Jackson County was created by the territorial legislature on Jan. 12, 1852, from the southwest portion of Lane County and the unorganized area south of Douglas and Umpqua Counties. It was named for President Andrew Jackson and was the 12th county created in Oregon.
Jackson County's borders originally ran south to California, west to the Pacific Ocean, east to Lane County, and north to Umpqua and Douglas Counties. In 1853, Coos County was created from the western portions of Jackson, Douglas, and Umpqua Counties.
Josephine County was created in 1856 from the western half of Jackson county. In 1865, Jackson County increased in size with the addition of the southern portion of Wasco County. This increase only lasted nine years as the added territory was used to create Lake County in 1874.
Jackson County's boundaries have remained unchanged since 1885. The primary geographical features of the county are two spurs of the Cascade Mountains split by the Rogue River valley, which runs east west. When white settlement began in southern Oregon, several Indian tribes already lived in the area. Modocs, Shastas, Rogue Rivers, and Umpquas lived in the present boundaries of Jackson County.
Series Descriptions for Jackson County
1853-1859
.1 cubic feet
Series documents the appointment of estate administrators and guardians of minors or insane persons by the county probate court. Record entries show estate or ward's name, administrator or guardian's name, description of responsibilities, date, and probate judge's certification. Series also includes an alphabetical index by name of estate or ward. Series is arranged chronologically by date recorded.
1855-1859
.25 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 9 and Calendar Microfilm
Series used to assess real and personal property in order to determine tax liabilities. Assessment rolls show tax year, taxpayer's name, real and personal property values, value of improvements, value of personal property, poll tax, county tax, territorial tax, school tax, total tax due, and remarks. Series is arranged alphabetically by taxpayer's name.
1855-1856
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series used to document county population and to report statistics to the territorial government. Census rolls show resident's name; number of legal voters, adult males and females, males aged 10 to 21, females aged 10 to 18, and males and females under age 10; totals; census date; and census taker's certification. Series is not arranged.
1852-1859
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 9
Series documents the first step in US naturalization proceedings. Declarations show declarant's name, former nationality, renunciation of allegiance to foreign rulers or nations, declarant's signature, date of declaration, and court clerk's certification. Series is arranged alphabetically by declarant's name.
1856-1859
1.0 cubic feet
Series documents the probate of estates and the administration of insanity and juveniles' guardianships. Records include administrator's bonds, vouchers, petitions, estate inventories, property appraisals, receipts, correspondence, estate account ledgers, letters of administration, and bills of sale. Series is arranged numerically by case number.
1853-1859
.25 cubic feet
Series documents surety bonds filed by estate administrators with the probate court. Record entries show surety's name(s), amount of bond, date of bond, conditions of bond, estate name, probate judge's signature, surety's signature(s), witnesses' signatures, and date recorded. Series includes an alphabetical index by name of surety. Series is arranged chronologically by date recorded.
1858
.25 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents the collection of assessed taxes. Tax roll entries show taxpayer's name, poll tax owed, county tax owed, school tax owed, territorial tax owed, and total tax owed. Some years also include paid notations. Series is not arranged.
1857
.1 cubic feet
This series includes only one case: Oregon Territory v. Isaac Tubbs. Tubbs was tried for assault with intent to kill. Records include executions, attachments, summons, briefs, judgments, fee bills, pleas, motions, subpoenas, petitions, transcripts, complaints, answers, correspondence, jury lists, verdicts, depositions, and exhibits. Series is not arranged.