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Bear
Creek
Shasta
Indian name for Bear Creek: Ussoho Roland B. Dixon, "The Shasta," Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 1907 Upper Takelma name for Bear Creek: Si-ku-ptat, "dirty water" John P. Harrington, in Dennis J. Gray, The Takelma and Their Athapaskan Neighbors, 1987  Published 1889--most likely an irrigation ditch off Jackson Creek or Bear Creek.
Originally nearly all of the floor of the central valley, except what is known as the "Desert," was covered with a growth of pine, oak, laurel, manzanita, and ceanothus, while along the stream bottoms occurred a heavy growth of cottonwood, alder and brush. Many of the streams are still fringed with a growth of trees and brush, but the larger part of the level lands in the valley have been cleared and the native growth replaced by cultivated fields and orchards, only a few small woodlots remaining to indicate the presence of the former forest. A. T. Strahorn, et al., Soil Survey of the Medford Area, Oregon, 1911, page 7 Origin of Bear Creek
Name Recounted
To the Editor: Regardless of where our fortunes be cast, to value the
present we must know the past. For instance, when crossing Bear Creek
on one of its handy, dependable bridges, take a look at its
well-contained and tamed waters. 'Twasn't always that-a-way, not by a
jugful of of tens of millions of 'em. That peaceful-looking stream has
been as unpredictable and cantankerous as the ornery critter it's named
after.(By June McMillen Ordway in Sunday's Oregonian) "Well,
if you are writing of Bear Creek, just say it flows through the most
beautiful country God ever made, and you'll have it all right."
Thus spoke a friend when informed that the late Captain James H. McMillen was one of a party of pioneers who gave this name to the stream in 1851, before it was spanned by the great concrete bridge and before Medford was ever through of [as] a "boom town." On Table Rock in 1851 a battle took place between a small party of whites and a band of Rogue River Indians. Several packers had been killed near this point by Indians, while on their way with flour, bacon and butter to the miners at Yreka, Cal. Among those killed was Lieutenant James Stewart. His body was buried hastily near the scene of battle and the letters J. S. were carved in the bark of a large oak tree near the grave. Then a fire was kindled on the grave, beef bones and brush were burned upon it and later horses were led over the spot, so as to obliterate the appearance of a grave. Otherwise the Indians would have removed the clothing and blanket in which the body was wrapped. Later, Governor Joseph Lane had Stewart's body removed to Vancouver, Wash., for final burial. About this time the late Joseph McMillen, father of Captain James M. McMillen, with a number of men, one of whom was Calvin C. Reed, were returning from Yreka, Cal., with ox wagons. When nearing the shore of the stream they saw three grizzly bears leave the carcass of an ox and run into the dense thicket at the roadside. Two horsemen rode, who had three dogs with them. The dogs were sent into the brush in quest of the bears. They returned quickly, yelping at a great rate. One of the bears, which was wounded by a rifle shot from one of the horsemen, rushed out of the thicket and, seeing Reed standing by the ox team, charged him. Reed had just borrowed a double-barrel shotgun belonging to Joseph McMillen, and when but a few feet from the bear he fired, killing the beast. The other two were dispatched quickly and their bodies were left in the road. As the men resumed their journey someone remarked, "We will christen this stream 'Bear Creek'." The christening of Bear Creek was but one of many incidents of 1851 in Southern Oregon. Every man was said to be a hero, and the women were as brave as the men in that unsettled part of the state. They were brave and gallant; as only such had the hardihood to endure the perils and hardships encountered in reaching this "promised land." Whenever danger threatened any portion of the new community all were ready to rush to its defense without regard to personal danger or pecuniary loss. Medford Mail Tribune, November 10, 1913, page 4 See Bill Miller's story for a much more accurate account of Captain Stuart's death--for which the creek was named Stuart Creek. On father’s claim in a bend of Bear Creek was one camp of Chief Sam of whom I have already spoken, under the shade of the great spreading red oak trees just across from our home. There he and his people spent much time. One morning the Chief came over and told my mother that his boy was going to die, very sick. In sympathy for a sick