Step into the interior of the second oldest bank in the Pacific Northwest when Historic Jacksonville, Inc. opens the 1863 Beekman Bank beginning May 9th for “Behind the Counter Tours” on the second Saturday of each month from May through September. Located at the corner of California and North 3rd streets in Jacksonville, the Beekman Bank saw over $40 million in gold cross its counters during Jacksonville’s heyday in the second half of the 19th Century.
Cornelius C. Beekman came to Jacksonville in 1853 as an express rider for Cram, Rogers & Company. When their business failed in 1856, he purchased the assets and established Beekman’s Express, carrying mail, packages and gold over the Siskiyous between Jacksonville and Yreka, California.
He also purchased a large safe and offered to look after the miners’ gold. That grew into the historic Beekman Bank. Virtually all the gold discovered in this mining district passed over the bank’s counters until Beekman formally closed the bank’s doors in 1915. The bank and its contents have been preserved as a museum ever since—a stipulation in Beekman’s will.
“For years, people have peered through the security glass trying to see into this time capsule,” says Carolyn Kingsnorth, President of Historic Jacksonville, Inc. “And for the past six months, they haven’t even had that option. Now they will be able to actually come inside, view bank records, see the gold scales, inspect the bank’s walk-in safe, and hear about the ruses Beekman used to disguise the fact that he was shipping gold.”
Thirty minute “behind the counter” tours will begin at the bank’s back door at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m. on May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, and September 12. Admission is free, but a suggested $2 donation benefits Historic Jacksonville’s preservation efforts.
“These tours are part of Jacksonville History Saturdays,” notes Kingsnorth. “Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery will be offering pioneer cemetery tours at 10 am each month, and Historic Jacksonville will be offering Victorian themed tours between 12 noon and 4 pm at Cornelius Beekman’s 1873 home.”
She continues, “It’s a great opportunity for visitors, residents, historians, and the generally “curious” to learn about the history of Jacksonville and Southern Oregon through the stories of the pioneers who settled the region following the discovery of gold. And you’ll be surprised at how relevant history is to today!”
For additional information about Beekman Bank tours, visit www.historicjacksonville.org or contact Historic Jacksonville at 541-245-3650 or info@historicjacksonville.org.