Cave Junction, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Cave Junction, incorporated in 1948, is a city in Josephine County
, Oregon
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,883. Its motto is the "Gateway to the Oregon Caves
," and the city got its name by virtue of its location at the junction of Redwood Highway (U.S. Route 199) and Caves Highway (Oregon Route 46). It is 93% white, with 29% of residents living below the poverty line.
Cave Junction is located in the Illinois Valley
, where, starting in the 1850s, the non-native economy depended on gold mining
. After World War II, timber became the main source of income for residents. As timber income has since declined, Cave Junction is attempting to compensate with tourism and as a haven for retirees. Tourists visit the Oregon Caves National Monument
, which includes the Oregon Caves Chateau, as well as the Out'n'About
treehouse resort and the Great Cats World Park
zoo.
For thousands of years, the Takelma
Indians inhabited the Illinois Valley
. Their culture was destroyed when gold was discovered
in the early 1850s, causing the subsequent Rogue River Wars
. After an 1853 treaty, most of the Takelmas lived on the Table Rock Reservation. In 1856, after the wars ended, they were moved to the Grand Ronde Reservation and the Siletz Reservation
.
The first gold
in Oregon history was found in the Illinois Valley, as well as the largest gold nugget (17 lb (7.7 kg)). In 1904, more than 50 years after prospectors had started combing the valley for gold, an 18-year-old named Ray Briggs discovered what newspapers at the time called "the most wonderful gold discovery ever reported in Oregon history." While hunting along Sucker Creek, he discovered gold lying on the ground. He staked a claim and called it the "Wounded Buck Mine," which produced 1777 ounces (50.4 kg) of gold. The "mine" was a small vein of gold 12 to 14 in (30.5 to 35.6 cm) wide, 12 feet (3.7 m) long and 7 feet (2.1 m) deep.
As gold mining in the Illinois Valley became exhausted in the 1860s and 1870s, the residents diversified into ranching, fishing, logging, tourism and agriculture. In 1874, Elijah Davidson found a cave while on a hunting trip, and is now credited with discovering the Oregon Caves
. In 1884, Walter C. Burch heard about the cave from Davidson, and staked a squatter's claim
at the mouth of the caves. He and his brothers-in-law charged one dollar for a guided tour. According to their advertisement in the Grants Pass Courier, this included camping, plentiful pasture land and "medicinal" cave waters. They attempted to acquire title to the land, but as the land was unsurveyed, they abandoned the idea a few years later.
President William Howard Taft
established the 480 acres (194.2 ha) Oregon Caves National Monument on July 12, 1909, to be administered by the U.S. Forest Service
. In 1923, the Forest Service subcontracted the building of a hotel and guide services to a group of Grants Pass
businessmen. By 1926, the monument had a chalet and seven two-bedroom cabins. Traffic into the caves led to a community developing at the junction of the Redwood Highway and the branch highway to the caves (now known as Oregon Route 46). Cave Junction, originally known as Cave City, was established in 1926 on land donated by Elwood Hussey. In 1935, a post office was applied for and was named "Caves City", however postal authorities disapproved of the name, partly because "City" implied the place was incorporated
. Among the other names suggested was "Cave Junction", which was adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names
in 1936 with the post office being renamed the same year. The locality was incorporated as Cave Junction in 1948, and is the only incorporated area in the Illinois Valley.
In 1950 Cave Junction had a population of 283, which decreased to 248 in 1960 and increased to 415 in 1970. Its growth was fast in the 1960s, increasing at an average of 6.8 percent annually. The city population's primary growth period occurred in the 1970s, with an average annual increase of 9.9 percent. Growth slowed in the 1980s when the population increase averaged only 1.7 percent annually. The rate fell further between 1990 and 1998, averaging 1.6 percent, which was less than the state and county averages.
s have threatened Cave Junction over the years. 1987's Longwood Fire, part of the 150000 acres (60,702.9 ha) Silver Fire complex, was ignited by lightning
strikes following a three year drought. Numerous residents of Cave Junction responded by evacuating.
In 2002, the Florence and Sour Biscuit fires converged, creating the Biscuit Fire
. This fire threatened Cave Junction, Kerby
, Selma
and a number of Northern California communities. Ultimately, the Biscuit Fire lasted 120 days, burned 499965 acres (202,328.8 ha) in southern Oregon and northern California, and destroyed four homes and nine outbuildings in the Cave Junction area. In 2003, a wildfire destroyed a home in Cave Junction. In 2004, a downed power line caused a fire that briefly threatened over 100 homes and forced 200 people to evacuate, with one person dying, apparently of stress related to the fire.
and 85 km (52.8 mi) northeast of Crescent City, California
. The city lies in the Illinois Valley
, on the northwest slope of the Siskiyou Range
, at an elevation of about 480 m (1,574.8 ft) above MSL
. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 1,363 people, 603 households, and 356 families residing in the city. The population density
was 828.8 people per square mile (320.9/km²). There were 730 housing units at an average density of 443.9 per square mile (171.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.30% White, 0.29% African American, 2.05% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 1.17% other races
, and 3.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.50% of the population.
There were 603 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples
living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city, the age population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,161, and the median income for a family was $22,500. Males had a median income of $20,893 versus $16,333 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,556. About 23.6% of families and 28.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.
