The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1914-03-06
IN LINE FOR A BIG CITY
Oroville In a Position With the
Backing That Makes For
Material Growth

The making of a city at this point
on the county map is not dependent
wholly upon what is to be in the flu
ture, it rests very much upon what al
ready is. No town in the county, for
that matter no town in the state is so
fortunately situated as to physical ad
vantages and contributory influences
as Oroville, and back of those forces
that make for city building is the grad
ual development of civic pride that
will aid more toward future progress
than any other one factor. This de-
sire to be up and doing, this disposi-
ton to unite in a common cause, is a
leaven permeating the whole body OF
citizenship, arOuSing a sentiment for
united effort that cannot fail when
put in practice to be rich in accom-
plishment. The tendency prevails to
enter largely into local improvements,
and in conjunction with this spirit
OF local enterprise is desire to
spread abroad the gospel of Oroville.
Inviting others to come amongst us,
make the best of existing opportun-
tiles and assist in fastening the MAX
ing of a city.
Every indication points the way to
an Oroville of greater magnitude.
The class of buildings that were erect
ed during the past year is an indica-
ton that property owners have con-
fidence in the future of Oroville. Those
new buildings are of such character
as to lift the town above the village
type, giving it the appearance and air
of city, city as yet diminutive as to
size, but well on in the formative
stage, possessing all the features in
miniature of a city. 1t has taken
long time to reach that point where
bucOlic conditions are sloughed off
and urban characteristics taken on,
and now that the turn in the road has
been reached the change will be more
marked and rapid in the next few
years. Such municipal conveniences
as water works, with it's ample fire
protection, electric lights and water,
and a comprehensive local telephone
system have already been provided A
movement is now on foot to macada-
mize the principal business streets
and put down twelve foot concrete
sidewalks, improvements that will add
very materially toward giving the Wis
itOr the impression that he is within
the corporate limits of city These
improvements will be gradually ex-
tended until every street is cared for
and made presentable at all seasons.
This is another and important step
toward attaining the appearance of
city.
This early in the new year improve
ments are under way, and plans are
maturing for much building of an ex-
tensive, substantial and permanent
nature A standard has been fixed by
the record of the past year and in the
future the class of buildings erected
will be of a superior character. The
cheap and temporary shack will dis
appear, and the houses that will take
their place will lend stability and at
tractiveness to the place. New in
dustries will be established, mills and
factories started, other lines of bus
mess besides those already represented
will be opened, present merchantile
houses will increase their stocks to
meet the growing demand, and the pull
sation of the new life superinduced by
rapid progress will be the lever to
lift the town into the city class.
The resources and influences that
are in, around, next to and behind Oro-
vile are such as will make and sup
port city of large population. The
fact of being railroad center is a
very storing factor in it's favor. AL
ready one can travel out of Oroville
by rail in three directions, and the
time is not far distant when rail con-
nection with the country to the north
will be provided. 1t is but natural
to suppose with the roads converging
from Oroville that this will in time be
made division point, and the office
force, crews and skilled workmen that
will be stationed here will contribute
largely to the growth of the town. Oro-
Vile is fortunately located on one of
the best Travelled highways in the state
between Washington and British Co.
lumbia. The volume of travel across
the line is already very large, and as
the valley road from this point south
is improved that travel will be great
ly increased. The automobile is be-
coming more common as a means OF
transportation, and the highway thru
the Okanogan valley is being frequent
ed more and more every year by tour
lists and travellers bent on business
Oroville is the logical stopping place
for those coming from or going into
British Columbia. Already is this
travel larger than the general public
has any idea of, and it is felt to great
advantage by hotels and other lines
of business in Oroville The benefits
to be derived from that source will in
crease from year to year, and will be
contributary influence in supporting
town of much greater size than Orc
vile. Gradually the lands in the val
ley are coming under a high state o
cultivation. Irrigation is to be thu
making of this valley and eventual.
all of the tillable land will be unde1
water insuring immense crops of fruit
vegetables, hay, or any product of tn,
soil that can be commercially used. o.
enter into consumption. The tendenc,
is to cut this land up into small hold
ings, and there is enough of it to max,
homes for and provide support to
large population that will depend upol
Oroville as market, shipping poin
and as source from which supple
are to be drawn The mining situa
tion Immediately around Oroville wa
never in more promising condition
nor was greater promise ever held on
for the making of producing mines
The work of making mines is progress
ing steadily along lines that canno
fail If the mineral is in the ground.
paying mine or two near at hand vii
do more toward boosting Oroville city
wards than any other one Influence