The Magazine of the Southern Oregon Historical Society1hr Pernoll Grange Store by Connie Fowler

J ~

The Magazine of the Southern Oregon Historical Society1Hr Pernoll Grange Store by Connie Fowler

ith pioneer tenacity, members society members forged ahead and of the Applegate Valley before long, things started falling W Historical Society worked into place. determinedly for several years and finally With help from the county, the opened the doors of their museum on May state, the timber industry, local 10, 1997-well over a century after the organizations, and many dedicated store was originally built! individuals and businesses, the The old Pernoll Grange Store, built circa building made its final trip on the 1860s with hand-hewn logs, now September 25, 1993, aboard a nestles comfortably in its newly landscaped flatbed truck in a convoy from location at the junction of Highway 238 Jacksonville to Applegate, the last leg The Applegate Valley Historical Society found a home and North Applegate Road, between of its transformation from store to for the Pernoll Store notfar from its original location. Jacksonville and Grants Pass. One might museum.4 think that it has always been there, with its Four years later, the doors opened. Writer Connie Fowler and her husband, Ben, ranch shrubs, rose garden, carriage gates, and Displays in the museum feature a theme in the Applegate Valley. with artifacts from the area's past. The pathway welcoming visitors to enter and E NDNOTES: current theme is textiles from the take a step or two back in time. The little 1. M yrde Krause, Applegator (Jacksonville, store/museum is settled at last, but like the nineteenth century. The museum hours are Ore.: Applegate Partnership, bimonthly) travels of the early settlers, the journey Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 January 1995. wasn't easy.1 p.m. For more information, about the 2. Ibid. Said to have been the first general store museum or the Applegate Valley Historical 3. Ibid. 4. Ibid. in the Applegate area, the eighteen-foot Society, call (541) 846-9211. :ffil: square building originally stood on the William Pernoll place just over a mile down river on North Applegate Road. Local folks made their purchases there until a new store opened on the main highway. The structure remained on the property until the late 1970s when owner Fred West gave it to George McCune who relocated it to his Pioneer Village in Jacksonville. In 1985, Pioneer Village closed and buyer Don Rowlett donated the log building to the Southern Oregon Historical Society. The Society moved it to the corner of Sixth and C streets, opposite the former Jackson County Courthouse. Hearing of the need to find a new home for the historic former store, pioneer family member Myrtle Krause founded the Applegate Valley Historical Society in 1989 with the single purpose ofbringing the Pernoll store back to the Applegate Valley.2 The community rallied around the The Pernolls pose in front of the store circa 1890. Standingfrom left, are Martin, seemingly impossible project. The donated john, and Lidia. Seated are Maude, William, an unidentified girl, Henry, and site for the building, totally overgrown with Nancy, with Alice in arms. blackberries and brush, lacked enough land to satisfY access needs. Moving the building would be expensive and difficult, especially for the fledgling society. But the members were determined to overcome the obstacles that arose at every turn. PROVOLTO "For a while we rattled around like APPLEGATE 4 Q marbles in the bottom of a bucket," Krause said of their early struggles with the APPLEGATE ~ HISTORICAL SOCIETY project.3 But in true pioneer form, the

2 VOL. 2 , NO.8 Vol. 2,No.s August2000

SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY SOUTHERN OREGON Editorial Guidelines :nure arciclcs average 3,000 to 4,000 (pre-edited) words. Other marcri:t!s range from 500 to 1,000 words. Electronic F ubmissions arc accepted on 3-1/4-inch disks and should be accompanied by a hard-copy hrintour. Cite all sources and construct HERITAGrP~l fsnd:~~;;n~;g, ~u1~~e:~:tfi~a~i~nc~rg~:~nu;~~f.SR''~~~~~ i~~,rh ~f professional, unscreened photographs and/or line art should accompa}4; submission-black-and-white or color. The Southern ~ref;~ oi~~b~~~~c;re:r:.Ali !:r;;r~rs~~~dc ;c~bile~1 ~:~cl~ au~or's name, mailing address, and telephone number. Manuscriprs will be rcrurncd if accompanied by a self-addressed envelope; stamped with sufficient Josrage. Authors should provide a bncf auto}ihr?c!~~~r~otQ~ ~~ e~s~!r~~nuS~~fers. secures rights ro FEATURE: full and final editing of~ manuscripts, layout Jesign, and one-time North American serial ris-hrs. Authors will be notified of acceptance of manuscripts within runcty days of receiving materials. In most Shrine of the Silent Arts cases, payment is upon publication. Southern Ougon Heritage Today takes gn:at care with all submitted material, but is not responsible for by William Alley ...... p. 8 ~~~~~~;s10:ho?!~Y 6!10!~b~t;;c~t iF:~!:~e~?~~v~:i~1~ ~i~~~ r~~~ expressed in s~ned submissions arc those of the author and do not ~~j~!;~i~o;~y ~~t :Ccs~~;~~~ng r;~o~Pt{l~~:ic~ ~~~[~~:11 0'~gon

DEPARTMENTS

SUNDAY VOICES DRIVING Pernoll Grange Store Tolly's: by Connie Fowler Historic Treat off p.2 Interstate 5 by M olly Walker Kerr SOHS NEWS & NOTES p.4 Exhibits and program updates and calendar p.6 ROOTED IN HISTORY M E MBERS & DONORS p. 15 Indian Tobacco by Don n L. Todt and N an H annon FROM THE p. 14 ARCHIVES Two Out ofThree Viewers Say It's T.R. by Bill Miller THE PIONEERS: p.s Abel Helman: 0NTHECOVER From Pioneer to While Page Theater patrons waited Postmaster for the show to go on, they could enjoy the view of a panorama of by Louise A. Watson Crater Lake painted on the asbestos p. 16 stage curtain. SOHS#403 DETAJL

S o uthe rn o regon Histo rical Soc ie ty M:ujorie Overland, Medford, PRESIDENT Magazine Sta ff Copy ri g ht 2000 by Southern Oregon H istorical Board o fTrliStees B.J. Reed, Medford Cynthia Wicklund, co~t.\-!UNtCA:nONS COORDINATOR Society, ISSN #1082-2003. All rights reserved . No part of Allen Alsing, Ashland Robert Stevens, Jacksonville Bill Powell, GUEST EDITOR this publication may be printed or electronically duplicated Cheryl Breeden, Medford, SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT Dana L. Hedrick, DF.StCNERIPHarocRAPHER without the wTitten permission of the Southern Oregon Robert Cowling, Medford Maggie j ames, PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT/VO!..UJ'.,'TEER INTERN Historical Society. A d m inis tra tive S ta ff Judi Drais, Medford, TREASURER Yvonne Earnest, Medford Brad Linder, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Collectio ns/R esearc h Librarv S ta ff Maureen Smith, FINA.NCFiOPERA.TIONS DIRECTOR CUR.•\TOR OF AND H. Walter Emori, M.D., Jacksonville Mary Ames Sherer, cou..Ecr~o,.;s munrrs (:~-:., Jim Fety, Rogue River Amelia Chamberlain, PROGRAMS DIRECfOR Jacque Sundstrand, LIBRARY/ARCHIVES COORDINATOR Susan Cox-Smith, MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Carol Harbison-Samuelson, UBRARY fo.IANAGERIPHOTO ARCHMST 1111 ]O)~e Hailick., Butte Falls SOUTHERN HISTORICAL William Alley, ARCHWisr/HISTORJAN Nancy Hamlin, Medford, flRST VICE-PRESIDENT Southe rn O regon He ritage Today is publi shed Bill Miller. UBRARY !r.SSISTA.Jo.,T OREGON :::: SOCIETY Hank Hart, Medford monchly by the Southern Oregon Historical Society. ...,,... 3 Reeve Henn.ion, Jacksonville 106 N. CentmlAve.,Medford, OR 97501-5926. Southe rn Oregon He ritage Today is produced Nancy McGmv, Jacksonville, SECRETARY (541) 773-6536 using O!,tarkXPress on Macintosh computers and is printed by Ram Offset Lithogrnphers. Tolly's: HISTORIC TREAT OFF INTERSTATE 5 by Molly Walker Kerr

