Tillamook headlight., September 06, 1894, Image 5

TILLAMOOK'* UKHOLKCKS.
lhee rt of logging right at the start. Many < f
these nv« rsar 'goodtiard streams on their lower
A l>c«rri| th»u ‘f the County—It« Many courses, bm theCoa*t Range prevents their be-
illg Very lo.j _, a!;d
. . iwk- 1 •, h
d >.« a
A«l» aulages.
1 ‘ ■ iutiumerablv canyons of the range, ui.iling
A (tout fifty miles south of the mouth of the mt., on,- large stre.i.n. No lev» than fiv riveis
empty into Tillamook buv. The lower cours« s
Columbia river is the viitrauc to Tillamook bay,
of t.iesv streams a. • affected by the tide and »1
and here is the center of ncounty rich in resour­ * .r as the lid ■ water extends inland, ste.inib -»at
ces, and magnificient ill its p »ssibiliiies. Tilla­ navigathm is carried oil. This makes the navig­
mook county exteuds for about ninety miles able extent of Tilla.nock biyaml Its arms very
great, and the facilities for rafting logs are much
north ami south along the coast, and inland to
lietter than in most countries. Tnere is at ll«»b-
the Coast Range, an average distance of twenty sonville. oil Tillamook bay. a mill that cuts
40.000 feet of spruce lumber per day for the San
miles.
The county has an area of zjoo square miles, brancisco market. Two vessels are employ««!
in «arrying the lumber there and it is all made
and is larger than rome of the smallest states, into boxes, mostly for raisins and fruit. At Bay
and capable of supporting as great a population j city is a small mill that cuts almnt 20,000 feel of
as some of them.
lumber per day, the product of which is mostly
Tillamook is in about the same latitude as consumed at home. The Cooperage works at
St. Paul, Minnesota, though the climate lieie is Bay City are capanle of working a great amount
much warmer and more even. The Japan current ot spruce into barrel staves, anil a large new mill
warms the shore« of this region in such a way is partially built. At Tillamook City there is a
that winter is hardly noticed here. There is i saw mill that runs steadily, cutting about 20,000
little or no snow generally, and when it does fall feet of lutnl»er per «lay, mostly tor local use.
it soon melts away. The principal feature of Tats mill 1msa planing attachment. At Woods,
whiter is the longcontinued rains, always warm oil the Nestucca river, in the south eml of the
and this season of lheycar is remarkably health­ county is a saw and pilin’.ig mill that supplies
ful. The summers ui v unsui pass« d
No liner the local demand ami there is another local mill
climatic conditions exist than those of a Tilla­ on the headwaters of the ll.g Nestucv.i. O11 Ne­
mook summer. This is the dry season,generally halem tiler«* is a mill that supplies the local
speaking, but there me refreshing showers oc­ wants, also a large mil. ami box factory, which
casionally, and the sea breeze tempered by the is capable of working 40,ket of lumber per
Japan current, is pcrtectly delightful. People «lay into boxes.
camp out «loot s six to/ ight months ill the year
Other large milling industries, point* of them
here with perfect comfort
much largerthan any mentioned, will be started
soon.
A logging railway has been surveyed into
THE TIMBER.
l'hc immense forests of this county are its one of the finest bodies of timber in the county,
chief and greatest resource. It is impossible to right of way secured ami ample grounds for
convey mt idea of the magnitude of this item by ; yards, pastures and mill sites have been pro­
any description. It is necessary to travel through cured. It will not be long until active opera­
our dense forests in order to even comprehend tions on a large scale will begin, ami the im­
the least idea of their extent and immensity. A provement <>! the bay ami bar of Tillamook and
great portion of the county is covered with a Nehalem, both of which are being provided for
growth of trees, the like of which can not be by the government, will give a great impetus
seen in any other portion of the United Stales. to the lumbering business of this county. A low
There may be a few larger trees in the redwood estimate puts the amount of lumber in our
forest of California, but the Hr trees of this sec forests at 20,000,000.00a feet, and th«* work of
tion will almost equal them in size and they cutting this into lumber, with all the prelimi­
stand so thick that they are much taller; and nary work of logging, will give a large popula­
much more imposing in appearance. A man tion employment for many years to come. A
can not enter into the gloomy shades of our great deal of money will be distributed here,
dense woods without feeling a sense of awe, if and the farming commiuunity can find a reudy
not reverence, towards the giant monsters of the market for all their produce right at home. Some
forest. Trees t *n n <1 twelve feet in diameter good sized towns are sure to spring up on Tilla
are often found, ami the average size of the fir 11100k bay anil on Nehalem river as soon as the
rees is perhaps six feet in diameter. And many lumbering business gets well started.
