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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., September 15, 1911, page 1

CAMAS VALLEY A RICH DISTRICT
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HAY, GRAIN AND STOCK FARMS WITH IDEAL CLIMATIC AND SCENIC CONDITIONS
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FROM HOOD RIVER NEWS AUG. 31, 1911

The recent investment on a large scale by Hood River men in the Camas prairie, Wash., country, has directed local attention to this section and is opening the eyes of those who have visited it, on account of its valuable resources and still more valuable possibilities. For many years 6,000 acres of this rich area of agricultural land have been utilized but little, owing to the fact that the land has been covered for a good part of the year by water. A drainage system, now being constructed through this territory, will soon change this condition, and when it does, this big acreage of the richest soil to be found in the Northwest will be available, and make possible the development of a diversified farming district that cannot be excelled the world over.
For the Camas country is not only rich in agricultural lands, but rich in timber, rich in available water supplies, and rich in soil that can be used for fruit as well as agriculture. Surrounded on all sides by gently sloping foothills, covered by yellow pine, fir and oak, this broad expanse of rich alluvial soil is covered with wild grass, hay, wheat, and oats, and dotted with sleek horses and cattle.
Thrifty citizens and comfortable homes characterize the population of this district. For years they have submitted to the will of nature, allowing the water to cover their holdings and gleaning when it receded. Now, however, they have awakened and will come to their heritage, and it requires no prophetic vision to see that in the near future its diversified products will make an ideal community and a wealthy one.
Not slow to realize this, the Northern Pacific Railroad has already made two surveys into the fertile valley and, in addition, has acquired big timber interests. The projected road leads from North Yakima to the Columbia River, where it would connect with the North Bank railroad. Incidentally, the distance saved over the proposed route between North Yakima and Portland would be over 100 miles, and would throw open to transportation and immense section of rich agricultural, timber and fruit land, both north and south of the Camas country, not now reached by any railroad.
From the Columbia river to the head of Camas Prairie the distance over the wagon road is 25 miles. At this point is situated Laurel, where a post office has been located, and the site for a sawmill selected. A summer hotel is also in progress. At Laurel an experimental orchard will be set out by A.E. Peek, owner of large holdings in that section, and it is believed by those who have examined the conditions that it will prove a success, particularly if the early varieties like the Gravenstein are planted. The Laurel district, like many of the upland areas, can be irrigated. It is said at this point that the railroad is said to have discovered a pass through the mountains and is expected to reach the Columbia river. From Laurel up both sides of the valley there extend for ten miles the best wagon trails to be found anywhere in this section of Oregon or Washington. These run along the edge of the prairie just in and out of the timber line, and along them are situated the homes of the ranchers, many of whom have cleared broad areas out of the flooding water and are farming each of them successfully.
At the north end of the prairie lies the town of Glenwood, 35 miles from White Salmon. This is considerable of a settlement with a bank, hotels, and two large general stores. In addition to a trading point for residents of the valley, it is an outfitting point for a large number of sheepsman, who bring sheep over from eastern Washington to the summer range in the forest reserve. Glenwood is but three miles from the Klickitat River, where one of the biggest water power plants is now being installed. The cleared land extends two miles north of it and eventually it will be the center of much business activity. The soil is sub-irrigated and vegetation is green and thriving. Lyle can be reached from this point at a distance of 25 miles and the Goldendale railroad in 18.
Between Laurel and Glenwood, a distance of 10 miles, there is only a difference of 50 feet in elevation, former being 1,835 above sea level and the latter 1,885.
With the flooded area under cultivation, it is estimated that over 8,000 acres will be put under production. At this season of the year the flooded area is covered with a growth of wild hay, except for the small portion occupied by Conboy Lake. This never dries off, but will now be drained and put under cultivation.
Investigation shows the soil of this flooded area to be heavy loam, the deposit of decaying vegetable matter for ages, and when properly drained there will be no limit to its productiveness. It is this fact that leads those who have studied its nature closely to believe that it may be too valuable to longer remain in large tracts. It is not beyond the possibility that it may be finest of celery, onion or cranberry land. The latter now grow wild on it, and if it proves adapted to any of these products its value will increase ten-fold. In any event once reclaimed its value as hay or grain land is unquestionable and, once cultivated, will increase the resources of the country to a high figure.
At present ideas as to its cultivation adhere to old customs, but any innovation that leads to a more remunerative crop will quickly see big tracts cut into small ones, and a crop produced that will pay even bigger than five tons of timothy per acre, a yield now estimated for the drainage district.
The success of the country for stock is apparent in its fine horses and cattle, and its products are also a large source of income. Now that the attention of experienced fruitman has been attracted to the volcanic ash and red shot soil of its timbered hills, it is quite likely that apple orchards will follow and when fruit is added to its other products Camas valley will have a combination of resources and income ideal, indeed, from a standpoint of the agriculturist.
When it is taken into consideration that this rich land, ready for the plow, can now be bought for $50 to $75 an acre, or a half section for an amount that would only buy a 10-acre orchard at Hood River, it is not surprising that a number of well informed and enterprising men have recently gone there and brought large tracts. Either as an income producer of from a speculative point of view, the opportunities offered are such as can be found in few districts, even in this big and bonanza agricultural territory of the Northwest.
Until recently the long stage ride has caused this country to be comparatively little known. The fast moving automobile, however, has penetrated to the Camas valley and it has been brought much nearer the outer world.
Visiting the Camas country for the first time on a duck hunting trip a year or two ago, Burnette Duncan became interested in its possibilities and since then has secured big land holdings there. Through him other Hood River men have become interested, among them J.R. Putman, E.O. Hall, Fred Wasson and V.W. Bone. The drainage ditch is expected to be completed this fall, and Messrs. Bone and Duncan are preparing to plow a large acreage and put it under cultivation. The Hood River men are enthusiastic over their investment, and their glowing accounts of the country are causing many others to become interested.
From the Columbia river for 25 miles up the White Salmon valley big strides have been made in developing orchard land. The Mt. Adams Orchard Co., between Husum and Gilmer, has set 400 acres to trees, while there is acre after acre of smaller holdings in many directions. Big in extent, this country adjacent to the White Salmon and Klickitat rivers is bigger still in possibilities, and it is therefore no cause for wonder that the railroads are casting covetous eyes on it. Apart from its other products, its timber must in the near future become too valuable to be left standing. Its transportation problem is, therefore, but a matter of time, and with it a big rise in land values.