Is situated in the southern portion of the state, being separated from California by the Siskiyou Mountains. It contains an area of 11,556 square miles, a population exceeding 5,000, and its assessable property is valued at $1,75,000 [sic]. It is traversed by the Cascade Range which separates it into two unequal divisions differing materially in soil and climate; and it is watered by several streams, the most important being the Rogue River, which follows a tortuous course before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The agricultural resources of the county are very large, and some of the finest farms in the state are spread over the western section. The principal grains, and the fruits requiring a sunny clime, thrive admirably and yield abundantly. It is well adapted to stock raising, as there are extensive quantities of rolling uplands, which produce grasses in luxuriance. The mildness of the climate is also favorable to this industry, as cattle do not require feeding in the winter season in the western portion; but east of the Cascade Range the snowfall is often deep and preparations must be made to feed stock. The western section possesses many advantages also as a site for vineyards, the foothills being sloping and having the soil deemed best for the most thorough propagation of the grape. Where tested this fruit has been cultivated very successfully, and it has yielded wine of good quality. Mining is the leading industry of the county, some six or seven hundred men being engaged in the business. Several of the mines yield well, but having been worked since 1852, they are not as remunerative as of yore. Were water more abundant they could be made to pay better. Timber of many varieties grows luxuriantly in the western part, but owing to the want of means of transportation lumber is not manufactured to any extent. Game is abundant in all the wooded region, and in the vicinity of the lakes; fish are found in all the streams; the useful minerals which include iron, coal, magnetite, copper and limestone are found scattered over a large area; saliferous, sulphur and medical springs are numerous; hence it is apparent that this county must become in the future the home of a large and wealthy population.
    COUNTY OFFICERS: Judge, E. B. Watson; Clerk, P. Dunn; Sheriff, T. T. McKenzie; Treasurer, John Bilger; School Supt., W. J. Stanley; Assessor, H. Taylor; Surveyor, B. F. Meyer; Commissioners, M. H. Drake; Jacob Wagner.
Is located on Ashland Creek on the line of the stage road leading from Oregon to California, sixteen miles north of the Oregon line. It contains a population of 400, ranks apparently among the most flourishing towns in the state. Ashland Creek, a beautiful mountain stream, is carried through pipes to the different portions of the town, furnishing abundant water for irrigation, besides propelling the flour mill, woolen factory and other machinery. Ashland Academy, under charge of Rev. J. H. Skidmore, and a corps of competent assistants, is an institution that is quite complete in all educational details. It has an attendance of nearly 200 pupils and is in a flourishing condition.
Books and Stationery--Helman, A. D.
Blacksmiths--Nickelson, O.; Farlow, H.
Boots and Shoes--DePeatt, Ed.
Cabinet Makers--Miller, Stephens & Co.
Carpenters--Tozer, J. R; Daley, W. C; Marsh, L. S. P.; Miller, Stephen, & Co.
Flouring Mill--Wagner, McCall, & Co.
Gen'l Mdse.--Hargadine, R. B.; Caro & Baum; Mitchel & Reesor
Hotel--Houck, .Jasper
Livery Stable -Slagle J. & Son.
Millers--Wagner, McCall & Co.
Marble Yard--Russell, J. H.
Nurseryman--Coolidge, O.
Meat Market--Barnes, Frank
Physicians--Inlow, H. T.; Chitwood, J. H.
Postmaster--Helman, A. D.
Principal of Academy--Rev. J. H. Skidmore
Saddler--Whitmore, S.
Saw Mill--Jacobs, Fox & Co.; Gillette & Co.
Stock Raisers and Importers--Myers, W. C; Myers, B. F.; Walker, J. P.; Walker, M.; Smith, F.; Barron, H. F.
Telegraph Operator--Klum, C. K.
Wagonmakers--Kentnor, W. W.; Farlow & Patterson
Wheelwright--Griffin, Wm.; Kentnor, W. W.
Woolen Factory- -Myer, B. F. Prest.
A post office ten miles southwest of Jacksonville, is surrounded by a fine agricultural country; and mining is carried on to some extent in the vicinity. The population of the hamlet is about twenty-five.
