Golden Days and Pioneer Ways – by Ruth Pfefferle

 

The term “Gold Rush Days” make many people think of the gold strikes in California or Alaska, but the Illinois Valley of southern Oregon has its own unique tale of “Gold Rush Days.”

Golden Days and Pioneer Ways written by Ruth Pfefferle takes us on a wonderful journey of the life and times of those who settled in the Illinois Valley of southern Oregon.  Ruth shares the history of the different communities in the Illinois Valley; such as Browntown where as many as 6,000 miners once lived; and Waldo, the first Josephine County seat.  Waldo in addition to having the usual frontier establishments – a blacksmith shop, saloons, dance halls, a livery stable and gambling establishments also had a skating rink.  You’ll learn about how Kerby was settled; the only remaining town of the three largest original settlements in the Illinois Valley.

Golden Days and Pioneer Ways tells us stories of the few lucky miners who struck it rich, and many who never found their “pot of gold.”  In addition to the miners, you’ll also learn about the hearty pioneers who settled the Illinois Valley with their farms and businesses.  Although they weren’t famous, these were hardworking people, who were brave and generous.

Mrs. Pfefferle has arranged Golden Days and Pioneer Ways in easy to read sections from the history of the Illinois Valley, mining, pioneer life, schools, transportation, Oregon Caves and several others.

Mrs. Pfefferle dedicated her book to her beloved husband Phayo Pfefferle who was a great inspiration to her while she was writing a column for the Illinois Valley News in Cave Junction.

Golden Days and Pioneer Ways is an enjoyable history lesson for anyone interested in Josephine County’s Illinois Valley.  Mrs. Pfefferle describes history this way, “History is important because if we have no knowledge of the past, we can not appreciate the present or look forward to the future.”

This book also contains great information for genealogists whose ancestors settled in the Illinois Valley.

Golden Days and Pioneer Ways can be purchased at the Josephine Historical Society's Bookshop located in the Research Library at 512 K Street, Grants Pass; or at their Online Bookshop.