Looking at tiny Jacksonville with all its cozy, Victorian charm, it's easy to forget that this was once one in every of the biggest cities within the Oregon Territory. Back then, it boasted – wait for it – 36 taverns, a Wells Fargo Express station and buildings constructed throughout the Oregon Gold Rush.
Time forgot this little nineteenth century boomtown after the railroad got here through and made nearby Medford its big stop. But that loss is our gain.
This Rogue Valley town is now a National Historic Landmark. Its streets are lined with 150-year-old buildings which might be still bustling with activity. You can still dine on the 1856 Bella Union Saloon on Main Street, browse the rooms of the Beekman House, which was converted right into a museum in 1873, and McCully House Hotelthe McCully family home in 1860.
Today, crowds flock here to absorb the atmosphere, browse the boutiques and wineries, and watch a show on the Britt Music and Arts Festival on the grounds of pioneering photographer Peter Britt's 80-acre estate. Incidentally, this grounds, which include gardens, woodlands and enchanting walking trails, are open to the general public for climbing and exploring all yr round.
We settled in for the weekend within the boutique Hotel MagnoliaBuilt in 1928 and completely renovated last yr by latest owners Jeff and Nikki Bale, it's vibrant and airy, with a dozen luxurious guest rooms and irresistible reading nooks.
The hotel is inside walking distance to just about every thing you must see, from modern espresso bars to the historic Beekman Bank. In summer the bank is open on weekends A history lecturer is available to inform colourful stories in regards to the Oregon Gold Rush, the Victorian-era bank vault and the impressive scales used to weigh gold dust and, we're told, the town's babies.
Right now, nonetheless, we’re sitting on the bar at Jacksonville's Miners' Bazaaran art project cafe and saloon run by Rogue Valley artist Rosie Taylor. Drawing paper and coloured pencils are stashed on the bar, mosaic lamps dangle above, and there's a menu of DIY craft projects in addition to one with drinks and snacks — vegetarian galettes ($10) and fancy grilled cheese pastries ($10).
There's a studio within the back stuffed with art supplies and craft kits, and there are cozy nooks with tables and chairs in all places where you’ll be able to sit and chat or create. Or do as we did and admire the genius of an art bar while sipping a glass of Quady North Rosé or Long Walk Vineyards Field Red, for instance.
An actual miners' bazaar opened just up the road in 1852, after pioneers James Clugage and James Poole did just a little, extremely successful gold mining, sparking an Oregon gold rush. The bazaar was a trading post – actually a tent – that supplied the sudden influx of miners with every thing from overalls and pickaxes to tobacco and whiskey. As the mining camp grew, so did the pubs, taverns and breweries – and in abundance. Even the town's bakery had a bar.
Today, Jacksonville's tasting rooms are known for wine moderately than liquor, and the historic buildings house temptations just like the Violets & Cream Ice Cream PharmacyThe GoodBean Coffee house and the Happy Alpaca Toys & Accessories.
A large toy alpaca stands outside Amy Kranenburg and Aaron Butler's lovely toy store, which opened in 2022 and offers Legos, Brio trains, colourful Haba toys, and other delights. It's all so cute, it's hard to assume that this cute little toy store was once the Marble Corner Saloon.
To be honest, most of the historic buildings here might be said to have “once upon a time” status. The Table Rock Billiard Saloon sign continues to be visible on the GoodBean The coffeehouse and ice cream shop once housed Jacksonville's first brewery.
But to listen to all of the stories, you’ve got to take a ride on the Jacksonville Streetcarwhich offers a 45-minute narrated journey into the past. The driver points out landmarks and tells of the invention of gold and the rise of this boomtown, and now and again adds a touch of unexpected local history. It seems that the unique Bozo the Clown – Vance DeBar Colvig, who performed as Pinto Colvig – was born here in 1892. He was also the unique voice of Disney's Goofy and Pluto. Who would have thought?
There can be a wine cart that travels from downtown – where several tasting rooms are positioned – to seven wineries further afield. If you favor to wander around on your personal, the Jacksonville Wine Route offers several particularly tempting options, from Quady North and Dancin' to Parkhurst Wine Cellars.
Mark Enlow — a Bay Area expat who spent three years at Hannah Nicole Vineyards in Brentwood — and his wife, Susan, opened their latest tasting room in Parkhurst on a hill just outside Jacksonville last fall.
The chic industrial-style constructing is surrounded by a creative—and fireproof—expanse of concrete and gravel. (The original tasting room within the nearby town of Talent was destroyed by the Almeda Fire within the Rogue Valley in 2020.) Inside, dramatic modern chandeliers hang from high ceilings, huge glass roll-up doors bring the skin in, and royal blue and purple velvet sofas add color.
The winery's name is a nod to Charlotte “One-Eyed Charley Parkhurst,” the legendary whiskey-drinking, cigar-smoking stagecoach driver who ferried passengers and gold across California's wild frontier. No one knew she was a girl until after her death. Ponder the legend as you sip Rogue Valley wines and revel in shareable bites from the small, seasonal menu—like grilled flatbread ($19) or a cheese and salami platter ($18).
Just minutes away, you'll find Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender, which has been welcoming families and wine lovers since 2022 to walk through the lavender fields, enjoy live music by the pond, and sip rosé and pinot noir on the patio. They also offer food, including charcuterie platters for adults ($21) and for teenagers ($5) to enjoy with lavender lemonade.
When you're done, take the tram that may take you – and your rosé – back to the town.
When you go
The Magnolia Hotel: Jacksonville has greater than a dozen inns and B&Bs, including this charming hotel, where rooms start at $140 per night. A European breakfast – yogurt, cereal, boiled eggs, fresh fruit and toast – is included. 245 N. Fifth St. in Jacksonville; https://magnoliahotelor.com.
Britt Music and Arts Festival: This annual summer music festival features folk, rock, jazz and classical music and typically runs from June to mid-October. brittfest.org. And Ashland's Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which also runs until mid-October, is a half-hour drive away. osfashionland.org.
The Miners’ Bazaar: Open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to six p.m., 235 E. California St., Jacksonville; www.theminersbazaar.com.
Violet & Cream: This ice cream, soda and candy shop at 150 S. Oregon St. in Jacksonville opens at 11 a.m. every day. https://violetsandcream.com.
Good bean: Opens Monday through Saturday at 6:00 a.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. at 65 S. Oregon St. in Jacksonville; www.goodbean.com
Happy Alpaca Toys & Accessories: Opens Monday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at 180 W. California St. in Jacksonville; https://happyalpacakids.com
Jacksonville Trolley Tours: History tours ($6-12) run five times every day Tuesday through Sunday June through August and Friday through Sunday in May, September and October. Purchase tickets and board the trolley on the Visitor Information Center on the corner of West C and North Oregon Streets. The wine trolley ($25) runs Friday through Sunday from noon to six:30 p.m. May through October. Reserve tickets and find more information at https://jacksonvilleoregon.org.
Parkhurst Wine Cellar: Open Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to six p.m., 845 E. California St. in Jacksonville; https://parkhurstwine.com/.
Dos Mariposas Vineyards & Lavender: Open for tastings: Thursdays and Mondays at 3:00 p.m. and Friday through Sunday at noon, 3976 Bellinger Lane in Medford; https://dosmariposasvineyards.com.
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