Medford, Oregon: 1892

Medford in 1892

MEDFORD, ORE., May 7, 1892.

    DEAR SIR--I learn that you are a partner of the Olden Fruit Co. Will you kindly furnish me with some horticultural statistics of the State as well as of the Ozark belt.
    While this is a fair country for fruit, it is by no means what it is said to be; and owing to late frost, there will be few peaches this season. The seasons are extremely variable; last year, fearfully hot; in 1890, very dry, and just now a cold wind blowing, with a lot of rain last week.
    I have the report issued by your State for 1889 and 1890, and I see that "Poor Old Missouri" is yet young. Your State has done wonders during the last few years. I spent some twelve months in Missouri, and am sorry I ever left it. I send you copies of Oregon Board reports.
    With an apology for troubling you, I am,
            Yours faithfully,
                C. H. GODFREY
L. A. Goodman, 35th Annual Report of the State Horticultural Society of the State of Missouri 1892, Tribune Printing Company, 1893, page 121

    MEDFORD.--Medford is located on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 328 miles south of Portland. The town contains a population of 2,000. It located nearly in the center of Jackson County, and this advantage of location has been a most potent factor in upbuilding the town to its present size and prosperous condition. It was first settled in 1884, when the railroad was constructed to this point, and its growth since that time has been phenomenal. Boom methods were not employed to develop the town, but its growth has been due to the development of the naturally rich country adjacent to and tributary to the town, as well as to the fact that it is a point easy of access from nearly every section of the county. Business men were quick to appreciate the advantages offered by Medford as a business center, and as a result it was not long before the central streets of the town were lined with handsome brick buildings, occupied by merchants whose stocks were of a large and varied character. Jackson County's agricultural resources have been fully enumerated elsewhere in this volume, and it is therefore unnecessary to dwell upon their extent and variety in this article. The county is well known as one of the richest and most productive in the state, and Medford, owing to its location, is its chief market and shipping point. The town is handsomely laid out, and there are many pretty homes bordering its broad, well-graded streets. Medford has several churches, a fine public school, and an excellent water-works system. The streets are lighted by electricity, and the town boasts of a number of other modern improvements. Located here are several manufacturing enterprises, all enjoying a large trade. Among the number may be mentioned a roller-process flouring mill, with a daily capacity of 100 barrels, a large distillery, a packing house that during the busy season slaughters between 300 and 400 hogs per day, planing mills and sash and door factories. The Rogue River Valley Railroad, which connects this place with Jacksonville, the county seat, brings considerable business to the town. Medford's future, measured by its past, is certainly a most flattering one, and at its present rate of growth and development will soon be classed among the leading and most prosperous inland towns of the Northwest.
The Oregonian Souvenir, 1892, SOHS M40E6

Last revised December 6, 2013
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