Old Images of Medford, Oregon

Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Medford, in Jackson County, Southern Oregon, USA.

The Fruit Industry

In the first part of the twentieth century, the fruit industry was the commercial heart of Medford’s economy.

The railroads helped the fruit travel quickly across the country, helped by the refrigerated storage units and railroad cars.

old photo of Refrigerator railroad car medford oregon 1909 — Old Photo of a refrigerator railroad car, taken at Medford in Oregon in 1909

Old photo of the Medford Ice & Storage Co building at the railroad tracks

Old photo of the Bardwell Fruit Company Warehouse and Cold Storage Plant, located next to the railroad tracks

Hillcrest Orchard

Hillcrest Orchard is still producing fruit today across more than 200 acres of land, having been first established by Reginald Parsons back in the 1880s. His grandsons Jud and George Parsons, along with their cousin Hugh Brady, now run the estate under the company name Century Farm Fruit Growers.

In 1997 a vineyard was planted on the Hillcrest Orchard estate. The RoxyAnn Winery estate is run by Chad Day, the great grandson of Reginald and Maude Parsons.

But it’s also now a pretty wedding venue, and visitors can stay in historic homes located on the estate.

Old photo of a horse plow at Hillcrest Orchard near Medford, Oregon, taken in 1910

old photo of Hillcrest Orchard near Medford Oregon — Old photo of Hillcrest Orchard, near Medford in Oregon, taken in 1910

Medford’s Streets

Medford oregon fire insurance map 1911 — The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of October 1911, showing Medford in Jackson County, Oregon. The roads are mapped out, and the key identifies the buildings

Old photo of a Drugstore in Medford Oregon — Old photo of a Drugstore in Medford, Oregon, taken in August 1939

Wartime Food

World War II caused a great disruption to the food distribution system, with German warships and U-boats targeting all allied vessels.

Using local sources to feed the nation and overseas forces was an urgent priority.

old photo of the Medford Relief Cannery Oregon 1940 — Old photo of the Medford Relief Cannery, taken in 1940

old photo of a Medford farm labor sign 1944 — Old photo of a ‘Farm Labor Wanted’ sign standing in the fields near Medford, Jackson County in 1944. Good wages and no employment fees are offered, and the Farm Labor Office is located at the Chamber of Commerce building on 314 W. Main

The Historic American Buildings Survey

The buildings constructed by crews of Civilian Conservation Corps and Emergency Relief Administration workers at the Medford Service Centre, 1319 McAndrews Road, were visited and photographed as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey.

These local large scale public works undertaken during the Great Depression had a utilitarian approach to the architecture of the buildings, to reduce the cost of each unit. Some of the buildings were later modified in the 1950s and 1960s.

Because two of the five structures in the compound are listed on the National Register, all of the buildings have been included in the Historic American Buildings Survey documentation.

old photo of the Medford Service Center crossroads — Old photo of the road junction at Medford Service Center, Oregon

Old photo of the Radio Shop at Medford Service Center Oregon — Old photo of the Radio Shop at the Medford Service Center, Oregon

Old photo of inside the Radio Shop at Medford Service Center Oregon — Old photo of the inside of the Radio Shop at Medford Service Center Oregon

Old photo of the Road crew building Medford Service Center oregon — Old photo of the Road Crew Building at the Medford Service Center in Oregon

Old photo of the inside of the Road crew building Medford Service Center oregon — Old photo of the inside of the Road Crew Building at Medford Service Center in Oregon

old photo of Medford Service Center oregon — Old photo of Medford Service Center, 1319 McAndrews Road, Oregon

Old photo of Medford Service Center, 1319 McAndrews Road, Oregon

Old photo of a warehouse at the Medford Service Center

old photo of the Covered Storage Building Medford Service Center oregon — Old photo of the Covered Storage Building at the Medford Service Center in Jackson County, Oregon

old photo of the Gas & Oil House Medford Service Center oregon — Old photo of the Gas & Oil House at Medford Service Center in Jackson County, Oregon

Old Photos of Medford

Enjoy a video showcasing old photos of Medford. It includes images from across many different local places and many decades.

Some of Medford Oregon’s History – Anna Ortman on YouTube

More about Oregon

Old Images of Medford, Oregon
Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Medford, in Jackson County, Southern Oregon, USA. The Fruit Industry In the first part of the twentieth century, the fruit industry was the commercial heart of Medford’s economy. The railroads helped the fruit travel quickly across the country, helped by the refrigerated storage units and railroad… Read more: Old Images of Medford, Oregon
Old Images of Portland, Oregon
Enjoy a glimpse of history through fascinating old images of Portland, Oregon, in the United States of America.

About the author

Hi, I’m Debbie. I’ve enjoyed books, films, and documentaries about history for more than 30 years. My favourite trips with friends and family are to museums, historic houses, archaeological sites, and I love unearthing old photos and archive film bringing history to life.