Gen'l Mdse--Bolt, J.; Cameron & Hayden; Hayden, B. R.; Kubli, Kaspar; Sturgis, Alf.
Hotel--Benedict, Royal
Is a post office north of .Jacksonville; it possesses no business importance.
Blacksmith--Buford, J.
Flour Mills--McKenzie & Amy
Gen'l Mdse--Magruder & Bros.
A post office and stage station twenty miles northwest of Jacksonville, contains one store.
Gen'l Mdse--Magruder Bros.
The county seat is the largest and most prosperous city in the southern portion of the state. It was first settled in 1852, when the first discovery of gold in its vicinity attracted a large immigration from all portions of the Northwest Coast; and as the mines became developed the city grew in wealth and importance, until it has now a population of one thousand. It has all the elements of a prosperous community, having sacred edifices and seats of learning. The public school is a commodious structure, and is well attended; and besides this the Sisters have a fine academy, and there are two private schools, one of which is German. Two good weekly newspapers are published here and are well sustained; societies are numerous, there being one lodge each of Masons and Odd Fellows, and two of Red Men. The scenery visible from the city is very striking, as the eye takes in at a glance the fertile valley of Rogue River with its cultivated farms, dotted with groves of oak; the sloping Siskiyou Mountains, and the snowy peaks of the Cascade Range. When the railroad enters Jackson County this city must become a good business center, as it will have all the trade of the fertile region adjoining it.
Dowell & Kelly
Fay & Rea
Hannah, H. K.
Kahler & Watson
Neil & Stinson
Banker.
Beekman, C. C.
Bakery.
Walter, John
Barbers.
Jurber, .J.
Schumpf, George
Boot and Shoe Makers.
Caton, M.
Luy, Fred
Langell, N.
Blacksmiths.
Crystal and Wright
Cronemiller, David
Donegan, Patrick
Breweries.
Schutz, Veit
Wetterer, Joseph
Drugs and Medicines.
Robb & Kahler
Dentists.
Chevalier, A.
Jackson, Wm.
Express Agent.
Beekman, C. C.
Furniture.
Hall & Smith
Linn, David
General Merchandise.
Fisher, A. & Bro.
Jacobs, E.
Karewski, G.
Muller, Max
Mensor, Morris
Ryan, P. J.
Solomon, Louis
Sachs Bros.
Ullman, Anton
White & Martin
Groceries.
Boyer, William
Cohn, S.
Dunn, James
Gunsmith.
Meyer, B. F.
Hotel.
Horne, L.
Jewelry, &c.
Osburn & Brooks
Neuber, John
Livery Stables.
Kubli & Wilson
Manning & Ish
Millinery.
Brentano, Helene, Mrs.
Kent, Miss
Meat Market.
Orth & Gianini
Physicians.
Aiken, G. H.
Bell, J. N.
Chapin, S. F.
Danforth, Dr.
Restaurant.
Guilfoyle, J.
Stoves and Tinware.
Bilger, John
Hoffman & Klippel
Saloons.
Newmeyer, Chas.
Noland, John
Pape, Henry
Savage, Chas. W.
Million & Brunson
Walters, John
Wintjen & Helms
Saw Mills.
Herd, James
Saddlery.
Judge & Nunan
Wagon Makers.
Badger, J.
Meyer, Jacob
Has no importance as it only contains one store and a saloon.
Gen'l Mdse--Nurse, George
Saloon--Hardy A.
A small village about eighty miles southwest of Jacksonville, has sprung into prominence since the commencement of the Modoc War. It possesses a population of about forty; and has one school. A land office has been established recently as settlers are fast moving into this region, it being specially adapted to grazing.
Gen'l Mdse--Nurse, Geo.
A thriving town seven and a half miles south of Jacksonville on the Oregon and California stage road. It is surrounded by a fertile region of country and contains a flour mill and some excellent residences. Population 100. It contains one church (Presbyterian) and a good district school, also two flour mills having a united capacity of 20,000 lbs. of flour per day.
Blacksmiths--Dunlap, A.; Gullier & Carver
Gen'l Mdse--Reames & Sachs; Coleman, C.
Hotel--Lavenburg, D.
Livery Stable--Andersen, D. P.
