​GPS Coordinates: 42.3132317, -122.9881045

EXPERIENCE > LANDMARK PLACES 

​When gold was discovered in 1851, miners and settlers swarmed into the Rogue River Valley. Numerous camps, towns and trading posts were established as a result of the new prosperity. Jacksonville was chief among these. The settlement was originally called Table Rock City and was established in 1852 by James Cluggage and James Pool, the owners of the very successful Rich Gulch gold mine.

At its height, Jacksonville was the capital of Jackson County. After several fires destroyed large parts of the town, the residents built new structures out of stone or brick. As a result, many of the buildings dating from the end of Oregon’s brief “gold rush” period are still standing and in excellent condition. Jacksonville continued to be a prosperous town even after the mines were exhausted, but by the mid-1880s, the railroads had bypassed it and Medford was made the new county seat.

What Should I see in Jacksonville?

Today, Jacksonville is considered a ghost town by many although it is neither abandoned nor in ruins. The town was declared a National Landmark in 1967 and the visitor’s center provides a walking tour of the historic buildings.

​The Jacksonville cemetery also offers a unique glimpse into Oregon’s early years, with graves dating back to 1859.​

​Related Features: Medford and Vicinity

Science in Seconds: The Global Positioning System: Finding these Landmark Places will be easier if you understand the Global Positioning System or GPS. This sophisticated system can allow a user to find any spot on earth within a few feet. Here's how it works...

Representative Species of the Jacksonville Area:

​Suggested Activities for the Jacksonville Area: