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Southern Oregon
Welcome to the wonderus Southern Oregon
area. Our area offers qualities of life that
many areas only dream about. This is truly
diverse setting with fantastic natural
wildlife, mild climate, four seasons,
snow-capped mountain peaks, major theater
companies, art galleries, museums and fine
restaurants offer a truly diverse setting.
Several "Valleys" make up our area such as
The Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley and the
Illinois Valley to name just a few. With its
warm summers and mild climate, the Rogue
Valley is known as "pear country," and
excellent place to garden. The climate is so
good, in fact, that area had an active
agricultural industry around the turn of the
century. The climate is also conducive to
growing grapes, and there are several local
wineries and Vineyards.
The famous "Rogue River" runs through the
heart of this area and is a haven for
fishing and whitewater rafting. The outdoor
activities are unsurpassed and the
historical sites are wonderful. There are
many historical towns such as Grants Pass,
Jacksonville, Ashland, Medford, Cave
Junction, Shady Cove and more.
LOCAL CITIES
Grants Pass
is located in southern Oregon about 60 miles
north of the California border. It is a town
filled with beauty, history and scenic
attractions. Downtown Grants Pass recently
earned the distinction of a National
Historic District because of its historic
buildings and homes.
Downtown is filled with antique and
collectible shops, ice cream parlors, and
sidewalk espresso stands. Be sure to stroll
through downtown and enjoy the beautifully
restored historical buildings.
The highlight of Grants Pass is the mighty
Rogue River flowing through town. Riverside
Park is located right on the Rogue River and
is a wonderful place to picnic and walk
along the Rogue. The city is often referred
to the "whitewater rafting capital" of
Oregon and over 25 outfitters offer rafting
adventures in this area and Merlin. There
are jet boats that leave from Grants Pass
and take visitors on a tour through Hellgate
Canyon. Be sure to bring your cameras to
catch the extensive wildlife on film. In
1968 the Rogue River was designated by
Congress as a National Wild and Scenic
river. This means that visitors have access
to an unspoiled wilderness world.
At the end of May in Grants Pass is the
world famous Boatnik festival at Riverside
Park. It lasts four days and the main event
is a thrilling hydroboat race. Grants Pass
is also host to southern Oregon's largest
outdoor "Growers Market". In spring and
fall, the Grants Pass is awash in color with
the new blooms or the fall turning of the
trees, but anytime of year at all, Grants
Pass is an exceptionally beautiful town.
Medford
is located on Interstate 5, just 27 miles
north of the California-Oregon border. It is
about 26 miles south of Grants Pass. Medford
is situated in the heart of Southern
Oregon's beautiful Rogue River Valley. Pear
orchards bloom profusely in the spring,
surrounded by snow-capped peaks still white
with the last snows of winter. The summers
are very warm and fall colors are beautiful.
Medford, the county seat of Jackson County,
is the industrial, retail, and professional
center of Southern Oregon and Northern
California.
Years ago the Rogue River Valley was home to
the Shasta, Takilma, and Athabascan Indians.
Then gold was discovered in 1852 - and
miners thronged to the valley in search of a
fortune in nuggets, followed by farmers
lured to the valley by the fertile soil and
favorable growing conditions. Small towns
seemingly sprang up overnight, and as the
California-Oregon Stage Road grew dusty with
increasing loads of goods and supplies, the
communities of Ashland, Talent, Phoenix,
Jacksonville, and Central Point grew
prosperous as trading centers.
It wasn't until 1883 that the Oregon &
California Railroad reached Southern Oregon.
Jacksonville, the county seat at the time,
expected to be the next station between
Portland and Sacramento. But when the
railroad company requested a $25,000 "bonus"
for the privilege, Jacksonville refused to
pay and the railroad built a station at
Middle Ford on Bear Creek. A proposed town
site was plotted at Middle Ford and the name
was shortened to Medford. Medford grew
rapidly both in size and importance. By
1896, it had a population of 2,500 and had
established itself as a major shipping and
railway center.
Today, Medford, with a population of nearly
80,000, is still the business, commercial,
and professional center of Jackson County.
Visitors and residents can enjoy the
changing of the four seasons and overall
mild climate. Elevation is 1380 feet above
sea level; rainfall average is 19 inches;
temperatures vary from average lows of
31-41° to average highs of 88-100°. The
timber industry, agriculture, and tourism
are basic to the economy.
Crater Lake and Table Rock
are nearby attractions and they are a must see!
Crater lake is a deep, pristine, clear lake
formed inside a volcano. Back in the Valley
you can view Table Rock you can hike
the maintained trail leading to the top and
overlook the Rogue Valley. Other
nearby cities in Jackson County include
Jacksonville, Ashland, Talent, Phoenix,
White City, Eagle Point, Gold Hill, Rogue
River and others. Josephine County includes:
Grants Pass, Merlin, Hugo, Sunny Valley,
Wolf Creek, and others. Illinois Valley area
includes: Selma, and Cave Junction, home to
the "Oregon Caves".
Area Climate
of Southern Oregon, with its warm summers
and mild climate is an excellent place to
garden.
Average annual maximum temperature is 68.0,
annual minimum 40.9. Average annual
precipitation is 29.5 inches. Snowfall is
minimal - 2.3 inches per year and in many
years is non-existent.
There are four distinctive seasons ranging
from winter skiing to summer whitewater
rafting.
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