Rogue Valley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rogue Valley
Valley
The Rogue Valley and Ashland from the south
Location in Oregon
Country	United States
Region	Southern Oregon
Principal communities	Medford Ashland Grants Pass

The Rogue Valley is a beautiful valley in southwestern Oregon, United States. It sits along the middle part of the Rogue River and its smaller streams. This area is the main cultural and economic center of Southern Oregon. It is also quite close to the California border.

The biggest towns in the Rogue Valley are Medford, Ashland, and Grants Pass. Interestingly, most people live near Bear Creek, which is a smaller stream, not the main Rogue River itself. The valley is a popular place to visit in the fall. This is because its many hardwood forests turn bright colors.

The Rogue Valley is somewhat separated from other areas. It lies west of the Cascade Range and north of the Siskiyou Mountains. High parts of the Southern Oregon Coast Range also separate it from the coast. The valley has a mild climate, which means plants can grow for a long time each year. This is great for growing fruits, nuts, and herbs.

Medford is the most populated city and a center for manufacturing. In recent years, the valley has also become known for growing wine grapes. It is home to the Rogue Valley AVA, which is a special wine-growing area. Many people choose to retire here because of the mild weather and peaceful setting. Ashland is famous for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Mount Ashland Ski Area. The main highway, Interstate 5, runs right through Ashland, Medford, and Grants Pass.

History of the Rogue Valley

The central Rogue Valley

In the early 1800s, the first European American explorers and traders began to travel through the Rogue Valley. At that time, the valley was home to several Native American tribes. These included the Shasta, Takelma, and Rogue River Athabaskan tribes. Early fur traders gave the river its name, "River of the Rogues."

White settlers started moving into the valley after the Donation Land Act. This law gave large pieces of land to married couples. From 1836 to 1856, there were many disagreements and conflicts between the European Americans and the Rogue River tribes.

In 1850, gold was found in the Rogue River. The next year, more gold was discovered in the nearby mountains. Early gold mining happened along the lower Rogue River and near the town of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is west of Medford and has been restored to look like it did long ago. During the gold rush, a huge amount of gold, about $70 million, was taken from the area.

Climate and Weather in the Rogue Valley

Snow in Phoenix.

The Rogue Valley has a different climate than most of Western Oregon. This is because of something called the rain shadow effect. The nearby Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges block much of the rain. So, the valley is much drier than the coast or Portland.

Most of the valley has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Winters are cool and rainy, but not as wet as other parts of Oregon. There is often fog, and sometimes it snows.

Summers are hot and sunny, but the air is very dry. Temperatures often go above 100°F (38°C) for about 10 to 15 days each summer. Because it's so hot and dry, wildfires can be a problem in the summer. Smoke from these fires can sometimes fill the valley for weeks. This makes it hard to see and lowers the air quality.

On average, the first frost happens around October 22, and the last around May 6. The Rogue Valley is a good place for growing plants, falling into USDA plant hardiness zones 7–9. It is very rare for temperatures to drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Because of its generally mild climate, the valley is perfect for growing pears. There are also many vineyards where wine grapes are grown. Medford gets about 175 sunny days each year. This is much more than the Willamette Valley, which gets about 80 sunny days, or the coast, which gets about 65.