In the early days of Rogue River, before it was Rogue River after 1911, entry into the budding new town from south of the mighty Rogue River was via the ferry operated by David “Coyote” Evans, who built two cabins south of the river in 1851.
It could be said that gold was the draw for people to come to the Rogue Valley. It was found in the area in the winter of 1851, perhaps a boon for those squeezed out of the California Gold Rush just a couple of years before.
Families came, and homesteads were built, stage stops were created, stores were built at the stage stops, and that’s how towns like Tailholt, which became Woodville, when John Woods became the first U.S. Postmaster in the city in 1876, and then Rogue River, in 1912.
These are the days the Woodville Museum celebrates. The museum, located in the Hatch House, on the corner of First and Broadway streets, celebrated its 40th anniversary on Fri., July 3.
The museum, full of artifacts and photos from the area’s beginnings, celebrates not only the Rogue River but also the rich history of the families who homesteaded the Evans Valley.
“In 1986, dedicated community members purchased and preserved the historic property that would become the Woodville Museum, ensuring its protection for future generations,” Mayor Pam VanArsdale said as part of a proclamation in honor of the 40th anniversary event.
Everything was on display at the museum, including the blacksmithing room honoring Charles Stuart Hatch, who became the first blacksmith in Woodville in 1909, the gold-mining exhibit, including the donated ore cart, with packets of paydirt, possibly with a little gold dust left, available for panning for $25.
The restored Woodville Jail, located on the northeast corner of the museum, was opening, revealing its two beds, each in rooms divided by a partition, with a pitcher and bucket in the corner, leading Rogue River City Council member Mark Minegar to ponder the possibility of advertising the jail for lodging on Airbnb.
Tools from the logging industry were on display, including a punch logger used to help determine which logs came from which logging company before they’re cut at the mill, by punching a brand-like mark onto the end of a log.
The old Wells Fargo stagecoach that carried members of the museum’s current board of directors during the June 27 Rooster Crow Parade, at which the board served as co-Grand Marshals, for photos with period costumes provided by Elegant Bustles and Bows of Central Point.
Jim Stearns, a member of the Jackson County Fire District 1 Board of Directors, brought his vintage Rogue River Fire Truck, with turnout gear for youths to put on for photos.
An embroidered comforter with panels depicting all 50 state flowers, embroidered by the late Alice Hatch, was raffled off on July 3.
Reach reporter Brian Mortensen at [email protected] or 541-582-1707.