John Bigham of Bigham Knoll A Peter Britt Photo It was a parcel carved from Cluggage and Pool’s DC lands that was sold to John Bigham in 1859 and then in turn sold or given to Jacksonville School District No. 1 in 1867. Thus the name: Bigham’s Knoll. “John Bigham – Early Jacksonville settler who gave land on which the first public school was built. One of his daughters, Elizabeth A., married Henry Klippel.” (accession records 68-140-2. SOHS has picture albums, Ambrose tintypes, daguerreotypes, and photographs from the Bigham family. Accession records 70-84
John and Allie Elmira Bigham Photo by Peter Britt John Bigham, along with his family and several friends, totaling a party of 10, crossed the Great Plains by ox team. At Salt Lake, Utah, John and his wife decided to come to Oregon. With two ox teams they crossed the Cascade Mountains April 14, 1853. On the Snake River they were saved from massacre by the Indians by John winning the good favor of the chief. In crossing the plains they had many exciting experiences. The family wintered in the Foster settlement on the Clackamas River, and in 1854 the Bigham family moved to Jacksonville. (Information taken from son William Bigham’s obituary, S.O. Pioneer Assn records vol. 3. SOHS. Written Oct. 16, 1924) John Bigham died, age 67, at the Jacksonville home of his son-in-law, Henry Klippel. 1860 Jacksonville Census John Bigham, 43 – Farmer – b. Kentucky Alley A., 41 – b. N. Carolina William H., 15 – b. Missouri Nancy R, 10 – b. Missouri Alley A, 7 – b. Missouri Cordelia, 4 – b. Oregon Mary F., 1 – b. Oregon
Jacksonville, Oregon town profile drawn by local architect Jeff Shute about 1968.
“A SCHOOL IS THE FOCAL POINT IN A COMMUNITY, PARTICULARY IN A SMALL TOWN”. Dr. F. D. Haines, 1967 The Old School in 1983 a couple of weeks prior to the public school moving down to the new school on Hueners Lane after 123 years on Bigham Knoll. The last photo taken of the Old School prior to being sold. Knowing the school was going to move, the District put little effort toward upkeep, so things were getting a bit tired looking. The building became a Waldorf School for several years, and then Cascade Christian for about 15 years. Now the Ashland family owns the campus and operating two family businesses, an event center, a preschool and a German Rest. The 1908 bell tower was removed in 1960 and rebuilt in 2008, minus the bell. Check out: www.bighamknoll.com http://www.bighamknoll.com/history/full_history_050407.pdf
“A SCHOOL IS THE FOCAL POINT IN A COMMUNITY, PARTICULARY IN A SMALL TOWN”. Dr. F. D. Haines, 1967 Notice the restored bell tower! The public school, Jacksonville Elementary, moved down to the new school on Hueners Lane in 1983 after 123 years on Bigham Knoll. The building became a Waldorf School for several years, and then Cascade Christian for about 15 years. Now the Ashland family owns the campus and operates two family businesses, an event center, a preschool and a German Rest. Check out: www.bighamknoll.com http://www.bighamknoll.com/history/full_history_050407.pdf
Notice the restored bell tower! The public school, Jacksonville Elementary, moved down to the new school on Hueners Lane in 1983 after 123 years on Bigham Knoll. The building became a Waldorf School for several years, and then Cascade Christian for about 15 years. Now the Ashland family owns the campus and operates two family businesses, an event center, a preschool and a German Restaurant.
The Old School now has a restored bell tower. Photo by Lloyd Smith. The Old School in 2011. Over 100 years since welcoming its first students to class, the Old School stands strong as a monument to Jacksonville’s pioneer spirit, early community support and place in history.
The bell tower was restored in 2008 after having been removed in 1960. Photo by Lloyd Smith. The Old School in 2011. Over 100 years since welcoming its first students to class, the Old School stands strong as a monument to Jacksonville’s pioneer spirit, early community support and place in history.
The Old Jacksonville School or Bigham Knoll as of 2009. Photo by Lloyd Smith. The Old School in 2011. Over 100 years since welcoming its first students to class, the Old School stands strong as a monument to Jacksonville’s pioneer spirit, early community support and place in history.
