Golden,
Oregon
The
Historical Marker erected by Josehine County Historical Society at Golden,
Oregon
gives
a very brief account of the town's history. It reads:
"GOLDEN:
Established in 1890, this mining town was unique in Western Annals in that
it had two chuches
and
no saloons. The miners went to Placer
on Grave Creek for 'refreshments'.
Rev.
William Ruble, leader of a group commonly known as "Campbellites" built
the church in 1892. He
was
ordained and the church simultaneously dedicated by county Judge Stephen
Jewell. Shortly afterward
it
became the Free Methodist Church. Another group led by Rev. Mark Davis
used the schoolhouse for
their
services. Both ministers worked local mining claims.
Placer
activity on Coyote Creek began in the 1850's. Abandoning these claims during
the Idaho Gold Rush of
1860,
the men returned to find them being worked by about five hundred Chinese
for ten cents a day plus rice.
The
Chinese contractor yielded possession.
A two
and one-half mile pipeline supplied water for the 'giants' (hydraulic nozzles)
resulting in the recovery
of
one and one-half million dollars (in gold) in the next few years.
The
Josephine County School Superintendent, Lincoln Savage, traveled by train
from Grants Pass to Wolf
Creek,
rode his bicycle to Golden, and continued to the Greenback Mine by Tramway
to visit the schools.
Wilma
Gilkey and Edith Allen were among the early teachers. As late as 1906,
there were still thirty-six
children
in this school."
Golden
Community Church at Golden, Oregon. Built in 1892 and although a bit rustic
looking, the Golden Community Church
is
actually well maintained (note the glass windows and modern stove pipe)
and is completely restored on the inside.
However,
the congregation has long since gone.
Right
next to the church is a tiny "cemetery" of closely clustered grave markers.
But
nobody is actually buried here. Most people don't know it, but these little
wooden headstones are actually
leftover
props from an episode of "Gunsmoke" that was filmed at Golden.
But
a few of Golden's former citizens have memorials here.
It
seems that the hearts of at least a few former residents were drawn back
to this lonely place.
The
old Ruble residence at Golden, Oregon leans precariously toward collapse
from neglect.
It
was built in 1894 and the Rubles lived here off and on until 1910. A family
by the name of Forsythe later
lived
here, starting in 1911 and installed rudimentary electricity, but not indoor
plumbing.
But
the passage of time has already taken its toll.
It's
showing its age and decades of neglect.
Soon
nothing will remain but a loose pile of rotting lumber.
The
Golden Grain Shed at Golden, Oregon, which was likely a tack and animal
feed shed.
Which
the forest is attempting to swallow.
The
Bennett Store at Golden, Oregon. Built around 1900, this building was also
the post office, but closed in 1920.
Business
is not exactly booming in Golden, Oregon.
For
more info. about Golden, Oregon, please visit: www.historicgolden.org
All
Photos Are Copyright 2008 by Kerby Jackson.
(You
may however, reproduce these photos on your website free of charge provided
that you credit them and link back to this site)
