Medford

Medford, situated on Bear Creek, is the seat of Jackson County in southwest Oregon. It lies along Interstate 5 between Grants Pass and the California border near the Rogue River.

Between 1836 and 1856 the area was the scene of a series of sharp conflicts between European settlers and Native Americans. In 1851, gold was discovered close by.

Today Medford, population 63,154, is the tourist and commercial center of the area's agricultural, manufacturing and business communities. Fruit-growing is a primary industry; the city is known nationwide for its pears, which are celebrated annually in mid-April at the Pear Blossom Festival. The mean annual temperature is 53 degrees and the mean annual precipitation is 20.6 inches.

Nearby areas attract rafters, hunters, and fishermen.

For a FREE vacation guide to Southern Oregon, contact Southern Oregon Visitors Association.

There is also a Medford, Massachussetts.

Medford is part of the Medford-Ashland, Oregon metro area.