The lumbering interests are by far the most
of these trees are 250 and 300 feet in height. The
runks»are veiy straight, and taper so slowly important resource of the county, and this re­
that it is hardly noticeable, and many of them source cannot possibly be exhausted within the
have no vestige of a limb for the first hundred next hundred years. The improvement of the
feet above the ground. Near Skookum lake, in harbors ami the opening of the Nicaragua canal
this county, is a free that is twenty-eight feet in will bring all the lumber produced on this coast
diameter near the ground, thus almost equaling w ithin reach of the Atlantic coast market, and
in size the famous “lfig Trees of California.” there wiil also at that time be a greater demand
Once see the big trees in Tillamook county and for lumber on this coast as a general degree of
you will lose alb desire to see the California prosperity will begin on this coast as soon as
monsters. Here, it is possible to travel for miles there is a canal across the isthmus and the high
nn«l miles through dense forests of big trees, any trans- ontinentnl rates broken.
and all of them being wonders in size to people
who are accustomed to the tooth pick timber of
Minnesota or Michigan. The largest specimens
ol timber in the eastern or central states, are
mere telegraph poles in comparison with the
stately fir of Oregon. I11 places were settlers
have tried to clear out a garden spot on their
homes, it is a common thing to see a large tree
that has been felled, used for a fence on one side
of a lot. Near this city, on the public road is a
log serving as a fence in this way that is twelve
feet high as it lies, being higher han the top
buggies which pass by. In fad a man would
have to be on top of a load of hay to look over
into this particular field. These stories regard­
ing the immense size of the timber here are had
for people to believe who have not seen it, and
those who have read the fullest descriptions o
them are surprised to find them so large.
There are several kinds of timber here. The
is most abundant and is in the rough and moun­
tainous regions. The tide land spruce is plenti­
ful along the coast and on the rivers and the
spruce attains as large a size as the fir. Cedar
is found in many local! ties also, and larch grows
on the summit of the coast range. These are all
valuable timbers. The fir (properly Douglas
spruce) is a very durable and strong wood, ami
is manufactured into rough lumber for all pur­
poses, and is made into flooring and rustic
weather boarding largely. A great deal of fir is
used for ship masts. Timbers, 150 feet long have
been sawed from it in many instances. Spruce
is a softer wood, is white and is used mostly for
finishing lumber and for boxes ami barrels.
Being odorless, it is good for packing butter
ami fruits. The largest area of spruce in the
Northwest is found in Tillamook county, and as
it is growing scarce elsewhere, it will be of great
value in a short time. Most of the lumber man­
ufactured here now is made from spruce. The
cedar lake« an elegant finish, and is the very
best material for doors, sash ami shingles. It
commands a high price at present.
Nearly all of the timber in this county is ad­
jacent to streams that will float logs, and with a
little labor all of it can be put in streams where
the winter freshets will bring it to the bay. The
expense of logging here will always be small.
The county is a net work of rivers that cheapen
DAI HYING.
Next in importance to Tillamook’s lumbering
resources, are the dairy interests. Grass is good
here the year ’round. Feed is pleutiful and
easily produced, the climate is so temperate that
cattle thrive; and all the conditions here con­
tribute towards making dairying successful.
