The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-12-31
Icoa,iaue,t from "a pegel
orR MArRn rnMrn.
THE ALBANY AND sANTlAM WATER DITCH
AND CANAL


THE ALBANY AND sASTIAM WATER DITCH
AND CANAL
Cheap motive power has ever been
one Of the greatest elements Of success
iu all classes of manufacturing enter
prises. Combined with proximity to
the production of raw materials, and a
market for the manufactured articles,
together with cheap living and home
comforts for operatives, and the prob
lem of success or failure in such enter
prises is reduced 10 the simple fact of
proper directing and managing ability,
Prominently well prepared to furnish
the cheapest known motive power, AL
bany is also we'll located as to all the
other elements of great manufactur-
ing centre. The bluff along the Viii
lamette river has an average height of
about 30 feet Along this bluff on the
east side cf the liver is located the city
of Albany, Sloring gradually to the
east and southeast upward to the Cas-
cade mountains, with but few counter
slopes, there is a natural water shed to
the river. The SAntiam river, con-
siderable stream, rises in the Cascade
mountains and flows northwes,erly into
the Willamette river at point some
nine or ten miles below Albany. At a
point on the Santiam near tho village
of Lebanon it is tapped by the Canal
that supplies Albany with her magnii-
cent waterpower. Where the water is
taken from the Santiam it is nearly 100
feet higher than the bank of the Will
lamette at Albany, giving the Canal an
average grade of eight feet to the mile,
it being about twelve miles in length.
The Canal measures about three and
one-half to four feet in depth, twnety
feet In width at the bottom and sloping
from one and one-h half to one, and pos
sesses carrying capacity of 10000
cubic feet of water Per minute. As
viii be readily seen it is capable Of in
definite enlargement, the supply of
water being inexhaustible. It was
constructed in 1873 at a cost cf some
thing over 100000 by company of
home capitalists. 1t has since changed
hands. Rushing along bets its
banks through the slOping, productive
and fertile prairie on its mission CT use
fulness, Just as it reaches the suburbs
of the city it is divided into numerous
small canals and bitches, traversing the
city beneath the sidewalks and along
the streets, furnishing ample supplies
of pure mountain and spring water for
household consumption as well as for
all uses of the splendid fire department
of which the city boasts, and dashiog
over the bluff along the river at various
points where the mills and factories are
located, it sets in motion their wheels
IA willing instrument in the hands Of
man, working Gus the great problem of
material progress and development,
building up prosperity and happiness-
the greatest and noblest work of man
on earth. It is perhaps the easiest
controlled and adapted to practical uses
of any of the great water powers Of the
world. Constant, tireless, neverfailing,
it As a possession Of which Albany may
well be proud. The average cost to
consumers per aBnum is estimated at
ABOUT 81 600 for each ffty-harsepower
sneeI, and Of course ProPortiOnally less
for increased power.
1t can be conducted to any point
along the river bank or elsewhere, and
lots, conveniently located both for
steamboat apd railroad transportation,
having both river and switch frontage,
can be had at from $500 to $500 each.
In regard to the cost of msterial and
construction of buildings, it is safe to
say that prices here, both for labor and
material, viii compare with any town
on the Pacific slope, and are fully as
low as anywhere east Of the Rocky
mount4ind.
The original projectors of the Albany
and Santiam Water Ditch and Canal
were /. Elkins, Jason Wheeler, C. P.
Burkhart, Jas. H. Foster, D. N.
Thompson, J. y. Backensto and Martin
Luper. Mr.. Elkins was the first Pres
ident Of the Company. Tho present
owner Is Dir. Jno. A. Crawford. Per
sous wishing any more definite informa-
ton in regard to obtaining waterpower
Ior any purpose, are referred to Dir.
Jno. a. Crawford, Albany, Oregon.
NEAT HARRRFa,
CENTRAL NEAT MARKET
and Hide and Fur Depot, w II. Hart