The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-04-13
rnn smAKRspEARIANs
Probable RaiIrond Routes.

A railroad has been proposed to unite
the Willamette valley with the main trunk
of the Central Pacific road by the follow
ing route. Leave the head Of the valley
at Butte Disappointment about one hundred
and twenty-five miles from Portland, enter
the Cascade range Of mountains, pass
through these mountains in a direction
southeast TO the Duschutes river, thence
in the same course to S~prague's river,
thence a little south of east to Goose Lake
valley, thence southeast by way Of Sur
prise valley and Black Rock Canyon to
Lassen's Meadows on the Humboldt river,
aud connecting at this point with the
Central Pacific road. The place Of inter-
section would be $50 or 300 miles from
the head of the Willamette valley, 400
or 40 miles from Portland and 800 to $50
miles northeast of Sacramento.
For the first sixty miles after entering
the Cascade mountains from this side, the
grades would average forty or fifty feet
per mile. For less than half this distnce
the cutting would be light, aud for the
other half there would be no cutting at all.
The next eight miles would require a grade
of so feet per mile. This would be the
steepest grade on the route, but it would be
nearly straight. The road for the
next ten miles would be somewhat cir
circuitous, but would require no grading
worth mentioning. Here we reach the
Deschutes river. The route now energies
into the open poultry, and presents no
further serious obstacles to the point OF
intersection with the main trunk of the
Pacific Railroad. From the Deschutes
to the Humboldt the construction of the
read would be no more expensive than
through the Willamette valley. These
/ facts have been demonstrated by actual
observation, and are not merely c%onjcc.
tural statements founded on uncertin re.
ports. After crossing the Cascade mou
tains the road would follow tho valley.
almost the whole distance, and would no
even encounter any considerable range o.
hills. The highest altitude on this route
is about 5000 feet, By crossing the
Cascade mountains north of Diamond peal
instead of south of it, on the route we have
traced, and lengthening the line about two
miles, the altitude could be reduced t.
$500 feet, which would materially rcduct
the grades.
Thore is an abundance of timber on thii
route for building the road, except for th'
last sixty miles. Only one bridge of i'm
p%ortance would be required.
This is much the shortest route b,
which the main line can be reached by al
Oregon branch; and from as careful oh
servation as we have been able to max
from the sources of information before US
we are led to believe that Oregon can OBJ
tam railroad communication with tn
East, in this way, with less expense an
delay than by any other route.
If it were deemed advisable to build
road to Sacramento instead of tapping tn
main line on the Humboldt, the rout
could diverge from the one Just laid dowr
at Sprgue's river valley and continu
south through an open country to Sacrs
mento. The distance from the point
} divergence to the last named place woul
be about 275 miles. This route woul
cross the Oregon boundary line at . poir
only twelve miles east ofthe meridian
Sacramento City. Consequently it al
pears that it is equally as direct as tn
line by way of Jacksonville, which, as "
have already shown, requires a consider,
BILE circuitsto the west, and lies some di
! tance out a direct course from Portlan
to Sacramento. Though it may seem su
priseing to one who has not investigate
: the matter yet it is an actual fact thu
Al - A. Go1sH-s = a--o.
5 cradle shorter than hat by way of the ST
: kiyou mountains. That there are few
: obstacles in the way of the route we ha1
just traced than in the one which is us
ally talked of, is unquestionable, y
: have stated these facts, and people wi
5 are interested can draw their own concl
T sions as to which route would better su
j, serve the whole interests of the couptr
: -[Qregonian.