Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-04-23
A Schoolgirls Write-up.


summers, who is attending school at
Summit, was asked by her teacher a
short time ago to contribute a paper on
Oregon. The result reflects great credit
on the pupil and shows her to be very
we'll posted on the general history and
resources of the state. We have been
requested by friend Of the young lady
to print the essay. which appears below
Oregon is a good-sized state. 1t is sit
uated in the northwestern part Of the
United States, and is bounded on the
north by Washington, On the east by
Idaho, on the south by California and
Nevada, and on the west by the Pacific
ocean. Oregon has very, mild climate.
and almost anything can be raised here.
The people of the state are engaged in
many different occupations. Wheat
raising is carried on very extensively in
some parts of Eastern Oregon, while
many are engaged in sheep raising in all
parts OF the state, and others devote
their time to poultry railing aud dairy
ing. Quite number are engaged in
general stock raising, which is profitable,
as there are many fine imported cattle
in Oregon, and the cattlsmen keep trying
to get better animals all the time. Min.
ing is carried on in the mountainous
parts Of the state. Oregon. like other
states, is divided into counties; they are
80 in number. The state is very thickly
settled in the western and northern parts.
Its history dates back to 1543. 1t was
then owned by Spain, and was oc-
casionally visited by navigators, but lit
tie attention was paid to it until near the
end of the century. In 1888, two trading
ships from Boston, the Washington and
Columbia, came to this coast In 1889,
Capt. Robert Gray, commanding the
Columbia, having taken on a cargo Of
furs, sailed to Canton, thence to Boston,
being the first to carry the "stars and
Stripes around the world, In 1880, he
returned to the Oregon coast, and on
May IL, 1892, discovered and entered the
great river OF Oregon, which he named
Columbias River, for his ship, but it was
afterward changed to Columbia River.
Oregon was organized as territory in
1S4S. After that its growth, was very
slow until the discovery Of gold in Cali.
fornia, and in 1850 congress passed a
law giving to each settler in Oregon a
donation land claim. Then the country
began to fill up, and in 1859 it was ad-
mittsd as state.
Since the completion of the Pacific
railroads its growth has been exceeding
ly rapid, and it still continues, to in.
crease in population.
Portland, In Multnomah county, is
Oregon's largest city. with the old
cities of East Portland and Albina,
which became part of Portland in 1891,
the city occupies both banks of the Will
lamette river, for nearly. twelve miles
above its mouth, and in 1896, had pop
ulation Of $1,000. This city commands
the trade Of the agricultural and lumber
AAS oCSbiVA Va tAo w 1l1du4CLIO fa11Sy
It has good schools, among them the
Bishop Scott Academy, ''a school for
boys"
Oregon has many fine schools, and
keeps improving them every year. The
Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis,
is considered very fine school. 1t is
supported partly by. the;general govern
ment and partly by. the state. Many
attend this college. not only from Ore
goa but from other states as we'll. The
State University, located At Eugene, is
also considered good scheol. The
State Normal School is at Monmouth.
The favorite seaside summer resort is
at Newport and many people go there
every summer. Long Beach and Sea-
side are also popular resorts.