g SUNDAY, MAY 7. 1161 MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD. OREGON t
Jdsiiwo!IIe: rflostoiry With -'Modeirini
ill ! T'V ' ' " "' ' f
f. - s , I o
.if F
IOOF BUILDING Located on the corner of
Main and Oregon sis. in Jacksonville is the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows building
constructed in 1860. Heavy iron doors over
BEEKMAN BANK The old Beekman bank
on Jacksonville's Main st. is being restored
through efforts of the Southern Oregon
Historical society. When completed,, the
'i i. - 'I gin gBnyfa&. jg
v: 1 r'-l! tp" riu l i
!: . cur 'UiUi-f
I - - .r- ..... - Yk k h
CITY HALL-The Jacksonville City council
meets in the old city hall, first used as a
general store in 1836. The council considers
modern day problems in old style surround-
Vr
HISTORIC CEMETERY Many men, women and children
who helped shape the history of southern Oregon are
buried In the Jacksonville cemetery. These pioneers lie in
plots beneath the thade of madrona, pint and oak trees.
windows and entrance-ways made the build
lng a veritable fort against possible raids
by Indians. To the left of the IOOF building
U what once was the Table Rock Saloon.
f ! k J. j M J.I.
n r ' : ' I
bank will look Just as it did decades ago,
complete with banking facilities. However,
no actual banking will be done. It will be
used as a tourist attraction.
,.Al.J1lll.lll.'
lngs. The building is in need of repair today,
and the city plans on soliciting bids for
needed improvements. . .
The cemetery Is maintained Jointly by the city and various
religious organizations. Among most impressive plots Is the
Ish plot with nine tall tombstone.
Officials Face
Problems of Past,
Modern Ideas
By JOHN STAFFORD
Mail Tribune Staff Writer
and
BETTE HOSKINS
Mail Tribune Correspondent
Jacksonville-The boom of
the 18S0s is over in this his-
toric southern Oregon com.
munity, but plenty of physi.
cal remnants of a town creat
ed by a gold rush remain.
Old buildings, which would
probably be torn down in
many areas, line Main st. and
serve as a reminder of the
good old days" when raw
gold was a common sight.
The history of Jacksonville
starts with discovery of gold
in Jackson creek and prog
resses through the boom cre
ated by wild eyed prospectors
bent on making a fortune. The
city was the wealthiest and
largest community in Oregon
when the territory received
statehood in 1859.
Eventually, opportunities to
make quicker fortunes sprang
up in other areas and much
of the population moved on.
Chance Rise Again
Chances for high prosperity
rose again in the late 1800s
when a railroad indicated a
desire to run a main line
through Jacksonville. History
reveals that difference of opin
ion between local citizens in
settling on a railroad right of
way caused the company to
put its track five miles away
through a settlement known
as Medford.
One historian said "Jack
sonville soon withered as far
as commerce and population
were concerned."
Few Jacksonville citizens
today are unhappy about
what was considered an un
fortunate event years ago.
However, city officials are
facing problems encountered
in few other U.S. cities.
Early History 'Recorded
Much of the early history
of Oregon has been recorded
in Jacksonville and there is
much to be said for preserv
ing this history. However,
there also is much to be said
for moving the city ahead
along modern lines. Chances
are good that both viewpoints
will be represented in future
major development, if and
when it comes.
City Councilman Don Wendt
says he favors preserving the
historical elements in , the
community, but adds that the
people want the city to be as
modern and up to date as any
other community.
Is It possible to Initiate
modern improvements and at
the same time retain an his
torical atmosphere? Wendt
thinks it is, and so does Mayor
E. O. Graham.
Both men have visions of
restoring buildings in the
main section of town to their
original condition, while at
the same time, developing
other areas of town into first
class residential districts.
They point out that home-
sites in and around Jackson
ville are ideal. And they are
quick to mention that 17 new
homes have been constructed
in the city in the last two
years.
Two Subdivisions
Two subdivisions have been
initiated. The Reinking sub
division is located in the
southeast section of town.
Seven new homes are includ
ed there. The Ford-Patterson
subdivision is in the north
east sector.
Wendt says the city council
favors giving the city an his
torical flavor and atmosphere
while, at the same time, pro
viding a "wonderful residen
tial area away from city type
t . prltfh'.
pAA; Vfip ;A?.-C,:,, . . AAA
kAAaA' (ft T?': ' AAA-- , . -
OLD AND NEW The main street of Jacksonville repre-
sents more than 100 years of Oregon history. Buildings
haven't changed much in the last 50 years but no one is
complaining. Many people hope to see the street restored
living."
