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Show OUR CITY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. Logan, the county seat of Cache, is situated near the mouth of the canyon of the same name, and contains within its boundaries a population of over 4,000. It was first settled by white men about 26 years ago. Its early development was rather slow, and little progress was made until the advent of the Utah and Northern Railway, which caused a brisk stimulus, by affording increased facilities to trade. Logan is 58 miles north of Ogden, by the named railway. The principal features of this fast growing town, we shall endeavor to depict as briefly as the subject demands. The temple, which notably attracts the eye of the traveler, looking east, on entering the valley, is a massive brown stone edifice, faced at prominent angles, with a light colored sandstone. It stands on a large bench at the head of the town, overlooking very wide streets, well planted with shade trees, through which course mountain streams, giving in the summer season a sense of coolness, - besides supplying all who desire it, with pure delicious water. The Temple, now nearly completed, designed for rites, ceremonies and worship of the Church of Latter-day Saints, was commenced of the 15th day of May, 1877. The corner-stones being laid on the 17th day of September of the same year. The dimensions of the main building are 171 x 95 ft. (feet) outside. There are two large towers, one in the east end, 30 feet square at the base and 151 feet to the top of its dome; one in the west, 30 feet square and 112 feet high. The main room on the inside is 80 x 101 feet, and 30 feet high. On the north side of the main building is an extended construction 36 x 86 feet and 22 feet high. The design of the whole is altogether original and unique. The outside walls are to be painted a very light sandstone color, with raised white pointing following the natural points of the stone. This will add greatly to the appearance of the building. The inside walls are to be hand finished in white, with necessary cornice and centre pieces. The plans for heating are in conformity with the latest scientific ideas, the apparatus being of the class termed low steam pressure. The plumbing work has been executed by, and under the personal superintendence of Mr. David James, of Salt Lake City. Mr. T.O. Angell, Jr. (Junior), is the architect and superintendent of construction. Mr. C.O. Card is the general superintendent. Mr. John Parry (lately deceased) was the master mason. Mr. Jas. (James) Quayle is the master carpenter. Behind the temple rises in supreme grandeur the towering upheavals of nature, - in fact, Cache Valley is nearly surrounded with mountain ranges, except for a short distance, where the Bear River flows into the great Salt Lake Valley. Logan canyon is a deep gorge in the Wasatch range of mountains, about 50 miles in length, noted for its majestic scenery and its superb fishing. The town water supply from this canyon, runs through canals, and seems unlimited in quantity. Every advantage of this swift running motor have been in a measure utilized. It not only furnishes serviceable power for four saw, three flour, three planing, one shingle and other mills, but supplies the surrounding gardens and neighboring farms, with sufficient water for irrigating purposes. These advantages all combine to make Logan a busy commercial and manufacturing mart, possessed of unsurpassed facilities. There is in operation here a first-class foundry, making machinery and doing a general class of work. The power used therein is supplied by water from the river. In connection therewith is a large blacksmith's shop, in which seven fires are kept burning. A new building 25 x 100 feet in now in course of erection, in front of the workshops, to be used as office, show and store-rooms. The Logan U. O. Foundry Wagon and Machinery Manufg. (Manufacturing) Co. (Company) own about 1-1/2 acres of ground, with excellent water privileges. The H. O. M. B. and Co. (Company), the largest local co-operative institution, has two general merchandise and one furniture store, planing mill, furniture shop, a dairy, and a number of saw mills. They take large contracts for lumber and ties, and have a force of men at work on public and private buildings. Their latest improvement is a steam saw mill, at the mouth of Logan Canyon. The timber used being floated down the river. The Tabernacle, a handsome commodious edifice, occupies 65-1/2 x 125-1/2 feet, in nearly the central square of the city. The square is surrounded by a good fence, and inside and outside of which, as well as the lawn, are bountifully planted with young shade trees, which are rapidly maturing. The building is used for the general services of the Latter Day Saints. There is also a large woolen mill