Welcome to Southwestern Oregon
Visitors to the picturesque Illinois Valley of Josephine County in Southwestern Oregon will be delighted by the array of attractions, which include several fine wineries of note and unique arts-and-crafts locations, plus scenic sites galore.
Additionally the city of Cave Junction in the middle of Illinois Valley is known as the Gateway to the Oregon Caves. The national monument, including the historic Oregon Caves Chateau, is approximately 22 miles east of Cave Junction out Oregon Hwy. 46 (“Caves Hwy.”).
It’s essential for those coming to Illinois Valley (called “I.V.” locally) to note that the area should not be judged only by what can be seen from U.S. Hwy. 199 (“Redwood Hwy.”). It bisects the valley communities of O’Brien on the south to Selma on the north with the city of Cave Junction and the town of Kerby in-between.
It’s important to get off “the beaten track” and travel the side roads. That’s part of what this Valley Visitor is about. Because 199 is a major thoroughfare, lying between Interstate 5 at Grants Pass, and U.S. 101 on the California coast, it can be easy to simply drive straight through.
But that would mean missing a lot.
Illinois Valley has a rich history, much of which can be reviewed at Kerbyville Museum & History Center in Kerby between Cave Junction and Selma. The site includes the Stith-Naucke House, built in 1871 and fully furnished in the style of that period.
As the former county seat, during the significant gold mining days of the valley, the town of Kerby was once known as Napoleon. That name was based on the county being named after Josephine Rollins, said to be the first white woman in the area: Thus, Josephine had to have her Napoleon.
Besides the museum, the Kerby community includes It’s A Burl, Yanase Jewelers, Kauffman Wood Products, Hampton’s Rock Shop, Kerbyville Farm, and the Rogue Community College Learning Center. The latter also accommodates Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge, and the Southern Oregon Guild Art Center.
Besides the latter, the valley’s arts are highlighted by Illinois River Valley Arts Council. Among its activities, it sponsors Second Friday Art Walks in Downtown Cave Junction from March through December.
The valley’s wineries, listed in a story elsewhere in this publication, offer tasting rooms and excellent vintages. Tours can be arranged.
Illinois Valley and its environs comprise one of Oregon’s “best-known secrets.” For example, the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and Illinois River (for rafting and boating) are included, as well as scenic drives out Eight Dollar Mountain Road and Illinois River Road.
A wealth of information is available: Besides this Valley Visitor, published by Illinois Valley News, insights and directions to various attractions are available at Illinois Valley Visitor Center (which includes Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce) on Hwy. 46, just off 199; and at the U.S. Forest Service
office at the south end of Cave Junction.
The valley’s attributes also include Lake Selmac out Lakeshore Drive in Selma. Camping, fishing, miniature golf, disk golfing, boating, swimming and hiking are among the attractions.
The Selma community also includes Crystal Kaleidoscope, “a rock shop plus more.” And a short distance out Illinois River Road, the Siskiyou Field Institute operates Deer Creek Center For Field Research & Education.
As well, the community includes the Selma Community & Education Center. Various programs are offered; check the bulletin board at the site or see announcements in Illinois Valley News, which is available at stores throughout the valley.
Information also can be obtained from the newspaper’s Website at illinois-valley-news.com or the chamber of commerce site at cavejunctionoregon.com.
At other locales around valley, visitors will find Illinois Valley Golf Course, a 9-hole site that will be expanded to 18; Forest Edge Farm, which raises llamas; Suri Futures, which raises alpacas; the Rough & Ready Botanical Wayside, Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area, Illinois Valley Airport (the former site of the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base), Jubilee Park, Illinois River “Forks” State Park. And Page Mountain Sno-Park.
Illinois Valley has approximately 15,000 residents, stretching as it does from the O’Brien community to the top of Hay’s Hill.
A number of special events are held each year for residents and visitors. Besides Second Friday Art Walks, the list includes the Concerts in the Park series, presented by Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce; Siskiyou Bluegrass Festival, also sponsored by the chamber; the Wild Blackberry Festival, Cave Junction Lions Club Classic Car Show, Illinois Valley Lions Labor Day Festival & Parade, and Reunionmania, the Fourth of July weekend gathering for graduates of I.V. High School and the former Kerbyville Union High School.
So slow down, pull off and look around. Illinois Valley offers Nature’s beauty with historical, cultural and artistic attractions. Not to mention fine wine.
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