Current news from the Jacksonville Review
IF THIS HOUSE COULD TALK, it would have a lot to say…. According to a copper plaque on a wall inside the house, Chester R. Pursell built the home for Alphonse and Gertrude Boone (reportedly related to Daniel Boone). However, not long after completion, Chester married Boone’s daughter, Virginia, and the […]
AFTER SITTING DOWN with Andrea Breault last month, I realized I learned a lot more than I expected. So much so that it felt like too much for one article. So, we are making this a two-part series.
If you missed Part 1, Andrea is my now go-to “wine […]
SUMMER IN SOUTHERN OREGON is all about long, warm days, cool rivers and lakes, outdoor music, mountain scenery, wine country, and small towns that come alive in the evenings. Get your shorts, sandals, sunscreen and sunglasses on, uncover your boats and boards, and enjoy our favorite Summer […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR—Jacksonville’s “Walk through History” tours are back! At 10 a.m. every Saturday from May 30th through September 5th, Historic Jacksonville, Inc. will be offering one-hour guided walks through Jacksonville’s National Historic Landmark District, the first on the West Coast! Participants will take a stroll through history, visiting government and commercial buildings, fraternal lodges, and […]
AN ANTEBELLUM Mississippi cotton and indigo slave plantation is the opening setting for Jacksonville resident Tom Withenbury’s recent debut novel of historical fiction: The Color of Indigo. The protagonists are Indigo, a young slave laundress, and her budding love interest, Major, a slave man who works tirelessly as the plantation blacksmith.
Indigo […]
EACH SUMMER, the six farms of the Southern Oregon Lavender Trail open their gates for two memorable weekends celebrating lavender in full bloom. This beloved annual festival invites visitors to slow down, explore the countryside, and experience the fragrance, beauty, and creativity inspired by lavender.
During the festival weekends, guests will discover […]
WE KNOW SOUTHERN OREGON is a great place for wine, hiking, mountain biking, food and a vibrant cultural scene, but did you know that it’s home to one of the best free-flight sites in the country?
Free-flight is non-motorized aviation that relies on paragliding and hang gliding wings. Instead of gasoline, the […]
May 21, 2026 — MEDFORD, Ore. — Today local real estate brokers from Jackson County are kicking off a summer clothing drive for children in need across Jackson County, running now through Friday, June 30. The effort is in partnership with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Jackson County, a nonprofit serving as the voice […]
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Jacksonville-Applegate Rotary Club is bringing back one of the Rogue Valley’s most beloved fundraising evenings, Fork & Cork, on Sunday, May 31, from 4:30-7:30pm at Rellik Winery, 970 Old Stage Road, in Central Point.
Fork & Cork guests can expect live music, a delicious tri-tip dinner, and a […]
Jacksonville, OR – Monday, April 27, 2026: This summer, Britt will host a special community event, Honoring Britt’s Founder: A Dedication and Picnic Celebration, recognizing the life and legacy of founder and longtime music director John Trudeau, whose vision helped establish Britt as a cultural cornerstone of Southern Oregon.
The celebratory evening will take place on […]
IN APRIL, a Wind Phone was installed in the Jacksonville Cemetery, thanks to the efforts of local, John Howell. John is no stranger to community projects—he spearheaded the restoration of the large Catholic cross in the cemetery about four years ago.
After completing that project, he saw a story about wind phones […]
A SMALL TOWN with hidden history and secrets is one of the settings of Michelle St. Romain Wilson’s debut novel, Song of Belonging, which was released in April. For fans of Kate Morton, Amy Harmon, and Sally Page, the book is a dual timeline story set in a rural town in […]
ODDS ARE GOOD that you saw Bryan Oliver play music in 2025. After all, if you add up solo performances, gigs with his “Bryan Oliver Trio” and the weekly open mic he hosts, Oliver played 127 times last year—none of which would’ve been possible, he says, […]
THERE WILL BE A TOWN HALL on Tuesday, May 19, from 5:30-6:30pm, in the Naversen Meeting Room at the Public Library, at 340 W. C Street.
Organizers expect a good turnout with our new Police Chief, Matt Hannum, who will be on hand to answer any questions about the new changes to […]
THE JACKSONVILLE Fire Department, Police Department, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) invite you to join us for an important Community Evacuation Forum on Wednesday, May 13, from 6-7pm, at the Jacksonville Fire Station, 180 N. 3rd Street.
The one-hour session is designed to provide critical information and open discussion on […]
SPRINGTIME’S JOY and promise is reflected in the beautiful work of the members of the Jacksonville Garden Club at their annual Spring Sale. Using fresh-cut flowers, they create arrangements in a mix of sizes and prices—for a sweet Mother’s Day surprise or a gift to yourself or a friend. The sale […]
JACKSONVILLE’S WILDFIRE Community Preparedness Day returns in May—with the new self-serve format. The event will take place on Saturday, May 2, from 9am-noon, in the D Street parking lot.