The grasses ami natural feed are of a kind
that produces the best milk and butter. The
climate is so even and cool, ami the water so
pure that the butter here possesses the finest
flavor if any care istaken in making it. This
business is found very profitable here and
nearly two hundred tons «»f butter have been
hipped from here during the past year. Gene­
ral stock raising goes with dairying here gene­
rally, and is very profitable.
FARMING.
General farming pays well here, especially
when done in connection with stock raising.
Markets are getting better every year, and as
soon as the wagon roads are put in better shape,
which is being done rapidly, the farmer will not
have any trouble in finding a good market for
his produce all the year. Of course there is no
railroad yet, but the freight by the steamers is
low, besides there is a home market at present
for a great deal o produce. Barley and oats
grow here to perfection, making yields equal to
the richest sections of California or Oregon.
Hay of various kinds does as well here as in any
part of the United States. Potatoes and garden
vegetables of all kinds are at their best here,
and the yield is simply enormous. Hops grow
and mature well wherever tried. There iu a
large area of prairie and bottom land in this
county, and it is capable of supplying a large
population. The hili lamia are go«xl for fruit
ami for grazing, and there is plenty of this kind
of land, with occasional patches of table laud or
bottom land, that can be obtained under the
government land laws. Land much less pro­
ductive than this in the eastern states Is being
farmed. In fact there is very little of this county
but what can be made productive in some way.
The tide lands here are exceedingly rich, ami
much more of it could easily be reclaimed from
the tidal overflow ami made to yield immense
crops. A great deal of the tide land is covered
with a thick growth of nutritive grasses, ami it
is the most renutnerative laud that the county
has. Cattle are often allowe«! to roam in the j I iug little town, with stores, hotels, taw mill and
hills, and even in the woods, all winter without I school. Tillamook city is the eomiueicia' center
other fe *d than t ie natural grasses, and c »me 1 of the County, and i t situate«! al the edge of a
out in g >« k 1 c nditiou in the spring. The hills I ' tnautiiul prairie on an arm of Till amook l»ay at
that have liven denuded of their limber by fi e t"v he id of navigation. It is the uutural loca-
make go« I sheep la „vx Fruita of all kinds ! tion for t..e busine ss center, and is built on a
grow to À.-ert«c.iou here, especially app'.ro, pears, uata.itl ti*w.*sitc*. The farming country is nearly
prunes and small fruits, such as b'ac«berrtcs. ail tributary to Tillamook a i«i *.t isdesliued to
strawberries. ia.st berne.'», e.e. me pro!.tic bea­ become a large lawn in us i«»rt time. Tillamook
re;«. f..e wocm I s are foil of wild berries, tnere I city ha.> now a population of ab mt Suo. has a
Lei.ig al.nost a dozen distinct varieties of huckle­ g«M>d system of electric lights, telegraphic cou-
berries, bcaidcs sulmonbcrries, thimblvberiic«, 1 nection with Forest Groveou the Western t'uiou
and many other kinds, which goes to show that liues and with Bay City, HolMOiKi.lv ami Neha­
this is a natural fruit country. Bee-keeping is lem. This place lias churches, excellent school«,
carried on in some localities, und the liouey pro­ lodges of the vmious secret orders, good hotels,
duced here always commands tl.e highest pi ice all theordinary lines of business ami professions
being of exceptionality fine flavor. A living can well represented, a bank, saw mill ami a news­
be made hereon a very small farm, and farmers paper. The streets aie gravelled in a siiostautial
can always do well here. They are the class shape, lighted by elect, icity mid lheie are miles
that is needed. Improved land here sell at 420 to of goo«l side walks. This will make a beautiful
I40 per acre and unimproved laud is worth from place lor homes, as well as becoming a prospe­
$5 to f20 per acre. A farm of 160 acres cun be rous commercial town. The place is incoporated
obtained from the government by residing on it ami the people lake an active interest iu improv­
five years, or by residing on it fourteen months ing the appearance of the town.
ami paying the government $1.25 per acre. There
HOW TO GET HERE.
is yet much vacant limber lami which can be
The steamer Harrison runs from l'oiHand to
hail 011 the same terms as above, or may be
this place carrying freight ami passengers about
bought outright from the government without
once in ten «lays, ami oftener when the weather
residing ihereon for $2.;o per acre. This land is
permits. The steamer Elmore runs Here twice
selling to timla-T speculators at prices varying
a week from Astoria, and the Columbiu liver
from JStx) to liboo per quarter sedioli ol 160 acres
steam boats troiu Portland connect with the
and will soon be worth a great deal more.