boy she went with Sam, entered the tepee and there found not a boy but a grown man, who was as Sam had said very sick. He was starving. They could prepare no food that he could assimilate. She prepared food that was suitable, gave him medicine, visited him two or three times daily for a time, and one day the Chief came to express his gratitude saying that his boy was well and also saying to father “she has a good heart.” Walter Scott Gore 1852-1943, manuscript memoirs in the possession of great-great-granddaughter Marty Mielen Monroe The flood there has been very destructive, causing considerable damage to the dams of miners and other property. There were eight persons drowned in Jackson County during the high water. "Oregon," New York Daily Times, March 29, 1853, page 3 Bear Creek Tamed When Elijah B. Gore and family arrived in 1852, its channel was said to be up near the Community Hospital. Amazon-like, later on it decided to flow near where Elijah's son Ed now lives at 116 Geneva St. Fact is, as Mr. Gore remarked, it had several channels, none of them very permanent, coursing through a morass of trees, brush and swamp grass "so thick a dog could scarce penetrate," as Homer Harvey of 1880 coming put it. Fording Bear Creek and other valley streams was ever risky, especially during winter rains and spring freshets. Saddle and harness horses, wagons as well as human life was lost. The ford at old Gasburg [Phoenix] was best, being wide, shallow and firm-bottomed. But that was a long way around going to Jacksonville or downriver points. A prod pole was usually taken along to feel out any treacherous hole in its shifty bed. Early bridges were so uncertain that a ford was kept at McAndrews crossing as late as the close of World War I. County Engineer Paul Rynning built one there that endured till the one of concrete was built two years ago. The very first one of timbers pressured for and built by the county, oldtimers say, was never used. Bear Creek, changing its course, left it out in a clearing where it "melted" away with settlers' need of plank or timber. County commissioners' journals of 100 years ago are filled with petitions for viewers to view out new county roads or a bridge, followed by settlers paying county dads for damages by new roads across their properties. [The inverse was the case.] The first one found by this writer was built in 1854 across Little Butte Creek. A couple of years later two were petitioned for where Medford is now, one to be known as the "creek bridge," 125 feet long, and the other "the slough" bridge," 165 feet long. [There was no county road at Medford until the 1880s.] Was this the slough just south of Main St. where Medfordites used to hunt ducks? Anyway, Bear Creek is tamed, for the present at least. F. J. Clifford 1211 West Main St. Medford Mail Tribune, June 8, 1954 Bear Creek Eight
Feet Deep at Corey's Grocery
In 1854, my father and his brother came to Medford from the Willamette
Valley. That spring a flood swept down Bear Creek. The water extended
from the present west bank of Bear Creek to the foot of the hospital
hill. By measuring the driftwood in the trees then out on the level at the present location of Corey's Grocery [529 East Main--today's Hawthorne Park], the depth of the water was found to be eight feet. Two men by the names of Dover and Lewis had a large herd of cattle grazing on the east side of Bear Creek. These cattle were all swept down the stream and drowned. Several years ago Bear Creek broke through the southeast corner of Earhart's place [near Barnett], on the east side of the creek, and quite a stream passed through the old channel across the proposed school site. (Signed)
S. P. BARNEBURG
Medford Mail Tribune, May
14, 1925, page 6
[In 1856] The Davenports were living in Gassburg when Olive Oatman was rescued from the Indians and lived with her relatives there for a time. She and Florinda, "Tim's wife," were great chums, and Olive gave Mrs. D. and several other women friends exhibitions of her swimming prowess in Bear Creek, teaching some of them swimming lessons there. Orson Stearns, Reminiscences of Pioneer Days and Early Settlers of Phoenix and Vicinity, 1921 I think father and Uncle Emory [Gore] went about building the sawmill [on Bear Creek near South Stage Road] as soon as fairly settled in their new home. The family moved out to the claim when I was six months old, so 1853 was more than half gone before they had been fairly settled, thus the mill must not have been ready for use before late 1854. They sold lumber all over the valley. The great flood of December 1861 washed much of the mill and the logs away and so changed the creek channel that the mill was never rebuilt. Walter Scott Gore 1852-1943, manuscript memoirs in the possession of great-great-granddaughter Marty Mielen Monroe In 1861 "the channel of Bear Creek was narrow, and ran through Medford about the place where John Mann's house now stands [at 815 East Main]. The flood was exceptionally bad because of the narrow channel, and the present channel was cut at that time." "Charley Strang is 'Vet' of Veterans," Medford News, March 30, 1934, page 1 THE STORM.