In 2015, Larry Smith proposed to the Jacksonville Woodlands Association’s board of directors an idea for a book about the history of the “most successful, small-town, all-volunteer land conservation project in Oregon.” Larry says the first questions were, “Who would want to read it and who is your audience?” Larry’s answer was, “I do not know who might want to read the book; I want to record the history of the Woodlands project before I forget it.”

And so he did. Larry raised enough money via the JWA to pay for the editing, design and printing of Jacksonville’s Emerald Necklace. He dove into his extensive and well-organized historical notes and photos and then tapped into his memory bank to write 170,000 words. The finished book is 418 pages with more than 400 photos, filled with stories, parcel purchase notes, headlines, testimonials, environmental details and more. Readers get involved in the purchase of the Britt and other important homestead parcels, understand the feelings of the former students who now bring their own families to the Woodlands, and see the work it takes to clear and tend a path.

Jacksonville’s Emerald Necklace not only tells the story of the 30+ years of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association but shines a light on how members of a community can come together for a common cause.

In 2021, Joe Reymann recalled the moment the Jacksonville Woodlands Association was sparked into life:

“I was walking down Laurelwood Drive that October morning heading out on my daily run. As I neared the bottom of the hill just behind the Historic Beekman House, I noticed a new sign…a large 5’x3′ sign…something about homesites (lots) for sale; with the name of a real estate company and a number to call. A new housing development was going in…in the woods above the Beekman House. The sign called it the “Beekman Estates!”

Thereafter, The Jacksonville Woodlands Association (JWA), a 501c3 non-profit, was formed in 1989. Its mission: to protect the natural and cultural heritage of Historic Jacksonville, Oregon.

The Jacksonville Woodlands Natural Park and Trail System is the Association’s most extensive project. Since its formation, the JWA has facilitated the acquisition of 21 parcels of woodlands, totaling 270 acres with sixteen miles of hiking trails.

Readers will learn about Jacksonville’s historic district and surrounding woodlands trails and well-preserved goldmines offer a unique outdoor opportunity for Jackson County Schools. As a former fifth-grade schoolteacher, Larry has led thousands of students on guided tours of Jacksonville and the woodland trails. Instead of being glued to digital screens, students can explore historic goldmines, spring wildflowers, native trees, the pioneer cemetery, and Jacksonville’s 1000-acre Forest Park located one mile west of town. Forest Park’s 45 miles of hiking trails and wetlands offer students a real-world natural science laboratory, nurturing a lifelong connection
to the land.

Larry Smith has been involved with the Jacksonville Woodlands Association from the beginning. A veteran hiker, historian, outdoor enthusiast, and storyteller, Larry Smith is the history teacher we all wanted: entertaining, full of historical nuggets, and dedicated to the students, their experience, and their community. Larry’s participation in the JWA is personal (he’ll tell you himself his home sits on the edge of the Woodlands) but it is born out of his love for the land and its historic value. It is an every day normal occurrence to see Larry leading a group of middle school students, or seniors, or families on a trail, describing hydraulic mining, or the latest clearing project, or how to identify Gentner’s Fritillary.

Larry and his companion board members and volunteers in the JWA have put the Jacksonville Emerald Necklace (a nickname for the miles of woodlands surrounding the town) on the map. By “getting the kids involved” in every aspect of the development of the Woodlands, from trailblazing to purchasing parcels of land, the awareness and support of the project was noted in newspapers and on the TV nightly news all over the west coast.

Join Arts & Letters online for the book launch for Jacksonville’s Emerald Necklace with Ginna BB Gordon, November 17, 2pm. Reservations art-presence.eventbrite.com. Copies of the book on sale in Jacksonville at Rebel Heart Books, Happy Alpaca and Art Presence Art Center.

Featured images:  Jim Lewis and Phil Gahr of the JWA – and Larry Smith leading hike-a-thon in Jacksonville Woodlands.

 

In Jacksonville’s Emerald Necklace, author Larry notes, A friend of mine, Robertson Collins (1921-2003), the father of our Jacksonville National Landmark Status (1966) and one of the founders of the Jacksonville Boosters Club (1963), told me 20 years ago to keep rough notes just in case there was a need to write the history of the JWA.

At the time I thought, “Why should I write anything down? I will always remember these events.”

“Fortunately,” he admits, “I took Robby’s sound advice and wrote notes about our land acquisitions and began collecting video news reports and newspaper and magazine articles about the Woodlands.” 

Jacksonville’s Emerald Necklace: From Goldmines to Woodland Trails
by Larry B. Smith
Published by the Jacksonville Woodlands Association
Release date: Nov 15, 2022
Suggested retail price: $40