Medford mail tribune., August 18, 1963, Image 17

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MEDFORDt
.Tribune
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MEDFORD. OREGON, SUNDAY. AUGUST 18. 1963
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Jacksonville's
Beekman House
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Back in 1880 a Jacksonville banker, Cornelius C. Beekman, built a new family home on California street. The two-story frame structure, with steps
leading up to porches and a picket fence enclosing the large yard, was much like those being erected in many small western cities for prosperous
businessmen and farmers. Today, in fine condition and with its furnishings almost completely intact, Beekman house is maintained as a historic spot,
open to the public, where the visitor can have a glimpse of a typical way. of life in the 19th century. A catalpa tree shades the front yard and a huge
trumpet vine, probably as old as the house, spreads its fronds and scarlet flowers along the tree's limbs.
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When Banker Beekman and his family lived here, meals war
prepared on this sturdy black range which would ttill give
service if the need arose. The family teakettle, coffee pot and
. irons are kept, clean and polished, and the woodbox Is filled
'V .with wood. The little kitchen labia is. set with cups and saucers
, 4 and last Tuesday a little bouquet of nasturtiums brightened one
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In the parlor of the Beekman house the family Bible
with Mr. Beekman's glasses and sun glasses with col
ored lenses, much like those in use today, lay on a
marble-topped table. Asters in a crystal bowl are in
keeping with the room's furnishings.
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This very old rosewood commode and china set in one
of the Beekman house bedrooms usually puzzles the
youngsters who have never known 1 house without
plumbing and running water.
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.Most parlors in the 1880's had a walnut whatnot with mirror and little shelves. Tiny
Wedgwood vases, enameled miniatures and other small art objects are arranged as
they were when Mrs. Beekman was the mistress of the household. The chair is uphol
stered in the original -black horsehair; Battenburg lace curtains hang at the windows.
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Mrs. George Brewer, who oversees Beekman house for the Siskiyou Pioneer Sites
Foundation, is shown here in the trunk room. Stored in the room is a beautiful cherry
wood cradle in which the Beekmans' son Ben and daughter Carrie were rocked to
sleep as infants. Attendants keep the house, preserved through the joint efforts of
the University of Oregon, Jackson County and the Foundation, open from 10 a.m. to
I p.m. during the summer months, and on week ends for the remainder of the year.
Called fruit, or spring, houses, these little structures
of brick were a familiar sight in the late 19th century.
A grape vine provides shade and an artistic setting
' for this one. .
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Visitors to Beekman house see the dining table set with the Haviland china used by
the family and the Reed and Barton silver Is arranged on the sideboard. Mr. Beak
' man, who emigrated from New York to San Francisco In 1830, was a carpenter,
miner and Wells Fargo agent before becoming a banker. Mrs. Beekman, daughter
of Squire and Mrs. William Hoffman, came to Jacksonville in 1833 with her parents.
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