--During the week there has been a very brief period of dry or clear weather. By Friday the flow from Jackson Creek through the town had materially subsided, and the pools had quite disappeared from the valley. But Friday night the rains returned and poured without cessation until Sunday morning. Before midnight of Saturday, Jackson Creek had broken over its banks and came sweeping in through the lower part of the town. By morning the flood reached its height. Again, as on the Sunday morning preceding, houses were surrounded, lots submerged, fences torn away, and some damage done to gardens. Down the valley as far as could be seen were streams and sheets of water. The inundation extended over a greater area than that of the week before. A slight rain fell during Sunday, but the flood gradually abated, and yesterday it had disappeared from one portion of the space it had covered, and only a small stream coursed outside of the regular channel of the creek. Excerpt, Semi-Weekly Gazette, Jacksonville, December 10, 1861, page 3 The Floods.
On
last Sunday, we were visited with a much more destructive flood than
that of the previous week. On the night of Friday, 6th inst., a heavy
rain set in, and continued to pour down heavily almost without
intermission until Monday morning. This body of water pouring into the
channels, which were yet full from the flood of the preceding week, was
too great for the ordinary bounds of the streams, and in consequence it
spread over a considerable portion of the valley. The lower portion of
our own town was submerged from the waters of Jackson Creek, and the
valley was converted into a group of numberless small islands and
lakes. Jacksonville and immediate vicinity has sustained no material
damage, but from other portions of the county we learn that the losses
have been very severe.
It is said that in Neal's Cañon, beyond Ashland, through which a stream of water was running on Sunday, [it] became clogged by accumulated drift logs, and backed up an immense body of water. Under the heavy pressure the dam gave way and the water rushed with irresistible velocity down the valley, carrying everything before it. By this torrent, we understand that Mr. Wm. Taylor lost his outhouses, grain, etc. We have not particulars as to the full extent of damage, but the loss must be heavy. The farmers along Bear River have suffered. One gentleman who owns a farm on that stream tells us that, on Sunday, he stood by for a while and watched his property, in fences, float on at the rate of about one hundred dollars per hour. He lost a number of horses and several thousand rails, and, without doubt, many others have been equally unfortunate. The Rogue River bridge, which had weathered the first storm, was not able to withstand the latter. Its loss up to the present time has effectually blocked communication north of us. We think it safe to say that there is scarcely a bridge left in its position over a single stream in the county. Excerpt, Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 14, 1861, page 3 ANOTHER FLOOD.--The week has furnished to us another flood. It lasted through Wednesday and Thursday. Jackson Creek boomed up into a very fair-sized river, spanning one hundred feet breadth just below its mouth, in town, and rose to a greater height than at either of the previous floods. Three families were obliged to leave their homes, a part of a lot on Oregon Street was washed away, and some injury done to gardens. In the county, the loss was severe. Bear Creek rose higher than ever. At Gasburg a portion of the race to the flour mill and the tannery was destroyed, about thirty acres of Colver's farm was washed away, and Oatman's orchard was swept of every tree. Farms in that neighborhood and above have sustained much loss. Throughout the county, but particularly on Butte and Antelope creeks, cattle have greatly suffered. Several hundred have already perished. Judge Tolman, who came from home by stage on Sunday, says the roads are too bad to talk about. Semi-Weekly Gazette, Jacksonville, January 21, 1862, page 3 Mr. W. Gore, though less than two years old at the time, retains a clear memory of the flood of 1862 and described his sensations