Gold Beach in Curry County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Gold Beach
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2015
1. Gold Beach Marker
Gold discovered on the beaches at the mouth of Rogue River in the mid-1800s brought miners here; resulted in the Rogue River Indian Wars of 1855-56.
Prattsville, Ellensburg, officially becoming Gold Beach in 1890. In the 60’s returns from the beach mining began to shrink and commercial salmon fishing became the principal industry.
The first ferry across the Rogue at Ellensburg was established in 1857, followed in 1890 by a wagon road connecting Gold Beach with the north and south. The Roosevelt Highway (HIWY 101) was completed in 1932 with the opening of the Rogue River Bridge.
Gold Beach, which has been the County Seat of Curry County since 1859, became an incorporated city in 1945.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 42° 25.013′ N, 124° 25.18′ W. Marker is in Gold Beach, Oregon, in Curry County. Marker is on Ellensburg Avenue (U.S. 101) north of Gauntlett Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in front of the Curry County Courthouse, near the southwest corner of the courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Patterson Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mary D. Hume (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gold Beach Ranger Station (approx. one mile away); First Fish Hatchery in Oregon (approx. 1.1 miles away); Cape San Sebastian (approx. 5.7 miles away).
More about this marker. Market is a large wooden structure, somewhat weathered
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. History of the Rogue River.
The first settlers to arrive in this region were trappers and fur traders seeking pelts. They named the area “River of the Rogues” after the Native Americans that refused to give up their homes without a fight. The area saw a huge influx of settlers following the passage of the Donation Land Act in 1850, which gave couples 320 acres, and single white men 160 acres, if they lived and cultivated the land for at least 4 years. The area was flooded with thousands of additional settlers in late 1851 when gold was discovered on the Rogue. Over $70 million worth of gold was panned from the Rogue River. (Submitted on January 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2015
2. Gold Beach Marker (wide view; Curry County Courthouse in background)
2. Oregon History: Indian Wars.
The causes of conflict erupted everywhere. The Donation Land Act became law in 1850. Years passed before treaties, negotiated in 1853 and 1854, were ratified. Some, such as those of Anson Dart or the Willamette Valley Treaty Commission of 1851, never gained Senate approval. In spite of the promises of superintendents of Indian affairs Dart and Palmer, the white people poured in. Dispossession ruled. The miners drove the Takelma, Shasta, Chetco, Shasta Costa, Mikonotunne, Tututni, Galice Creeks and Cow Creeks from their villages. Located on old stream terraces, the Indian homes were prime locations for placer deposits. (Submitted on January 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2015
3. Curry County Courthouse (marker is located in front of the Courthouse)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