oily's, located in the heart of historic Oakland, has been a traditional stop for Interstate 5 travelers for more than thirty years. A mixture of soda fountain, candy store, fine restaurant, antique shop and art gallery, it is Oakland's showpiece. Tolly's, tucked among the red brick buildings that line tiny Oakland's Locust Street, has lured visitorsfrom Interstate 5 for more than thirty years.

old empty buildings on Locust Street. romantic dining room in its place-one of They had been boarded up for some time. several dining spaces at Tolly's, including Oakland is just a few miles off the "They had caved in roofs, rain-drenched an outdoor terrace. freeway at Exit 137 north of Sutherlin. interiors, no floors or ceilings and mildew Besides desserts, Tolly's offers Scandinavian After entering the town, Oregon's first covered walls," Carol remembers. dishes, deli sandwiches, espresso, ice cream, National Historic Landmark, turn up The Tollefsons and their friends, Don salads, gourmet entrees and a fine wine list. Locust Street, where you'll spot Tolly's and Erma Mode who lived in Elkton, Carol says, "There's no fast food here. striped awning among a row of red brick purchased the two old relics and, along Everything is started from scratch." buildings. Constructed around the turn of with families and friends, took on the While waiting to eat, be sure to peruse the century after fire destroyed most of the formidable project. They scrubbed, the antiques shop and the art gallery. downtown's wooden structures, these pounded, painted and polished until Tolly's is open daily except Christmas buildings were made ofbricks hauled from December 1968, when the two stores and New Year's from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; nearby Union Gap Brick Mill. opened for business: Tollefson's Antiques Wednesday-Sunday for dinner from Once inside the double green doors, in the old drug store and Mode's 5-9:30. ~ you'll be whisked back to a gentler time Emporium in the old mercantile store. The filled with smells of yeasty cinnamon rolls, Modes furnished theirs with fixtures from Molly Walker Kerr is a M edford freelance sugar candy, polished wood floors and Carrolls Drug Store in Eugene-including writer/photographer. musty antiques. The ornate mirror over the an old-fashioned soda fountain. soda fountain reflects china teapots, jars of By 1973, the Modes grew weary of gingersnaps, lollipops, and licorice candies, commuting from Elkton. They sold to the and an impressive display of costumed Tollefsons, who combined the two stores. nutcrackers. Carol says, "We knew nothing about Tolly's actually consists of three adjoining running their store!" Undaunted, she dug buildings with one entrance. The out her mother's cinnamon roll recipe, restaurant is in the old Beckley Bros. honed her baking General Merchandise Store, built in 1903 skills and launched by Dr. E. C. Page and Pitzer and Charles Tolly's restaurant. Beckley. The store was later owned and "I baked 10,000 pies operated by J.T. and Mrs. Bridges, William before I hired Carolyn Bridges, and Ralstyn and Ruth Bridges Irons, a local and the name changed to Bridges Bros. housewife, to take Dealers in Dry Goods and Groceries "On over," Carol recalls. Receipt." The adjoining building, Irons is still there after constructed by the same people in 1903, twenty-six years. was the Phil Beckley Drug Store, now In 1975, Carol put a Tollefson's Antiques. Adjacent to that is dress shop upstairs. the old bank built by E. G. Young and Co. Customers enjoyed in 1892. Its ornate vault is still used by the twirling before mirrors Tollefsons. This building now houses in lace-covered dresses Tollefson's Gallery of Fine Arts. while waiting to dine. In 1968, present owners Terry and Carol When she sensed a Tollefson were looking for a place to store downtrend in that Tollefson's Gallery Fine Arts nowfills the space the overflow from their tiny antique store market, she closed the if once occupied by an 1892 bank. on their ranch when Terry came across two dress shop and put a 4 VO L. 2 , N O . 8 FROM THE ARC HIVES Out of Three Viewers Say It's T. by Bill Miller

Roosevelt's train entered Oregon at 4:45 p.m., May 20, 1903, and within a half hour was at the Ashland depot, where a crowd awaited. He never saw the thirty four-foot welcoming arch decorated with Oregon grape that townsfolk has erected in his honor; strong winds had blown it down just minutes before he arrived. Thousands of people strained to hear Roosevelt speak during the fifteen-minute stop. While W.F. Arant was in the crowd, he didn't speak to the president. The train resumed its northerly journey and as it approached Medford the engineer slowed it to a near stop. Hundreds of citizens cheered the chief executive, who smiled, bowed and waved from the back platform. As the train picked up speed, the president seemed amused at the flower-tossing children who ran after him. By the next morning, Roosevelt was in Salem. Mter visiting Arantfamily lore has it that the portly visitor seated secondfrom left with Arantfamily Portland and Washington state, he ancestors in this 1902 photograph at Crater Lake is President Theodore Roosevelt. returned to the nation's capital.3 Both of Roosevelt's last visits to the picture is worth a thousand words the photograph in its centennial Rogue Valley were in the middle of the and never lies, right? Consider a celebration of the park's opening. Park night on a northbound train. As the A recent media exercise and think Service staff quickly realized, that if park Medford Mail Tribune reported, "he agam. records were to be believed, Roosevelt had reached Medford, and it was one minute Years ago a photograph of the Arant never visited Crater Lake. The call went later that he left."4 family at Crater Lake was donated to the out to historical societies and the media, "Is No other Roosevelt visits to the area are Southern Oregon Historical Society. The the man in the picture Teddy Roosevelt?" known. This is not a case of too little family's descendants had always been told Sensing a good story, television, radio, and information. Roosevelt's career and travels that the large man, second from the left, newspapers scheduled interviews and are well documented. We don't have to was President Theodore Roosevelt. The reports. analyze an old photograph for head shapes, identification seems conceivable as in 1902 One television station even asked their hairlines, and waistlines that don't fit; Roosevelt had designated Crater Lake as a viewers to vote by telephone. "Press 1 if Roosevelt's tirneline is enough. The man national park and William F. Arant was you think it's Roosevelt. Press 2 if it's not." in the photograph is not Theodore appointed park superintendent, serving But of course, history is proved not by Roosevelt. As Yogi Berra once said, ''You until1913. However, little effort was made popular opinion, but with facts.l could look it up," but most people won't. to verifY the photo identification until the The most important fact is that Results of the television call-in exercise National Park Service decided to include Theodore Roosevelt is known to have showed nearly two out of three viewers visited the Rogue Valley only three times, pressed 1. They believed the man in the the first time in May 1903. The president photograph was Teddy Roosevelt. left Washington, D.C., on April1 with You can't force people to like history, but extensive activities scheduled in St. Louis, those of us who do sure wish we could Yellowstone National Park, Sacramento share the fun of getting the story straight. and Portland. Roosevelt was up for Mter all, it really is what you find out after election in 1904 and the brief stops and you know it all that's important. i speeches he would make in between major events provided splendid campaign Bill Miller is a library assistant with the Southern opportunities. Early in May, before Oregon Historical Society. leaving California for Oregon, the presidential party spent three days in E NDNOTES: Yosemite National Park. With 1. SOHS Photograph #9620. 2. Medford Success, 20 March 1903, p. 3: 1. conservationist John Muir acting as guide, 3. Ashland Tidings, 21 May 1903, p. 3; Medford ProudAshlanders erected this ornate arch to welcome the president camped amid the sequoias, Mail, 22 M ay 1903, p. 6:5. President Roosevelt} train in 1903; winds blew it spent a night in a snowstorm and had his 4. M edford Mail Tribune, 5 April1911, p. 1:7. down just minutes before he arrived. photograph taken. 2