The last photo taken in front of the Old School just prior to our move to the New School, March 1983. The Old School 1980 "Three decades of neglect and decline" Jacksonville did not participate in much of the Country’s prosperity of the 80’s. With little commerce to support it, and a low tax base, many of the City’s historic buildings fell prey to disrepair. The Old School was no exception. In the 60's, the Old School's upper story windows had deteriorated and were boarded up with plywood. The Building's prominent architectural feature, the Bell Tower, was taken down in the summer of 1960 due to deterioration and rebuilt in 2008.
Jacksonville School about 1910. The building was built in 1908 after a disasterous fire burned the 1903 brick building that had been build to replace wooden building that had burned. Probably poorly installed heating plant fires.
The last photo taken in front of the Old School just prior to our move to the New School, March 1983. The failing and falling bell tower had been removed in 1960, and rebuilt in 2008. The building was purchased by the Mel and Brooke Ashland in 2007. In 1983, the School District sold the Old School to the Light Valley Waldorf School. In 1989, Waldorf was unable to continue making its payments and the foreclosed property returned to the 549C School District. The Old School sat empty until 1993 when it was purchased by Cascade Christian High School. CCHS spent a decade repairing the rundown facilities. Eventually outgrowing the Campus location, CCHS sold the property to the current owners in 2007, Mel and Brooke Ashland.
The last photo taken in front of the Old School just prior to our move to the New School, March 1983. The failing and falling bell tower was removed in 1960, and rebuilt in 2008. The building was purchased by the Mel and Brooke Ashland in 2007.
Jacksonville School about 1915. The building was built in 1908 after a disasterous fire burned the 1903 brick building that had been build to replace wooden building that had burned. Probably poorly installed heating plant fires.
The last photo taken in front of the Old School just prior to our move to the New School, April 1983. The failing and falling bell tower was removed in 1960, and rebuilt in 2008. The building was purchased by the Mel and Brooke Ashland in 2007.
1980
1980. We bathed the building in lights from our Volvo.
Built 1903, burned 1905. Most likely caused by a faulty furnace. This school building was the pride of Jacksonville.
Built 1903, burned 1905. Most likely caused by a faulty furnace. This school building was the pride of Jacksonville. The trees do not exist. They have been drawn in by the photographer.
Mel and Brooke Ashland, the present owners of the Old School/Bigham Knoll. Their hard work and investment saved the Old School for future generations! They are holding a poster presented to them by the Jacksonville Woodlands Association telling the history of John Bigham of Bigham Knoll.
When this slide was scanned the last line was cut off. Should read: ...and School Principal Earle Swift
Brian Smith
Daren Rembert
Steven Brown, Rob Sack, and Daren Rembert When the school burned down in 1905, the rubble and burnt desks were pushed over the hill to make way for a the new 1906 and present building. Oft times during recess kids would dig on the bank and bring up broken fire charred brick and metal desk parts.
Around Jacksonville April 1971
My twin brother, Larry Smith, has been teaching school since 1965...almost 45 years. He is still subbing. Over those years he took photos of his students and their activities. He has now scanned in the negatives, photos and slides from those years. He has organized the 6,460 photos into 27 Picasa albums. He hopes his former students will find these albums after he posts them on http://www.jvwoodlands.org To contact Larry Smith: jvsmith@clearwire.net To contact Lloyd Smith: Lsmithtwin@comcast.net
New Jacksonville Market started by the McIntyer Brothers. Photo by Marie Rasmussen. Grand Opening. About 1964. Replaced a defunct auto court. The houses were torn down to the right eventually to make way for a much larger market in about 1970. Now named: Ray's Food Place.
JV School playground April 1971
Mike Lawrence and Bill Erickson. Mike's mother's family at one time lived in the 1892 RRVRR train depot. The building used to face Oregon Street, but was turned 90 degrees when the post office was built in the early 70s. At the time this photo was taken, the kitchen sink was still in place. The building was later remodeled and has become Jacksonville's information Center for the Chamber. Photo taken April 1971.
