Jacksonville, Oregon Celebrates 150 Years

The tiny Oregon town of Jacksonville has a rich 150 year old history. In 1861, a couple of muleteers spied a glint of yellow in Rich Gulch, off Jackson Creek. Before the ensuing southern Oregon gold rush ended, Jacksonville had grown into a prosperous county seat. In all, $34 million in gold dust–worth almost $2 billion today–tipped the scales at Cornelius Beekman’s bank.

The bank and Beekman’s modest house remain meticulously preserved. “It’s like Beek–that’s what everybody called him–went home from work one evening and didn’t come back,” says Terri Gieg, who narrates trolley tours that start at the bank. “The scales where he weighed all that gold are still there.”

Peter Britt, a Swiss immigrant who arrived in 1852. Britt’s house and gardens are gone, victims of fire and neglect, yet his influence is everywhere. He planted the area’s first wine grapes and later lent his last name to the town’s renowned summer music festival, staged on the grounds of his former estate. There are few pastimes more pleasurable than spreading a blanket at dusk and savoring a “Brittnic” of local wines and foods while performers–classical pianist Emanuel Ax, country legend Willie Nelson–electrify the warm night air.

Britt wore many hats:  horticulturist, vinter, painter, shrewd investor, and prolific photographer of Jacksonville’s settlers and streetscapes–a legacy that has proved crucial in recent preservation crusades. The whole of Jacksonville’s downtown has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

To do and see:  Applegate Valley Wine Trail, Britt Festivals, Self-guided tours, Trolley tours

Eats:  Carriage House Restaurant, Jacksonville Inn, Mamma Mia Gelateria

Sleeps:  Jacksonville Inn, Magnolia Inn, Nunan Estate, TouVelle House

A portion of this article was re-printed from the September/October 2010 VIA magazine.

Britt Festivals: Mixing the Music

Oregon Music Festivals: In our blog, we write about southern Oregon’s gems. Right at the top of these treasures sits Britt Festivals. Conceived in 1963 by Portland conductor, John Trudeau, “The Britt” has been offering world-class music for 47 years. Trudeau picked the tiny town of Jacksonville and the incredible historic hillside estate of Peter Britt. The venue offers music lovers great views, incredible acoustics, and it is nestled in the quaint southern Oregon town of Jacksonville.

Sara King Cole, Marketing Manager for the Britt Festivals is a wealth of knowledge. “47 years ago Britt Festivals started with a plywood stage and a canvas canopy–there are great stories about the original classical musicians literally having to protect their instruments from the rain coming through the leaky canvas roof. Today, we have a permanent stage, full cover, and a top-of-the-line sound system so our musicians no longer have those concerns.”

The Britt Festivals’ 2009 performances begin June 12 and run through September 15. The artist lineup boasts an incredible array of musicians and performing talents. You’ll find everything from the classical (a three-week festival that is still the heart of Britt) to Etta James, Diana Krall, and a special August 30th performance by Pink Martini honoring Oregon’s 150 birthday celebration.

More information is available by accessing the Britt Festivals website or by calling their box office at: 1-800-882-7488.

All photos copyrighted by Britt Festivals.