S OUTH E RN OREGON I-I E RJTAGE TOD A Y 5 tr~~ SOUTHERN OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY -!!!! Things To Do in August

P R 0 GRAMS: (see listings below for complete descriptions)

DATE &TIME LOCATION DESCRIPTION August Craft of the Month Museum hours CHILDREN'S MUSEUM "Toys to Remember" Traditional Crafts Sat., Aug. 5, 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Hanley Farm Blacksmithing, tin punching, 1053 Hanley Road candle making Traditional Games Sat., Aug.12, 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Hanley Farm Vintage baseball, sack races Chore Day Sat.,Aug.19, 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Hanley Farm Wool dyeing, soap making, laundry Quilting Bee, Dairy Day Sat. Aug. 26, 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Hanley Farm Cow milking, butter churning, cheese making, quilting demonstrations Archaeology of the Upper Rogue Sat., Aug. 26, 11:00 a.m. Trail Tavern Museum Slide presentation 144 Old Hwy. 62, Trail

PROGRAM DETAILS INVITATION ~ THE GOLD DIGGERS' GUILD F OR TIMES AND LOCATIONS, SEE SCHEDULE ABOVE. -~ "GREAT GATSBY" AUGUST CRAFT OF THE MONTH HANLEY FARM SOCIETY FUNDRAISER Saturday, August 26 "'T'.1 oys t o R emem ber " Event begins at 5:30 p.m. HOURS Children can add to their toy chests by Society members Robert and Patricia creating an old-fashioned toy to take home. FRI & SAT lOAM - 4 PM Heffernan open their home for an Choose from a handkerchief doll, optical SUN NOON - 4 PM evening of games of chance, dancing toy or pinwheel to keep them occupied all 'til dawn, and a buffet. "Sassy" 1920 summer long. Fee: 50¢. dress optional. Entry fee is $75 per SATURDAY EVENTS! ARCHAEOLOGY OF UPPER ROGUE person. Only receipt of check AUGUST5 The BLM will present a slide show on the guarantees reservations which must be blacksmithing • tin punchi:zg • wall sconces made by August 12. Call Guild history of the Upper Rogue. Free. • candle makzng Refreshments. president Marty Moore at 779-5663 AUGUST12 for further information. vintage baseball • sack races • traditional games AUGUST19 wool dyeing • soap making • laundry WRITER's AwARD WINNER AUGUST26 Nancy Bringhurst, Ashland author and quilting bee & dairy day poet, won the 1999 People's Choice Writer's Award for her article "Eugene Bennett: 1053 HANLEY ROAD Artist Brings Color and Light to the Rogue BETWEEN CENTRAL POINT & JACKSONVILLE Valley," from the December 1999 issue of Southern Oregon Heritage Today, the Society's monthly magazine. Bringhurst was ummer fun for families continues recognized at the Society's 54th Annual HISTORY STORE! Sat the 37-acre historic Hanley Membership Meeting. Farm which is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to BOARD MEMBERS/ OFFICERS HOURS 4:00p.m., and Sundays from noon ANNOUNCED FOR 2000/2001 MoN - SAT IoAM - 5 PM to 4:00 p.m. There is an admission Yvonne Earnest and Hank Hart of fee of $3.00 for adults (13 & above) SuN nAM - 5PM Medford and Robert Stevens of and $2.00 for seniors ( 65+) and Jacksonville, were elected to three year The History Store specializes in original children (6-12). Tours of the historic terms. Robert Cowling and Mrs. B.]. Reed handcrafted items created by local artists, as house and the gardens are included were appointed to fill terms of resigning well as books and other unique items in this fee. Bring a picnic lunch, walk members. Officers for F¥200012001 are the interpretive trail, and enjoy the Marjorie Overland, president; Nancy CALIFORNIA & 3RD STREETS special Saturday only events listed Hamlin, first vice-president; Cheryl above. Call 773-2675 or 773-6536 Breeden, second vice-president; Nancy JACKSONVILLE for more information. Me Grew, secretary; Judi Drais, treasurer.

6 VO L. 2 , NO.8 EXHIBITS: (see listings below for complete descriptions)

LOCATION MUSEUM HOURS SOUTHERN OREGON Century of Photography: 1856-1956 HISTORY CENTER Mon.-Fri., 9:00am-5:00pm HISTORICAL SOCIETY Ernest Smith, Butte Falls Photographer SITES High Water: A traveling exhibit from the Oregon Historical Society Phone: (541) 773-6536 Miner, Baker, Furniture Maker jACKSONVILLE MUSEUM Wed. - Sat., 10:00am-5:00pm unless listed otherwise Jacksonville: Boom Town to Home Town Sunday, noon- 5:00pm Fax (541)776-7994 Politics of Culture: Collecting the Native Email [email protected] American Experience Website www.sohs.org Hall ofJustice The Shape ofFashion: 1900-1925 HISTORY CENTER Ongoing 'hands on history' exhibits CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Wed.- Sat., 10:00am-5:00pm 106 N. Central, Medford Sunday, noon - 5:00pm Mon- Fri, 9:00am to 5:00pm Rethink/Reweave/Recycle 3RD ST. ARTISAN STUDIO Fri. &Sat., ll:OOam- 4:00pm REsFARCH LIBRARY Archaeology of the Upper Rogue UPPER ROGUE HIS. Soc. Wed.-Sun., 10:00am-4:00pm 106 N. Central, Medford 144 Old Hwy. 62, Trail Tues -Fri, 1:00 to 5:00pm jACKSONVILLE MUSEUM & CHILDREN'S MUSEUM 5th and C,Jacksonville Wed- Sat, 10:00am to 5:00pm Sun, noon to 5:00pm EXHIBIT DETAILS U.S. HOTEL 3rd and California, Jacksonville FOR TIMES AND LOCATIONS, SEE SCHEDULE ABOVE. RETHINK/REwEAVE/RECYCLE Upstairs room available for rent. Members of the Rogue Valley Handweavers, Far jACKSONVILLE HISTORY STORE CENTURY OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Out Fibers and the Saturday Handweaving Guild Mon- Sat, 10:00am to 5:00pm 1856-1956 present an exhibit of recycled items creatively Sun, ll:OOam to 5:00pm Highlights the work of two area photographers, woven at the Third Street Artisan Studios THIRD STREET ARTISAN STUDIO 3rd and California, Jacksonville Peter Britt and James Verne Shangle, with. through September 2. Fri. & Sat, ll:OOam to 4:00pm cameras from the Society's collection. HANLEY FARM ARCHAEOLOGY OF UPPER ROGUE 1053 Hanley Road HIGH WATER: A Traveling Exhibit The Society and the BLM have put together a (between Central Point &Jacksonville) from the Oregon Historical Society small traveling exhibit reporting on 30 years of Fri & Sat 10:00am to 4:00pm Dramatic photographs of Oregon floods from archaeological studies of the history of the native Sun, noon to 4:00pm (541) 773-2675. 1862 to the present, on display through August peoples of the Upper Rogue. On display August 12. A special exhibit on local floods of the last 12 through September 10. 150 years will be on display through fall 2000. MINER, BAKER, FURNITURE MAKER Explores the development of the Rogue Valley and the impact the industrial revolution had on Mystery Object of the Month the settlement of Oregon. THE SHAPE OF FASHION: 1900-1925 ay's Mystery Object was a Ballot Box. Women's fashion changed dramatically during the M Votes were slid into the hole in the front early years of the 20th century, reflecting the and removed by opening the hinged door on changing role of women in society. On display through December is a selection of daywear, top. Congratulations to Kay Maser of Ashland, evening gowns, and undergarments. for answering correctly! jACKSONVILLE: Boom Town to Home Town August Mystery Object: Traces the development ofJacksonville. his item is made of wood, has a POLITICS OF CULTURE: Collecting the handle and a lid with a small hole Native American Experience T Cultural history of local tribes and discussion of in the top to extrude something. contemporary collecting issues. Do you know what? HAll OF jUSTICE Send your answer on a postcard with History of the former Jackson County your name, address, and phone number Courthouse. to: News & Notes Mystery Object, CHILDREN'S MUSEUM SOHS, 106 N. Central Ave., Medford, Explore home and occupational settings from the OR 97501, or by email to [email protected] 1850s to the 1930s through "hands-on-history."

