County Information and descriptions
"Josephine county lies
to the east of Curry, south of Douglas, west of Jackson and extends to the
California line on the south. Its area is about 1,800 square miles and its
present population is about 8,000. Until the completion of the Southern Pacific
railroad through the southern part of the state comparatively little was known
of this rich part of Oregon. During the past ten years, however, wonderful
strides have been made here, and this is now classed among the most prosperous
portions of the Northwest.
The soil of the lands of Josephine county is of
remarkable fertility and will produce almost anything grown in the
temperate zone. Cereals and fruits of all kinds grow in profusion
here. Snow seldom falls in the valleys of the county, but on higher
elevations, which are covered with valuable forests of fir, cedar,
oak, pine and other timber, the snowfall is sometimes heavy. The
valleys of Josephine county are now practically one vast fruit
garden. Peaches grow here in size and flavor equal to the most
luscious of the New Jersey peach crop, and the tosn of melons raised
here which are annually shipped to the Portland and other markets of
the north are not excelled in quality by the melons raised in the
most favored parts of the United States. All varieties of fruit do
well on these lands and vineyards and orchards of Josephine county
will some day rival those of the famous California fruit belt.
The entire area of Josephine county is well watered,
numerous creeks of the clearest water flowing down the mountain
sides and traversing the land in all directions. These streams also
furnish fine water power at convenient points. The mountainous
districts of the county contain rich deposits of gold quartz,
silver, copper and other metals. Widespread attention is just at the
present time being attracted to the mineral wealth of this county
and the mines here some day will rival those of Eastern Oregon or of
the Coeur d' Alenes in Northern Idaho." Oregonian's
handbook of the Pacific Northwest c. 1894