20
Jacksonville Gold Rush
(Continued from Page 14)
concerted attack on the town was ex
pected, women and children were
sheltered in Jacksonville’s only brick
building, then one of the first in the
state. Time as time will, eventually
brought peace to the Rogue River
valley.
In the peaceful cemetery on the hill
among the laurels, here and there
tombstones carry the line, “killed by
Indians,” recalling sanguine happen
ings of long ago.
Even as production from the gold
claims lagged, Jacksonville continued
to grow. After gold mines passed
their hey d ry , Jacksonville became a
business center for a wide area and
seemingly destined for greater things
in southern Oregon progress. How
ever when the railroad came in 1884,
it went directlyIacross the valley, by
passing Jacksonville by several miles.
A station was esiiblished^ first
known as Chapparal City, and Bitter
officially named Medford. Medford
developed into a trading center for the
valley and Jacksonville lagged. The
county seat remained at Jacksonville
until 1927 when voters, after-several
elections, moved it to Medford.
To a visitor it seemed Jacksonville!
began brooding with the past. Winr
dows of the empty courthouse stared
into the lamented yesterd^ s j j Boys
began breaking- glass out p i the cqurt-
house and out of the cp&nty jail. The
nearby weeping willows' appearedjgfod;
be forever in. sorrow.
But Jacksonville is no more a
brooding city. It is'; alive and alert to
its opportunities. Its population since
the war has shown steady growth and
citizens take pride in its golden yes
terdays.
It is thus that Jacksonville’s color
ful past greets, visitors with the spirit
of today. Riggings around the town
Valley Oil Company
Fuel Oil - Furnace Oil - Diesel Oil
Stove Oil . . . Automatic Delivery
Standard Heating Oil
We’ll Keep Your Tank Full
14th & Hoyt Sts.
Salem, Ore.
O ff. 2-3633. Nite 2-4086 Ben, 2-3254 Verne
are much as they Were left long ago.
The buildings retain their pioneer
charm.
Still in place is the studio of Peter
Britt who’sè#us the first portrait shop
in 1852. The upstairs studio in the
home place built in 1862«is of never
REMEMBER
Janeds Skyline Cafe
While Passing Through
Meacham
Oregon
The Place To Buy
I
W e S triv e To Please
Roy Farnam Supply
Automotive Parts - Sporting Goods
W holesale
Phone 431
and
R etail
La Grande, Oregon
The Newest Dictation and
Recording Machine on Market
465 State St.
Salem, Ore.
CHEVROLET
CADILLAC
Telephone 3-3175
Douglas M cKay
Chevrolet Co.
510 North Commercial Street
Salem, Oregon