Elmore in Astoria, 'l’hc Elmore cantes freight
Etc. Kll.
Salmon fishing is earned 011 during the fishing ami passengers. The Truckee Go’s sliamers,
season on Tillamook bay, 011 Nehalem bay. and ' the Homer and the Truckee, running from Suu
sometimes on Nestucca bay. The output of Francisco 10 Portland every ten day . stop here
canned salmon amounts in value to f50,0x1 to on their return from Portland, ami '.oad with
$2uu,ooo every year, and gives employment to a luinhei at Hobsouville. They carry paswngeis.
great many fishermen. Theie aie canneries at T«.eie is a stage line fio.u North Vamhill. 011
each of the above named places ami the item of the S. P. R R. from Portland, on w • lull daily
canned salmon amounts each year to much stages, carrying mail and passcuge.s. run to
more than the wheat of some of the grain Tillamook. The road h-.mi Forest Giove to
producing counties.
Tillamook is completed ami «laily singes now
Coal is found ill abundance on the Nehalem ure running on this route. Tlie«e ■> a good
and of good quality. These deposits will be wagon road from Nestucca, in the south cud oi ‘
worked soon. Coal is alsolouiid in other locali­ the county to Sheridan on the P. x \V. V. R. R.
ties, and other minerals are know n to exist in Other route« of ingress w ill be opened up soon
various parts of the county.
and the H eadlight w ill keep its leaders in­
There is 110 better field fur the sportsmen than formed as to progress in railroaus and other en­
Tillamook. The hunter can find eik, deer, terprises. Persons who reside al a «1 stance ami
waterfowl, bear and cougars here; the fisherman I contemplate coming here, w ill «lo w« 1 to corre-
cau yank thousands of fine speckled tioiit >p«,ii«l with the editor of th s paper who will
from the mountain streams. Tiolling for sal- give free illformiitioii as to the best route to lake,
mon in the bay is an exhilarating sport. The according to the time of the y« nr. und w ill also
salmon is a gamy fish, and sometimes it takes give other information regaiding the <*ounty in
half ail hour t«-> bring in one of these lively a fair and rel.abl«* manner.
t*r. W iite tor printed
fishes, and some of them weigh as mudi as fifty | descriptive in. tier,
pounds. There is no finer fish than the Royal
Chinook Salmon. For those who like to iak j
Addition.
the world easy there is a fine fish which can be !
caught more readily. We refer to the succulent I
Sim e writing th«* above there has been great
dam, which grow« in the sand bai s and mud !
development of the recou rces of the county
fiats every where on the bay or beach. A com- 1
moil farming utensil, a lioe or a shovel, is all 1 in many respects. The dairying iiitc tsls have
that is needed, or you can dig them out with
your hand. They are delicious iu vmious ways,
and there are several varieties of clams, oysters
ami mussels. Crabs are plentiful also. I11 the
bay, flounder, sturgeon, porgy, and other fish are
found. Deep sea fish are plentiful.
Nehalem beach, Netarts beach and Nestucca
beach are favorite resorts for campers, and tney
are frequented by wagon l«»ads of campers every
year wao amuse themselves by digging «'lams,
gathering «hells and bathing. There w ill soon
be better roads to these places, and they arc sure
to become popular resorts.
grown to be of great importance.