at seeing his father's sawmill floating down the creek which at normal times had supplied its power. He also told his recollections of the rescue of two fat hogs from their floating pen. Alfred Segsworth, Works Progress Administration Survey of State and Local Historical Records, 1936-1937 On the 15th there was a waterspout or cloudburst about four miles from Ashland, Jackson County. A small brook emptying into Bear Creek was swelled to a depth of eight or ten feet and to a width of fifty, bearing down driftwood, fences and great boulders. Morning Oregonian, Portland, May 23, 1877, page 4 The 1883 Medford plat shows Bear Creek running considerably east of today's course (lower left corner of image). P. W. Olwell's sons have a fish trap in Bear Creek, in Phoenix, with which they have taken a large number of fine salmon trout this spring. The fish find a ready market here and at Jacksonville. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, May 2, 1884, page 3 Medford (Or. & C.)--Bear cr. nearby. Trout and salmon; May and June best months; hotel $2 p. d. See Phoenix, Oregon. Phoenix (Or. & C.)--Bear cr. ½ m.; salmon and trout, salmon in majority; baits--salmon eggs for trout (flies not used by local anglers), and the spear for salmon; hotels charge $1.50 p. d.; guides and boats not needed. William Harris, The Angler's Guide Book and Tourists' Gazetteer of the Fishing Waters of the United States and Canada, The American Angler, 1885 Bids are wanted for the contract to build a new bridge across Bear Creek on the county road at Mr. Dunn's place south of Ashland. See notice by the County court in another column. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, August 14, 1885, page 3 Water Ditch Notice.
All
parties not having the right to use water are requested to discontinue
taking it out of Bear Creek and its streams, as the mills below need it
at present; also after night, as the above practice damages the mills
below on next day for want of its use.
Respectfully, P. W. OLWELL. Ashland Tidings, August 21, 1885, page 3 Six persons were baptized in Bear Creek at Talent by Rev. Mr. Hummer last Sunday. Wild geese and ducks in large numbers have been alighting in the fields along Bear Creek north of Ashland during the past week. They stop here for a brief rest on their long journey southward. Bear Creek has been very high during the past few days, and has been cutting its banks slightly in places. Below the Eagle Mills it has been encroaching upon the stage road to some extent, but has not yet done much damage. "Brevities," Cold Weather.
During
the past week we have experienced the coldest weather known in Southern
Oregon for a great many years. . . . Rogue River, Applegate, Butte,
Bear, Evans and other creeks have been frozen over during the week, for
the second time in the memory of "the oldest inhabitant."Excerpt, Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 20, 1888, page 3 J. B. Riddle has gathered several tons of ice from Bear Creek, which he has stored for summer use. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 27, 1888, page 3 Fish from Bear Creek find ready sale in this market. P. W. Olwell's sons find no trouble in disposing of all they bring in. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 23, 1888, page 3 The county commissioners will probably authorize the building of a bridge across Bear Creek near Medford. This structure should be built, by all means, as it is needed, especially in the winter. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 16, 1888, page 2 The bridge contractors quit work last Saturday and telegraphed to San Francisco for instructions whether or not to proceed and entail certain risks to the contractors. High water in Bear Creek interfered with properly laying the mud sills. A story is afloat, to the effect that the contractors attempted to bribe the contractor's representative, Mr. Daley, to allow them to place the superstructure on an insecure foundation. We trust that the report is not true, however, and that the bridge will progress towards early completion. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 6, 1888, page 3 The ditch leading from Bear Creek to [Medford], which will furnish our town with a fine supply of water, is nearly completed. It will prove of much benefit to our town. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 14, 1889, page 3 Medford rejoices over the flowing of water through its new irrigating canal, which taps Bear Creek about two miles above the town. The water was turned into the ditch last week for the first time. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, May 3, 1889, page 3 Low Water.
