Description
This collection of Jackson County records consists of about 1600 items
formerly held by the County Clerk's Office. They include licences, bills,
receipts and certificates pertaining to ferries, peddling, road building,
elections and liquor sales (1853-1891).
Background
Jackson County (Ore.) is the southernmost county in that state. Apart
from the Rogue River Valley, a region well-suited to deciduous orchard crops,
it is largely mountainous, forested terrain. The county, one of the last in
Oregon to be settled, was organized (1852) following a gold strike. Its 19th
century county seat was Jacksonville, near the present-day city of Medford.
Most of the documents in this collection bear the signatures of long-time
County Treasurer, David Linn (1855-1867), or of one of two early County Clerks,
William Hoffman (1860-1866) and W.H. Hyde (1867-1870). Local businesses such
as: J.A. Brunner, Sachs Bros. and Anderson & Glenn [dry goods]; T.S.
Pomeroy, Henry Denlinger and B.F. Dowell [printers]; and, Comstock & Cawley
Livery Stables are frequently represented by bills for goods delivered. Many
early residents are named in lists of road crews and delinquent taxpayers.