42 
THROUGH WONDERLAND. 
For the benefit of such travelers, and also in view of the possibility of there 
being those who, both coming and returning by the Northern Pacific Railroad, 
would like to visit the garden of Oregon, and, if possible, obtain a glimpse of 
Mount Shasta, it may not be out of place to give a brief description of the line 
extending southward from Portland to the southern boundary of the State. 
For upward of one hundred miles our route lies along the Willamette 
valley. This is the largest valley in the State, being 150 miles in length, with 
an average width of fifty miles. Inclosed on the east side by the Cascade 
Mountains, and on the west by the Coast Range, it contains an area of about 
four and one-half million acres of rich and beautiful land. Some of the pleas¬ 
antest towns in the Northwest are to be found in this valley. 
First comes Oregon City, sixteen miles from Portland ; this is the oldest 
town in Oregon. It is situated just below the beauti¬ 
ful falls of the Willamette, amid highly picturesque 
scenery. Its chief interest for the tourist centres in the 
falls, which represent a force of over a million horse power, or about eight times 
that of the Falls of St, Anthony. They may be seen a few hundred yards south 
of the station, on the west side of the track. Hitherto there has been seen no 
considerable extent of fertile country; but in Barlow’s prairie there appears 
a fine tract of agricultural land inclosed by tributaries of the Willamette. 
Others succeed it, and soon good homesteads, surrounded by shade trees and 
orchards, are seen in every direction. The next town of importance is Salem, 
the State capital, beautifully situated on the sloping banks of the river. The 
capitol, and other State buildings, maybe seen from the train; and the entire 
city, with its broad streets and fine oak groves, presents a pleasing appearance. 
The twenty-eight miles intervening between Salem and Albany afford some 
fine views of the Cascade Range, Mount Hood being visible at a distance of 
FLOATING FISH WHEEL, ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER, OREGON. 
