving exven
that can be found nowhere so pur- as in Union County. To tin- Katen.-. who is not used to mountain scenery vvfiuu
tlrot beholding our beautiful loiwition, bis first and iuvoluuiu-y exclamation Is, "Paradise Found at Last "
oui iiutiil) Conn House is well tinislud in every particular, having a large anil commodious ball, amply sulllclent
to accommodate nny and all aunlcuecs. II also has la connection a Jail built by the l'auiev llros., with ll their latest
improtccd cells, Ibus making tb.ngs secure again.-r the escapeof au prisoners that mny'be con lined therein Our
Opera House is one of the largest this side of 1'oiiluud, with handsome!) decorated curtains mid finished in s'uiierb
si) le. One large and commodious Flouring .Mill, full roller proves, with all modern improvements, is situated adjoin
ing thetowu. Alsoseveral saw mills iu the neur vicinity. The luuiberiuri intere.t is buuud to become oitito a feii.
tu re Hi our Industries. 1
Taktn all In all, Union is one of the lies! towns In Eastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
of poor raihoa l laeilities, but when the Hunt System of Ibiilroad is completed iuto Union, it latent resources will bo
developed and It will take Us place among the thriving cities of our littiil. We have one of the loveliest towns in
Oregon, and a great ileal of wealth is here already. All that is now needed is for jieople to come and take advanliieo
nf tilt, trrcut I nillif'ttiiiut hiuili In lu ttirfiwil ut flit. fi.if nf nrv Aiiitrwullfi man tvr.. . . . ..I .I..... , : u . "s"
" , .i h i i i i -. in viiuci uiiiina or muscle.
The pleasiire-tecker or the invalid can rlud no better place to while away the summer months Only threo
away can be found Hot Springs aud l-ukes reveling in medical vtriues and curative power the famous ''Kansi
threo miles
Kansas Hot
i-prlngs." ltheuuialism ami such complaints disappearing as if by the baud of some magician, hovers of the niscatorbii
art will find the beaiiHiful sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamv mountain nud brook trout In tin,
edge of the mountains larger game may be fouud, while out in the valley along the i, ramie ilomie river are ueJse
swim and ducks In abundance. In the the grain field prairie chickens are quite plentiful. Tukiugnll these nfttnriii
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people looking for a home cau find no place supplving all their wiiiils
belter than the beautiful city of Union. , ' '
ftucc uie mnciiiaiKeti 01 mini uaiirotiu isau nssurrti iiici, property is beginning to advance In nriiws tlimmt, .,
the present time city lots and blocks iu) be had at very reusoukbli rate. 1 t m ' ,ll0U!l1 nt
Wow 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 pronerty to a better advantage
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, ioc, 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, to
WILSON & HACKETT,
Who will choorfully furnish them with till tho Information ilcalrod. XJ1V JL02V, 03RJEGr O'JS,
(
ti