S O U TH E R N OREGO N H E R I T AGE TOD AY 7 FEATURE

sHTIN:Edfordl Page Theater was the city\ premier OF THE SILJENT ARrs by William Alley

lmost from its inception Medford has been home to some sort of theatrical venue. In the mid- 1880s the Angle Opera was opened on the upper floor of one of Medford's earliest brick structures, and a second opera house, the Wilson Opera House, was built soon thereafter. Medford's first movie theater, the Bijou, opened ca. 1908 in space behind the Bates barbershop on West Main. ~ ~ ~

S OHS #1640!

8 VOL. 2 , NO.8 FEAtURE

By the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, Medford boasted a number of small theaters, which showed The Meclford both motion picture and vaudeville Theater, also performances. What was lacking, however, known as the was a modern theater that could Wilson Opera accommodate larger audiences and play House, burns in a host to legitimate theater acts that spectacularfire in continually traveled around the country. October 1912. The Medford's location midway between San loss ofthe city's Francisco and Portland made it an ideal largest theater location, one where touring companies spurred Dr. could stop en route and give a Frederick Page to performance. Unfortunately, Medford's pursue his plans to theaters-including the old opera build a new and houses-though adequate for the exhibition larger theater, of movies, vaudeville and smaller traveling which opened the performances, were too small to following May. accommodate the larger legitimate road shows of the day. The sudden loss of the Medford adjacent to the site of the new theater, was Theater spurred Dr. Page into action to torn down by Jackson County and a new, realize his dream for a new theater. On wider, steel-reinforced, concrete crossing November 2, 1912, ground was cleared on installed. s a lot on Main Street adjacent to the Bear Construction of the Page Theater was Dr. Frederick Page, a prominent Creek bridge for the Page Theater. At the completed on May 17, 1913, and that Medford developer, recognized this city council meeting of November 22, evening Robert E. Gordon and Tom potential, and as early as 1910 envisioned a 1912, Dr. Page made formal application Fuson, the theater's managers, held an large theater and hotel complex located on for the building permit, submitting the open house. As the visitors wandered property he owned at the corner of Main plans prepared by his architect, Charles 0. about, they were entertained by the Page and Riverside. In the spring of1910 Powers. The estimated cost of construction Orchestra, under the direction of Professor excavation for such a structure was begun, was given as $30,000. Page and his Beach, the Page's musical director.6 and in July it was announced that Page architect agreed to comply with the new All who visited agreed that the Page would be inviting bids for the laying of a building codes the city attorney was in the Theater set a new standard for theater concrete foundation for the Page Hotel process of compiling in the wake of the excellence in Southern Oregon and and Theater Building. The plans and recent opera house fire .4 Northern California. A recessed entryway specifications for this new structure were Actual construction of the brick edifice and box office window was set into the on display in the offices of the architectural was begun on January 6, 1913. theater's north facade along Main Street. firm of Powers & Reeves in the Farmers & Considering that Southern Oregon had Tile flooring with the name Page in the Fruitgrowers Bank building. 1 recently entered a period of economic center welcomed the visitors. To the left of Ultimately, however, this planned theater decline following the orchard boom, Page's this entryway were the doors leading into and hotel complex was never built. decision to go ahead with construction was the foyer. Access to the balcony seats was Factionalism between the east and west seen as a vote of confidence in the city's by way of a gentle ramp rather than stairs. sides of town, both of which wanted the future in uncertain times. As work was The west wall of the theater was built to theater, made it impossible for the begun, the old steel and wood bridge support a five-story building on the developer to raise the capital required to across Bear Creek at Main, immediately adjacent lot.? begin construction. Although this structure was never built, Page continued to SOHS#l6398 contemplate the construction of a modern theater. 2 Two years later, in the afternoon of In 1913, the view October 11, 1912, a fire of unknown origin from present broke out in the old Wilson Opera House Hawthorne Park on Eighth Street, which was then was dominated by operating under the name Medford the East Main Theater. The wooden frame structure, built Street bridge over in 1902, was completely consumed in a Bear Creek and spectacular blaze. As the largest of the Page Theater, Medford's theaters, the Medford Theater both new that had served as the city's primary venue for year. traveling performances. Its destruction left Medford without a large theater.3

At left, Paf!e Theater, with its massive, north-facing brick front and mset box office, towers over East Main Street. SOUTHERN OREGON H ER ITAGE TODAY 9 performance. "But the play!" the reporter gushed. "With what completeness did M aude Adams and her splendid company round out the most important event in the history of our city's amusements."ll

''Needless to say Miss Maude Adams was Miss Maude Adams," the review in the Sun read the following day. "Charming, spirited, exquisite, finished in every detail of her act, with the entire audience at herfeet all the time. "