, to strongly right-wing
to survivalists
. As of 2002, the city has 13 employees, with an average wage of $35,799, the largest categories of employees are Sewerage and Water Supply, with four employees each. In total, Cave Junction's monthly employee outlay is $35,799, or $465,384 a year. As of 2007, Josephine County Sheriff volunteers man a sub station in Cave Junction, and the Sheriff's Office has plans to begin a pilot program in the City Hall building, staffed by volunteers, that will include three temporary holding cells and the ability to take incident reports.
, timber became an increasingly large part of the county's finances. There were 30 lumber mills operating in the valley after the war, but by the late 1980s the number had dwindled to just one.
Because of President Roosevelt's creation of the Siskiyou National Forest, and the reversion of Oregon and California Railroad
lands to federal government control, by 1937 the U.S. Forest Service
and the Bureau of Land Management
were in charge of 70% of the land in Josephine county, and a large part of the Illinois Valley. Because this decreased the county's potential tax base, the government shared money earned from timber sales with the county, and payments in lieu of taxes
from the federal government became a large part of its tax base. In 1989, Josephine County received $16,756,000 in various federal payments; by 1999, the payments had fallen to $9.6 million.
Because of these budget cutbacks, Southern Oregon has used tourism as a means of attracting small businesses and retirees. The movement of California retirees in particular has helped the economy grow. Although jobs have been created as a result, they are usually low-paying. Today the principal industries are tourism, timber and agriculture. Since about 1960, the community has evolved into a center for wine
, retirement, tourism, and small businesses. One timber mill remains in Cave Junction, Rough & Ready Lumber Co., located six miles (10 km) south of town. In November 2007, Rough & Ready completed a $6 million biomass
plant to replace their existing wood-fired boiler, as market forces have increased demand for dry timber.
The Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCDO), formed in 1974, has attracted notice for its work directed at improving the Illinois Valley economy. In 2006, Cave Junction was awarded the Great Strides Award by the Northwest Area Foundation for the IVCDO's efforts to reduce long-term poverty. In 2004, the IVCDO began a partnership with the National Park Service that resulted in the assumption of 40 seasonal and year-around jobs managing the Oregon Caves Chateau. The project uses local produce, food products and wine at the Chateau, and the proceeds are directed back into the local community.
Cave Junction's main point of interest is the Oregon Caves National Monument
, which is a 480 acres (194.2 ha) area of hiking trails and caverns. Located at the end of a 20 miles (32.2 km) "stomach churning" drive along State Route 46, there are limestone caves discovered in 1874 by a hunter and his dog. At the caves, there is a 23-room chateau
that was built in 1932.
Each year Cave Junction features an ArtWalk on the second Friday of each month, except during the winter, with the city's businesses exhibiting various types of art such as pottery, iron art, music and fire dancing. The ArtWalk adds significantly to the Illinois Valley's positive image and increases tourism and adds to the local economy. According to surveys conducted in 2006 by the Arts Council of Southern Oregon, the city sees a 30–50% increase in sales and visitors during the event. Attendance is approximately 150–200 people, with roughly 15% coming from outside the community. Local artists, including students of Lorna Byrne Middle School in 2007, participate while local businesses, including thrift stores and art galleries, serve as hosts.
Located about 10 miles (16.1 km) southeast of Cave Junction, in Takilma, Oregon
, is the home of the Out'n'About
Treehouse Treesort, a multi-treehouse resort run by Michael Garnier using "Garnier Limbs." Garnier developed the Garnier Limb, which is a one-and-a-half-inch-thick bolt surrounded by a cuff, both made of Grade 5 steel, and is able to support 8000 lb (3,628.7 kg). As of 2007, the treesort has nine treehouses, three with bathrooms. Garnier had to fight local government ordinances for almost ten years before gaining the right to house guests in his nine treehouses.
Great Cats World Park
is located a few miles south of Cave Junction. As of 2007, it has 32 cats, of 17 different species, including cougars, leopard
s, jaguar
s, lion
s, Siberian tiger cubs, a fishing cat
, and an ocelot
. Other attractions include the It's a Burl handcrafted wood gallery and the Kerbyville Museum, both in Kerby. Cave Junction's Wild River Brewery serves one of the smallest communities of any Oregon brewery
. Founded in 1975 as the Pizza Deli, a microbrewery
was added in 1989. In 1994, the name Wild River was adopted and a Wild River restaurant and pub was opened in Grants Pass.
. In the late 1960s and early 1970s a new group of Oregonians started experimenting with growing grapes and making wine. Initially this group was not very successful, but 40 years later, Oregon is considered a prestigious growing area. Southern Oregon is higher, and its climate is often warmer, than better known wine producing valleys such as Napa Valley
to the south and Willamette Valley
and Columbia Valley
to the north. The Illinois Valley has dry warm summers and cold nights, which make it well suited for pinot noir
, in contrast to the hotter and dryer Rogue
and Umpqua
valleys. Several vineyards and wineries are located near Cave Junction, including Bridgeview Vineyards
, Foris Vineyards Winery
, and Bear Creek Winery which are all discussed in Fodor's
2004 book "Oregon Wine Country."
