Sponsored in part by Ram Offset Lithographers SOUTHERN OREGON A BRIDGE TO THE PAST AND TO THE FUTURE PORTRAI OF_A NATIVE SON Wimer Covered Bridge , Eugene Benne~ FROM THE COLLECTIONS DE~iMBER 'l 999 c 1 Mary Hanley's Square Piano ,. .. ' vol. 1, No. 12 m The Magazine of the Southern Oregon Historical Society 1if The Gold Diggers' Guild by Molly Walker Kerr acksonville residents know Christmas Preston gathered around Pat Alley's season has arrived when they hear table at the Plymale Cottage in laughter inside the old Catholic Jacksonville to discuss a supportive Rectory. They realize the Gold guild. They contacted other history Diggers' Guild, an auxiliary of the buffs-Amy Barnum, Justine ISouthern Oregon Historical Society, Emmens, Carol White, Betty Root, is at it again; that soon the clapboard Attorney Bob Hefferman, and Society cottage, vacant all year, will be Director Bill Burke-for a meeting to transformed into Victorian splendor- solidify their idea. After choosing the just in time for Jacksonville's annual name "Gold Diggers' Guild," Christmas celebration and home tour., referring to Jacksonville's gold rush The 1867 rectory, furnished in period days, they began planning a vintage pieces, is fun to lavish in Christmas finery. fashion show to raise money. Once the decorations arrive down the Guild members have plenty to do during narrow attic stairs, the magic begins as the Christmas season to decorate the old wreaths appear in windows, brown paper Catholic Rectory in Jacksonville with packages with red bows crowd beneath an holiday trimmings. old-fashioned Christmas tree, and a teddy bear peeks up through the branches. Outside, the town's Christmas garlands X. Blanchet acquired it on a sheriffs deed. decorate the rectory porch. When all is An addition was built in 1891. Then, in ready, Guild members in nineteenth 1908, when St. Joseph's Catholic Church century costumes guide visitors through became a mission of Medford, the rectory the cozy rooms. became a private residence. Later, it sat The small building, originally used as vacant for some time and was almost a one-room schoolhouse for Catholic demolished in 1967. But a determined boys, later became the rectory for the group led by Robertson Collins came to Catholic Church. In 1875, Father Francis its rescue, and it became the property of Jackson County, to be maintained by the Society. That same year-a year before she A Christmas tree loaded with traditional helped found the Gold Diggers' Guild­ ornaments and a holiday bow on the Ruth Preston was hired to plan a full window lend a festive spirit. renovation of the rectory. "We had to sweep out bees, spiders, and other garden critters before we could begin," And raise money they did! For twenty­ she recalls. two years the Guild's elegant teas, parties, The rectory gardens also are a Guild and fashion shows have helped support project. The Gold Diggers contribute Society projects: the Hanley, Beekman, substantial funds for their upkeep. Britt, and Armstrong houses; the U.S. Who are these Gold Diggers who work Hotel; the hands-on Children's Museum; so hard raising money? They are a fun­ and of course, the Catholic Rectory and loving group of dedicated women who its gardens. happen to revere history and its Guild members are troopers. They bind preservation. The Guild began in April of themselves in corsets, roll their hair for a 1977, when Gertrude Drew, Gladys period look, swish in Victorian skirts, peer Fortmiller, Helene Salade-Ogle, and Ruth through hat veils, teeter in high-button shoes - whatever the event or exhibit demands. Obviously, they love what they do - and it's all in the name of history. lit Molly Walker Kerr, a member of the Gold Diggers' Guild, is a free-lance writer The simple white clapboard rectory, built living in Medford. in 1867, comes to life with holiday garlands of evergreen boughs hung by the Gold Diggers. At right, more greenery enlivens an antique piano displayed inside. 2 VOl. 1, NO. 12 Vol. 1, No. 12 December 1999 SOUTHERN OREGON HERITA! FEATURE Eugene Bennett • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 8 Artist brings color and light to the Rogue Valley by Nancy Bringhurst DEPARTMENTS Our Own Voices: Our Own Voices • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • 2 Feature: Eugene Bennett Gold Diggers' Guild The Gold Diggers' Guild by Molly Walker Kerr Sunday Driving • • • • . • • . • ••• 4 Wimer Covered Bridge by Patricia Parish Kuhn From the Collections. • • • • • • • • • 5 From the Collections Sunday Driving: Mary Hanley's Square Piano Mary Hanley's Square Piano Wimer's Bridge by Jessica James SOHS News and Notes •••••• 6 Exhibits and program updates and calendar Rooted in History . • • • . • • • • • • • 14 Oregon Grape by Nan Hannon and Donn L. Todt The Pioneers: Rooted in History: The Wolters Family Members' and Donors' Corner. • • • 15 Oregon Grape Sot.JrHERN OREGON HERITAGE'IDDAY Editorial Guidelines The Pioneers • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 aturc articles average 3,000 to 4,000 (pre-edited) words. Other materials range from 500 to 1,000 words. The Wolters Family of Talent RElectronic submissions arc accepted on 3-J/4-inch disks and should be accompanied by a hard-copy printout. Cite all sources and construct endnotes and cutlincs using the Chicago by Louise Watson Manual of Style. The author is responsible for verification of cited facts. A selection of professional, unscrccncd photographs and/or line art should accompany submission­ black-and-white or color. The Southern Oregon Historical Society reserves the right to usc Society images in place of ON THE COVER submitted material. All material should be labeled with author's name, mailing address, and telephone number. Manuscripts will be returned if accompanied by a self~ Rogue Valley native Eugene Bennett addressed envelope stamped with sufficient postage. Authors should provide a brief autobiographical note at the end of sharpened his artist's eye in Chicago, manuscripts. The Soulhem Oregon Historical Society secures rights to full and final editing of all manuscripts, layout design, and New York, and abroad, then brought onc·time North American serial rights. Authors will be notified of acceptance or manuscripts within ninety days or his perspective home, reflected here m receiving materials. In most cases, payment is upon publication. Sou them Oregon Heritage Today takes great care with all submitted material, but is not responsible for damage this oil painting of his Jacksonville or loss. Only photocopies of irreplaceable original historical documents should be submitted. Facts, views, and opinions studio in snow. expressed in signed submissions arc those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or opinions of Southem Oregon Hen'tage Today or the Southern Oregon Historical Society. THE STUDIO: FIRST SNO\V, 1982, OIL ON CANVAS. Southern Oregon Historical Society Ann Moore, Medford, SECOND V\C&ruSIDENT Magazine Staff Southern Oregon Heritage Today is produced Board of Trustees Alice Mullaly, Central Point, TREASURfR Cynthia Wicklund, EXECU1lVE ASSISTANT/c:,.,WJN<:AIJONS using Quark XPress on Macintosh computers and is Stuart Allan, Medford Marjorie Overland, Medford, f1RSr V!Cf.fRfSUlENr COClRD!NATOII printed by Ram Offset Lithographers. Allen Alsing, Ashland, PRfSJOENr Bill Powell, GUESr EDITOR Copyright 1999 by Southern Oregon Historical Cheryl Breeden, Medford Administrative Staff Dana Hedrick,Earp, PHOTOGIWHER Society, ISSN # 1082·2003. All rights reserved. No Judi Dreis, Medford Brad Under, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maggie James, VOWNTEER: INTERN PHOTOGRAPHER Maureen Smith, FJNANCE/OPHWlONS D!RECTOR f'Ort of this publication may be printed or electronically Chuck Eccleston, Medford AF.r DIREC110N BY Daeryllewis H. Walter Emori, M.D., Jacksonville Amelia Chamberlain, PROORAMS DIRE'CTOR duplicated without the written permission of the Susan Cox-Smith, MEMBERSHl? C(X)ll:OOWOR Southern Oregon Historical Society. Jim Fety, Rogue River Collections/Research Library Staff Joyce Hailicka, BuHe Falls Mary Ames Sheret, CURATOR OF collECTIONS AND EXHJBITS SOUTHERN Nancy Hamlin, Medford, SECRfTAlTY Southern Oregon Heritage Today is published e:'~l\ Jacque Sundstrand, UBRARY/ARCHMS C()();!l)INAJOR OREGON Reeve Hennion, Jacksonville monthly by the Southern Oregon Historical Society. Carol Horbison-Samuelson, llBRAR:Y IMNAGH!/PHoro AACHMST IIII Lawson lnada, Ashland 106 N. Central Ave., Medford, OR 975010926. IIII HISTORICAL 3 William Alley, ARCHMSr/HlS!ORIAN IIII Nancy McGrew, Jacksonville (541) 773-6536 Bill Miller, lllliW<Y ASSISTANT. - SOCIE1Y Sunday Driving Wimer Covered Bridge A BRIDGE TO THE PAST AND TO THE FUTURE by Patricia Parish Kuhn The gracefully arched portal invites To see the bridge, take the Rogue River visitors to cross the Wimer covered bridge, exit off Interstate 5, proceed through the first built in 1892. center of town, take a left and follow the road sign pointing to East Evans Creek and Wimer. The drive is abundant with Many of Oregon's covered bridges have rural scenes: horses and livestock in the either succumbed to floods or fire. In 1933, fields, weathered barns, and other Oregon had more than 309; now, fewer evidence of the Evans Creek Valley's rich than sixty remain, including Wimer's. agricultural heritage. As Southern Oregon continues to Almost eight miles out of Rogue River, grow and develop, concern about the a sign points to the right, saying Covered preservation of its history grows too. After Bridge Road. On ahead, cross the one­ all, one of the region's great charms is the lane bridge, park the car, walk down into often unexpected discovery of the the little square of park and take a look at remnants of another century that have the Wimer Family Totem. Carved by local overed bridges gone the survived in the nooks and crannies of the residents, the cedar totem honors the way of covered wagons? Rogue Valley. Wilner has preserved one beaver, coyote, tuttle, bear, elk, owl, and Not all of them. In the rural of these links to the past in its bridge.