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For nearly three hundred years Americans have celebrated Inde
pendence day. Although we still observe it as a national holiday,
the excitement and festivities that marked the "Glorious Fourth" seem
to be a thing of the past. People traveled for miles around to hold
picnics in the park. There was horse racing, pie eating contests,
watermelon feeds, sack racing, pageants, and, best of all, fireworks
that streaked through the sky and burst in an awesome cascade of
fire.
Old-Fashioflecf
MedfordTribune ji I i
MEDFORdToREGON. SUNDAy7jULY1, 1962 l A" a-, v ' V
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Fourth Jl' rl!
Early-day patriotic pageants M Oregon
called for elaborate costumes such as these
worn by Miss Liberty and Peace. The
crimped hair was achieved with rags,
tightly braided locks or an iron heated in
the chimney of an oil lamp. This picture
by Peter Britt, pioneer photographer, i
from the Jacksonville Museum.
Motorcycle racing at Jackson county fairgrounds was one of the attractions of the Fourth of July celebration in 1912.
A cloua of oust can oe seen as ?ne naers race tneir engines tor tne start. Tne naU-mne am fracK, located at the
old fairgrounds site, where Timber Products Co. is now. had treacherous turns. Traveling at speeds up to 70 miles
An hour, motorcycles had to skid the corners to maintain speed, much to the delight of the crowd. Auto racing was
also held at the track. (H. E. Vroman photo)
This Britt photo taken on South Oregon street in Jacksonville shows an Independence day horse and carriage float
and typical street scene of about 75 years ago. The three buildings in the background are all still standing. The
partly shown building m ihe left is thfl historic Masonic lodge hall; that hall and the IOOF hall at the right are both
still in use by thesp orders.
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Many families, even as they do today, spen? the Fprth of July holidays at some camp spot away from the heat of
the vailey. In the 1925J's car owners often formed groups and( traveled , caravan style. The early day autos chugged
and rattled over the rough iQads; flat tires or over heated engines were common. The gorup pictured above had
topped for rest on 'Jje vfiiy to Dead lnon Soda springs. The attraction there, besides the cool and pleasant
countryside, wa the sparkling mineral water 'nSat bubbled out of rock tub.
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The Fourth of July parade in Medford in 1911, pictured above, shows buildings decorated with bunting
and large streamers stretched across Maif) street. According to a newspaper article in the Mail Tribune,
thousands of merrymakers from all over southern Oregon, jammed Medford's streets to celebrate the
"natal day of the republic," and cafes and vendors were kept busy supplying the trade. After Ihe parade
crowds headed for the race track, ball park and city park and other places where amusement could be
found. The photograph was taken by H. E, Vroman, who now lives in Prescott, Atix.
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With the advent of the "horseless carriage," these became popular for puades end were lavishly decorated with red,
white and blue bunting, flags and crepe paper. This picture, taken in front of the fire hall and showing part of the
old Nash livery stable at the right, is owned by Mrs. H. A. Stanley. 35 Crater lake avenue, and copy it In the extensive
collection of Eugene Thomas.