Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Jacksonville, OR
Year Listed: 2001
Once a gold mining boomtown, Jacksonville, Oregon, (population 1,896) is in the southwest corner of the state, close to the California border. The town, a preservation pioneer in the West, combines its historic character with the recreational opportunities of the mountains and a thriving arts community. After gold was first discovered in the Oregon Territory in 1851, gold rush fever turned a mining camp into a thriving town called Jacksonville. By the 1890s, agriculture had replaced mining as the area's main industry, and the County Court House was built aside grand Victorian mansions. After the turn of the century, however, Jackson was abandoned and its buildings were forgotten. Jacksonville sprang back to life in the 1960s when new residents made a commitment to preserve its 19th century character. Dozens of cafes, taverns, historic lodgings, museums, antique shops, art galleries, and specialty boutiques now fill the town's original brick and wooden buildings, 80 of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The entire town was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966 before the National Register was even created. The highlight of Jacksonville's arts calendar is the Peter Britt Music Festival, the Northwest's premier outdoor summer performing arts festival. From June to September, visitors can enjoy the performances of acclaimed artists from Al Jarreau and Rickie Lee Jones to Pinchas Zuckerman and the American Indian Dance Theater. Other year-round and seasonal attractions include arts and crafts shows, llama and alpaca ranches, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festivals in nearby Ashland. Now celebrating its 150th Anniversary, Jacksonville is committed to preserving its open space. It has made a concerted effort to preserve hundreds of acres from development ranging from open oak woodlands to dense riparian zones. Seven miles of hiking trails bring visitors to lush forests, 19th century gold mines, and other historic sites, including three archeologically laden woodlands parcels that are listed in the National Register. Other outdoor activities range from golf and tennis to skiing, fishing, whitewater rafting, and water skiing.
