Rock Point, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rock Point, Oregon
|
|
|---|---|
A lithograph of Rock Point from The West Shore in 1884
|
|
 Rock Point, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Rock Point, Oregon
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Jackson |
| Elevation | 1,050 ft (320 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1126197 |
| Coordinates and elevation from Geographic Names Information System | |
Rock Point is a small place in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. It is called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city does.
Rock Point is located right next to the Rogue River. You can find it between the towns of Rogue River and Gold Hill. It's also very close to the I-5 highway and Oregon Route 99.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Rock Point comes from the cool rock shapes found in this area. It's like the land itself has rocky "points." Sometimes, people used to call this spot Point of Rocks.
Older Names for Rock Point
Long ago, early settlers had another name for this place: Dardanelles. A post office, which is where mail is handled, opened here on October 19, 1852. It was called the Dardanelles post office. The first postmaster, or person in charge of the mail, was William G. T'Vault. His property was on the south side of the river, a bit east of Rock Point.
A Stop for Travelers
In the 1800s, Rock Point was a very important stop for people traveling through Oregon. Imagine how hard it was to travel back then! Rock Point offered a place to rest.
Historic Buildings and Services
- A tavern, which is like an old inn or restaurant, was built here in the 1870s. It is still standing today!
- The community also had its own train station, which was named Rock Point.
- Another Rock Point post office operated from 1859 until 1912. John B. White was the first postmaster at this office.
The Famous Bridge
Rock Point is also known for a special bridge. This "fine concrete arch" bridge was built in 1919 by a famous bridge builder named McCullough. It carries the old Pacific Highway (which is now Route 99) over the river. Bridges like this were very important for connecting towns and helping people travel easily.