Cave Junction is the home of Bridgeview Vineyards, one of the largest wineries
in Oregon. Bridgeview is noted for its chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir. At the 2000 American Wine Awards
, Bridgeview's 1998 Bridgeview Oregon Blue Moon was selected as the best pinot noir
under $15. Its 85 acres (34.4 ha) estate in the Illinois Valley is planted in the European style of dense 6 feet (1.8 m) row and 4 feet (1.2 m) vine spacing. Bridgeview also has an 80 acres (32.4 ha) vineyard in the Applegate Valley
. Foris Vineyards Winery is also located in the Cave Junction area. Established in 1986, as of 2007, they produced 48,000 cases of wine, making it the 14th largest bonded winery in Oregon.
. Water cannons fired water over 100 feet (30.5 m), and the debris was run through a sluice box. Gold was located within pockets in the gravel, and because the miners could not predict where the pockets were, almost every gravel deposit in the Illinois Valley was mined. The Illinois Valley's largest gold rush town, Waldo, Oregon
, was located on a gravel deposit and was eventually destroyed when its gravel bed was run through a sluice box, along with most of the town. Today nothing of Waldo remains. The Osgood Ditch provided water for mining operations near Waldo. One building of note in the area is the Oregon Caves Chateau, which is a National Historic Landmark
.
is located at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Illinois River
. The park includes restrooms, picnic tables, and a variety of rare plants.
, with the ads priced at one or two dollars. The cities two licensed radio stations are KCNA (FM 102.7 The Drive), a Classic Hits station, and KBCC-LP
(FM 107.9), a Christian station.
The Cave Junction area had a pirate radio station, Hope Mountain Radio. It broadcast out of Takilma until repeated interference from government agents caused them to shut down. The station then began broadcasting legally on the internet, although this caused their costs to go up and necessitated fundraising activities. As of January 2007, Hope Mountain Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day with an all volunteer staff.
, Lorna Byrne Middle School, and Evergreen Elementary School. These schools are part of the Three Rivers School District
, which also encompasses schools from Grants Pass and Applegate, Oregon
.
Two individuals linked to Illinois Valley High School (IVHS) have been inducted into regional halls of fame
. In 2004, Sam Hutchins became a member of the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame for creating the non-profit Oregon Stewardship Program. Begun in 1992 to teach Illinois Valley High School students about wild steelhead in the Illinois River, by 2004 the program had been expanded to 25 schools and 1,500 students. In 2007, IVHS wrestling coach Ursal “Jay” Miller was inducted into the Oregon Chapter of The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.
, also known as the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base, was built by the US Forest Service. It operated from 1943 to 1981 as a smokejumper
base, during which time the smokejumpers parachuted on 1445 fires for 5390 fire jumps. As of 2007, the airport had a fixed base operator
, aircraft rentals and instruction, hangar rentals, and a restaurant.
was a visitor to a ranch in Selma, Oregon
, about 10 miles (16.1 km) north of town. He grew fond of the area after filming Rooster Cogburn along the Rogue River
. This ranch has since become the Deer Creek Center which houses the Siskiyou Field Institute. Kristy Lee Cook
, who was a contestant on American Idol
7, was also raised in Selma, where she used to live before joining the competition. Arthur B. Robinson
is the head of the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine
, which is about 7 miles (11.3 km) from Cave Junction. Also, Mike Millard, author of "Jihad in Paradise: Islam and Politics in Southeast Asia" and "Leaving Japan: Observations on the Dysfunctional U.S.-Japan Relationship," was a 1965 graduate of Illinois Valley High School.
Josephine County, Oregon
Josephine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the county is probably named after a stream in the area called Josephine Creek, which in turn is probably named after Virginia Josephine Rollins Ort. In 2010, its population was 82,713...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,883. Its motto is the "Gateway to the Oregon Caves
Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon Caves National Monument is a national monument in the northern Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon in the United States. The main part of the park, including the marble cave and a visitor center, is located east of Cave Junction, on Oregon Route 46. A separate visitor center in Cave...
," and the city got its name by virtue of its location at the junction of Redwood Highway (U.S. Route 199) and Caves Highway (Oregon Route 46). It is 93% white, with 29% of residents living below the poverty line.
Cave Junction is located in the Illinois Valley
Illinois River (Oregon)
The Illinois River is a tributary, about long, of the Rogue River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It drains part of the Klamath Mountains in northern California and southwestern Oregon. The river's main stem begins at the confluence of its east and west forks near Cave Junction in southern Josephine...
, where, starting in the 1850s, the non-native economy depended on gold mining
Gold mining
Gold mining is the removal of gold from the ground. There are several techniques and processes by which gold may be extracted from the earth.-History:...
. After World War II, timber became the main source of income for residents. As timber income has since declined, Cave Junction is attempting to compensate with tourism and as a haven for retirees. Tourists visit the Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon Caves National Monument is a national monument in the northern Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon in the United States. The main part of the park, including the marble cave and a visitor center, is located east of Cave Junction, on Oregon Route 46. A separate visitor center in Cave...
, which includes the Oregon Caves Chateau, as well as the Out'n'About
Out'n'About
Out 'N' About is a southern Oregon company that operates treehouse bed and breakfasts and assists with the construction of treehouses. It located about Southeast of Cave Junction, Oregon,-Treehouse Treesort:...
treehouse resort and the Great Cats World Park
Great Cats World Park
Great Cats World Park is a big cat zoo. It is located a few miles south of Cave Junction, Oregon. It is owned by Craig Wagner, and he and a select few staff members involve themselves personally in the raising of the cats: feeding them, training them and sometimes sleeping with them as babies...
zoo.