West C Street being rebuilt. It was again rebuilt in 2009 with the old train tracks relaid in the street. Mike Lawrence and Bill Erickson. Mike's mother's family at one time lived in the 1892 RRVRR train depot. The building used to face Oregon Street, but was turned 90 degrees when the post office was built in the early 70s. At the time this photo was taken, the kitchen sink was still in place. The building was later remodeled and has become Jacksonville's information Center for the Chamber. Photo taken April 1971.
Mike Lawrence. Mike's mother's family at one time lived in the 1892 RRVRR train depot. The building used to face Oregon Street, but was turned 90 degrees when the post office was built in the early 70s. At the time this photo was taken, the kitchen sink was still in place. The building was later remodeled and has become Jacksonville's information Center for the Chamber. Photo taken April 1971.
A Jacksonville Merchant and a cobble. Mr. Sparks was the cobbler. Mr. Sparks' great grandson, Brian Cossette brought the photo to class one day and I photocopied it.
"Jacksonvile Assembly of God Church 1958" From Larry: I have many of them identified for the church history. The names are in the history files at the church. First photo yhou can see the Blue twins right kinda toward the back. Earnie is in the first photo sitting down behind the boy twins.
"Jacksonvile Assembly of God Church 1958" From Larry: Second photo: mid right you can see Marie. There are actually three of these. Right, middle and left. There are actually three of these. Right, middle and left.
Pioneer Village in Jacksonville, 1967 Pioneer Village Retirement Home now sits on the site.
Beatrice Rasmussen with the royal princess court for the Jacksonville Gold Rush Jubilee, June 1962. Photo taken at Geo McCune's Pioneer Village historical park. Most of the park and the old stage coach were built by George. Bea lived in the house directly across from the market, corner of 5th and E streets. Photos by Ernie Rasmussen.
Beatrice Rasmussen with the royal princess court for the Jacksonville Gold Rush Jubilee, June 1962. Photo taken at Geo McCune's Pioneer Village historical park. Most of the park and the old stage coach were built by George. Bea lived in the house directly across from the market, corner of 5th and E streets.
Snow in Jacksonville, 1962. The Hartman House, next to the Rasmussen house on 5th street. Photo by Ernie Rasmussen.
Snow in Jacksonville, 1962. Photo by Ernie Rasmussen.
Actually the Old Methodist Church of 5th Street. Snow in Jacksonville, 1962. Photo by Ernie Rasmussen.
Beatrice Rasmussen with the royal princess court for the Jacksonville Gold Rush Jubilee, June 1962. Bea lived in the house directly across from the market, corner of 5th and E streets. Photos by Ernie Rasmussen. In front of the historic 1854 Methodist Church.
Jacksonville Gold Rush Jubilee, June 1962. Bea lived in the house directly across from the market, corner of 5th and E streets. Photos by Ernie Rasmussen. In front of the historic 1854 Methodist Church.
Photos by Ernie Rasmussen. In front of the historic 1854 Methodist Church.
Old Court House Jacksonville. Snow in Jacksonville, 1962. Photo by Ernie Rasmussen.
Old Court House Jacksonville. Snow in Jacksonville, 1962. Photo by Ernie Rasmussen
Grandma & Grandpa Rasmussen in front of their house in Jacksonville, OR. We later bought it when I was 8 years old and the Ernie Rasmussen family moved in. Corner of E and 5th Streets, across from the market. Photo about 1950.
Ras Rasmusen house on the corner of 5th Street and E Street. The Rasmussens owned the house for about 20 years. Starting in about 1970 the historic house was extensively remodeled. An upstairs apartment was added, plus a three rental units were added across the rear of the property.
Starting in about 1970 the historic house was extensively remodeled. An upstairs apartment was added, plus a three rental units were added across the rear of the property.
East E Street. Major flooding about 1973. The hill top school stayed open, but the little primary school on Hueners Land was flooded and closed.
Rasmussen house about 1948 on the corner of East E Street and Fifth Street. Starting in about 1970 the historic house was extensively remodeled. An upstairs apartment was added, plus a three rental units were added across the rear of the property.
Senator Mark Hatfield in front of the U.S. Hotel. In this photo he is either running for governor or was Secretary of State.
Stage Coach used in the 1970 filming of the Great Northfield Minnesota Raid.
Caption Said: Fire gets closer to Jacksonville. The JV watershed burned in the 1950s. Could be from that fire, but doubt the color film would have been this good.
