National Register of Historic Places listings in Josephine County, Oregon facts for kids

Josephine County, Oregon, is home to many amazing places that are officially recognized for their history and importance! These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that tell us about the past. It's like a hall of fame for historical treasures across the United States.

In Josephine County, you can find everything from old houses and churches to historic mining areas and even a famous cave lodge. Each place has a unique story about the people and events that shaped this part of Oregon.

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many beautiful old houses in Josephine County are on the National Register. These homes often show off different building styles from the past.

Grants Pass Homes

• John and Susanna Ahlf House

This house was built in 1902 and is a great example of the Queen Anne style. It was one of the most important homes in Grants Pass before World War I. John Ahlf, who came from Germany, was a successful meat packer and a very important businessman in the Rogue Valley.

• George Calhoun House

This historic home is located at 612 NW 5th Street in Grants Pass. It was added to the list in 1981.

• Clark–McConnell House

Found at 961 SE 8th Street in Grants Pass, this house joined the Register in 1998.

• Clark–Norton House

This house, at 127 NW D Street in Grants Pass, was added in 1986.

• Michael Clemens House

You can find this house at 612 NW 3rd Street in Grants Pass. It became a historic site in 1982.

• Albert B. and Mary Cornell House

Located at 121 NE B Street in Grants Pass, this home was recognized in 2002.

• Thomas Croxton House

This house, at 1002 NW Washington Boulevard in Grants Pass, was added to the list in 1979.

• Dimmick–Judson House

At 906 NE 8th Street in Grants Pass, this house was listed in 1998.

• Joseph Fetzner House

This home, at 314 NE Fetzner Street in Grants Pass, was added in 1990.

• Dr. William H. Flanagan House

Located at 720 NW 6th Street in Grants Pass, this house became historic in 1983.

• George H. Lundburg House

This house, at 404 NW A Street in Grants Pass, was listed in 1987.

• Robert and Lucy McLean House

At 724 NW 4th Street in Grants Pass, this home was added in 1984.

• Edwin Newell House

This house, at 591 SW G Street in Grants Pass, was recognized in 1979.

• Claus and Hannchen Schmidt House

Located at 508 SW 5th Street in Grants Pass, this home was added in 2004.

• Herbert and Katherine Smith House

This house, at 139 SW I Street in Grants Pass, became historic in 1983.

• Amos E. Voorhies House

At 421 NW B Street in Grants Pass, this house was listed in 1990.

Other Notable Homes

• William J. and Sarah Wagner Lippincott House

This house is found near Williams at 14601 Watergap Road. It was added to the Register in 2015.

• William and Nannie Naucke House

Located at 24195 Redwood Highway in Kerby, this house was recognized in 1999.

Historic Public and Commercial Buildings

Josephine County also has important public buildings and places where people used to gather.

• Grants Pass City Hall and Fire Station

This building, at 4th and H Streets in Grants Pass, served as the city hall and fire station. It was listed in 1984.

• Grants Pass G Street Historic District

This area in Grants Pass, bounded by SW G and H Streets and 4th and 6th Streets, is a historic district. It was recognized in 1993 for its collection of important buildings.

• Grants Pass Supervisor's Warehouse

Located at 1012 SW L Street in Grants Pass, this warehouse was added to the Register in 1991.

• Hotel Josephine Annex

This annex building, at 118 NW E Street in Grants Pass, was part of the historic Hotel Josephine. It was listed in 1997.

• Kienlen–Harbeck Building

At 147 SW G Street in Grants Pass, this building became historic in 1982.

• Redwoods Hotel

This old hotel, at 310 NW 6th Street in Grants Pass, was listed in 1979.

• Rogue Theatre

The Rogue Theatre, at 143 SE H Street in Grants Pass, is a historic place for entertainment. It was added in 2005.

• Wolf Creek Tavern

This historic tavern, located on the Old Pacific Highway near Wolf Creek, was added to the Register in 1972. It's a very old inn that welcomed travelers.

Churches and Community Places

Several churches and community buildings are also recognized for their historical value.

• Hugo Community Baptist Church

This church, at 6501 Hugo Road near Grants Pass, was listed in 1990.

• Newman United Methodist Church

Located at 128 NE B Street in Grants Pass, this church was added to the Register in 1977.

• Rogue River Valley Grange No. 469

This building, at 2064 Upper River Road in Grants Pass, was listed in 1992. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in June 2012.

Mining History and Infrastructure

Josephine County has a rich history of mining, and several sites related to this past are on the Register.

• Allen Gulch Mill

This mill is located about 1 mile southeast of the junction of Waldo Road and Waldo Lookout Road, near Cave Junction. It was listed in 2001.

