Medford in Jackson County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Medford Central Firehall
1908, 1921
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2020
1. Medford Central Firehall Marker
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
and is subject to the provisions of the
Oregon Special Assessment Program
ORS 358.475-.565
Erected by United States Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 42° 19.613′ N, 122° 52.421′ W. Marker is in Medford, Oregon, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of North Front Street and West 6th Street, on the right when traveling north on North Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 46 N Front Street, 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: The Goldy Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Acme Hardware Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cuthbert Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Town is Born (about 500 feet away); Medford Boomed As Orchards Bloomed
this page online
Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (1996). Statement of Significance
Constructed in 1908 with an substantial addition completed in 1921, the Medford Central Fire Hall is associated with a variety of promient contractors in the early history of Medford and two of the regions most influential architects; John A. McIntosh and Frank Chamberlain Clark. The building was the first municipally-owned structure to serve as Medfords City Hall and continued to serve in that role for twenty-four years. As the focus of local government, the Medford Central Fire Hall served the city during a dramatic period of population and economic growth that helped secure Medfords position as the major commercial and governmental center of southern Oregon. During the period, the City Council debated huge public works projects, including an initial program of street paving, the development of the Big Butte Springs water system, a system(Submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)which continues to provide Medford with abundant water, expansion of the citys parks and the development of the public library. During World War II the Medford Central Fire Hall was used by the U. S. Army as a service facility in association with the construction of Camp White. Following the relocation of city government to the now-demolished 1932 City Hall, the Medford Central Fire Hall was eventually sold and served a variety of private enterprises, most notably the law firm of former Oregon Speaker of the House, Frank Van Dyke and future U. S. Congressman John Dellenback.Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 20202. Medford Central Firehall MarkerThe marker hangs inside an inset entrance to the building, as shown by the green arrow in the photo.
As the single best structure representing the early 20th century development of the City of Medford and the modernization program undertaken by its elected officials in the first quarter of the century, the Medford Central Fire Hall holds significant association under Criterion A of the National Register of Historic Places. While the first floor of the building shows the evidence of remodeling to meet post-government retail and office use, the second floor remains essentially as constructed, reflecting the buildings original appearance and design. The Medford Central Fire Hall accurately relates the historical associations which make it significant and effectively conveys its role in the history of the City of Medford during the early years of the 20th century.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2020
3. Medford Central Firehall
Southern Oregon Historical Society, circa 1908
4. Medford Central Firehall
Photo taken from the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