Accolades for Adams' performance were not universal, however. An editorial in the Mail Tribune, presumably penned by that The Page auditorium featured upper and lower private boxes, a balcony, a slopingjloor, and a paper's editor, George Putnam, seemed stage curtain graced by a paintedpanorama of Crater Lake. immune to the spell of Peter Pan. "Maude Adams in Peter Pan can scarcely be called a suitable production for the occasion," he Upon entering the auditorium the trains from nearby cities were scheduled to wrote about the dedication of the new visitors were greeted with the sight of accommodate the show times. By opening theater. "Maude Adams herself is the most Crater Lake, painted on the fireproof night more than 1,100 tickets had been striking example of the trust manufactured asbestos stage curtain. On the walls purchased, 300 of them from outside of star now before the foodights-an instance flanking the stage were private boxes, four Medford.9 of what money can do with mediocrity." upstairs and four downstairs on either side. On the evening of the nineteenth, before The editor of the Mail Tribune seemed to To enhance the audience's view of the the doors to the new theater had even be objecting to much of the hype that had, stage, the Page was built with a gradually opened, more than 1,000 patrons stood in in part, been generated in the pages of his sloping floor. A large loft above the stage line outside in "threatening weather." own paper.12 could accommodate the props and scenery Traffic on Main Street was at a standstill as In stark counterpoint, perhaps even as a for most traveling productions. The stage autos discharged their passengers at the jab at his counterpart, M edford Sun editor itself was described as "large enough for front door. "Never had the society of the Robert Ruhl countered that, "Those who the production of any show which can play Rogue River Valley so universally turned see in the play merely a fairy story have not either Pordand or San Francisco." Dressing out for an occasion as on Monday night, grown up so much as grown back. They rooms for the actors were located in the for the opening of the Page Theater," the have lost connection with the immortal basement. An estimated 5,000 people Medford Sun reported the following day.lO spring of youth. "13 toured the new building on the evening of Mter the throngs had found their seats, The quality of the performance aside, all the seventeenth. (In 1910 Medford's total Benjamin F. Mulkey, prosecuting attorney were in agreement that the new Page population numbered just under 9,000.)8 for Jackson County, addressed the audience Theater was a wonderful civic addition. Although Dr. Page owned the new from his private box near the stage. He not City leaders and the local press praised the theater, he had a lease agreement with the only thanked Dr. Page and Fuson & efforts of Dr. Page to bring quality fum of Fuson & Gordon to manage the Gordon, he congratulated all of Medford entertainment to Medford, especially in property. Gordon, who also managed the on the opening of the opulent new such splendid surroundings. "Yes, Medford Isis Theater on East Main Street, was the playhouse. He then went on to speak at last has an up-to-date playhouse of local managing partner. For the opening "optimistically" of the city's future. Mter which we are all sincerely thankful to Dr. act Fuson & Gordon booked Maude Mulkey's remarks the audience sat back to Page," the Mail Tribune stated. "His Adams, one of the most popular actresses enjoy Peter Pan. At the conclusion of the undertaking to build a theater in the very of the day, in a role for which she was performance all seemed completely midst of our lean years proves beyond a famous, as the tide character in James satisfied. "Needless to say Miss Maude doubt the doctor's abiding faith in the Barrie's classic, Peter Pan. Opening day was Adams was Miss Maude Adams," the future of our beautiful valley." scheduled for May 19, 1913. review in the Sun read the following day. With the successful opening performance Advance ticket sales at the Page's "Charming, spirited, exquisite, finished in of legitimate theater over, it was time for temporary box office were brisk, and it was every detail of her act, with the entire the Page to show off the latest projection soon apparent that the opening night audience at her feet all the time." The equipment installed for movie exhibition. performance would be a sellout. For the review in the Medford Mail Tribune also For the opening movie, Fuson & Gordon convenience of out-of-towners, special sang the praises of the opening booked Northern Spy, which was

10 VO L. 2 , NO.8 accompanied by a trio of shorts. Although imply that at some point Dr. Page himself Medford to manage the Page and Rialto.17 not quite a sellout performance, more than had assumed direct management of his Moran's first action as manager was to 1,000 attended the Page's movie premiere. theater. In June 1919, Page had tired of close the Page for two weeks for some Management announced that they would running the theater and signed a ten-year upgrading, including a new curtain, sets, change movies four times per week, and lease with the Moran-Percy Company to and an improved projection system. He would exhibit movies every night there was assume the management responsibilities, announced that the Page would reopen on no live performance booked.14 effective July 1. July 17 with a showing of The Red Lantern, Vaudeville performances had not Arthur J. Moran and Harry L. Percy had featuring the exotic Russian star Alla originally been considered for the Page. come to Medford from Sacramento in Nazimova in a dual role. 18 There were several theaters in town, 1917 and opened the Rialto, a new theater primarily the Isis and the Star, that on West Main Street. In the spring of showcased vaudeville, but Fuson & 1919 the Percy-Moran Company Gordon soon gave in to public demand for underwent a major expansion with the the variety acts and made arrangements acquisition of two theaters in Albany and with the Pantages circuit for the popular the Antlers Theater in Roseburg. Percy road shows. A contract for three shows moved to Roseburg to take direct control daily on Wednesdays and Thursdays was of the Antlers, while Moran signed on May 26. In later years, with remained in vaudeville on the wane, scheduling was reduced to one day per week.15 In 1916, George A. Hunt became the manager of the Page. Hunt had come to Medford from Portland in 1910 to manage the new Natatorium, a multipurpose amusement center on North Riverside. He later acquired control of the Star Theater on East Main Street in 1915. Hunt's selection as the Page's new manager enabled him to work with his wife, Enid, who had been the Page's cashier since its opemng. When the United States was drawn into the world war then raging across Europe, the Hunts made the decision to relocate to the Seattle-Tacoma region of Washington state. In October 1917, it was announced that Hunt had sold his leases on both the Star and Page theaters to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar T. Bergner of Ashland, managers of that town's Vining Theater. Mr. Bergner would assume the management of the Page and Star theaters, and Mrs. Bergner would manage the Vining.16 It is unclear from the surviving records just how long Bergner remained as manager of the Page. Newspaper accounts

'Yes, Me4ford at last has an up-to date playhouse of which we are all sincerely thankfol to Dr. Page," the Mail Tribune stated. ''His undertaking to build a theater in the very midst of our lean years proves beyond a doubt the doctor's abidingfaith in the foture of our beautiful valley. "

SO U TH E RN OREGO N H E RITA G E TOD A Y FEATURE

The first road show under the new exceeded anything before experienced in management would be the popular musical Medford. In addition to its musical qualities, comedy Chin Chin, currently on its first West the new organ could produce a variety of Coast tour. Chin Chin was booked for special effects for accompanying motion August 1. To promote this program and the pictures. Among those effects, as described new management of the Page, Moran by the Mail Tribune, were "rain, the pounding engaged the services of two local men, Floyd of the surf on the beach, galloping of horses, Hart and Seely Hall and their airplane "Old castinets [sic] and tambourines for Spanish Sturdy."19 Hart and Hall had recently dances, telephone bell, auto horn, orchestra purchased the surplus Jenny aircraft, and, as bells, xylophone, cathedral chimes, snare drum the first locally owned airplane, it was an and bass drum and cimballs [sic], and extremely popular novelty. A few days before imitation not only of human voices but those the opening of Chin Chin, Hart flew over the of domestic and wild fowls and animals."23 valley towns dropping promotional flyers.20 The newly modernized and redecorated George Hunt returned to Medford in Page opened on November 23, 1920, with a 1919 and formed the George A. Hunt showing of Nomads of the North. Sitting at Amusement Co., with Julius Wolfe, Richard the new organ was Henry Harcke, recently Antle and Hunt's wife, Enid, as partners. returned from San Francisco where he had This entity then purchased the old Star trained on a similar instrument. Theater, which had been renamed the As manager of the Page, Hunt, assisted by Liberty following the allied victory in the his wife, Enid, began to show some of the recent war. In December negotiations to buy flair for promotion for which he was to out the Percy-Moran theater holdings were become so well known. Having booked the completed, and as ofDecember 1, 1919, Douglas Fairbanks feature Robin Hood in George Hunt returned to the Page.21 April1923, Hunt dressed his ushers in On election night in 1920 Hunt advertised medieval costumes. In front of the screen a that the Page would be showing movies castle drawbridge was erected and costumed throughout the night, accompanied with actors heralded the beginning of the movie continued updates on the election returns. with trumpets as the drawbridge was Mterward, work was begun on the lowered, revealing the silver screen. Musical installation of two new Simplex projectors. accompaniment for Robin Hood was supplied These new machines were equipped to create by Medford's popular "wonder organist," the "fade-away" and close-up techniques Grace "Betty" Brown, who played her own popular in movies of the day.22 original adaptation of the score.24 While the Page's projection equipment Early in the morning of Sunday, December was being upgraded, B.C. DaSheill of the 30, 1923,John Palmer and George Corum, Rudolph Wurlitzer Company installed a new heading out of town to hunt ducks, saw $15,000 pipe organ. To accommodate the smoke and flames pouring out the windows new instrument an arbor, designed by of the Page. They sent in the alarm, but by Medford architect Frank Clark and the time the fire brigade arrived the building decorated by Tom Swem, was installed, was too far gone to save. By 10:00 in the adding a "conservatory effect to the stage." morning the fire had burned itself out; the The capabilities of this new instrument far building had been almost completely gutted.

