Contact
The Illinois River State Park on the East Fork Illinois River. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)
County Seat: Courthouse, 500 NW Sixth St., Room 170, Grants Pass 97526; Mailing: PO Box 69, Grants Pass 97526
Phone: 541-474-5243 (General); 541-476-2309 (Court Administrator)
Fax: 541-474-5246
About
Established: Jan. 22, 1856
Elev. at Grants Pass: 948'
Area: 1,641 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 39.9° July 71.6°
Assessed Value: $9,574,806,830
Real Market Value: $15,815,863,675 (includes the value of non-taxed properties)
Annual Precipitation: 32.31"
Economy: Tourism, recreation, forest products, electronics and software
Related Resources
Incorporated Cities
Points of Interest
Oregon Caves National Monument, Wolf Creek Tavern, Sunny Valley Covered Bridge and Interpretive Center, Hellgate Canyon-Rogue River, Grants Pass Historic District, Growers Market, Kalmiopsis Wilderness, Rogue Community College, Barnstormers Theatre, Rogue Music Theatre
History and General Information
Josephine County was established in 1856 and named for Virginia Josephine Rollins, the first American woman to settle there. It was carved from the western portion of Jackson County. The county seat was originally Sailor Diggings (later Waldo), but in July 1857 it was relocated to Kerbyville, situated on the main route between the port of Crescent City, California and the gold fields.
The discovery of rich placers at Sailor Diggings in 1852 and the resulting gold rush brought colonization to the region. The U.S. Army had several forts in the county, and many engagements during the Rogue River Indian War (1855–58) took place within its boundaries. In 1886 the county seat was finally relocated to Grants Pass, a new town on the railroad completed through Oregon that same year. Grants Pass is now the departure point for most Rogue River scenic waterway guided fishing and boat trips. The Illinois River, one of the Rogue’s tributaries, is designated a scenic waterway
County Officials
Commissioners: Chris Barnett (2029); Ron Smith (2029), Andreas Blech (2027); Dist. Atty. Joshua J. Eastman (2029); Assess. Chris Parton (2029); Clerk Rhiannon Henkels (2027); Sheriff Dave R. Daniel (2027); Surv. Peter D. Allen (2029); Treas. Mark DeYoung (2029)