The economy of Whitmore has been primarily based on timbering, cattle and sheep grazing. In 1916, the California State Legislature required a report on the geology, geography, natural resources, and economy from every county in the state. Mr. E. J. Buszdieker, C. E. Hammond, and Albert Miller of Whitmore and Paul Guttmann of Fern reported on the Whitmore-Fern section. Most of this report is as true today as it was then:

Irrigation
The principal sources of water supply are South Cow Creek, Old Cow Creek, Clover Creek and Miller Creek, perennial streams furnishing an ample supply of water for present needs. A few wells, from which the water is brought to the surface by means of a bucket, have an average depth of 40 feet. Much of the land, which was at one time under irrigation, has been purchased by the Northern California Power Co., and the water is now used for generating power. This has led to the abandonment of the land because irrigation is absolutely necessary for agricultural development.

Crops and products
Clover, timothy, grain, and hops are the principal commercial crops grown. The very nature of the small agricultural areas makes the output rather limited. Hops are grown on a very small scale, and are practically the only crop shipped out of this section, these shipments, all told, amount to about one carload for the season. An average yield, per acre, of hops here is 1400 pounds, dried, selling for 15 cents per pound. [Note: These shipments only lasted for two or three years.]

A few small orchards produce a variety of fruits such as apples, pears and prunes, but, except for an occasional surplus of apples which is sometimes sold to outside markets, the fruit is grown only for local use.
The soil appears to be particularly adapted to the growing of bayo, pink and Mexican beans, which sell locally for four or five cents per pound. Considering the large area of mountain grazing land in this section, and the relatively small area of arable land, it is evident that stock raising will continue to be, as it is now, the principal industry. This confines itself to the raising of cattle and hogs. [Note: There were also sheep.]

Saw Mills
There are two saw mills [in 1916], one at Whitmore, operated by steam power, and one at Fern, operated by water power . The respective daily output of these mills is about six-thousand feet of lumber, the plants operating about six months in the year.

Transportation
The existing dirt roads throughout this section are in poor condition. The nearest railroad center being 30 miles distant, teaming is no easy task at the present, and autoists find the journey over the rocky road beds a rather strenuous task. Plans for improvement of these roads are now underway.

Settlements
Whitmore has a post office, store, and small hotel. At Fern there is a post office only. There are three schools in this section. Telephone service is available.

Land values
Improved land, with water right, is valued at from 45 dollars to 50 dollars per acre. Uncleared land is valued according to its timber growth. (in 1916)

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