the city of Cave Junction in the mid-
dle of Illinois Valley is known as the
Gateway to the Oregon Caves. The
national monument, including the
historic Oregon Caves Chateau, is
approximately 22 miles east of Cave
Junction out Oregon Hwy. 46
(“Caves Hwy.”).
It’s essential for those coming to
Illinois Valley (called “I.V.” locally)
to note that the area should not be
judged only by what can be seen
from U.S. Hwy. 199 (“Redwood
Hwy.”). It bisects the valley commu-
nities of O’Brien on
the south to Selma on
the north with the city
of Cave Junction and
the town of Kerby in-
between.
It’s important to
get off “the beaten
track” and travel the
side roads. That’s part
of what this Valley
Visitor is about. Be-
cause 199 is a major
thoroughfare, lying
between Interstate 5 at Grants Pass,
and U.S. 101 on the California coast,
it can be easy to simply drive
straight through.
But that would mean missing a
lot.
Illinois Valley has a rich history,
much of which can be reviewed at
Kerbyville Museum & History Cen-
ter in Kerby between Cave Junction
and Selma. The site includes the
Stith-Naucke House,
built in 1871 and fully
furnished in the style
of that period.
As the former
county seat, during the
significant gold mining
days of the valley, the
town of Kerby was
once known as Napo-
leon. That name was
based on the county
being named after Jo-
sephine Rollins, said to
be the first white
woman in the area:
Thus, Josephine had to
have her Napoleon.
Besides the mu-
seum, the Kerby com-
munity includes It’s A
Burl, Yanase Jewelers,
Kauffman Wood Prod-
ucts, Hampton’s Rock
Shop, Kerbyville
Farm, and the Rogue
Community College
Learning Center. The
latter also accommodates Kerby Belt
Masonic Lodge, and the Southern
Oregon Guild Art Center.
Besides the latter, the valley’s
arts are highlighted by Illinois River
Valley Arts Council. Among its ac-
tivities, it sponsors Second Friday
Art Walks in Downtown Cave Junc-
tion from March through December.
The valley’s wineries, listed in a
story elsewhere in this publication,
offer tasting rooms and excellent
vintages. Tours can be
arranged.
Illinois Valley and
its environs comprise
one of Oregon’s “best-
known secrets.” For
example,
the
Kalmiopsis Wilderness
and Illinois River (for
rafting and boating)
are included, as well as
scenic drives out Eight
Dollar Mountain Road
and Illinois River
Road.
A wealth of information is
available: Besides this Valley Visi-
tor, published by Illinois Valley
News, insights and directions to vari-
ous attractions are available at Illi-
nois Valley Visitor Center (which
includes Illinois Valley Chamber of
Commerce) on Hwy. 46, just off
199; and at the U.S. Forest Service
Continued on page 27
Valley Visitor
5