• Allen Gulch Townsite

This historic townsite is also about 1 mile southeast of the junction of Waldo Road and Waldo Lookout Road, near Cave Junction. It was added in 2001.

• Cameron Mine

This mine is about 2 miles south of the junction of Waldo Road and Waldo Lookout Road, near Cave Junction. It was listed in 2001.

• Deep Gravel Mine

Located about 1 mile north of the junction of Waldo Road and BLM Road 40-8-28, near Cave Junction, this mine was added in 2001.

• Esterly Pit #2 / Llano de Oro Mine

This mine is about 1.5 miles north of the junction of Waldo Road and BLM Road 40-8-28, near Cave Junction. It was recognized in 2001.

• Fry Gulch Mine

About 0.75 miles from the junction of Waldo Road and BLM Road 40-8-28, near Cave Junction, this mine was listed in 2001.

• Golden Historic District

This historic district is at 3482 Coyote Creek Road in Wolf Creek. It was added in 2002 and tells the story of a gold mining town.

• High Gravel Mine

This mine is about 1.3 miles south of the junction of Waldo Road and Waldo Lookout Road, near Cave Junction. It was listed in 2001.

• Logan Cut

This historic channel, near Cave Junction, was part of mining operations. It was added in 2001.

• Logan Drain Ditches

About 2 miles north of the junction of Waldo Road and BLM Road 40-8-28, near Cave Junction, these ditches were listed in 2001.

• Logan Wash Ditch

This historic channel, near Cave Junction, was recognized in 2001.

• Middle Ditch

This historic channel of the Logan/Esterly Middle Ditch, near Cave Junction, was added in 2001.

• Old Placer Mine

Located about 0.65 miles west of the junction of Rockydale Road and BLM Road 40-8-15, near Cave Junction, this mine was listed in 2001.

• Osgood Ditch

This historic channel, near Cave Junction, was added in 2001.

• Plataurica Mine

About 0.75 miles southeast of the junction of Waldo Road and Waldo Lookout Road, near Cave Junction, this mine was listed in 2001.

• Upper Ditch

This historic channel, near Cave Junction, was built in 1854. It brought water from the East Fork Illinois River to several hydraulic mines (mines that use strong water jets). It made a lot of money for its owners and continued to operate until 1942.

• Waldo Mine

Located southwest of the junction of Waldo Road and BLM Road 40-8-28, near Cave Junction, this mine was listed in 2001.

• Wimer Ditch

This historic channel, near Cave Junction, was added in 2001.

Natural Wonders and Parks

Some of Josephine County's most famous natural attractions and the buildings within them are also historic.

• Oregon Caves Chateau

This beautiful building is located in the Oregon Caves National Monument near Cave Junction. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

• Oregon Caves Historic District

This district includes the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve near Cave Junction. It was recognized in 1992 for its historical importance.

Other Historic Sites

• Cedar Guard Station No. 1019

This guard station is on Oregon Route 46 in the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest near Cave Junction. It was listed in 1986.

• Grave Creek Bridge

This bridge is located north of Grants Pass near Sunny Valley. It was added to the Register in 1979.

• Rand Ranger Station

Located at 14335 Galice Road in Merlin, this ranger station was listed in 1999.

• St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery

This cemetery is about 1 mile southeast of the junction of Waldo Road and Waldo Lookout Road, near Cave Junction. It was added in 2001.

• Siskiyou Smokejumper Base

This base, located on Smokejumper Way near Cave Junction, was recognized in 2006. Smokejumpers are firefighters who parachute into remote areas.

• Speed's Place on the Rogue

Located at 11407 Merlin-Galice Road in Galice, this site was listed in 1991.

• Store Gulch Guard Station No. 1020

This guard station is on Illinois Valley Road in the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest near Cave Junction. It was added in 1986.

• Waldo Cemetery

This cemetery is about 0.5 miles southwest of the junction of Waldo Road and BLM Road 40-8-28, near Cave Junction. It was listed in 2001.

• Waldo Chinese Cemetery

Also about 0.5 miles southwest of the junction of Waldo Road and BLM Road 40-8-28, near Cave Junction, this cemetery was recognized in 2001.

• Whisky Creek Cabin

This cabin is about 10 miles west of Wolf Creek at the Rogue River. It was added to the Register in 1975.

Former Listings

Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register if it's no longer historically important or if it's been destroyed.

• Christie–Eismann House

This house, located at 5791 Upper River Road near Grants Pass, was listed in 1985 but was removed from the Register in 1992.