while the Union Pacific systems and the North Coast road are projected
over practically parallel lines through the county. From Kalama
all three systems extend south to Portland and Vancouver.

PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS.

KALAMA, on the bank of the Columbia river at the ferry crossing of
the Northern Pacific railway, is the chief town and county seat.
There are here extensive electric power plants and a gravity water
system. The chief industries grow out of the lumbering and fishing
interests. It has about 1,250 people, but is just now rapidly growing,
owing to its superb transportation facilities by both rail and
water.

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KELSO and CASTLE ROCK are both important towns on the railroads
and Cowlitz river, each having about 1,500 people. At Kelso, which
is near the Columbia river, considerable fish are caught and packed,
yet the timber furnishes the chief industry. Fruit and dairying
and general agriculture provide a large part of the support for
the town merchants.

OSTRANDER, CARROLTON, CATLIN, ARIEL and LEXINGTON are smaller towns,
all prospering and being built up into substantial business centers
by the steadily increasing development of the latent resources of
the county.

This county offers many opportunities for business to the newcomer
in either merchandising, manufacturing or farming.