The historic Beekman Bank is again open for business with docents accepting “deposits” to help preserve and share local history. From 11:00am to 4:00pm, Friday through Monday, the public is invited to step behind the counter of the oldest bank in the Pacific Northwest. Located at the corner of California and North 3rd streets in Jacksonville, the bank has been preserved intact as a museum since its founder, Cornelius C. Beekman, passed away in 1915.

Beekman, who came to Jacksonville as an express rider following the discovery of gold in Southern Oregon, established his “gold dust office” in 1856 cattycornered across the street where a reproduction of his original Beekman Express building now stands. For seven years, he rode three times a week across the Siskiyous between Jacksonville and Yreka, carrying gold, mail, packages, and newspapers.

When he became a Wells Fargo agent in 1863, he built the current Beekman Bank, the oldest wooden structure still standing on California Street. During Jacksonville’s heyday in the late 1800s, over $10 million in gold crossed the bank’s counters—equal to $1 billion today.

Thanks to grants Historic Jacksonville, Inc., received from the Jackson County Cultural Coalition and the Jacksonville Lodging Tax Committee, the Beekman Bank will be open to the public through Labor Day with a great docent team. Meet Susan Rayles, a former National Park Service docent who worked at both President Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park home and President Harry S. Truman’s Independence, Missouri home. Visit with Keoni Diacamos, the collections assistant for the Southern Oregon Historical Society. And tap the knowledge of Ben Truwe, Medford’s historian who also leads the monthly Medford Brothels and Opium Den tours.

Each will share stories about how Cornelius Beekman, Jacksonville’s most prominent pioneer, ran his bank. Learn about late 19th Century banking practices, gold shipping, and handshake deals. A suggested donation of $2.00 not only makes this possible, but will also help HJI open the Beekman Bank again to the public during the summer of 2017!

For additional information, please visit www.historicjacksonville.org.

Photo is Beekman Bank docent, Susan Rayles with visitors Michael & Tammy Jamieson.