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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., May 17, 1912, page 1

TROUT LAKE VALLEY
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BEAUTIFUL UPPER VALLEY ORIGINALLY SETTLED BY SWISS
IRRIGATION INCREASES PRODUCTIVENESS
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When Peter Stoller left his home in a little glen beneath mountain crags of Switzerland 35 years ago it was with visions of snowcapped peaks, tumbling silvery cascades, sparkling creeks and rivers and incomparable Alpine sunsets. To find some unhomesteaded, fertile valley of the American West was the object of his pilgrimage. The plains of the central states with their fields of waving grain and corn appeared productive, but there were no mountains and he would not be tempted. But when he saw the glistening peaks of Helens, Hood and Adams set round with timbered hills he knew there must be valleys near.
On inquiring he was told about a beautiful valley near the foothills of Mt. Adams. From the Columbia river he followed the trail up the White Salmon for 25 miles, finally emerging into a valley with an area of about 35,000 acres. He selected his homestead, built a cabin, and wrote his friends in Switzerland that he had found a place the topography of which was similar to that of the land of their birth. Several came and were the first settlers in Trout Lake Valley, where they now have good homes, literally roll in clover, and occasionally go back to the old country to visit.
Trout Lake valley was first settled by the Swiss, but Americans soon followed and constitute more than a majority of its 76 families. Several land sales and much building was done last summer and fall, new families are beginning to arrive, and the season of 1912 opens promisingly for this district.

IRRIGATION BROUGHT PROSPERITY

It matters not how the valley was formed. It is there with 20,000 acres of cultivable volcanic and decomposed lava rock soil enriched by forest decomposition, the unimproved portions bearing pine and fir trees, which thin out here and there into natural meadows. Until irrigation ditches were made, there was little farming, but with water the settler planted grain and grasses. Three thousand acres are now under cultivation, with additional acreage brought under the plow every year. There are three irrigation ditches, one of which is ten miles long. They are owned by the farmers themselves. Wm. Coate, one of the first settlers and largest farmers, saw that water was necessary if more than mere existence was to be expected. He put in his own system, and has since been reaping as high as 125 bushels of oats to the acre, 50 and 60 bushels of wheat, and clover which cannot be surpassed for growth. Two crops are cut annually. Timothy also yields heavily. Other settlers have been doing the same thing. Because of the lack of railway facilities, dairying and stock raising have been the principal industry, and diversified farming will become the settled course.
The Trout Lake creamery, a co-operative affair, has been a source of considerable revenue by turning clover into butter. The Mt. Adams Lumber Company of White Salmon operates a large mill, supplying not only the local needs but its yard in White Salmon.
Altho within 18 miles of the snow line on Mt. Adams apple orcharding is to be more extensively engaged in, several ten, twenty and thirty-acre tracts for this purpose having been sold last year. Tho close to the mountain the altitude is only 1950 feet and fine apples have already been grown in small orchards, the editor of the Enterprise being indebted for some fine Spitzenburgs and Arkansas Blacks.
The immediate needs of the valley are supplied by two general stores, a meat market, feed store, hotel, beside which is a large amusement hall, church, schools and several lodges. It is directed by an active Commercial Club, and a regularly organized Good Roads Club is taking an active part in improvement of highways.

TOURIST POINT

Trout Lake valley attracts many tourists, who come in large numbers every summer. Hotel Guler pitches dozens of tents on its lawn every summer to accommodate its hotel overflow. Already letters are coming it to reserve rooms. A large tourist hotel is needed and the attention of capital is called to this opportunity, for here is a combination of things which interest. Besides the pretty farms are the park-like wooded grounds of the unimproved lands and Trout Lake, in the shallow waters of which is reflected Mt. Adams, trout apparently sliding down the glaciers as smoothly as climbers on the return trip of the peak of the mountain itself. A rippling, gurgling stream of mountain water flows from the lake past the hotel and into the White Salmon river in the center of the valley. The gorges of the White Salmon are 70 feet deep in places.

THE CAVES

Within a mile and a half of the hotel is the famous lava cave, entrance to which is through a small hole, straight down by means of steps. For over three-fourths of a mile the cave, 20 feet wide and in places the ceiling 40 feet high and no one has yet been to the end. Its interior is jagged lava rock, and several rods in, the torchbearer encounters a mass of rock called "Mt. Adams," over which he must climb with care. The ice caves are also attractive. These underground chambers are not so large, but in the winter the water drips, freezes and forms in beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Here, the Indians stored their huckleberries until the white man came.
Goose lake, an emerald gem at the foot of "The Castle," is only a few miles away, just beyond which is the old Indian race track where bucks raced away or won ponies and outfits while the squaws picked berries and dried them on the mountain sides.
It is only a 20-mile ride to the snow line and ascent of the mountain has become great sport, the climb comparatively easy, the view grand, and the tobogganing back down the snow fields safe.
Off in the distance, within plain view of the hotel, is "Sleeping Beauty," which Thomas W. Lawson pronounced the most wonderful natural formation of a person he had ever seen. The body is easily traced in its recumbent position and the chin, lips, nose, forehead and hair are as perfect as is chiselled by some giant sculptor.
A touch of color is given in the early fall when bands of Indians with strings of ponies travel to or return from the huckleberry fields in the Columbia Forest Reserve 18 miles to the west of the settlement.
Trout Lake valley as its sister valley, Camas, 12 miles to the east, are the climax to a drive up the beautiful White Salmon valley and he has not fully "seen America first" who misses this trip to Trout Lake.