History
Takelma
The Takelma were a Native American people that lived in the Rogue Valley of interior southwest Oregon, with most of their villages sited along the Rogue River. The name Takelma means Along the River.-History:...
Indians inhabited the Illinois Valley
Illinois River (Oregon)
The Illinois River is a tributary, about long, of the Rogue River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It drains part of the Klamath Mountains in northern California and southwestern Oregon. The river's main stem begins at the confluence of its east and west forks near Cave Junction in southern Josephine...
. Their culture was destroyed when gold was discovered
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
in the early 1850s, causing the subsequent Rogue River Wars
Rogue River Wars
The Rogue River Wars was an armed conflict between the US Army, local militias and volunteers, and the Native American tribes commonly grouped under the designation of Rogue River Indians, in the Rogue River Valley area of what today is southern Oregon in 1855–56...
. After an 1853 treaty, most of the Takelmas lived on the Table Rock Reservation. In 1856, after the wars ended, they were moved to the Grand Ronde Reservation and the Siletz Reservation
Siletz Reservation
The Siletz Reservation is a 5.852 sq mi Indian reservation in Oregon, United States, owned by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz...
.
The first gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in Oregon history was found in the Illinois Valley, as well as the largest gold nugget (17 lb (7.7 kg)). In 1904, more than 50 years after prospectors had started combing the valley for gold, an 18-year-old named Ray Briggs discovered what newspapers at the time called "the most wonderful gold discovery ever reported in Oregon history." While hunting along Sucker Creek, he discovered gold lying on the ground. He staked a claim and called it the "Wounded Buck Mine," which produced 1777 ounces (50.4 kg) of gold. The "mine" was a small vein of gold 12 to 14 in (30.5 to 35.6 cm) wide, 12 feet (3.7 m) long and 7 feet (2.1 m) deep.
As gold mining in the Illinois Valley became exhausted in the 1860s and 1870s, the residents diversified into ranching, fishing, logging, tourism and agriculture. In 1874, Elijah Davidson found a cave while on a hunting trip, and is now credited with discovering the Oregon Caves
Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon Caves National Monument is a national monument in the northern Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon in the United States. The main part of the park, including the marble cave and a visitor center, is located east of Cave Junction, on Oregon Route 46. A separate visitor center in Cave...
. In 1884, Walter C. Burch heard about the cave from Davidson, and staked a squatter's claim
Adverse possession
Adverse possession is a process by which premises can change ownership. It is a common law concept concerning the title to real property . By adverse possession, title to another's real property can be acquired without compensation, by holding the property in a manner that conflicts with the true...
at the mouth of the caves. He and his brothers-in-law charged one dollar for a guided tour. According to their advertisement in the Grants Pass Courier, this included camping, plentiful pasture land and "medicinal" cave waters. They attempted to acquire title to the land, but as the land was unsurveyed, they abandoned the idea a few years later.
President William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
established the 480 acres (194.2 ha) Oregon Caves National Monument on July 12, 1909, to be administered by the U.S. Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
. In 1923, the Forest Service subcontracted the building of a hotel and guide services to a group of Grants Pass
Grants Pass, Oregon
-Rogue River:The Rogue River runs through Grants Pass.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 1,303.3 per square mile . By 2008,...
businessmen. By 1926, the monument had a chalet and seven two-bedroom cabins. Traffic into the caves led to a community developing at the junction of the Redwood Highway and the branch highway to the caves (now known as Oregon Route 46). Cave Junction, originally known as Cave City, was established in 1926 on land donated by Elwood Hussey. In 1935, a post office was applied for and was named "Caves City", however postal authorities disapproved of the name, partly because "City" implied the place was incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
. Among the other names suggested was "Cave Junction", which was adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names
United States Board on Geographic Names
The United States Board on Geographic Names is a United States federal body whose purpose is to establish and maintain uniform usage of geographic names throughout the U.S. government.-Overview:...
in 1936 with the post office being renamed the same year. The locality was incorporated as Cave Junction in 1948, and is the only incorporated area in the Illinois Valley.
In 1950 Cave Junction had a population of 283, which decreased to 248 in 1960 and increased to 415 in 1970. Its growth was fast in the 1960s, increasing at an average of 6.8 percent annually. The city population's primary growth period occurred in the 1970s, with an average annual increase of 9.9 percent. Growth slowed in the 1980s when the population increase averaged only 1.7 percent annually. The rate fell further between 1990 and 1998, averaging 1.6 percent, which was less than the state and county averages.
Forest fires
A number of wildfireWildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
s have threatened Cave Junction over the years. 1987's Longwood Fire, part of the 150000 acres (60,702.9 ha) Silver Fire complex, was ignited by lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
strikes following a three year drought. Numerous residents of Cave Junction responded by evacuating.
In 2002, the Florence and Sour Biscuit fires converged, creating the Biscuit Fire
Biscuit Fire
The Biscuit Fire was a wildfire that took place in 2002 that burned nearly 500,000 acres in the Siskiyou National Forest in southern Oregon and northern California, in the Western United States...