The Page Theater could handle almost any form of stage and screen entertainment, from the silent movies to vaudeville acts to full-size stage productions complete with an orchestra in the pit. FEATURE

Medford Fire Chief Roy Elliott and Mail Tribune reported that $50,000 would As for Dr. Frederick Page, he had left volunteer fireman Amos Willits entered be spent to rebuild the Page. The plans for Medford in 1922 for Los Angeles, where the theater to inspect the extent of the the three-story structure, also drawn up by he was active in the real estate business. In damage when, suddenly, the stage fire wall Clark, called for a 700-seat auditorium, a the summer of 1934, while visiting his collapsed. Willits was killed instantly; second-floor hall for the local Knights of sister in Medford, Dr. Page suffered a heart Elliott was severely injured. For the Pythias, and rooms for the Andrews Bros. "ailment" and was confined to bed, where remainder of the day and the following Conservatory of Music on the third floor. he died on September 21, 1934 and was night, the ruins of the Page smoldered. This building, however, never interred in the recently opened Siskiyou Firemen were stationed with hoses materialized.28 Memorial Park.30 1iit throughout the night in case the The following year Dr. Page again conflagration flared up again. Dr. Page was explored the option of rebuilding the Page, William Alley is archivist/historian with the fully insured for his loss of the building. which he would call "The New Page." As Southern Oregon Historical Society. The seats, organ, scenery and projection with the earlier announcement, this equipment, however, were the property of attempt came to naught. Eventually Dr. This in the second in a series of articles on Mec!ford's Hunt's company, and were woefully Page gave up on his theater site and theatrical history. The first, "George A. Hunt, Medford Impresario, and the Craterian Theater," appeared in underinsured. The total estimated losses control of the property, and the remaining the Winter 1997 issue ofSouthern Oregon amounted to $100,000.25 walls of the old theater were acquired by Heritage. Additional articles will appear in foture For ten years the Page had been the the George A. Hunt Co. These ruins were issues ofSouthern Oregon Heritage Today. valley's premier entertainment palace, the cause of several discussions between showing some of the best in both the Hunt Co. and the city of Medford, ENDNOTES legitimate and motion picture which began to see the old walls as a public 1. Medford Mail, 14 July 1910. entertainment, and had played host to safety hazard. 2. Medford Mail Tribune, 6 July 1911, 17 many of the top performers of the day. The October 1912. 3. Mail Tribune, 28 August 1902; Medfo1d recently closed Star, Hunt announced, Sun, 12 October 1912. would not be reopened, leaving the Rialto ''Medford must have a good 4. Sun, 12 October 1912,23 November 1912. as the only theater operating in town. 5. Ibid., 7 January 1913. Since it was a movie theater, Medford was theater. Ifit can't he built in one 6. Mail Tribune, 17 May 1913,19 May 1913. left without a venue for live productions. 7. Photographs of the Page Theater, taken at way, it can he built in some other. the time of its completion, are annotated The loss of the Page, therefore, dealt a The idea ofabandoning the idea with descriptions of some of the building's serious blow to the community. Almost details. Manuscript no. 582, Southern immediately there was talk of either entirely is unthinkable. " Oregon Historical Society, Medford. rebuilding the Page or building a new 8. Mail Tribune, 19 May 1913; Sun, 24 April 1913. theater to take its place. Later inspection 9. Sun, 20 May 1913; Mail Tribune, 20 May had determined that the Page's exterior In the spring of 1928, Hunt and the city 1913. walls were still sound. Mail Tribune editor were involved in a dispute over the amount 10. Sun, 20 May 1913. Robert Ruhl, in a January 11 editorial, of liability insurance the former should 11. Sun, 20 May 1913; Mail Tribun e, 20 May echoed the community's sentiments that maintain for the property. Two years later 1913. 12. Mail Tribzme, 20 May 1913. "Medford must have a good theater. If it Hunt and the city of Medford were again 13. Sun, 20 May 1913. can't be built in one way, it can be built in at odds over the fate of the old Page. In 14. Ibid., 20 May 1913. some other. The idea of abandoning the early 1930, City Council member Joseph 15. Ibid., 25,27 May 1913. idea entirely is unthinkable. "26 0. Grey voiced his concern over the 16. Mail Tribune, 26 October 1917, 3 November 1917. In the end, however, Hunt made the "dilatoriness" of the Page's owners, in spite 17. Ibid., 11 April1919, 19 June 1919. decision to abandon the Page in favor of an of the council's repeated requests that the 18. Mail Tribune, 2 July 1919, 17 July 1919. entirely new structure. On the corner of site be either rebuilt or cleared. The council 19. "Old Sturdy" was a common early nickname Central Avenue and Eighth Street, local then instructed City Superintendent Fred for Hart and Hall's plane. It would later be attorney Porter]. Neff and businessman Scheffel to condemn the structure and officially named the "Mayfly" 20. Mai1Tribune,28July1919. ].C. Cooley financed the construction of a order its immediate removal. Hunt was 21. William Alley, "George A. Hunt, Medford new building. Designed by Frank Clark, able to arrange an extension on the Impresario, and the Craterian Theater," the Cooley Theater Building would house council's order, hoping to arrange some Southern Oregon Heritage, Vol. 2, no. 3, a new theater along with storefronts along sort of suitable use for the site. Several 1997, p. 22; Mail Tribune, 2 December 1919. Central Avenue and offices on the second ideas, including an apartment building 22. Mail Tribune, 2 November 1920. floor. The theater space was leased to the were considered, but none panned out. 23. Ibid., 20 November 1920; 23 November George A Hunt Theater Company. A Finally, in 1930 the last vestiges of the 1920. public contest was held to name this new grand old theater were pulled down. 29 24. Ibid., 20 April1923; 26 December 1923. theater, with "Hunt's Craterian" selected This was not the end of a theatrical 25. Ibid., 31 December 1923. 26. Ibid., 11 January 1924. from hundreds of entries.27 presence on Dr. Page's old property. In 27. William Alley, "George A. Hunt," p. 23. In spite of the decision by Hunt to 1932 Gene Childers built a new theater, 28. Mail Tribune, 2 September 1924. occupy a new theater building, Dr. Page the Roxy, on the site, to replace the Isis he 29. Ibid., 17 May 1928, 5 February 1930, 19 was not yet ready to abandon the Page. In operated across the street. Mter a run of March 1930. 30. Ibid., 21 September 1934, 23 September September 1924, shortly before the grand several years under different names, this 1934. opening of the new H unt's Craterian, the theater, too, was eventually torn down.