Please note: This year’s event will not include a chipper, and no assistance will be provided for unloading materials. Residents are invited to […]
IN THE ROGUE VALLEY, we are surrounded by beauty as springtime unfolds in our hills, forests, and gardens. Jacksonville Garden Club members are well known for making interesting and creative arrangements from the array of beautiful spring flowers, which they then offer at their annual spring sale, to be held this […]
ON MAY 15 & 16, the public is invited to attend the Southern Oregon True Crime Summit at the Bigham Knoll Campus, founded and produced by local Melynda Cordes. The event features professionals and experienced voices in forensic science, investigative journalism, law enforcement, victim advocacy, and ethical true crime media. This […]
Jacksonville, OR – Friday, April 10, 2026: Britt is unveiling its last multi-show lineup announcement for the 2026 summer season, adding a fresh mix of rock legends, hip-hop favorites, and genre-blending artists. This latest wave of performances builds on an already dynamic season, while also inviting the community to kick things off with a beloved […]
LIVE MUSIC fills the air in Jacksonville six nights a week. For a small historic town with only a few thousand residents, the amount of music flowing through our streets is remarkable. From a hillside amphitheater that hosts internationally known artists to cozy wine bars, saloons, inns, […]
IN JACKSONVILLE, I’m always on the lookout for two things: a spot with bubbles at brunch and a place where I can grab a really good deli sandwich. So, I was pretty excited to discover Black Barn Kitchen & Deli at the Bigham Knoll campus. It checks both […]
EVIE KALINA, a 5th-grader at Jacksonville Elementary School, is the winner of this year’s Art Poster Contest! Her piece is titled, “A Different View,” and based upon the theme for the contest, “Kindness Grows.” Evie’s favorite projects so far have been clay animals from 2nd-grade and this year’s Chinese watercolor koi […]
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.” ~Madeleine L’Engle
IN NOVEMBER 2024, Rebel Heart Books held our first Local Author Book Fair at the Jacksonville Public Library. It’s safe to say that […]
GREETINGS TO ALL OUR NEIGHBORS! We are looking forward to welcoming Spring to our town, and it seems an appropriate time to provide everyone with an update of our 2026 goals and objectives, plans, and new ideas! With our new Police Chief, Matt Hannum, and a full staff of Police Officers, […]
JACKSONVILLE was recently named the recipient of the 2026 National Wildfire Mitigation Award. This is the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation. Established in 2014, the Wildfire Mitigation Awards are jointly sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters […]
SAVE THE DATE!—Rebel Heart Book’s Local Author Book Fair is Saturday, April 18, 1-3pm, at Jacksonville Public Library
Due to the overwhelming response from the community and burgeoning group of talented local authors, Rebel Heart Books is hosting a second Local Author Book Fair this Spring!
Come join us on Saturday, April 18, […]
The Junior League of Jackson County invites the community to an unforgettable afternoon at its annual Kentucky Derby Watch Party Fundraiser, held Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Rogue Valley Country Club. Doors open at 2:00 PM.
Guests will experience the excitement of the Kentucky Derby—known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports”—while enjoying Derby-inspired […]
Jacksonville, OR – Friday, March 13, 2026: Britt has announced another group of performances for the 2026 summer season, adding nine more nights of music and comedy to the hill, as well as announcing the date for its second annual Britt Under The Stars Fundraising Gala. This round brings together alt-rock icons, chart-topping country, […]
DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH, McKee Bridge Historical Society will exhibit the works of Evelyn Byrne Williams at the Jacksonville Library. Evelyn has been a creative force throughout her 99-plus years, in multiple media: oils, pen and ink, appliqué and quilting (including seven “museum” story-telling quilts), and illustrations for her own […]
RIGHT IN THE HEART of downtown Jacksonville, South Stage Cellars feels like the kind of place you pop into for a quick glass and somehow end up staying all afternoon. Housed in a charming historic building dating back to 1865 and recognized as the oldest tasting room in […]
RECENTLY, on a cold, foggy 46-degree day in Jacksonville, I received a text from a friend in Brookings. The message included a photo of the thermometer on his deck reading a balmy 73 degrees. Winter weather along our Southern Oregon coastline is often far warmer than in the valleys, making […]
HAVE YOU LOST or misplaced…or found any personal property lately? Please remember that the Jacksonville Police Department accepts found property and tries its best to find the owner of that property. They currently have bicycles, electronics, currency/coins, and other miscellaneous items in their possession and would love to reunite it with […]
PLEASE JOIN Roxy Ann Gem & Mineral Society (RAGMS) and Crater Rock Museum for our Annual Gem & Mineral Show, March 13-15, 2026.