Millers--Wimer, J. & Son
Printer--Barneburg, Peter
Tannery--Ball, R,
Wagonmaker--Morlow, .Jacob
A post town twelve miles northwest of Jacksonville.
Blacksmith--Shultz, Abraham
Gen'l Mdse--Raymond & White
Hotel--White, L. J.
Physician--Colvig, Wm. J.
Post Office--White, J. B. p.m.
Ten miles southwest of Jacksonville, is in the midst of a large and prosperous mining camp. Some of the ledges in the vicinity are famed for their richness in the past, the most prominent being the "steamboat ledge." The country in the vicinity is well adapted to grazing and agriculture, and portions of it would make good vineyards. For business see Applegate.
A post office six miles north of Jacksonville.
Gen'l Mdse--Bigler, M.; French & Moody
Saloon--Chapman, Andrew
A place for manufacturing lumber.
Saw Mill--Lindley, M.
    In the southern portion of the state, is bounded on the north by the Rogue River Mountains, on the south by California, on the east by Jackson, and on the west by Curry. It possesses an area of 2,500 square miles, a population of about 1,500, and assessable property to the value of $260,000. It has a rugged aspect, but there are some fine valleys possessing a rich alluvial soil well adapted to grains and fruits. The mountainous character of the region, the luxuriance of the grasses, and the abundance of timber make it well adapted to grazing. The most serious obstacle to the increase of population is the want of transportation facilities, hence the agricultural products cannot be sent to market, so all raised must be used at home. The mineral resources of the county are very large, but the most important is gold, which is worked in several places. The mines embrace placer and quartz, but the former is the only kind being developed. If the means of communication were better, this county would furnish many excellent farms which could be worked with profit.
    COUNTY OFFICERS.--Judge, J. B. Sifers; Clerk, Chas. Hughes; Sheriff, Daniel Green; Treasurer, Wm. Naucke; School Superintendent, A. Adams; Assessor, Thos. G. Patterson; Surveyor, Alex. Watts; Commissioners, B. F. Sloan, Geo. S. Mathewson.
Situated on a creek of the same name, fifteen miles southeast of Kerbyville. It is famed for its gold mines, which have been worked steadily since 1852, and yet pay well. Copper mines have been found in the vicinity, but they are not worked. The number of persons working along the mines of the creek is estimated at one hundred, a large proportion being Chinese; and the annual yield of the district is about $40,000.
Gen'l Mdse--Delamater & Bro.; Evans, Wm.; Leonard, Lawrence
Saloon--Brown, Jas. R.
The county seat, has a population of about one hundred, including the persons working in the mines in the vicinity. Thirty of these are Chinese. The yield of the camp is estimated at $20,000 per annum. The scenery in the vicinity is rugged but extremely picturesque, as the hills environ the town in every direction, so much so as to isolate it to a great extent. When population increases this town should become a good place for the development of minerals.
Gen'l Mdse--Naucke, Wm. A.; Sawyer, S. M.
Saloon--Mason, Jas.
A post office forty miles north of Kerbyville, contains a hotel; but it has no business importance.
Hotel--Harkness, Samuel
A post office sixteen miles north of Kerbyville, is in the midst of a mining region.
Blacksmith--Simmons, Geo.
Cabinet Maker--Hannah, S. P.
Gen'l Mdse--Bentley, J. H.; Presley, Wm. M.
Hotel--Wilder, A. M.
A post office ten miles south of Kerbyville, contains a population, including miners in the district, of about one hundred. The yield of the mines is about $40,000 per annum.
Blacksmith--Simmons, Geo.
Cabinet Maker--Hannah. S. P.
Gen'l Mdse--McIlwaine, A. B.; Thompson, J. M.
A village twenty miles east of Kerbyville, is in the midst of a large mining district, the yield of gold amounting to about $50,000 per annum. The number of persons working in the vicinity is about one hundred, forty-five of whom are Chinese.
Gen'l Mdse--Layton, John T.
Forty-five miles north of Kerbyville.
Gen'l Mdse--Smith, Henry
John Mortimer Murphy, Oregon Business Directory and State Gazetteer, 1873, pages 243-250