The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-01
Prosperity Has Reisned Supreme
in Astoria and the County.
PROSPECTS FOR NEW YEAR
Development Of the Natural Resources
of Astoria and clatsop County Will
Aetuate the People to Renew
Efforts for Prosperity.

The year 1904, just closed, has been
one of the most prosperous in the his
tory of Astoria and Clatsop county, II
has not been boom year, but year
of steady, prosperous growth. founded
exclusively upon natural location and
resources. There has not been great
amount Of real estate transfers. for the
reason that there is very little available
property on the market. There has
been no perceptible increase in manu-
featuring industries. but those already
established have had most prosper
Gus year. In mercantile pursuits there
has been a steady increase in all lines,
due In a great measure to increasing
population. Confidence has been re-
stored in the stability of the city; in
creased demands for country property
for dairying has added materially to
the general prosperity of the county,
The suburban trade has increased, both
in the county and from adjoining towns
across the river New industries have
been established giving employment 10
a large number Of men.
There has been a falling off in the
salmon pack, the principal industry of
Astoria, but this has been more than
Offset by the increase in the lumber
and logging industries. While the pack
has fallen of slightly. the aggregate
amount Of money expended is greater
than in any previous season. The can
ming industry has bee increased by
large additions to the various plants;
new and improved machinery; estab-
lishment of ice plants in connection
with the cold storage plants, until to-
day Astoria has the largest and best
eouipped cannery and cold storage
plants Of any city on the coast. While
the output of Columbia river salmon Is
not as large as that of other sections
of the coast, notably Alaska, yet the
quality which is unequalled by any
other similar product, bringing in a
larger price, and known the world over
as the finest and most delicious Of all
food fishes, has brought in a revenue
equal to il not more than places wnere
the pack is larger.
Astoria's splendid location. easily ac-
eessabla to the marts of the world,
with transportation by ocean and
transcontinental lines, reaching to
every prominent city and county in the
world. has brought it into prominence
as a shipping and commercial point OF
uneuualled advantages. The outlook
for the year 1905 is the brightest in the
history of the city and county, and the
presence of thousands of visitors from
the east who will visit the Lewis and
Clark fair, coming to Astoria, will re-
suit in advertising the city and its
boundless resources, its natural ad-
yantages and undeveloped resources
will no doubt rebound to the benefit
and upbuilding of the city by the sea.
Many of our own people are not
aware of the wonderful strides In ad-
vancement; the many improvements
made and the vast amount Of money
expended in the varied industries dur
ing the past year. Astoria has grown
to such proportions during the past
year that it is no longer dependent
wholly upon the great salmon industry.
And yet Astoria and Clatsop county
are still in their infancy, SO far as the
development of our resources are con-
cerned. Many handsome residences
have been built during the past year
New business blocks have been erected,
and the construction of the new city
hall and court house, will place It's
public buildings equal to those Of any
CITY on the coast. The influx Of east
ern people and eastern enterprise has
augmented and stimulated improve
ments, and a continuance of the pres
ent prosperity is assured. A brief
statement Of the number Of enterprises,
the extent of the salmon, lumber and
logging industries, with the amount
paid out for improvements; the month
ly payroll and general progress will be
Of interest.
Astoria has a population of 10000
an increase of over 1000 since the CEN