Our vendors will be offering a wide variety of mineral specimens, gems, and rough rock in addition to finished jewelry for sale. We will have live demonstrations by […]
January 31st, 1 pm: ‘Bareroot Basics – Fruit Tree Planting, Pruning & Training’ with Scott
Fruit trees are a great addition to any yard, large or small. Get expert advice on how to give your bareroot fruit trees their best start and learn how to care for young trees as they mature. This class will show […]
FOR 15 YEARS, the Medford Food Project has transformed the way the community addresses hunger—by turning small, consistent actions into a large, sustained impact. Fueled entirely by volunteers and grassroots generosity, MFP has become an essential part of the region’s hunger-relief infrastructure and a powerful example of what’s possible when neighbors […]
THERE ARE some places in the Rogue Valley that feel like a deep exhale the moment you arrive, and for me, DANCIN Vineyards is always one of them. Tucked into a hillside that seems designed for golden-hour light, DANCIN is the kind of winery where beauty and atmosphere […]
AS HOLIDAY LIGHTS FADE and fresh snow blankets the surrounding mountains, winter invites you outdoors to experience the seasonal magic of Southern Oregon. It’s the perfect time to work off those holiday meals and embrace everything from snow-covered slopes and frozen alpine lakes to rushing rivers and quiet winter trails. […]
Jacksonville, OR – Friday, February 13, 2026: Britt has confirmed a slate of six more concerts for the 2026 summer season. This latest announcement brings together chart-topping country, indie-rock favorites, and jam-band icons; offering something unforgettable for every music lover.
Country star Jake Owen is bringing his feel-good anthems to the hill, while indie folk favorite […]
A FEW YEARS AGO, singer-songwriter Adam Gabriel made a decision. Already well-known on the Rogue Valley circuit as a soulful singer whose vast catalogue of cover songs made him one of the most popular local options for live music, Gabriel decided that he’d come to a point in his […]
THE COVER of this month’s Jacksonville Review is an image taken from a painting by renowned artist, Kevin Yeh. Kevin’s father, Yeh Fei Pai, was our cover artist for the February 2014 issue, whose immense talent has passed to his son. Kevin grew up in the 1980’s and 90’s and struggled […]
Jacksonville, OR — The Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA) invites the community to celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 21, throughout downtown Jacksonville. This year’s festivities honor the Year of the Horse with a vibrant mix of indoor and outdoor activities designed to help guests of all ages experience the shared […]
Jacksonville, OR – Friday, January 16, 2026: Britt Music & Arts Festival is pleased to unveil the first wave of concerts for the 2026 summer season. This initial announcement marks the first of multiple lineup releases and offers an exciting preview of the diverse artists and performances heading to the Britt hill this year.
This first […]
TO IDENTIFY AND PRESERVE a part of Jacksonville’s orchard history, a small group of us are investigating the heritage of old apple trees on the Britt grounds. We located five trees on the city’s Lower Britt Gardens (Trees 1-5) and five on the Britt Festival site (Trees 6-10). […]
WHEN HISTORY and modern flavor come together, the result is something truly special. That is exactly what guests will find at McCully House Inn, Jacksonville’s oldest operating home-turned-inn. Inside its walls, the McCully House Pub & Lounge has quickly become one of the most talked-about destinations in town.
A […]
AS WHIT MENTIONED in last month’s Review, there is something truly special about our little town, and sometimes it takes seeing it through someone else’s eyes to be reminded of just how charming it really is. I recently had three friends fly in from different […]
FOR STUNNING FALL COLORS and a quintessential Southern Oregon adventure, take the short scenic hike to Mill Creek Falls, Barr Creek Falls and the Avenue of the Boulders—all nestled along a deep canyon, cut by the Rogue River.
These two waterfalls are among the tallest in Southern Oregon and the most […]
Jacksonville, OR – Thursday, November 20, 2025: The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announces its 2026 season, with three weeks of exciting outdoor programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon, June 18–July 3, 2026. Under the leadership of Music Director Norman Huynh in his inaugural season at Britt, the Orchestra’s 64th season highlights orchestral favorites that showcase the […]
LOOKING FOR A SPOT in Jacksonville that’s full of charm, cozy vibes, and has really good wine? Head to Remotion, now located at 105 W. Main Street, corner of W. Main and S. 3rd Street. From the stained-glass entryway and grand staircase to the playful wallpaper and comfy […]
JACKSONVILLE plays a pivotal role in the history of McKee Bridge. When the United States entered World War I, it was urgent to haul copper ore from the Blue Ledge Mine. Jackson County wanted a bridge across the Applegate River to avoid treacherous Dead Horse Hill, so horse-drawn […]