State of Oregon - Lake County

Lake County, bounded north by Wasco and Grant, east by Grant, south by the State of California, and west by Jackson; area about 12,000 square miles; county seat, Linkville.

This county has recently been organized out of the eastern portion of Jackson and the southwestern portion of Grant counties, comprising the territory generally known as the "Lake country." The general features of the country is that of an elevated plain some 1,000 feet above the sea, with a basis of volcanic rocks, and ridges of basalt and lava. Large lakes exist throughout the plain, of which Upper and Lower Klamath, Goose, Sumner, Abert, and the Christmas lakes are the principal. About these are extensive meadows, and much of the uplands afford excellent grazing. On the uplands the bunch grass, or festucca, is the chief herbage, but other grasses and shrubs equally nutritious abound.

The Lake country is unsurpassed in the beauty and grandeur of its natural scenery, its climate, though .somewhat rigorous in winter, is never extremely cold, and in healthfulness it is unsurpassed. In some sections grain and fruit is grown successfully, and several flouring mills are established to prepare the home grown wheat for domestic use. The numerous rivers supply all desirable water-power, and the lakes are navigable for steam or sailing vessels. Hot medicinal springs are found in various parts, whose curative powers are unexcelled by any similar springs in the world.

The Klamath Indian Reservation is the home of a thousand of the natives of the region, recently the most savage of the race, but now advancing in civilization. Fort Klamath is a beautifully located and well-constructed fort, and is the headquarters of the Military District of the Lakes. It is situated near the northern extremity of Upper Klamath Lake, on the verge of the Indian Reservation. South of the lake was the scene of the late Modoc war, where, in the winter of 1872-3, a few Indians entrenched among the rocky fastnesses of the region, known as the Lava Beds, defended themselves for several months against the assaults of many times their number of United States troops and volunteers. Major-General Canby, Rev. Mr. Thomas, and many others lost their lives through the treachery of the savages and in battle, but the foe were finally subdued and deported, and the region opened to settlers.

The region is now difficult of access, but the proposed narrow-gauge railroad from Portland to the Central Pacific, at Winnemucca, will render intercommunication easy.

Officers: Eli C. Mason, County Judge; William Roberts, Clerk: Thomas Mulholland, Sheriff; George Nourse, Treasurer; J. J. P. Smith, Assessor; William R. Jones, Superintendent Public Schools.

Pacific Coast Business Directory | Oregon Territory Index

Oregon Directory and Gazetteer

Source: Pacific Coast Business Directory for 1876-78, Compiled by Henry G. Langley, San Francisco, 1875.