Josephine County

Website: www.co.josephine.or.us

County Information

?Josephine County, named for Virginia “Josephine” Rollins, the first white woman to make this county her home, was established in 1856 out of the western portion of Jackson County. The county seat was originally located in Sailor Diggings (later, Waldo), but in July of 1857 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 the first settlers to this region. Several U.S. Army forts were maintained in the county and many engagements during the Rogue River Indian War (1855–1858) took place within its boundaries. In 1886, the county seat was finally relocated to Grants Pass, a new town on the railroad that was 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, has also been designated a scenic waterway. Oregon Blue Book: http://bluebook.state.or.us/local/counties/counties17.htm

Contact Info

Josephine County
500 NW 6th Street, Room 170
PO Box 69
Grants Pass OR 97528

Public: 8:30-noon / 1-4 pm M-F
Office: 8-noon / 1-5 pm M-F
Phone: 541-474-5240
Fax #: 541-474-5246

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