Jacksonville, Oregon

Jacksonville is a nice little town nestled amid lakes, rivers and forests between the Cascade Mountains and the Klamath Mountains in rugged southwestern Oregon. It got its start when gold was discovered in 1851.

The new town boomed, but then in 1925 the railroad bypassed it in favor of neighboring Medford. Jacksonville stopped growing and was for years essentially stuck in time. The result is a well-preserved commercial core with 19th-century Classical Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne and Craftsman style architecture.

In fact, the entire town of Jacksonville is a National Historic Landmark with hip, understated charm. It is popular with tourists who come for the history but also for the annual Britt Music and Arts Festival, a fun concert series that happens each summer and fall.

Tasteful wineries, cozy B&Bs, eclectic bookstores, cool coffee houses and upscale retailers add to Jacksonville’s appeal. Many residents travel to Medford, 10 miles to the east, for extra supplies and services.

Housing is eclectic and includes downtown pioneer properties that have been renovated into beautiful condos as well as new Spanish Colonials on the outskirts of town. 

More than 320 acres of surrounding woodlands have walking trails. Gorgeous Crater Lake National Park is 90 minutes to the east.