Jacksonville, Oregon
Nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains lies the city of Jacksonville. It has been hailed as one of the most historically significant communities in the western United States.

Jacksonville is located less than 30 miles north of the California border and is easily accessible from Interstate 5. It sits in the countryside 5 miles west of Medford on the Jacksonville Highway, nestled against the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains in Southern Oregon.

Temperature is moderate and the seasons are distinctive. Summers are warm and sunny; winter brings sporadic showers and an occasional dusting of snow. Due to the moderate climate, this area has been called the “banana belt” of the Pacific Northwest.

Population:
Click here to see population numbers from the latest census for Jacksonville and other Oregon cities.

Climate:
Summer 70 to 100 degrees
Winter 30 to 65 degrees

Annual Rainfall: 20"

Schools: 1 elementary and 1 high school

Community: 4 churches, 3 banks, 5 wineries nearby, 5 real estate offices

Camping: Several sites located in the area

General Information
The historic character of this 19th Century town and the colorful legends of the past are woven into the fabric of everyday life in Jacksonville, reflected in the architecture and historic landmarks that line the streets.

Experience the warm summers and mild winters that beckon visitors to this appealing vacation spot through all four seasons.

History
After the Gold Rush Gold was first discovered in the Oregon territory at Rich Gulch in 1851, miners flocked to the Rogue Valley from everywhere to seek their fortune. Within months, thousands were scouring the hills hoping to stake a claim.

A thriving mining camp emerged along the gold-lined creeks and before long, the bustling camp was transformed into a town named “Jacksonville”. As luck would have it, Peter Britt, Oregon’s first photographer, arrived by oxen cart in 1852. After a brief period of gold mining and operating a pack train, he returned to his passion for photography. Britt captured the landscape of Jacksonville’s early history with pictures of people, architecture, events and natural settings that reflected the unusual lives and colorful legends of the day.

Meanwhile, gold rush fever brought prosperity very quickly to Jacksonville and by the winter of 1852, saloons and gambling halls were springing up to coax the gold from the hands of eager prospectors. Makeshift shops, supply stores, a bank and all sorts of enterprising businesses suddenly began to appear on the scene.

A City In Transition - During these early “boom” years, Jacksonville became the hub of commerce in Southern Oregon and the county seat of government. In 1884, when the railroad decided to bypass Jacksonville and choose the valley route through what is now Medford as the primary link between north and south, many residents and businesses moved away. A few wealthy merchants built grand mansions and the new County Court House was completed in1884. By the1890’s, agriculture had replaced mining as the main industry in the Valley. Historic Recognition Preserving Our History With great resilience and a new recognition of Jacksonville’s valuable heritage, the residents and business merchants began to actively preserve the town’s 19th Century character and charm. Photo archives, writings and artifacts that document Jacksonville’s colorful history were carefully rediscovered and assembled into exhibits and collections. In 1966, the entire town of Jacksonville was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and in 2001, was named one of the 12 Distinctive Destinations in the United States. More than 80 individual buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.