Jacksonville Historic Tour

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Situated in the Heart of the Oregon Western Territory the words, “There’s Gold in those hills!”, were quietly heard and in 1851, just a few years after the 1849 San Francisco Gold Rush, thousands flocked to the Southern Oregon town of Jacksonville.

The town today looks much like it did back then. With Victorian charm, original brick store fronts and saloon-style shops you will feel like you are traveling back in time!

Because of its old west appeal, Hollywood has chosen this location several times to film westerns. Big Hollywood names like Robert Duvall, Kirk Douglas and many others have used the historic city of Jacksonville as a backdrop for their feature films.

The shopping in Jacksonville is some of the best in Oregon! Tour guests will also have the opportunity to visit the Southern Oregon Historical Museum.

Historic Jacksonville is just 30 minutes from Ashland. En route you may even get to experience some of Southern Oregon’s award-winning wines and cheeses.

Tours last 3.5 hours and include a narrative by a professional guide, transportation, museum entry, and winery admission. We leave daily at 11:00 am or 1:00 pm

Cost: $79 (Per person, please book at least 24-48 hours in advance.)

The Man Behind the Name

In 1852, Peter Britt (1819-1905) arrived in the small, rowdy mining camp of Jacksonville with $5 in his pocket and a wagon full of photography equipment. Like thousands before him, the Swiss immigrant came to America, and to the West, to make a new life for himself.

By the time he died, half a century later, Britt was one of Oregon's most celebrated citizens. Through thousands of photographs, he chronicled 50 years of life and growth in Southern Oregon. Miners, farmers, ranchers, builders, bankers, merchants, clergymen and families were all captured by Britt's lens.

From Jacksonville's inauspicious beginnings in the 1850s to Southern Oregon's agricultural prominence at the turn of the century, Britt's images tell the stories of those who settled and transformed our region.

But Britt's camera represents only one aspect of his contribution to Oregon history. A fervent believer in the agricultural promise of the Rogue Valley, Britt planted the first fruit trees in the region and opened Oregon's first winery. At various times he was a miner, packer, financier, beekeeper and meteorologist.

Evidence of Peter Britt's remarkable life is still visible on the Britt hill where his home and gardens once stood. It is now a County Park preserved with many of Britt's original trees still producing fruit, and the Sequoia sapling Britt planted on the day his first child was born in 1862 standing more than 200 feet tall.

Today the former Britt Estate hosts the world-class open air Britt Music Festivals that offer entertainment from June-September, under-the stars, featuring the best in Jazz to Classical - Rock to Country Venues as exciting as larger metro regions offer.