History of Grants Pass
In this article, Regan Moran will be informing the citizens of Grants Pass about the city's history throughout time.
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History of Our Town
History of Our Town
By Regan Moran
Many people live their entire lives in one city, but never realize the history behind their hometown. To some, Grants Pass may seem like a boring, old town with no interesting history, but some may find it interesting to learn about all the hard work that went into creating a city out of nothing. Let us look at how Grants Pass became everything we see now.
How Was The Rogue Valley Discovered?
How Was The Rogue Valley Discovered?
Between the years 1825-1843, the Hudson Bay Trappers (hunters who traded fur skins) crossed through the Rogue Valley. These trappers are known for being the first white people to pass through the area. The famous Rogue River runs through the middle of Grants Pass, but how did the original settlers name it? According to Visit Grants Pass, The Hudson Bay Trappers used to call the natives “the Rogues” because they fought for their freedom. They soon later named the Rogue River and the Rogue Valley after their name for the natives.
Photo of the Pacific Railroad Bridge over the Rogue River in Grants Pass, OR. Photo Credit: Oregon Encyclopedia
How was Grants Pass Named?
How was Grants Pass Named?
Photograph of General U.S. Grant. Photo Credit: HistoryNet
In later years, during the 1860s, the Rogue Valley was used as a stagecoach stop (a place where passing travelers could replace their tired horses with refreshed horses). According to the Grants Pass webpage, the stagecoach was finally established as an official city and was named Grants Pass, in honor of General U.S. Grant’s 1863 Victory at Vicksburg. "Pass" was added to the name to differentiate Grants Pass from Grant County.
Grants Pass High School
Grants Pass High School
Grants Pass citizens were not slow to educate their children. The first school built in Grants Pass was in 1885, just two years after the city was founded. According to Grants Pass High School, the schoolhouse was a simple wooden building. It was not until 1911 that a newer and larger school was built. Even though all the new additions were added, the city grew too large for the little school buildings. The old school buildings were eventually demolished in the late 1990s and were rebuilt to accommodate the larger city. The current school building is now known as Grants Pass High School.
Grants Pass High School being rebuilt in the late 1990's. Photo Credit: Grants Pass School District.
Downtown Bear Statues
Downtown Bear Statues
Bear statues inside Bear Hotel. Photo Credit: Oregon Live.
If tourists ever visit Grants Pass, then they will most likely see the many bear statues all over downtown. The Evergreen Bank started this tradition in 2003 to introduce some energy into Grants Pass. According to The Oregonian, over the years, more than 187 bears have been made and placed either downtown or in the Bear Hotel (where most of the bears are stored in their off season).
"It's the Climate"
"It's the Climate"
Many citizens of Grants Pass often pass the sign downtown that reads: “It's the Climate”. Does anyone really know why? Is Grants Pass really known for its “amazing” climate? In 1920, Grants Pass contractor resident, John Hampshire, donated a sign with a printed message of “It's the Climate.” He donated this sign because he believed that Grants Pass was a great place to live and work, and also believed that the city has a great climate. According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, the weather here in Grants Pass can be described as hot in the summer and mild in the winter.
"It's the Climate" sign downtown Grants Pass. Photo Credit: ActiveRain.
Cool Facts
Cool Facts
Actor Ty Burrell (played Phil Dunphy in the ABC program film Modern Family) was born in Grants Pass, Oregon.
A scene from the movie Dead Men starring Johnny Depp was shot in Grants Pass, Oregon.
On the outside, Grants Pass may seem like a boring, old, retirement town. In contrast, the history behind Grants Pass is amazing to learn about. These are just a few facts about our city, if dug deeper, there are hundreds of more interesting facts to learn about.
Sources:
Sources:
Oregon Encyclopedia
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/grants_pass/#.Y7W0fHbMKyI
Grants Pass Webpage
https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/395/History#:~:text=Grants%20Pass%20was%20named%20in,Pacific)
Visit Grants Pass
https://visitgrantspass.com/about-grants-pass/history/
Grants Pass High School
The Oregonian
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