The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1883-04-27
BENTON COUNTY.
Description Of It's Appearance and Present
Condition BY Voting Precincts.
Written Expressly for the aaEeste BY Q
Thirty Years Resident OF
tha County.
CORVALLIS PRECINCT

extends from Soap Creek precinct on
the north to Willamette on the south,
and from the Willamette river west to
Philomath precinct, being IT miles
from north to south and about four
miles east and west, bounded as indi-
Gated above.
Mary's river runs east through the
middle of the precinct and cmpties in
to the Willamette river. Muddy creek
which forms the western limit of the
southern half of the precinct, empties
into Mary's river from the south. In
the Willamette river, above Corvallis,
is an island some four miles in length
and an average width of near mile
a good portion of this has been heavily
tirlbered, but now well cleared of the
best timber, still largely covered with
brush, but there is considerable portion
of clear land in detached ira, is, these
prairies consist of deep sandy loom
and the timber of a rich alluvium.
This land has for long time baen in
cultivation and has produced excallent
crops of grain and vegetables. Hay
crops, however, have not proven sue
cess. A limited number of cattle and
sheep have been kept and have done
we'll, feeding amongst the brush in the
timber lands. A great many hogs
have also been raised and fattened in
the timber lands and DO remarkably
well. Of late years hops have been
tried and the soil and climate have
been found remarkably we'll adapted
to their growth.
Between the Willamette river and
Muddy is level prairie, with a soil
of clay loan that has proven very pro-
ductive all the cereals for which pur.
pose ii is principally used, as the sys-
tenn of mixed farming more common
on the foot hills has not been adopted
to any extent on these level areas.
There is however small area of white
clay lands within this district which
has been chiefly applied to grazing,
but it has recently been found that
this land will produce a good yield Of
winter oats.
Along the Willamette and Mary's
river in the north half of the precinct
are river bottom lands and short dis
tance from the Willamette slightly
elevated plateau. On this is situated
excellent farms and all is in cultivation.
The southwestern portion of the pre-
cinct is foot hill land much of it oak
hills, but large portion in cultivation
and produces good crops. The hus-
bandry consists in growing grain, hay,
vegetables and fruit, also dairying,
sheep and hog growing, all of these
being very remunerative. The farmers
throughout the precinct are well to do.
Land rates from $40 to $50 per acre.
The population of the precinct is about
$500. There are some S or roadslead-
ing out from Corvallis to different pot
tons OF the country.
Corvallis the e8unty seat of the
county is pleasantly situated on the
west bank of the Willamette river.
1t is the head of navigation the lower
stages of the river. 1t is the present
terminus of the 0. & G. r. r. western
division, being 81 miles from Portland.
1t is also a point on the Oregon Pacific
Railroad now in course of construction.
The Oregon office of the o. P. r. r.
is located here. Corvallis has a popu-
lation of 1900 to 1900. There are
here 9 general merchandise stores,
4 variety stores, 4 general groceries,
drug stores, stove and I general
hardware stores, jewelers., 2 boot
and shoe stores; there is foundry, 3
blacksmith shops, 4 boot and shoe
makers, ? taylors, Wagon and car
riage makers, 3 h-:rness makers. There
are practicing physicians, 10 prac-
ticing attorneys and two dentists.
The saw mill of Max Friendly is sit
uated at the lower end of town and
turns out large lot of lumber every
year, the logs for which are procured
in the mountains and run down the
river to Corvallis. -ir. Pitman has a
planning mill, in connection with which
he manufactures sash and doors to
order. He has also laid the founda-
ton of a genearl system of water works
for the city the water for which is now
L.. L. L.. Ill