The
streams everywhere are lower than ever known in the history of this
section since first settled by white men, at this season of the year.
Rogue River itself is a mere creek compared with its usual June volume,
while Bear Creek is well-nigh dry, and the lesser tributaries are but
reminiscences of water courses.Excerpt, Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 4, 1889, page 1 A violent thunder and hail storm visited the upper portion of Bear Creek Valley Tuesday evening last, doing considerable damage in the grain fields and orchards in the vicinity of Wagner Creek. A culvert washed out in the railroad near there and delayed the southbound train for several hours yesterday morning. Bear Creek rose very rapidly for a short time, but the waters soon subsided. Hail fell to the depth of several inches in a limited area. The waterspout in the neighborhood of Wagner Creek caused Bear Creek to become a raging torrent within a few minutes, and it continued high for some hours. Such was the amount of hail that fell that slush ice was floating in Rogue River yesterday morning, having been swept by the rising waters from many miles up Bear Creek. The rise in that stream is said to have been fully ten feet. There was enough precipitation to have supplied the whole valley, had it been properly distributed. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 11, 1889, page 3 Pot-hunters along Bear Creek are causing some complaint among farmers in that vicinity. Carelessness in handling firearms frequently causes loss and injury to stock. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 21, 1889, page 3
It was just 30 years ago last Tuesday night that [N. S. Bennett] and
Mrs. Bennett arrived in Medford from their old home near Keokuk, Iowa,
with the intention of staying here a year if they liked it. They have
been here ever since. Medford was a small village then, and the site of
the Farmers & Fruitgrowers Bank was out in the suburbs, covered
with scrub oak and chaparral. There was then three inches of snow on
the ground, and then the developments of the next few days and month
the newly arrived Iowans did not fall in love with Medford.
The majority of this great depth of snow, although it thawed a little and snowed a little several times, remained on the ground about a month, and then when it did go away rather suddenly caused big flood conditions, and the Bear Creek bridge was washed away by the raging torrent. The business part of Medford was on this side of the creek, and to enable the farmers living in the territory across the stream to come across a cable was rigged up over the torrent. The farmers drove to the other side in their stick carts, consisting of rear wheels of a wagon attached to a wagon pole, and then were pulled across in a big basket attached to the cable. Due to the flood conditions in Oregon and California at that time Mr. Bennett says the train service was demoralized in both directions, and because of washouts on Cow Creek Cañon and the Sacramento Valley there was no through train service from January 26 to February 26, and no mail was received from the east and west during that time. In relating the above Mr. Bennett recalled that the previous year had been a very dry one and hence food, grain and other prices were very high, but that about that time he purchased a dressed hog for six cents a pound and wheat at about [60] cents a bushel. "Recalls Medford When Wheat Sold for 60 Cents a Bushel," Medford Mail Tribune, January 9, 1920, page 6  "Clutter
& Co., the Medford artists, prepared a series of flood photos,
showing the Bear Creek bridge when the water was at its highest and
Hammon's barn still standing on the further side, and subsequent
pictures showing the bridge in various stages of demolition after the
barn had fallen. ---Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1890.
When Ed Wilkinson
Went Down with the Bridge
Something like thirty-three or thirty-four years ago [in February 1890]
when Bear Creek was up to a height that it took some of the buildings
downstream, one barn on the east side that was filled with hay went
out, with the chickens floating downstream on bunches of hay.