. This fire threatened Cave Junction, Kerby
Kerby, Oregon
Kerby is an unincorporated community in Josephine County, Oregon, United States, north of Cave Junction on U.S. Route 199, Zip code 97531. Although the current population of...
, Selma
Selma, Oregon
Selma is an unincorporated community in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. It had a population of 1,934 as of 2000. It is located in the ZIP code of 97538.-Notable residents:...
and a number of Northern California communities. Ultimately, the Biscuit Fire lasted 120 days, burned 499965 acres (202,328.8 ha) in southern Oregon and northern California, and destroyed four homes and nine outbuildings in the Cave Junction area. In 2003, a wildfire destroyed a home in Cave Junction. In 2004, a downed power line caused a fire that briefly threatened over 100 homes and forced 200 people to evacuate, with one person dying, apparently of stress related to the fire.
Geography
Cave Junction is located on U.S. Route 199 at its junction with Oregon Route 46. It is about 48 km (29.8 mi) southwest of Grants Pass, OregonGrants Pass, Oregon
-Rogue River:The Rogue River runs through Grants Pass.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 1,303.3 per square mile . By 2008,...
and 85 km (52.8 mi) northeast of Crescent City, California
Crescent City, California
Crescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Named for the crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach south of the city, Crescent City had a total population of 7,643 in the 2010 census, up from 4,006 in the 2000 census...
. The city lies in the Illinois Valley
Illinois River (Oregon)
The Illinois River is a tributary, about long, of the Rogue River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It drains part of the Klamath Mountains in northern California and southwestern Oregon. The river's main stem begins at the confluence of its east and west forks near Cave Junction in southern Josephine...
, on the northwest slope of the Siskiyou Range
Siskiyou Mountains
The Siskiyou Mountains are a coastal mountain range in the northern Klamath Mountains in northwestern California and southwestern Oregon in the United States. They extend in an arc for approximately from east of Crescent City, California northeast along the north side of the Klamath River into...
, at an elevation of about 480 m (1,574.8 ft) above MSL
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.
Climate
Cave Junction has an average low of 33 °F (0.555555555559977 °C) in January and high of 91 °F (32.8 °C) in July. On average, there are 196 sunny days, and 108 days with precipitation. The city receives an average of 61 inches (1,549.4 mm) of rain each year.Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,363 people, 603 households, and 356 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 828.8 people per square mile (320.9/km²). There were 730 housing units at an average density of 443.9 per square mile (171.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.30% White, 0.29% African American, 2.05% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 1.17% other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.50% of the population.
There were 603 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city, the age population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,161, and the median income for a family was $22,500. Males had a median income of $20,893 versus $16,333 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,556. About 23.6% of families and 28.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
Residents range from very liberalSocial liberalism
Social liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it believes the legitimate role of the state includes addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding...
, to strongly right-wing
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
to survivalists
Survivalism
Survivalism is a movement of individuals or groups who are actively preparing for future possible disruptions in local, regional, national, or international social or political order...
. As of 2002, the city has 13 employees, with an average wage of $35,799, the largest categories of employees are Sewerage and Water Supply, with four employees each. In total, Cave Junction's monthly employee outlay is $35,799, or $465,384 a year. As of 2007, Josephine County Sheriff volunteers man a sub station in Cave Junction, and the Sheriff's Office has plans to begin a pilot program in the City Hall building, staffed by volunteers, that will include three temporary holding cells and the ability to take incident reports.
Economy
Starting in the early 1850s, gold mining was the main source of income in the Illinois Valley. As gold mining dwindled in the 1860s and 1870s, the economy diversified into ranching, fishing, logging, tourism and agriculture. In the years after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, timber became an increasingly large part of the county's finances. There were 30 lumber mills operating in the valley after the war, but by the late 1980s the number had dwindled to just one.
Because of President Roosevelt's creation of the Siskiyou National Forest, and the reversion of Oregon and California Railroad
Oregon and California Railroad
The Oregon and California Railroad was formed from the Oregon Central Railroad when it was the first to operate a stretch south of Portland in 1869. This qualified the Railroad for land grants in California, whereupon the name of the railroad soon changed to Oregon & California Rail Road Company...
lands to federal government control, by 1937 the U.S. Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
and the Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
were in charge of 70% of the land in Josephine county, and a large part of the Illinois Valley. Because this decreased the county's potential tax base, the government shared money earned from timber sales with the county, and payments in lieu of taxes
PILOT (finance)
A PILOT is a payment in lieu of taxes , made to compensate a local government for some or all of the tax revenue that it loses because of the nature of the ownership or use of a particular piece of real property...
from the federal government became a large part of its tax base. In 1989, Josephine County received $16,756,000 in various federal payments; by 1999, the payments had fallen to $9.6 million.
Because of these budget cutbacks, Southern Oregon has used tourism as a means of attracting small businesses and retirees. The movement of California retirees in particular has helped the economy grow. Although jobs have been created as a result, they are usually low-paying. Today the principal industries are tourism, timber and agriculture. Since about 1960, the community has evolved into a center for wine
Oregon wine
The state of Oregon in the United States has established an international reputation for its production of wine. Oregon has several different growing regions within the state's borders which are well-suited to the cultivation of grapes; additional regions straddle the border between Oregon and the...