Caption Said: Fire gets closer to Jacksonville. The JV watershed burned in the 1950s. Could be from that fire, but doubt the color film would have been this good
From David Rasmussen: The two kids are Jerry Olson and Beatrice Rasmussen. Jerry was a friend of my sister Bea. This would have been in 1949. The logs there are from the Black Walnut trees that were on the lot. Beginning to build the new Rasmussen Super Serve on the corner of California Street and 4th Street. Several buildings and a house were torn down. Trees were cut. The gas tanks were put out in the street with permission from the City. The station shown in the background was eventually turned into a Coin Laundry. By 1972 the lot was the site of the new Jackson County Federal Bank. Then became Key Bank, then Klamath 1st Federal, and now it is the home of Sterling Bank. Photo taken in 1949 before the new Rasmussen Super Serve was built.
"Feb 1950, Starts building Station"
Beginning to build the new Rasmussen Super Serve on the corner of California Street and 4th Street. Several buildings were torn down. The tanks were put out in the street with permission from the City. The station shown in the background was eventually turned into a Coin Laundry. By 1972 the lot was the site of the new Jackson County Federal Bank. Then became Key Bank, then Klamath 1st Federal, and now it is the home of Sterling Bank. Probably about 1952.
Building of the new Rasmusssen Super Serve, 1950, on the corner of 4th and California Street. The project was a combined effort of the whole Rasmussen family. The building of Ernie Rasmussen's new service station. Pictured - his cousin - Vernon Rasmussen
"Vernon, James" Rasmussen. Brothers Building of the new Rasmusssen Super Serve, 1950, on the corner of 4th and California Street. The project was a combined effort of the whole Rasmussen family. The building of Ernie Rasmussen's new service station. Pictured - his cousin - Vernon Rasmussen sawing, with his brother James Rasmussen on the upper plank.
Building of the new Rasmusssen Super Serve, 1950, on the corner of 4th and California Street. The project was a combined effort of the whole Rasmussen family. The building of Ernie Rasmussen's new service station. Pictured - his cousin - Vernon Rasmussen sawing, with his brother James Rasmussen on the upper plank
Building of the new Rasmusssen Super Serve, 1950, on the corner of 4th and California Street. The project was a combined effort of the whole Rasmussen family. The building of Ernie Rasmussen's new service station. Pictured - his cousin James Rasmussen on the upper plank
Summer - 1950 The completed Rasmussen Super Service station in downtown Jacksonville. As of 2011, Ernie's grandson, Steve Rasmussen still operates the station as a car repair shop. The gas tanks and pumps are long gone. The station across the street was eventually turned into a Coin Laundry sometime in the 1950s. By 1972 the lot was the site of the new Jackson County Federal Bank. Then became Key Bank, then Klamath 1st Federal, and now it is the home of Sterling Bank.
Building of the new Rasmusssen Super Serve, 1950, on the corner of 4th and California Street. The project was a combined effort of the whole Rasmussen family. The tanks were put out in 4th Street because there was not enough room on the lot. Had City permission.
Building of the new Rasmusssen Super Serve, 1950, on the corner of 4th and California Street. The project was a combined effort of the whole Rasmussen family.
"Opened last of June 1950"
"4th Street and California St. Jacksonville 1951-52 Winter"
After the station was built, and after the death of his father Rasmus Rasmussen in 1951, the Earnest Rasmussen family moved out of their house next to the new station in 1951 and into his parents' house across from the Market on 5th Street. The old historic house was torn down. It is now a parking lot.
"1952"
Ernie Rasmussen's service station in downtown Jacksonville. Grandson Steve Rasmussen now owns the service center. The tanks have been long removed. Three generations of Rasmussens have operated the station.
"1950"
"Ernie Loyd Harold K." Ernie Rasmussen Loyd Rasmussen, son Harold K. Lloyd owned and ran the station for about 40 years.
Years later - Loyd Rasmusssen with deer antlers.
Loyd Rasmussen
A Jacksonville snowstorm showing the Rasmussen Super Serve. 1962
Downtown Jacksonville. Ernie's Garage. 1962. Christmas. Photo by Ernie Rasmussen.