Steps have been taken to
ward restoration of historical
buildings. The Southern Ore
gon Historical society is re
storing the old Beekman bank
located on Main st. And the
Lions club and Siskiyou Pio
ner Sites Foundation are en
gaged in restoring the U. S.
hotel, also on Main st.
To insure retaining the his
torical atmosphere, in 1939 the
city council incorporated a
provision in the city zoning
ordinance which makes it il
legal to change the front of a
building in the historical zone.
Another ordinance requires
all signs in the zone to be of
old fashioned design.
Graham says he hopes all
buildings along Main'st. will
be restored in the near future.
The building exteriors would
have to be historical, but the
interiors could be modern, ac
cording to Graham.
Attracting Tourists v
Attracting tourists to the
city is a prime factor in fu
ture plans. Currently, the ma
jor attraction is the Jackson
ville museum, founded in
1950. A total of 416,191 visi
tors have toured the museum
since It opened. Attendance
is Increasing at a rapid rate.
Since January of this year
10,102 visitors have regis
tered, an increase of 880 over
a year ago.
A few of these visitors visit
the main business district.
Wendt and Graham want
more, and to do this, they say
the street needs to be re
stored. Curio and sift shoDS on
a limited scale, antique shops
and more restaurants are
needed, they point out.
Ponulation of Jacksonville
is 1,171. Assessed valuation of
property totals $631,799.71.
The 1960 city budget was
$31,904.36. The annual tax
levy has Increased from $9,-
931 in 1956 to $12,888 in
1960, and Jean Hewlett, city
recorder, says that much of
the increase has been caused
by a general Increase in
prices.
In the 1930s the city spent
hetween 500 and $1,000 a
month. Today the city spends
about $4,000 a montn. ,
Improving Facilities
Improvement of city facili
ties has been progressing on
schedule in recent years. A
long range street paving pro
gram has paid off to the ex
tent that, only one street in
town remains unpaved. More
than three miles or hard sur
face streets are in the city. In
nririlllnn a cover for the city
water reservoir was installed
late last year at a cost in ex
cess of $5,000.
Five rmnlnvre.i are on the
city payroll. They Include a
police chief, city recorder,
water superintendent, attor
ney and Judse. The fire chief
of the 18-mombor volunteer
fire department also receives
a small salary.
The rltv helos maintain the
Jacksonville cemetery, an his
torical attraction. Representa
tives from the city, Odfl ei
Iowa. Catholic church. Masons
ami Redmen serve as a-gov
erning cemetery committee.
Common marking on tomb
stones is the phrase "killed
hv the Indians." One of the
earliest birthdates Is 1790.
Work In Other Placet
A large number of city res
idents work In surrounding
communities. Local merchants
are the only businesses in
Jacksonville.
r.raham sav. the cltv Isn't
ttemDtlns to attract lane in-
dustr'al developments.
As in other small cities, lo
cal organizations play an im
portant part in community
affairs. The Jacksonville
Lions club has 21 members
and is currently helping to
restore the U.S. hotel. The
Lions also built the Jackson
ville Community hall 12 years
ago. Other projects include
aiding the blind and supply
ing glasses to needy children
in the area.
The Lions auxiliary also is
active in aiding the blind. The
auxiliary sends blind children
and their parents to a state
institute for the blind meet
ing twice a year.
Maintains Park
The Jacksonville Garden
club helps maintain the city
memorial park and encourages
planting of flowers in all
areas of the city. In addition,
the club helps maintain an old
rose garden, started by the
Medford , Rose society. The
garden contains over 90 roses
of 17 varieties. It is located
near the Methodist church on
the corner of Fifth and D sts.
The Odd Fellows were or
ganized in 1880. The IOOF
sponsors an historical trek
with lodge visitors from all
parts of Oregon, and a United
Nations pilgrimage, sponsored
jointly by the IOOF and Re
bekah lodge. A Boy Scout
troop is also sponsored by the
IOOF.
The Elementary PTA has
102 members and recently
started sponsoring a summer
recreation program.