SOUTHERN OREGON H ER ITAGE TODAY 13 Indian Tobacco by Donn L. Todt & Nan Hannon A stone pipe of steatite, excavated from an hile the Native Americans of canyon air when friends met on the trail UplandTakelma site in jackson County, the Southern Oregon and shared a pipe as a goodwill gesture. would have been usedfor smoking the leaves W Northern California region got Sometimes the viscous leaves of tobacco ofa tobacco plant native to the West Coast. their food by gathering and hunting wild poulticed sores. Late at night, the foods, they also practiced horticulture to sweathouse might be bathed in the sticky, strong-smelling leaves and small provide themselves with one domesticated leathery scent of fresh tobacco smoke as a white flowers of the same shape as garden non-food item: tobacco. sleepless man lit a pipe for its sedative Nicotiana. Their tiny seeds may lie In the fall, a man established his tobacco effect. These were mundane uses. But, dormant for many years, waiting for the plot by burning logs to create a nutrient wrote Harrington, tobacco was also "a disturbed conditions that permit them to rich bed for seeds. As the plants grew up, heritage from the gods, a strange path grow. And for ceremonial purposes, Native he thinned, weeded and sometimes which juts into this world and leads to the Americans of this region have again begun watered them. In late summer, he very ends of magic." Tobacco served not to plant the tobacco species that their harvested and dried the leaves. He also only as a medicinal herb but also as a ancestors cultivated for thousands of years.3 1i1l: saved seeds from the plants that produced spiritual catalyst, which enabled more the most potent tobacco, as careful of plant complicated combinations of medicines Ethnobotanist Donn L. Todt and anthropologist breeding as any farmer. He smoked the and cures to work effectively in the hands Nan Hannon garden in Ashland crushed tobacco in a stone or wooden pipe. of a trained shaman. The main tobacco species used by the Among Native Americans living in this ENDNOTES region, custom restricted tobacco use to 1. John P Harrington. Tobacco Use Among the Indians of the region was Nicotiana Karuk Indians if California, Bureau of quadrovalvus, which probably originated in adult men and female shamans. Men American Ethnology Bulletin no. 91 Southern California, but was traded up the mosdy smoked their pipes outdoors and in (Washington, D.C., 1932), p. 21. West Coast and planted as far north as the men's lodge or sweathouse, where they 2. Ibid. p. 13. coastal Alaska. Plant explorer David slept apart from women and children. 3. Julian Lang. "Indian Tobacco in Since tobacco use decreases female fertility Northwestern California," News Douglas found it growing in a Native from Native California, Vol. 9, American garden near the Columbia River and endangers unborn children, and since no. 3, 1996, pp. 28-36. in 1825. "I met with one of the little secondhand smoke is especially dangerous plantations and supplied myself with seeds to children, practical reasons probably and specimens ... On my way home, I met underlay the traditions the owner, who, seeing it under my arm, regulating tobacco use. appeared to be much displeased; but by Indian tobacco plants may presenting him with two finger-lengths of sometimes be found growing near tobacco from Europe, his wrath was old Indian village sites. They have appeased, and we became good friends."l The "European" tobacco that Douglas traded was actually native to the West Indies, where Native Americans cultivated it. Columbus took Nicotiana tabacum back to Europe from his first voyage to the New World. It contains the same chemical as the tobacco of the Far West: nicotine. It is now smoked around the world, with disastrous health effects. Unfortunately, the customs and social controls regulating tobacco use weren't exported along with the plant. As ethnographer J. P. Harrington noted: "It is a curious fact that while Nicotiana whites took over the material tobacco quadrovalvus from the Indians they took no PHOTO BY D ONN L. TODT fragment of the world that accompanied it."2 For the Indians of the Far West, tobacco smoke curled up mist-like into the cool 14 PATRON Ben Stinson, San Mateo, CA Southern Oregon *Cyd Bagley, Medford Vera B. Weaver, San Pablo, CA Historical society Mr. and Mrs. William B. Barnum, Sr., D orotl1y M . Wilson, M edford M edford Virginia Witter, Gresham Foundations Mr. and Mrs. Ted J. Bauer, Central Point *Karen Bruff,]acksonville FRIEND ENDOWMENT FUND W . K. Aderman, Central Point Mr. and Mrs. Rod Boren Robert C. Bullwinkel, Talent Nancy J. Bringhurst, Ashland Nan Hannon and D onn Todt Mr. and Mrs. David Fortmiller, Talent Will Brown, Ashland Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Hartman Dr. Bob C. Gerber, Medfo1·d Barbara S. Carse, Central Point Paul Richardson Lifetime Mr. and Mrs. Arldrew M. Grassley, Dr. and Mrs. John R. Watson Central Point Richard G. Eastin, Medford Patricia Ingram Cook Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Herbold, Ashland Eugene L. Edwards, Medford Honorary Lifetin1e Robert J. DeArmond Dr. and Mrs. Greg N. Miller, Medford Thomas Enright, Medford Ram Offset Lithographers Sallie E. Shippen, Ashland Lorene Hale, Medford Mr. and Mrs. Vincent L. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hight Beverly Bishop Spidel, Tigard Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Harvey, Medford Medford Robert L. Lewis *Tom and Cynthia Wicklund, Medford Francis and Mary Cheney, Dr. Eugene I. Majerowicz Lorraine Hays, Talent Ben B. Cheney Foundation, PIONEER/FAMILY Alice Mullaly Betty Hedberg. Portland Tacoma, WA Mrs. Charles Barnes, Medford Carole Holzkamp, Medford Robertson E. Collins,]acksonville New Members Mr. and Mrs. Robert Butler, Medford Jean Zacharisen Kircher, Tigard Mr. and Mrs. Robert H effernan, Mr. and Mrs. William G. Carter, Ira D. Luman, Portland M edford Medford BUSINESS Sharon Marston, Medford Ms. Jean W . Jester, Sandy 99 Productions, Eugene *Laura Gentner Dunwald, Grants Pass Nancy Clark Martin, Easton, MD Mrs. Edna Knox, M edford AVISTA Utilities, Medford Mr. and Mrs. Bradford L. Jones, Joelle T. Mathis, Ashland Marjorie O'Harra, Ashland Lippert's Carpet One, Medford jacksonville Fern Mix, Medford Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Rowlett, Ashland CURATOR Mr. and Mrs. Gordon E. Miller, Marguerite Mullaney, Medfo1·d Mrs. Mary Tooze, Portland Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Bergstrom, Jr., North Bend Roger G. Nielsen, Medford M edford *Laura L. Morgan, Eagle Point Catherine A. Parlier, Talent PIONEER/FAMILY Claire Colvig Oberon, Paso Robles, CA Margaret E. Shaw, Grants Pass Mr. and Mrs. Jerome C. Smith, *Wilma Houston Simmons, Medfo7·d Harry A. Skerry, Jr., Ashland Grants Pass FAMILY Maureen Smith, Gold H ill \AI Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Stark, *Mr. and Mrs. John M. Bergstrom, Sylvia Surratt, Eagle Point Medford Medfo7·d Muriel Trammell, Medfo7·d ~ FAMILY *Harriet H. Bergstrom, Medford Todd Watson, White City LEAVE A LEGACYTM Mr. and Mrs. Rod Boren, Eagle Point Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Brophy, Medford Gloria Way,]acksonville Hazen Crowl, Eagle Point Mr. and Mrs. Steve Curry, Medford Verna E.Wilson, Canyonville Leave a Legacy of Southern Dorothy B. Duthie, Ashland The Murrit Davis Family, Eagle Point Francis A. Young, Central Point Oregon is a community-wide Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Leal1y, Medford Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Dill, Medford Rosamond G. Zanides, Medford Mr. and Mrs. Pat Pilolla, Medford Mr. and Mrs. Williard Fike, *Indicates upgraded membership category program established to create CliffTodd, Talent Jacksonville or monetary contribution in addition to public awareness and to promote Mr. and Mrs. Phil Gustafson, membership dues for Society programs. interest in charitable giving PIONEER/FRIEND Jacksonville Talent Elaine Gault, *Pam and Don Hammond, Ashland Donors through a will or from an estate. Carol Wilson, Grants Pass The Southern Oregon Historical Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Hartman, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FRIEND j acksonville **Noel Lesley Enterprises Society is participating in Leave Elizabeth Corethers, Medfo1·d *Mr. and Mrs. 01Je S. Jameson, a Legacy. Mary H anley Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Minneapolis, MN j acksonville MEMORIALS bequeathed Hanley Farm to the Mr. and Mrs. M. Popow Loren Hedrick, Sedona, AZ Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Johnson, J. Medford George and Kathe Carlson Society in 1982, thereby leaving Gary Poole, Wallowa Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Johnson, Ed and Nina Arlne Bailes a historic legacy for Southern Patricia Potter, Ashland Medford Leota Frakes Oregon residents and visitors Jean Whalen, Medford Mr. and Mrs. James R. Mcintyre, William E. Gregory who can now experience the Ashland Sybil B. Reames farm's rich history. Renewing Members Carla Morey, Shady Cove in memmy of Norven R . Furry Oregon Historical Society, Portland Mr$. Chet Ricks . BUSINESS m memory Chet Rtcks City of Medford, Mayor Berryman, *Houston R. Pitts, L acey, WA of t:~~ Medfo7·d Lawrence L. Powell, Ashland GENERAL COLLECTION SOUTHERN ~~~~ HISTORICAL Lithia Automotive Group, Medford Beulall B. Smith, Eagle Point Carroll Brown OREGON 1111 SOCIETY David Brown SJNCf. 19-4 15 PIONEER/DIRECTOR PIONEER/FRIEND - *Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Cowling, Margaret A. Bartley, Ashland John Milne Medford Kenneth R. Beebe, Central Point David Scafani *Ben Trowbridge, Shelton, WA Leeda S. Bishop, Ashland Fred and Arln Segrest We invite YOU to PIONEER/CURATOR Mark E. Boyden, Medford Yakima Valley Museum become a member Carol Hanilin, M edford Richard M . Colvig, Oakland, CA Lome Swearingen Marian Cosner, Bend CURATOR EDUCATION COLLECTION Membership categories ' *Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cottle, Ashland Mr. and Mrs. D ouglas Culy, Richard Goble Tempe,AZ Friend ...... $20 *Judy Fellows, Central Point Bill Leininger Thomas A. Emmens, Eugene Mary Louise Lyman Family ...... $30 PIONEER/PATRON Lewis Fields, Williams John Wolfe Patron ...... $6 0-$90 Mike Burton, Portland Arln H arwood, Moscow, ID Curator or Business .$120-$200 Roberta P. Ellison, Contoocook, NH Jack P. Martin, Lafayette, LA IN-KIND GOODS & Director ...... $250-$500 Stephen P. and Jerry M eyers, Medford Gail E. Orell, La jolla, CA SERVICES Lifetime ...... $1,000 Marlene and Rollie Pean, Coos Bay Mary C. Ross, M edford **Gary, W . Breeden, Architect **(Harlley Farm) SOUTI-IEHN OHEGON I-IEH ITAGE TODAY 15 Abel Helman: FROM PIONEER TO POSTMASTER