in course of erection on the road leading into the canyon. There are two large hotels, which supply every requisite accommodation to the traveler. There is also a good livery. Several of the larger mercantile stores do a wholesale, as well as a retail business carrying immense stocks. A vast trade has been done here during the past season in wagons, carriages, machinery and the varied farming implements. Numbers of buyers coming from long distances, to deal with the people, who are fully alive to the requirements of trade, and the necessity of dealing justly with all men. This is the only the legitimate way of building up a successful business, and the pathway along which all who value a good name must travel. A good name being of far more value than the riches of the world. The professions are well represented, but a more satisfactory outline of the business capabilities of the place may be gained by glancing over our advertising columns. Buildings of every class are being as rapidly erected as the supply of artisans and material will admit. This town is destined in the near future to become a large manufacturing site boasting unexcelled facilities. Logan is appropriately termed the "Queen City of the North'" is picturesquely situated, has a system of water-works, a good volunteer fire brigade, and is well-supplied with schools and other public buildings. A handsome brick court-house, with stone foundations is now rapidly going up on Main Street. Nature has been unusually lavish in adorning the surroundings of this town, and at no distant date we trust that it be our privilege to chronicle the liberal manner in which the citizens have perfected it. The town is on the east side of the valley and commands an extensive view of nearly 600 square miles. While glancing around this immense tract of country, none can but admire the beautiful settlements, dotted here and there throughout its length and breath; numerous farm houses give evidence of comfortable prosperity; herds of cattle graze upon the bottom lands, orchards and gardens are filled with luscious fruits, fields of golden waving grain, with the dark green Lucerne make an ever changing scenic effect, where but a few years ago, flourished sage, brush, prairie grass or noxious weeds. The present owners, are mostly men who a few years since, arrived here with a comparatively scant supply of this world's goods. Their homesteads have been gained by unflinching industry and economy. Proudly must the frugal men contemplate the fruits of their labor, while gratefully remembering from whence cometh every good and perfect gift. Picture in your mind's eye the laborer on his native soil, toiling day in and day out vigorously for a pittance, which barely supplied the family bread, without the least hope of ever being possessed of one rod of earth, and then reverse the scene, and review him and his present surroundings, - in the full enjoyment of the great privileges, which he cannot fail to be truly thankful for. Visitors, as well as citizens oftimes repair to the well-known fishing grounds of the canyon. Here the fisherman's eyes are made to glisten in peculiar delight, while landing the speckled beauties, which are designed to tickle the palate of all who partake. Prohibitory liquor laws prevail, as a resulting consequence, few prisoners grace the magistrate's court during the course of a year. The writer who has only a short time been among the Loganites appreciatively record, that he finds the citizens attentive and courteous, gracefully devoting their time while affably pointing out the magnificent landscape views of the valleys and the snow-clad hills beyond, - which can be charmingly surveyed from terra firma, or from the temple tower, with awe and admiration. Possessed of naturally beautiful surroundings, its life-giving pure air and water, with warm yet pleasant days at this season of the year, (the thermometer ranging from 80 to 90 degrees) combined with the mountain and canyon breezes - which nightly mantle our cheeks, - adds pleasurable zest at the decline of day, affording the weary, hard-working sons of toil a perfect rest in the watches of the night. Logan is destined in the near future to furnish homes for thousands of people, and when its manufacturing facilities are sufficiently known advantage will, doubtless, be taken advantage of them. The County is bounded in the north by Idaho Territory, on the east by Rich and Morgan counties, on the south by Weber, and on the west by Box Elder County. It is about 30 miles wide on the northerly line and 15 on the southerly. It is 48 in length, containing an area of nearly 1,000 square miles, of which nearly three-fourths are mountains, and bench, the remainder tillage land. The valley lands are pronounced unsurpassable in the production of cereals, root crops and vegetables. |