Other active organizations
Include the Royal Neighbors
of America, Masons, Eastern
Star, American Legion and
Legion auxiliary. t
First County Branch
The Jacksonville library,
opened in 1923, was the first
county branch library. It was
started with 290 books. Today
this number has swelled to
6,384.
According to Graham and
Wendt, a key to future devel
opments is installation of a
sewage disposal system, an
Issue defeated in a 1957 elec
tion. Establishment of large
residential developments may
hinge on whether or not the
sewage disposal plant is in
stalled. Septic tanks are used
by residents presently.
Cost of the proposed system
was $120,600.
Since the 1957 election,
Graham says the city tax val
uation has increased and the
tax rate has been lowered.
The bonding capacity of the
city has been Increased. Cur
rent bonded indebtedness is
less than $75,000. Graham
said that the indebtedness de
creased as a result of annexa
tion of the high school district
Into the Medford school dis
trict. To Com Up Again
The sewage disposal issue Is
scheduled to come up again.
Graham says he hopes an elec
tion will be held in the near
future. Wendt feels that
"Jacksonville needs a sewage
system. We want to make the
proposal as favorable as pos
sible explaining why it is nec
essary and how it will be
beneficial." He points out that
the proposed system would
raise property values.
Progress is being made in
Jacksonville and possibilities
for the future are unlimited.
The town may be old. but the
people are enthusiast! cand
excited about prospects for
the future. Maar Graham
thinks the time tor large scale
progress Is drawing near.
Whether his hopes materialize
remain to b teen.
utiis
and progress in this direction is currently being made,
with restoraton of the U.S. Hotel and Beekman bank
' started. The children pictured are standing on ground
probably once traveled by gold miners in the 1850s.
?'rA ta
-K-w v " - V,W wSa w X
TOURIST ATTRACTION The Jackson- come to view museum exnibits. The South
ville museum, founded in 1950, is the main em Historical , society maintains the mu
tourist attraction in the city. Guest books seum. The building was formerly the Jack
indicate people from all parts of the world son county courthouse.
Service Unlimited
Has New Owner
Mrs. Betty Fichtner has
purchased the business of
Service Unliimted and All
Service Temporary Employ
ment from Miss Dana L. Platz,
owner of the business for the
past several years.
Mrs. Fichtner said the bus
iness will continue to deal
with the employment of pro
fessional, clerical and skiled
laborers. Two full time secre
taries are employed in the of
fice, she said. They are Mrs.
Josephine Williams and Mrs.
Laverne James.
The business Is located at
1005 East Main St.
MAPLE HARVEST
Albany - Upper New York
and Vermont farm families
tap about six million maple
trees for the annual sap har
vest. D
HELP
US!
W nttd clothing, thots, dishts,
(urnitvt, 14 bedding.
W ick U.
HELP OTHERS!
Th Salvation Army
30 N. HoRt
SPrin J-7335
L
Investigate
Our
Insured
Pre-Need
Funeral
Service
Plan
SISKIYOU
I ffimmllitWlfi directors
ONE
Phone
SPring
2-5488
ONE
LOCATION
605
Bowmer, Taylor
Elected To Group
Ashland Southern Oregon
college professors, Angus L.
Bowmer, founder-producer of
the Oregon Shakespearean
Festival, and Dr. Arthur S.
Taylor, chairman of the social
science division, have been
elected to a membership in
the prestigious International
Institute of Arts and Letters,
Dr. Elmo N. Stevenson, SOC
president, has announced.
Founded in 1907 a a body "
corporate under the laws of
Switzerland, the continuing
purpose of the Insitute has
been the , achievement of
world-wide cooperation in the
cultivation and promotion of
arts, letters and sciences,
with the object of increasing
knowledge and of contribut
ing in other ways to human
progress.
Among its published list of
members are such interna
tionally distinguished persons
as Marc Chagall, French writer-philosopher;
Jean Cocteau,
member of the French acad
emy; Alan S. Paton, writer,
Union of South Africa; Eero
Saarinen, American architect;
William Saroyan, American
writer; Thoronton Wilder,
American writer; King W. Vi
dor, American motion picture
director; and professor Do
zent Heinz Hajek-Halke, Aca
demy of Fine Arts, Berlin,
Germany. j
g .' - smmmi
mm
JOE R. HOSICK
Funeral Director
CALL
Mortuary
Cmtry '
Mausolsum
Crematory
Columbarium
Inquiries
Invited
Highland Dr.
isb
t