Medford in Jackson County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Medford Townsite

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2020

1. Medford Townsite Marker

Inscription. On October 27, 1883, C. Mingus, c.w. Broback, I.J. Phipps and C.C. Beekman, deeded in excess of two hundred acres for a townsite plus twenty acres for a railroad depot to the Oregon and California railroad company.

Charles Howard and his father, J.S. Howard, surveyed the new townsite for the railroad where only two families lived, the I.J. Phipps family and the C.W. Broback family.

Suggested names for the new town were: East Jacksonville, Middleford, Medford, Grand Central and Phippstown. On December 20, 1883, the town was named Medford by David Loring of the O. And C. R.R. after his home town of Medford, Massachusetts.

The depot was originally located in the middle of Main Street.

Erected by Southern Oregon Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 27, 1883.

Location. 42° 19.434′ N, 122° 52.566′ W. Marker is in Medford, Oregon, in Jackson County. It can be reached from the intersection of S Ivy St and W 8th St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Medford OR 97501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Oregon. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Scion of the Washington Elm (a few steps from this marker); Historic Land Survey Monument

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Medford Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); August D. Singler (approx. 0.2 miles away); Acme Hardware Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Public School Building in Medford (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Goldy Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medford.

More about this marker. This historical marker is located near the center of Alba Park.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, September 27, 2014

2. Medford Townsite Marker

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, September 27, 2014

3. Medford Townsite Marker

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2020

4. Alba Park

Backdrop of Alba Park. The marker can be seen in the far distance to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 4. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.