, retirement, tourism, and small businesses. One timber mill remains in Cave Junction, Rough & Ready Lumber Co., located six miles (10 km) south of town. In November 2007, Rough & Ready completed a $6 million biomass
Biomass
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
plant to replace their existing wood-fired boiler, as market forces have increased demand for dry timber.
Culture
Cave Junction has a number of points of interest, including a museum, a zoo, and a resort consisting of treehouses. It also has a number of historic sites, many related to gold mining, as well as an Oregon state park and a national monument, all located in the greater Cave Junction area. A newspaper and two radio stations also serve this area.Tourism
Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon Caves National Monument is a national monument in the northern Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon in the United States. The main part of the park, including the marble cave and a visitor center, is located east of Cave Junction, on Oregon Route 46. A separate visitor center in Cave...
, which is a 480 acres (194.2 ha) area of hiking trails and caverns. Located at the end of a 20 miles (32.2 km) "stomach churning" drive along State Route 46, there are limestone caves discovered in 1874 by a hunter and his dog. At the caves, there is a 23-room chateau
Oregon Caves Chateau
The Oregon Caves Chateau is a historic American hotel that opened in 1934. It is located in Oregon Caves National Monument in southern Oregon, near Cave Junction. The Chateau was designed and built by Gust Lium, a local contractor...
that was built in 1932.
Each year Cave Junction features an ArtWalk on the second Friday of each month, except during the winter, with the city's businesses exhibiting various types of art such as pottery, iron art, music and fire dancing. The ArtWalk adds significantly to the Illinois Valley's positive image and increases tourism and adds to the local economy. According to surveys conducted in 2006 by the Arts Council of Southern Oregon, the city sees a 30–50% increase in sales and visitors during the event. Attendance is approximately 150–200 people, with roughly 15% coming from outside the community. Local artists, including students of Lorna Byrne Middle School in 2007, participate while local businesses, including thrift stores and art galleries, serve as hosts.
Located about 10 miles (16.1 km) southeast of Cave Junction, in Takilma, Oregon
Takilma, Oregon
Takilma is an unincorporated community in Josephine County, Oregon, United States, south of Cave Junction. It is located on the East Fork Illinois River, about a mile southeast of Waldo....
, is the home of the Out'n'About
Out'n'About
Out 'N' About is a southern Oregon company that operates treehouse bed and breakfasts and assists with the construction of treehouses. It located about Southeast of Cave Junction, Oregon,-Treehouse Treesort:...
Treehouse Treesort, a multi-treehouse resort run by Michael Garnier using "Garnier Limbs." Garnier developed the Garnier Limb, which is a one-and-a-half-inch-thick bolt surrounded by a cuff, both made of Grade 5 steel, and is able to support 8000 lb (3,628.7 kg). As of 2007, the treesort has nine treehouses, three with bathrooms. Garnier had to fight local government ordinances for almost ten years before gaining the right to house guests in his nine treehouses.
Great Cats World Park
Great Cats World Park is a big cat zoo. It is located a few miles south of Cave Junction, Oregon. It is owned by Craig Wagner, and he and a select few staff members involve themselves personally in the raising of the cats: feeding them, training them and sometimes sleeping with them as babies...
is located a few miles south of Cave Junction. As of 2007, it has 32 cats, of 17 different species, including cougars, leopard
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
s, jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
s, lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
s, Siberian tiger cubs, a fishing cat
Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. In 2008, the IUCN classified the fishing cat as endangered since they are concentrated primarily in wetland habitats, which are increasingly being settled, degraded and converted...
, and an ocelot
Ocelot
The ocelot , pronounced /ˈɒsəˌlɒt/, also known as the dwarf leopard or McKenney's wildcat is a wild cat distributed over South and Central America and Mexico, but has been reported as far north as Texas and in Trinidad, in the Caribbean...
. Other attractions include the It's a Burl handcrafted wood gallery and the Kerbyville Museum, both in Kerby. Cave Junction's Wild River Brewery serves one of the smallest communities of any Oregon brewery
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
. Founded in 1975 as the Pizza Deli, a microbrewery
Microbrewery
A microbrewery or craft brewer is a brewery which produces a limited amount of beer, and is associated by consumers with innovation and uniqueness....
was added in 1989. In 1994, the name Wild River was adopted and a Wild River restaurant and pub was opened in Grants Pass.
Wine
The Illinois Valley is the coolest and wettest of the three valleys in the Rogue Valley American Viticultural AreaAmerican Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , United States Department of the Treasury....
