Jacksonville's Gold Rush: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

This self-guided walking tour explores Jacksonville, Oregon: a gold rush town that went broke and accidentally became one of the best-preserved pioneer settlements in the American West. You'll hear how a chaotic 1851 mining camp grew into Southern Oregon's wealthiest city, and how losing the railroad saved it from demolition. The tour starts at the Old City Hall, where fires in 1873 and 1874 led Jacksonville to mandate brick construction. You'll wander California Street, once called the Wall Street of the West, past iron-shuttered storefronts and saloons pouring drinks since the 1850s. You'll stop at the Historic Jackson County Courthouse, where a man awaiting execution filed noise complaints about his ghost roommate, and visit St. Andrew's Anglican Church, built with gambling winnings. The tour ends at the Britt Festival grounds, built on the estate of photographer Peter Britt. Along the way, spot a Levi Strauss ghost sign and hear how Chinese miners dug a tunnel under town

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   Begin your tour at the Old City Hall, learning why Jacksonville mandated brick construction after devastating fires in 1873 and 1874. Peek through the bars of a jail cell that sat directly beneath a fire bell for a century.

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   Pass by GoodBean Jacksonville, housed in the town's former Table Rock Billiard & Saloon, dating back to around 1852. Take in this historic building, one of the oldest landmarks in the state, now serving award-winning coffee and fresh-baked pastries.

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   Pass by Boomtown Saloon, a modern addition to Jacksonville's long saloon tradition on California Street. Take in this lively local spot, part of a legacy that once counted as many as 36 saloons in this gold rush boomtown.

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   Discover the McCully House, whose deadbeat owner abandoned his family but allegedly haunts the place in death. Take in this storied building, one of Jacksonville's most talked-about haunted landmarks.

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   Stop at the Historic Jackson County Courthouse, where a man awaiting execution filed noise complaints about his ghost roommate. Take in this striking building, now a museum interpreting the city's history.

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   Learn how the Jacksonville Inn was literally built with gold-flecked sandstone quarried during the rush. Take in this historic building, still standing as a testament to the town's gold rush wealth.

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   Pass by The Miners' Bazaar, a café, bar, and boutique housed in a 150-year-old building that began life in 1868 as the town dentist's residence. Take in this refashioned historic house, now filled with handmade gifts from local artisans.

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   Explore the Beekman Bank, the Pacific Northwest's oldest financial institution, frozen intact since 1915. Take in this remarkably preserved building, retaining all of its original period fixtures.

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   Pass by the Bella Union Restaurant, housed in the town's historic 1856 Bella Union Saloon building on California Street. Take in this longstanding local institution, still serving Jacksonville's main drag more than 150 years later.

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    Britt Festival Pavilion

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    End your tour at the Britt Festival grounds, a stunning outdoor amphitheater built on the hillside estate of Peter Britt. Take in this fitting conclusion, honoring the pioneer photographer who planted Southern Oregon's first wine grapes and pear orchard.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.