-- Jacksonville Walking Tour Page--
Oregon lily, Frittillary gentneri
This guided walking tour takes you on a fascinating trip back in time when the cries of “Gold!” were first heard echoing through the hills of Southern Oregon. Learn about Jacksonville’s beginnings, its history, and step back in time.
This tour begins at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce (next to the Post Office).
Walk past many historical homes and buildings on South Oregon Street, which include the Eagle Brewery Saloon constructed in 1856. Then we’ll see the Gold Marker, which marks the site where gold was first discovered in 1851 by James Cluggage and J.R. Poole.
We’ll hike the Rich Gulch Trail and view sites of gold discovery. We’ll discuss the different types of gold mining and read the interpretive signs along the way. We’ll visit Panorama Point, which offers spectacular views of the Rogue Valley, Mt. McLoughlin, and the Siskiyou and Cascade Mountains. Walk past the site of the Chinese Diggings, the most extensively mined site within the Rich Gulch Mining District. To this day you can still view the deep man-made ravines and tailing piles along with hundreds of glory holes where men dug into the earth in search of riches.
During our tour, we’ll walk past a variety of trees including the Pacific Madrone, White Oak, and Manzanita. In the springtime, wildflowers abound. You may even spot the endangered southwest Oregon lily, Frittillary gentneri, a red bell shaped flower.
The hike works its way to the Britt Festival Grounds where we’ll view the re-created contours of Peter Britt’s home site. See the giant Sequoia Peter Britt planted in honor of his son Emil’s birth in 1862.
After the tour, you might like to stop and have a beverage at the old Table Rock Billiard Saloon now called Good Bean Coffee Company or have something to eat at one of Jacksonville’s fine eateries.
PRICE: $20.00 per person. Cash or checks only, please. (At this time we are unable to accept credit cards.)
Tours are offered Tuesday - Sunday.
First tour starts at 9:00 am and the last tour leaves at 4:00 pm.
(Tour takes approx. 2 hours.)
Please call to schedule your tour at (541) 261-3571.
We recommend you wear comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes and bring sufficient drinking water.
I also offer a variety of tours through the beautiful Rogue Valley including The Wine & Cheese Tour, Gin Lin Mining and Historic McKee Bridge tour and many others.
Return to the Home Page.
