The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1892-08-19
A VACATION RAMBLE.

his estimabfe family, during our stay in
the pretty little town of Waldport. Mr..
hubie was among the first of those pic.
| neeis who braved the trials and hardships
OF crossing the plains with his family to
build up home for them in this great vii.
! iamette Valley, now the colorado of the
north Pacific coast. He first settled in the
town OF Eola, Polk county, at one time the
capital OF the state. On his old homestead.
now owned by o. P. Beardsley, is growing
oneof the finest peach orchards and most ex.
tensive hop yards in the state. Some a5
years ago; Mr.. Ruble moved to Benton
county, and located at Waldpoft, at that
| time portion of the Indian reservation,
and has made that, and Alsea valley his
home ever since. The old Indian graves,
! the Numerous shell mounds and curious rel.
les, stone and flint knives, chise1s, arrow
ana spear heads, etc., used, perhaps, by the
Indians centsry ago, to be found in all
the country surrounding waldport, afford a
! mine of pleasure for the geologist and the
curiosity seeker. Some of the finest speci-
mems OF these stone tools and implements.
made and used by the savages long before
ths advent of the white settlers, are to be
found and picked up at this place.
Waidport is situated on the south side of
Alsea bay, near its entrance, and is the
trading point for all that section of the
country south along the coast to the Sius-
law, some 40 miles, and from the settle.
ments along the Alsea river and its tributa.
ries. from Alsea valley to Tidewater.
On the north side of the bay are two
stores, owned by Mr.. Lutgens and Mr..
Sheppard respectively, which catch the
trade from this section. The postofice of
Lutgens, and two canneries are also located
here. One of the canneries being the pro-
| perty of Henry Nice, we'll known in Corval
lis. The fishing season had just commenced
and the cannerymen and fishermen were
busily engaged in preparing and caring for
! the seasons catch. The returns from this
| industry alone, has brought in to the people
| of this section more than $4,000 during a
single season.
Alsea bay, before many years, is destined
to become one of the important harbors of
the Pacific coast. It is about the same size
as Yaquina bay, and could b, made safe
harbnr for large vessels at conservative
cost for government improvements; as it is,
| vessels drawing from twelve to fifteen feet
of water can come in and out with perfect
safety. No vessel has ever yet been wreck
ed while crossing in or out over the bar.
Urgsnt steps have been taken by the resi-
dentf and those interested, TO secure an ap-
preparation for the improvement of the har-
Dor, and have succeeded, Through the efforts
OF our Oregon representatives, in having an
item inserted in the river and harbor bill,
which became . law during the session Of
congress just closed, providing funds for a
survey of the harbor, and an estimate of the
cost of such permanent improvements as
may be necessary.
Two steamers, the Chance and w. H.
Harrison, make regular trips from San Fran.
cisco To Waldport and other coast points,
the latter vessel being built at Waldport
some two years ago, by Harrison Bros, who
own large saw mill there, and carry ON an
extensive trade ia spruce and cedar lumber.
The development of the vast natural re-
sources of this section of Benton county has
been greatly retarded for want of good wag-
on roads, and better means IF access to the
surrounding settlements. The people living
along the upper river, rely altogether upon
scows and small row boats as means of
travel and transportation of their freight
and provisions. During the present summer,
Mr. Sheppard has fitted up trim little
steamer, which, carries passengers and
freight to and from the head of tide, a
great convenience to the settlers. The en-
tire produce of the country is either shipped
by steamer to San Francisco, or hauled by
teams IA miles up the beach to Newport.
Through the tireless efforts of the citizens of
Waldport and the settlers of Alsea valley,
they have secured an appropriation fora
wagon road from upper Alsea to Waldport.
All this road has been built, with the excep-
tion OF about six or seven miles, from the
head of tide to Waldport, this will be com. |
pleted and opened to the public by next
summer, thus affording direct route to the
markets of Corvallis. This road will be the |
means OF developing large amount of coun.
try in Benton county, heretofore almost In /
accessible. Aonther road of great ,impor-
tance to the bay district, is being opened
from Toledo to the mouth of the bay, ON the ]
north side. While the people of Waldport
and Alsea bay are not favored with many
Of the convenient improvements, such as
communications, etc., as we of the
older settled distii t., of the Willamette
valley, they seem, as class, to lead an easy
life and to be contented with their lot; anu
why not the bay furnishes them with an
abundance of clans, oysters and fish, and
The hills and mountains, with plenty OF
game, bear, deer and elk; and the flowers
With the finest honey produced in the
world. of which thousands of pounds are
exported annually.
The writer claims TO be an expert judge
II honey and can truthfully say that he has
'et to see the honey from any other local..
y that can begin to equal the article pre-.
lueed in the coast district.
The growth of vegetation is almost phe,.
menai; the even temperature, and mild
Innate throughout the year, and the rich
oil, produces prolific growth of vegeta-
ION almost without cultivation We have
nJOyed for our Christmas dinner some of