. In the late 1960s and early 1970s a new group of Oregonians started experimenting with growing grapes and making wine. Initially this group was not very successful, but 40 years later, Oregon is considered a prestigious growing area. Southern Oregon is higher, and its climate is often warmer, than better known wine producing valleys such as Napa Valley
Napa Valley AVA
Napa Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Napa County, California, United States. Napa Valley is considered one of the top wine regions in the United States...
to the south and Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
and Columbia Valley
Columbia Valley
The Columbia Valley is the name used for a region in the Rocky Mountain Trench near the headwaters of the Columbia River between the town of Golden and the Canal Flats. The main hub of the valley is the town of Invermere. Other towns include Radium Hot Springs, Windermere and Fairmont Hot Springs...
to the north. The Illinois Valley has dry warm summers and cold nights, which make it well suited for pinot noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
, in contrast to the hotter and dryer Rogue
Rogue Valley
The Rogue Valley is a farming and timber-producing region in southwestern Oregon in the United States. Located along the middle Rogue River and its tributaries in Josephine and Jackson counties, the valley forms the cultural and economic heart of Southern Oregon near the California border. The...
and Umpqua
Umpqua River
The Umpqua River on the Pacific coast of Oregon in the United States is approximately long. One of the principal rivers of the Oregon Coast and known for bass and shad, the river drains an expansive network of valleys in the mountains west of the Cascade Range and south of the Willamette Valley,...
valleys. Several vineyards and wineries are located near Cave Junction, including Bridgeview Vineyards
Bridgeview Vineyard and Winery
Bridgeview Vineyard and Winery is one of the largest wineries in Oregon. Located in Cave Junction, Oregon, Bridgeview is noted for their chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir. Its estate in the Illinois Valley is planted in the European style of dense six-foot row and four-foot vine spacing...
, Foris Vineyards Winery
Foris Vineyards Winery
Foris Vineyards Winery is an American vineyard located in the Cave Junction, Oregon area. Established in 1986, Foris is known for their Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Merlot and had its 2006 Pinot Blanc voted "Best of Show" at the World of Wine Festival near Gold Hill, Oregon...
, and Bear Creek Winery which are all discussed in Fodor's
Fodor's
Fodor's is the world's largest publisher of English language travel and tourism information, and the first relatively professional producer of travel guidebooks...
2004 book "Oregon Wine Country."
Cave Junction is the home of Bridgeview Vineyards, one of the largest wineries
Winery
A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Some wine companies own many wineries. Besides wine making equipment, larger wineries may also feature warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, and large expanses of...
in Oregon. Bridgeview is noted for its chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir. At the 2000 American Wine Awards
Food & Wine Magazine
Food & Wine is a monthly magazine published by American Express Publishing. It was founded in 1978 by Ariane and Michael Batterberry. It features recipes, cooking tips, travel information, restaurant reviews, chefs, wine pairings and seasonal/holiday content and has been credited by The New York...
, Bridgeview's 1998 Bridgeview Oregon Blue Moon was selected as the best pinot noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
under $15. Its 85 acres (34.4 ha) estate in the Illinois Valley is planted in the European style of dense 6 feet (1.8 m) row and 4 feet (1.2 m) vine spacing. Bridgeview also has an 80 acres (32.4 ha) vineyard in the Applegate Valley
Applegate Valley
Applegate Valley is the valley of the Applegate River in Southern Oregon, United States and extending slightly into Northern California. It encompasses the area between Applegate and Grants Pass, generally west of Medford...
. Foris Vineyards Winery is also located in the Cave Junction area. Established in 1986, as of 2007, they produced 48,000 cases of wine, making it the 14th largest bonded winery in Oregon.
Historic sites
Cave Junction has a number of historic sites related to its early gold mining days, including various mines, ditches, and Logan Cut. The historic Osgood Ditch in Takilma provided water for early mining operations in the Illinois Valley. Although mining in the Illinois Valley started in the rivers, gold was soon discovered in gravel beds high up the slopes above the rivers. It had been deposited by ancient rivers that then eroded deep into the earth. To extract this gold, prospectors created ditches to bring the water to these areas. The water was then moved through piping to the desired location. The pressure the water built up as it dropped was used for hydraulic miningHydraulic mining
Hydraulic mining, or hydraulicking, is a form of mining that uses high-pressure jets of water to dislodge rock material or move sediment. In the placer mining of gold or tin, the resulting water-sediment slurry is directed through sluice boxes to remove the gold.-Precursor - ground...
. Water cannons fired water over 100 feet (30.5 m), and the debris was run through a sluice box. Gold was located within pockets in the gravel, and because the miners could not predict where the pockets were, almost every gravel deposit in the Illinois Valley was mined. The Illinois Valley's largest gold rush town, Waldo, Oregon
Waldo, Oregon
Waldo is a ghost town located in Josephine County, Oregon, United States, about three miles from the California border. It was settled in 1852 as a gold mining camp called Sailor's Diggings....
, was located on a gravel deposit and was eventually destroyed when its gravel bed was run through a sluice box, along with most of the town. Today nothing of Waldo remains. The Osgood Ditch provided water for mining operations near Waldo. One building of note in the area is the Oregon Caves Chateau, which is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Sports and recreation
Cave Junction has a golf course and a state park. The Illinois Valley Golf Course has 9 holes, and as of 2007 there are plans for an expansion to 18 holes. The Illinois River Forks State ParkIllinois River Forks State Park
Illinois River Forks State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Oregon, administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department....
is located at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Illinois River
Illinois River (Oregon)
The Illinois River is a tributary, about long, of the Rogue River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It drains part of the Klamath Mountains in northern California and southwestern Oregon. The river's main stem begins at the confluence of its east and west forks near Cave Junction in southern Josephine...
. The park includes restrooms, picnic tables, and a variety of rare plants.
