I really enjoyed visiting Jacksonville, Oregon. My wife and I went on a camping trip near by and on the way back home, we wanted to check out Medford, Oregon. Once in Medford, everyone was telling us to go to Jacksonville, Oregon to look at the historic building and all the fun things to do there. We redirected there, it was only about a 15 min drive to Jacksonville. The downtown area was very cute, we saw a farmers market type event setup at City Hall. We parked and walked over to check out all the things the different booths were selling. We saw lots of unique things there like woodcarvings, pictures & paintings and even some food and drinks. After a short time we continued driving through all the neighborhoods, enjoying the different types of old homes. read more

"Jacksonville is named for Jackson Creek, which runs through the community & was the site of one of the first placer gold claims in 1851. It includes  Jacksonville Historic District which was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1966." The gold was played out so Jacksonvlle went into a big sleep which may not have been so good for the residents at that time, but in hindsight, Jacksonville went into suspended animation thus preserving the 19th century buidings intact. Strolling along California Street is like goIng back to the 1890's. You almost expect a barber shop quartet to be singing some old fashioned tunes, or player pianos playing in a saloon. In fact one saloon, J-Ville Tavern occupying the former Anderson & Glen General Merchandise Bldg, touts itself as a "Husband Daycare Center" for wives who want a break from their spouses. The barber shop still sports an old time barber pole w/ a dome light on top. The window displays spitoons & other objects from that bygone era. Jacksonville Lumber Company on a side street does reverse chic and displays a Pink Flamingo & artificial flowers as if to slyly make a reference to John Waters' infamous cult film by the same name. We found the Cheese Monger's Wife to be a great place to get Euro style sandwiches, local Rogue Creamery Blue Cheeses, Siskyou Wild Honey, Pistola Côte du Rhône style white wine. Their cheese board was an impressive exercise in aesthetic composition. The lady owner goes out of her way to inform her customers who are curious about the gourmet products that she stocks & sells. Nice two or three hours to soak up some Southern Oregon charm with a fin de dix-neuvième siècle ambience. read more

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Throughout the years, I have been a Jacksonville Business Owner, City Employee and my children have been educated there. Jacksonville is on the surface lovely. But, for example, Diane with planning dept is "behind-the-scenes" very transphobic, proudly posting hateful rhetoric. It it is a city definitely overtly stuck in some kind of imaginary caste system from many if the residents, which borders entertaining. I once had a resident yell at me and ask me if I knew who she was. I apparently was unaware that I was supposed to be impressed by her nasty attitude. It's worth a day trip, but consider it a twilight zone. Upside, PD is fantastic without big egos, which is refreshing. All my opinion through direct years of experience in the city. read more

Nice little town. Crowded but not too crowded. Great choices for every meal. Parking tight but still, with a little patience, can find spaces. A very enjoyable locale. read more

"Always A Good Time!" [...as my sweet friend Lex demonstrates in this picture in front of the city signage: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/jacksonville-oregon-jacksonville#uvB3OkSAzRK7QLSr_M-M5w ] SITREP And THAT, believe it or not, is also this town's motto! Just 5 miles down the road from Medford, OR, this sister-city to Lawrence, New Zealand, is pack full of charm and history, and downright charming history! THE SETUP "A Sweet Trek Back Into Frontier History". Jacksonville was founded as a result of this part of Oregon's own mini-gold rush of 1851 & 1852. In fact, as a result of the gold frenzy seizing the West Coast at this time, a large Chinese Migration came up to Jacksonville, making it home to the first "Chinatown" in Oregon. Jacksonville was the most prominent city and pushed a largish population for a few decades. But around 1874, the translatlantic railroad spur went through nearby Medford, OR, and so like the Cities of Walla Walla & Tombstone in other states, Jacksonville saw some "Bust" times, and it's eventual diminishment. WINE COUNTRY But the Jacksonville community still soldiered onward, and no Southern Oregonian a century ago probably could have anticipated how Jacksonville would suddenly take off like a jet in the 21st Century as an exciting & viable wine market. Lots of great wineries have popped up all over the Jacksonville, Medford and Ashland region. And though it IS a four (4) and a half road trip from the Bay Area and Sacramento, there is a lot to be said about enjoying a more pristine wine country that hasn't QUITE yet oversold it's soul to the same commercial forces that have inundated the Napa & Sonoma Valleys, just sayin. ;) THE COURTHOUSE The Southern Oregon Historical Society formed in 1946 to save the Jackson County Courthouse, by transforming it into the Jacksonville Museum on July 10, 1950. But it eventually closed in 2006 because of lack of funding. Though the courthouse is not open to the public, I still got a pretty rad picture of it: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/jacksonville-oregon-jacksonville#x8kPsCWh41wj0ajxn1tkrg HISTORIC IMPRINT Many of the old buildings of this main town center have been renovated & retasked as the newer sites of great restaurants - including the sushi joint - and coffe shops and the like. On their sides, there are some of the old advertisements that still emblazon the side of the building, such as this one from Levi Strauss: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/jacksonville-oregon-jacksonville#78XjkymeYAxkdseWYbQncA THE LOWDOWN A great trip into the historic past of our Western Frontier while looking ahead to exciting & new commercial opportunities in the Wine Industry. read more

