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The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., April 28, 1910, page 5

THERE'S A FUTURE FOR TROUT LAKE

That the Trout lake country has a good future, no one can doubt who will visit the country and make even a casual inspection of the results of the comparatively few prosperous farms, the situation of the valley, the undeveloped resources, and the situation in its relation to the surrounding country.
The development of the valley has been slow, similar to the Mt. Hood country in this valley until the Mt. Hood Railroad pushed its way into the interior and encouraged the settler to make his home there. Situated nearly thirty miles from the Columbia river, the only means of transportation being by a team, many have hesitated to spend their time and money in the country to make a permanent home. The prospect of the railroad last year gave the land values a boost, and although the project is now at a standstill, yet the great resources of the valley are sufficient to warrant its building at once, and it must be only a question of a short time when the Trout Lake valley will be in touch not only with the Columbia river by rail, but also the transcontinental roads which now run and are building through the state, north of Mt. Adams.
The Trout Lake country is at the present time a hay, grain and stock country. The raising of fruit is untried, except for private orchards of a few trees for family use, and these flourish and have sure crops, which would indicate the certainty of success as a fruit country. Yet as the hay and dairy crop has been sufficiently profitable to make those who have stayed with well to do, as indicated by the good buildings, well kept places and substantial bank accounts of the pioneers who nearly all came into the country poor.
Free water of an almost unlimited quantity has been one of the great factors in the making of the country and is an assurance of the future. The practically level land, situated close to the headquarters of the streams which flow out of the snow fields of Mt. Adams, made it an easy matter for the pioneers to cover the country with irrigation ditches at a nominal expense, until the whole section is under ditches, or can be reached at a small expense, while the maintenance of the ditches is practically nothing.
As an indication of what is doing in the hay line, Chris Guler, who conducts the hotel near the lake, cuts five tons of hay to the acre, at an expense under $10 an acre, which at the present, price of $20 and more at home, makes a net profit that compares very favorably with fruit raising. When it is stated that cleared land, with free water, can be had for $100 an acre, and uncleared for $50, it ought to attract settlers even without a railroad. The possibilities of grain is illustrated by the field of oats of Postmaster Moore which made a yield last year of 121 bushels to the acre.
Besides the present industries of hay, grain and dairying, the latter supported a very prosperous creamery and cheese factory, there are from two to four billion feet of pine timber in the foothills which must come out through the valley when cut into lumber. There are also deposits of coal within a few miles as well as minerals which will be worked out in the near future.
Trout Lake is a natural junction point for connection with railroads from the Yakima country to the Columbia river, either down the White Salmon or down the Lewis river, or both, as all surveys made must necessarily cut through the valley or touch the upper end of it.
The attractions of the place as a summer resort bring many people to the place for a summer outing, and even during the winter months. The excellent fishing in the lake and streams, and ice caves, the mammoth lava cave forty feet deep and three quarters of a mile long, are attractions for the tourists that always will be a great asset of the country, and add to its varied resources.