History and heritage in Jacksonville
Jacksonville was founded after gold deposits were found here in 1851 and 1852. It was the county seat of Jackson County until 1927, when the seat moved to Medford.
A National Historic Landmark
The Jacksonville Historic District became a National Historic Landmark in 1966. The district covers more than 100 buildings.
Where to learn more
- Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS) formed in 1946 to save the 1880s Jackson County Courthouse in Jacksonville. It opened the Jacksonville Museum there in 1950. See sohs.org for what it currently offers.
- Historic Jacksonville, Inc. is a nonprofit that offers walking tours and history programs and manages the Beekman House, a house museum at 470 E. California Street. Its site describes the house as fully furnished with the family's artifacts. Its site does not state regular open days, so check historicjacksonville.org for hours and tours before you go.
- The old Peter Britt estate is also where the summer concerts are held. See Britt concerts.