The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-10

thing is there for the willing worker
and it only requires more who will put
their shoulders to the wheel and help
in the fulfllment of a glorious prom
Use. Riches are to be found in the
hills, forests, streams or plains-only
energy and interest are needed for de-
velopment.
A more loyal people than the Or
egonians-either those by birth or
adoption-do not exist. Everyone be-
lieves implicitly in his state and the
wonderful advantages to be found
there and never is an opportunity lost
to do or say something for the state
he loves.
Something over ten years ago, some
of the more energetic of these loyal
citizens became endowed with the idea
of holding a fair in Portland. its OBJ
ject being to present the opportunities
and advantages to people who knew
little or nothing about that part of the
country. Bigness was not to be an
object but rather compactnesS and
elaborate setting and beside the main
buildings and exhibits each state that
was formerly part of Oregon was to
be represented. This exposition, which
was named for the founders and dis
coverers of the state, was called the
Lewis and Clark exposition, and was
held from June 1 to October 1 5, 1905.
The exposition was made in Portland
and by Portland men and cost the sum
of seven million dollars. Up till that
time, 1t was the only fair that opened
on time and was complete at the open
ing. The stockholders not only made
their money back but received large
dividends from their investment. The
scenery surrounding the location of
the grounds was most picturesque, it
being on beautiful Guilds lake, with
Willamette Heights, a high class resi-
Dental district in the western back
ground and a superb view of the Cas-
cade mountains. with their numerous
snow capped peaks, to the east and
north, and with the city itself to the
south. The exposition has been Won
derful help in the advancement of the
state, by unfolding it's rare possibili-
ties to people who were ignorant of all
this beauty and wealth of country. 1t
attracted thousands of people from the
East who came from a natural curios-
ity to see what a new country, and
practically an unknown one, was able
to do in the way of engineering fair.
They expected but little and were dis
appointed in those expectations, for
Oregon was not the frontier they had
imagined. They found the Oregonians
to be an up-to-date, progressive peo-
pie and their fair was worthy of the
effort put into it. 1t marked an ep-
och in their prosperity.
Portland's population at that time
was about $4,000 people and today it
is 265,000. New and high Office build
1ngs are going UP on every hand-land
in the business district that was worth
$4,000 in 1905. is now valued at from
$4,000 to 100000. Building lots in
the suburbs, bought during the fair
for SO lot, have since been refused
for $500 each. Three years ago, Port
lands building percentage was the
highest in the United States. and II
was 200 per cent over her next COM
petitor. which was Tacoma. Wash.
Port1and's location is ideal-it is
close to the Pacific ocean. within
twelve miles from the Columbia river
and on the banks of the. Willamette
river, both of these streams being nav
| igable by the big ocean vessels as far
as the city. making Portland of easy
access to the Orient. 1t is on sloping
ground extending back from the river
until one reaches both Willamette and
Portland Heights, situated on the hills
| overlooking the city and forming g
beautiful background. Ascending
Portland Heights to Council Crest, g
landscape indescribable in its lowell
| ness unfolds itself. The crest is 1,2OC
point-the real center of the city's
beauty, for from here can be obtained
a view of matchless grandeur. To
the east and at the foot of the crest
| lies the city. divided in halves by the
Willamette river. Seemingly a few
| feet but in reality twelve miles. flows
| the blue Columbia. while in the dis
| lance. to the north. east and south
are the Cascades with the peaks, Mt
Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. ST. Helens. Mt
Jefferson and Mt. Rainier. plainly tC
| be seen on a clear day. To the wesi
of the crest are farms, looking like E
pocket handkerchief on the landscape
One can hardly conceive of the scenic
| beauty of this grand state until view
| ing 1t from Council Crest. A nigh
| trip to the crest should always be
made to add completeness to the pic
| ture for view of Portland by electric
| light 1900 feet below. makes the city
| look like veritable fairyland.
There is an excellent interurbar
electric car service in several direc-
lions from the city. over 200 miles o.
| it, making the country along the way
| a most desirable place to live and at
fording first class shipping facilities fol
| the farm products.
| Portland is a well built city. clear
| and attractive with wide and vel
| paved streets. The business blocks anC
residences compare favorably will
other cities and the lawns and flowers
receive special attention. Roses arr
| the predominating flower and every
| body grows them. The Rose Cit.
earned its own title and it extends
| welcome to every stranger within it
gates. EDITH ROOF