A large
creamery and cheese factor) has been established
j in Tillamook city, ami a creamery al Fairview,
, two miles east of town. There is a c.ieese fact,
ory now utBeaver, in tne south end of the county
J
ami a creamery at Nehalem. The ranchers ure
j giving much more attention to dairying, and it
■ «ms been demonstrated that the idiicner not
ouiy gets mueii better and quicker «elm us for
i his milk or butler tnan heretofore, bu. the people
j
who run private dairies are doing bettei. Thu
industry lias been stimulate«!, shipping iacilities
ure belter, and good markets have been dev-
eloped. Tillamook butter brings Hie highest
prices in the markets. Many farmers have put
. iu power separators, and are dairying on an ex­
! tensive scale. Tile development of this industry
is bringing many dollars into this county.
There is room for a thousanil more dairymen.
The same general description is practically
good for every locality in the county, ami as
lack of space will not permit a special review of
each valley or particular neighborhood, we men-
tion a few of the special features only of each
locality: Nehalem is particularly noted for its
vast resources of timber and for its coal. There
is, also, much fine bottom land on the Nehalem,
and at the mouth of the river will be au excel­
lent harlior when the proposed government
work is done. The Nehalem river is a very fine
stream, ami for scenic grandeur is not surpassed
even by the majestic Columbia. The riser is
more than one-hundred miles long and thou-
sands of sec ions of m tg 1. it eci.t inber are tri­
butary to it and its branch« «. The greatest area
of farming land is around Tillamook bay, and
on the various streams tributary to Tillamook
bay. These streams will be the means of bring­
ing large bodies of timber to the saw mills on
the bay. Netarts is famous us a sum-ier resort, I
and some fine bodies of spruce timber arc ad- |
jacent. Nestucca is a farming nml stock raising |
country, the timber having been burnt away
years ago. The people in that section are pros
peri ng.
There are twenty post-offices in the county
and several little villages besides Tillamook
City, the county seat. O11 the Nehalem, Tohl’s
landing and Nehalem are striving for supremacy.
There are good stores ami hotels on both places,
and a large saw mill al the first named place.
Garibaldi at the mouth of Tillamook bay is a
picturesque little hamlet, has two hotels, a store
and a cannery, ami is a favorite resort. Hob­
son vii le has a hotel, the Truekce MiUs and a
large general merchandise .tore, alsoa cannery.
At Bay City there are good hotels, mills, a
church, several stores and various business en­
terprises. Bay City is the largest town in the
county excepting Tillamook and has a popula­
tion of about 300. There is a store ami hotel at
Dolph in the south part of the county, and at
Woods near the mouth of the Nestucca is a thriv
AKTER THE 1*1 HE.
June 19.1893, Tillamook City was visite«! by fire.
I nc heart of the town was laid in ashes in a few
hums, all of tne hotels, and most of the business
houses being wiped out of existence. The haul
times were just getting under good headway,
banks were suspending everywhere, and it
looked very discouraging. But, it only infused
new vigor into Tillamook. Before the a: hes
had cooled rebuilding began, and in a short
time the burnt district was rebuilt by far better
bin.dings. It didn t stop nt thia—others who
«lid not suffer by the fire put up new structures.
And, mis y«ar, there is more building • Ban theic
was the year of the fire. A Ur> r academy is
going up, ami a bank buihliiig, «>• 1 iHannxik
count) «tone is being erected. Several other
business houses and a large nuinbei oi dwellings
are being constructed. Hard times are not felt
here like tney are in other portions of the
country. The construction of tne Government
light house road ami harbor improvements last
year whs of great benefit ami mure work of the
same kind will be done this year. 1 in- Albany ik
Astoria R. R. Co. has secured right ol way
across Grand Ronde Indian reservation, by act
of Congress, and no doubt railroad building
will begin soon. This proposed ranroad will g<>
through Tillamook county fro.a north to south,
a distance oi 00 miles.
HOR.UK GREEl.F.v’s ADVICE.
This 4a the time to conic t«» Tillamook “nml
grow up with the country.' It is just the time
lor energetic and industrious men to come bate
though like every other country, a man needs
means to make a successful start in it.