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    Jacksonville Oregon

    4.4 (19 reviews)

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    Lex vanna whites the city's signage. ;)
    Michelangelo S.

    "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.

    Lisa T.

    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.

    Cycle Oregon cycles through Jacksonville, Oregon

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    14 years ago

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

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    Ask the Community - Jacksonville Oregon

    Review Highlights - 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.

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    The Oregon Vortex - 11.26.23 one of Oregon's oldest and most original examples of Roadside Americana located in Gold Hill OR

    The Oregon Vortex

    4.1(24 reviews)
    22.2 km

    This is the 2nd time going to this location. It's been years since I went…read more The tour was a little smaller, smaller location to roam and the known things like the standing broom was not included in the tour. It was a hot day and I'm sure everyone was overheated. They have porta potties outside of check in area. Things to know: Bring your own golf ball to test one of the guides theory. Bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes. The location has a few souvenirs and drinks for sale in the check in area. Discount for veterans and first responders. Overall great experience and would recommend. The tour guide was knowledgeable.

    Oregon's version of the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz CA…read more I've only been to the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz once over 10 years ago in June 2013 and this experience at the Oregon Vortex was pretty much the same. Max was a very informative tour guide and was great in explaining the history and the "unexplainable" with plenty of exhibits detailing defying the laws of gravity. He asked for volunteers (children and adults) on some of his illustrations like for the height illusions as well as use props like a broom, a measuring tape and a leveler. The tour lasted about 45 minutes. The place is located off the beaten path. From N River Rd/Second Ave as we entered Sardine Creek Rd was another 4-1/2 miles to the attraction itself. Parking is free. Admission price is expensive (I can't remember, I think $20/ea or close to it). Discounts were given if you're a AAA member or military personnel. Mystery Spot in California is half at $10. Anyway, the property is small. This is definitely one of Oregon's oldest and most original examples of Roadside America. 3.5 Stars Review #3264

    Photos
    The Oregon Vortex - Back side of mystery house.

    Back side of mystery house.

    The Oregon Vortex - View of the trees.

    View of the trees.

    The Oregon Vortex - 11.26.23

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    11.26.23

    Applegate Trail Interpretive Center - Exterior of the Museum...may not look like a modern museum from the outside, but it is a MUST SEE for local history.

    Applegate Trail Interpretive Center

    4.3(7 reviews)
    49.0 km

    This is definitely worth a stop. I didn't really want to go, but my daughter was interested so we…read moremade it happen. Its AWESOME and so worth the stop. The man tending the place performed an original song first for us. Displays are very high quality. The story is compelling. The price is incredibly reasonable. The story of the Applegate Trail was really something else. What a terrible year to break trail - the same year the Donner Party had such trouble. Its worth a stop. They don't allow photography indoors, so I can't share what I saw. Go see for yourself!

    We saw the sign at exit 71 on the I-5 (14 miles north of Grants Pass, Oregon) for a covered bridge…read moreand decided to see this local treasure. Covered bridges are not very common in the West. As we approached the bridge, we saw a sign for this Museum, and decided to stop in. This was the highlight of today's sightseeing! We were greeted by Dennis Gaustad. This museum is clearly a labor of love by Dennis and his sister Betty. Dennis personally greeted us, and had us sit and gave us a lecture on the history of the migration along the Applegate Trail. Dennis knows his history and clearly loves sharing it with others. We were amazed by how professional all the displays were in the museum. Many of the artifacts were locally found, and were on display courtesy of this brother and sister team. One of the displays was a 8 minute film produced by Betty, and professionally acted by locals, giving a enlightening representation of local history related to the Applegate Trail migration. Dennis clearly wants to preserve the local history, and is passionate about it. Sadly, several people came in and refused to pay a modest $5-6 entrance fee and left. They missed out on a fabulous display of local history. This museum is a treasure in this region of Oregon, and I encourage anyone interested in how the West (particularly Oregon) was settled, to stop in here and bask in the history proudly displayed here. This is the very best small museum I have ever seen. A definite MUST SEE.

    Photos
    Applegate Trail Interpretive Center - Sign announcing the Interpretive Center

    Sign announcing the Interpretive Center

    Applegate Trail Interpretive Center - Dennis Gaustad.  Dennis and his sister Betty are the force behind this museum.  Dennis is a wealth of knowledge.

    Dennis Gaustad. Dennis and his sister Betty are the force behind this museum. Dennis is a wealth of knowledge.

    Applegate Trail Interpretive Center - One of the many historic stagecoaches at the museum

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    One of the many historic stagecoaches at the museum

    Jacksonville Oregon - historicaltours - Updated May 2026

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