Established
in 1937
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Josephine County sesquicentenniel celebration on near horizonBy ROGER BRANDT
Special to IVNSesquicentennial is a word we don't get to use often because it only comes around when something turns 150 years old.
The word is pronounced “sez-key-centennial,” and now is the perfect opportunity for people to use it because on Sunday, Jan. 22, Josephine County became 150 years old.
Illinois Valley has more reason to celebrate Josephine County’s sesquicentennial than any other place in the region because this is where the early history of this county was shaped.
For the first 25 years of the county’s history, the county seat and government offices were located in Illinois Valley thriving communities that sprang up around mining operations or along supply routes from Crescent City, Calif. -- the supply hub for most of Southwestern Oregon.
The story of how this area became the center of activity began in 1851. A group of settlers traveling on a pioneer trail near Grants Pass met some Native Americans who showed them gold nuggets and said they would lead them to the place where the yellow rocks had been found.
This side trip took these settlers south from the Applegate Trail following the approximate route of Hwy. 199 to Illinois Valley. There, they turned and followed Illinois River down into what is now the Eight Dollar Mountain botanical area.
The stream where the gold was found was named in honor of a girl in the group and is still known today as Josephine Creek. Most people agree that Josephine County was named after the same girl, Josephine Rollins.
The discovery of gold in Oregon launched a rush into Illinois Valley. Although the mining was more active here than other places around the region, Illinois Valley was incorporated into Jackson County when it was established in 1852. Jacksonville was designated as the county seat.
The distance between Illinois Valley and Jacksonville became an almost immediate issue because of the time it took to travel to the county seat over rough trails. Citizens began to press for establishing a separate county where a more local county seat could be established.
On Jan. 22, 1856, the Oregon Legislature separated the western half of Jackson County to create Josephine County.
From 1856 to 1883, most of the significant events in Josephine County’s history took place in Illinois Valley. There are many events and people who helped shape the landscape and places we see around the valley today.
Perhaps this year will be a good opportunity for us to look back and appreciate the role that Illinois Valley played in Oregon history.
But for now, from the place where it all began, “Happy sesquicentennial, Josephine County.”
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