Media
Cave Junction has one newspaper and two radio stations. The local paper, the Illinois Valley News, was established in 1937 when Cave Junction was known as Cave City, and as of 2007 has a circulation of 3,248. It is published by Bob and Jan Rodriguez, and edited by Michelle Binker. The first issue was four pages long, and included ads for businesses ranging from Cave City to Medford, OregonMedford, Oregon
Medford is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 US Census, the city had a total population of 74,907 and a metropolitan area population of 207,010, making the Medford MSA the 4th largest metro area in Oregon...
, with the ads priced at one or two dollars. The cities two licensed radio stations are KCNA (FM 102.7 The Drive), a Classic Hits station, and KBCC-LP
KBCC-LP
KBCC-LP is a low-power FM radio station broadcasting a contemporary Christian music format. Licensed to Cave Junction, Oregon, USA, the station is currently owned by Bridgeview Community Church.-History:...
(FM 107.9), a Christian station.
The Cave Junction area had a pirate radio station, Hope Mountain Radio. It broadcast out of Takilma until repeated interference from government agents caused them to shut down. The station then began broadcasting legally on the internet, although this caused their costs to go up and necessitated fundraising activities. As of January 2007, Hope Mountain Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day with an all volunteer staff.
Education
Cave Junction has three schools: Illinois Valley High SchoolIllinois Valley High School
Illinois Valley High School is a public high school in Cave Junction, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 72% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma...
, Lorna Byrne Middle School, and Evergreen Elementary School. These schools are part of the Three Rivers School District
Three Rivers School District (Oregon)
Three Rivers School District is a public school district that serves the Illinois Valley, Hidden Valley and North Valley regions of Jackson and Josephine counties in the U.S...
, which also encompasses schools from Grants Pass and Applegate, Oregon
Applegate, Oregon
Applegate is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. It is located west of Medford on Oregon Route 238 and the Applegate River...
.
Two individuals linked to Illinois Valley High School (IVHS) have been inducted into regional halls of fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
. In 2004, Sam Hutchins became a member of the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame for creating the non-profit Oregon Stewardship Program. Begun in 1992 to teach Illinois Valley High School students about wild steelhead in the Illinois River, by 2004 the program had been expanded to 25 schools and 1,500 students. In 2007, IVHS wrestling coach Ursal “Jay” Miller was inducted into the Oregon Chapter of The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.
Transportation
The Illinois Valley AirportIllinois Valley Airport
Illinois Valley Airport is a county-owned public-use airport located four miles southwest of the central business district of Cave Junction, a city in Josephine County, Oregon, United States.-History:...
, also known as the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base, was built by the US Forest Service. It operated from 1943 to 1981 as a smokejumper
Smokejumper
A smokejumper is a wildland firefighter who parachutes into a remote area to combat wildfires.Smokejumpers are most often deployed to fires that are extremely remote. The risks associated with this method of personnel deployment are mitigated by an extremely well developed training program that has...
base, during which time the smokejumpers parachuted on 1445 fires for 5390 fire jumps. As of 2007, the airport had a fixed base operator
Fixed base operator
A Fixed-base operator or commonly abbreviated FBO is a term developed in the United States after the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926...
, aircraft rentals and instruction, hangar rentals, and a restaurant.
Notable people
Cave Junction has a number of notable residents and past residents. Actor John WayneJohn Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
was a visitor to a ranch in Selma, Oregon
Selma, Oregon
Selma is an unincorporated community in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. It had a population of 1,934 as of 2000. It is located in the ZIP code of 97538.-Notable residents:...
, about 10 miles (16.1 km) north of town. He grew fond of the area after filming Rooster Cogburn along the Rogue River
Rogue River (Oregon)
The Rogue River in southwestern Oregon in the United States flows about in a generally westward direction from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean. Known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act...
. This ranch has since become the Deer Creek Center which houses the Siskiyou Field Institute. Kristy Lee Cook
Kristy Lee Cook
Kristy Lee Cook is an American country singer who was born in Seattle, Washington and was the seventh place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. In 2005 Cook released her debut album called Devoted. In June 2008, Cook signed to 19 Recordings and Arista Nashville. She released her...
, who was a contestant on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
7, was also raised in Selma, where she used to live before joining the competition. Arthur B. Robinson
Arthur B. Robinson
Arthur B. Robinson is an American scientist and activist. He is the founder, president, and professor of chemistry at the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, which describes itself as a research institute that studies protein chemistry, nutrition, and predictive and preventive medicine...
is the head of the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine
Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine
The Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine is a 501 non-profit organization located about seven miles from Cave Junction, Oregon. It is a private research institute that studies biochemistry, diagnostic medicine, nutrition, preventive medicine and the molecular biology of aging, and receives no...
, which is about 7 miles (11.3 km) from Cave Junction. Also, Mike Millard, author of "Jihad in Paradise: Islam and Politics in Southeast Asia" and "Leaving Japan: Observations on the Dysfunctional U.S.-Japan Relationship," was a 1965 graduate of Illinois Valley High School.
External links
- Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce — Cave Junction
- Factual information on Cave Junction from www.city-data.com
- Listing for Cave Junction in the Oregon Blue BookOregon Blue BookThe Oregon Blue Book is the official directory and fact book for the U.S. state of Oregon copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State and published by the Office of the Secretary's Archives Division. As Governor Ted Kulongoski notes in his introduction for the 2005–2006 edition, it "provides...