by Louise A. Watson

n Ashland street and school carry helped Helman his name. For twenty-seven years, build a sawmill. A residents trusted him to deliver They christened the their mail- on horseback But in January little settlement 1850, Abel D . Helman just wanted to find Ashland Mills, the adventure and riches promised by honoring H elman's golden California) and Emery's Ohio Born in Wayne County, Ohio (now roots.3 Ashland County), on April10, 1824, Helman brought Helman left behind his pregnant young his wife and wife, Martha Jane, whom he'd married in daughter, Almeda, Ashlandfounder Abel Helman poses outside his home at Orange 1849, his farm, and his cabinet-making born in 1850, and and Helman streets with his son, Grant, and his granddaughters business.2 Cold, rain, homesickness, high Eber Emery's family, Susan, standing, and Isabell, in herfather's arms. prices, starvation, disappointment, and a back to Ashland fellow Ohioan named Eber Emery Mills in 1852. Then he officially claimed Abel and Martha had seven more accompanied him on the grueling journey the first property in town, a site of 320 children: John, in 1854, the first white west. By 1851, Helman's hopes of striking acres somewhat north of the present child born in Ashland Mills; Mary it rich had been dashed. Instead, land downtown area. Elizabeth, 1856; Martha Jane, 1857; Abel captivated him: the beautiful, fertile valley Community business and civic leadership Lincoln, 1860; Benjamin Butler, 1863; at the base of the Siskiyou Mountains in followed: Helman and the Emerys built a Ulysses Grant, 1865; and Oates Orange, Oregon Territory, on a main route north flour mill that lasted for fifty-five years, 1869. Martha Helman died on May 12, from California. His search for his future boosting the town's economy. He became 1881. Thirteen years later, in 1894, Helman was over. To get started, Jacob Emery, Ashland's first postmaster in 1855. The married Susan Culp Rockfellow. Helman Eber's uncle, and a man named James post office was located in the Ashland died in 1910, still residing, appropriately Cardwell House, the community's first hotel, and enough, on his original land claim. 5 ! home to the Helman family. Helman soon laid out twelve lots in the present-day Louise A. Watson is a Medford freelance writer. Plaza area to encourage the town's ENDNOTES development. Military 1. Mary Lou Skinner, Medford Mail Tribune, 17 experience came when Helman November 1967. served as a lieutenant, then as 2. Almeda H elman Coder biographical record, 14 O ctober 1953, Research Library archives, a captain, in Company A of Southern Oregon Historical Society, Medford, the Oregon Militia, in Ore. frontier Indian wars and the 3. Kay Atwood, Mill Creek journal, Ashland, Oregon 1850-1860 (Ashland, Ore,: Kay Civil War period. He also Atwood, 1987), p. 13, 22. organized the community's 4. Medford Mail Tribune; Coder biographical school district in 1857.4 records. 5. Ibid, Coder records. Abel and Martha fane Helman, with one · · children.

Non-profit Org US POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 164 Medford, OR

(:~~ SOUTHERN ~~~~ HISTORICAL OREGON 1111 SOCIETY 106 N. Centr- al Ave. Medford, Oregon 9 7 50 1·5926 SOUTHERN OREGON HERITAGE TODAY