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There is much more to Jacksonville than shops and the Britt Festival. I've been here many times, but never had taken a tour. I am so glad we hopped on the trolley for the 45 minute tour of this historic town. Listening to Brian, the driver and tour guide, I learned a lot about the history of the town as the trolley wound around town. I would recommend this tour to anyone who visits Jacksonville. The adult fare is only $5. A tourist on a trolley might sound a little hokey, but after we took off for our tour I knew it was money well spent and great way to learn about this fascinating town. read more

Wonderful town. We visited twice. Walked the shops and ate lunch one day. Segway tour and lunch the second. Bought 2 tops at a cute boutique. read more

Jacksonville Oregon - Historical Tours Near Me

Take a step back in time to a city from early 19th century. A town so small enough that one can walk to most places. The drive from Ashland to Jacksonville is scenic farmland along the way. Here's what I'd recommend doing: 1. Take trolley tour - sit on the starboard side of the bus as that's the direction everyone will look. Nice tour with good information. 2. Visit the cemetery - it is interesting and historical - not just macabre. 3. There is a brewery that serves German food... I'd go there - though I did not go there on my trip... but I will if I ever go back. 4. Park over by the library - there is an information booth and nice bathrooms right there. I wish I'd gone to the brewery! I bet they have schooners there. read more

What can I say...I live here. This is my favorite place to always come back to. Britt Festivals, Trolley Tours, Wine Tasting, Trail Hiking, Fine Dining and Accommodations, 4 Seasons,Outdoor Recreation, the Rogue River, Crater Lake, The Shakespeare Festival. It is all here or very close by. read more

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Cute old town! Wish we had more time to spend here. It is very much as charming as the quaint old gold mining towns in California's gold country. Must put this one on my bucket list. And only about 5 miles outside Medford. read more

Cute little town. Had a not so pleasant conversation with a restaurant owner who was rudely putting down other restaurants in an attempt to encourage us to eat at his place, very odd. Needless to say, we did not eat in town. read more

beautiful little hamlet near medford oregon. quaint, cute and almost untouched. beautiful buildings dating back to 1851 when the gold rush invaded the west coast. now its an allure and destination to tourist wanting to visit historic areas of oregon. a nice twist of restaurants, festivals, wineries, shops and bed and breakfasts. bring a camera to capture the charm of this nice little town read more

Wonderful small, gold rush town. We love visiting for the day. The food is great and love to peak into the shops or enjoy a concert at the Britt Festival. read more

Jacksonville, OR is a charming town. You feel as though you're walking through Disneyland. The town has so many cute features and the trolly ride lead by Brian and his wife is fantastic! Everyone is kind. You will have a breathe taking experience :) read more

Jacksonville is a gorgeous, friendly little historical town. The Britt Music Festival is wonderful. I would like to thank the staff at the Britt offices for being so helpful. Especially Vicki Rosette who went above and beyond helpful in locating and contacting my mother after she left her purse at a John Prine concert at the Britt Festival. read more

I was hoping for more to do with kids there, but it seems a better place for adults to visit. Lots of wine tasting with no minors allowed indoors. I thought there might be something interactive for kids like Columbia, CA, but we really just ate lunch and headed over to one of the walking trails. We were going to take the trolley to tour around and check out the buildings, but for no reason we could find there was just a sign saying no trollley todya. I wish that had been noted on the website so we didn't expect it to be running. Beautiful restored homes, cute place to live, just not a whole lot to do for families that we could find. read more

A great little town with much history. The locals are friendly and the buildings are old and interesting. Between Medford and Grants Pass.

This is our 4th visit to Jacksonville; we just love to walk around, talk to the locals, and learn about its history..we'll keep coming back, too! Looking forward to coming back next year!! read more

We had a terrific dinner at the Jacksonville Inn in Jacksonville, OR. The food was yummy and the service terrific. We ate in the Bistro, which is cozy and friendly. They also have a lovely dining room with a talented woman playing the piano. The perfect place for a relaxing and romantic evening. read more