The wagon bridge on Main Street, and also the footbridge, went out when Ed Wilkinson, standing on the latter, went down with the bridge into the water and lost his umbrella. This would have been a bad time for a high school on this low land. I hope it will never come again like that, but it still rains in Oregon. The stream was wide and covered some of the ground on the east side. We are sure the soil is good on that side, for it has been washed in by high waters. . . . In this flood I helped swing the box across the creek to bring the people over. The old creek has been some menace to the public most every spring. W. M. DAVIS
Medford Mail Tribune, May
14, 1925, page 6The heart of the valley has presented the appearance of a turbid sea for days. Bear Creek itself has borne off a good deal of wreckage, bridges, fences, outbuildings and even a few barns and houses, and has wrought much destruction in undermining and sluicing off the deep alluvium composing its banks. It is one of the most treacherous streams in the valley and perhaps the least capable of retaining its volume of water when bank full. Whole farms have been submerged for days. Democratic Times, February 6, 1890, quoted in Medford Mail Tribune, February 10, 1916, page 3 Then, as now, the duties of the fire department were not only to fight fire, and when the big flood of the '90s reached Medford, the firemen were the first at salvage work. It was told how one fireman, as the Main Street bridge left its moorings and swept downstream, tied a rope to it from an apple tree. When the rope tightened it snapped like a string. A barn, with haystack, chickens and all, came floating downstream, the firemen recalled. "City's First Fire Lads Swap Tales," Medford Mail Tribune, March 12, 1935, page 2 RECALLS MEDFORD WHEN WHEAT
SOLD 30 CENTS A BUSHEL It
was just 30 years ago last Tuesday night that [Mr. and Mrs. N. S.
Bennett] arrived in Medford from their old home near Keokuk, Iowa, with
the intention of staying here a year if they liked it. They have been
here ever since. Medford was a small village then, and the site of the
Farmers & Fruitgrowers Bank was out in the suburbs covered with
scrub oak and chaparral. There was then three inches of snow on the
ground, and then [with] the developments of the next few days and month
the newly arrived Iowans did not fall in love with Medford.
The following Saturday it began to snow, and before it let up there was 17¼ inches of snow on the ground. The weather was not so cold at that time as during the recent big snowfall, which amounted to a foot, and if Mr. Bennett's memory serves him right the thermometer stood about 8 degrees above zero, whereas during the recent snowfall it was about 10 degree below. The majority of this great depth of snow, although it thawed a little and snowed a little several times, remained on the ground about a month, and then when it did go away [in February 1890] rather suddenly caused big flood conditions, and the Bear Creek bridge was washed away by the raging torrent. The business part of Medford was on this side of the creek, and to enable the farmers living in the territory across the stream to come across a cable was rigged up over the torrent. The farmers drove to the other side in their stick carts, consisting of rear wheels of a wagon attached to a wagon pole, and then were pulled across in a big basket attached to the cable. Due to the flood conditions in Oregon and California at that time Mr. Bennett says the train service was demoralized in both directions, and because of washouts in the Cow Creek Canyon and the Sacramento Valley there was no through train service from January 26 to February 26, and no mail was received from the east and west during that time. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 9, 1920, page 6 "People forget things," [D. T.] Lawton said, "but I remember when the Bear Creek bridge washed out and you could swim a horse clear to the Hospital hill. I remember, too, when water would come down from Griffin Creek and Jacksonville and flood the west end of Medford. They used to have to dismiss school at the old Washington School, where the courthouse is now, because of the water." Medford News, January 5, 1934, page 1 Last Sunday the church at Central Point was crowded, and then the people did not all get in. The baptismal service in the church was an impressive one, as also that at the ford on Bear Creek, an immense crowd gathering to witness the baptizing there. Everything was quiet and orderly and 22 in all were baptized. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 30, 1891, page 3 Judge Willard Crawford is a fisherman of no mean qualities. He informs us he has hooked about twenty-five hundred of the sparkling trout from Bear Creek this season. "Local and General," Southern Oregon Mail, May 20, 1892, page 3 Fishermen have been lining the banks of Bear Creek during the past week, angling for the innocent little "trouts." "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, June 17, 1892, page 3 The city water tank is kept running day and night now by engineers E. G. Hurt and H. E. Baker. A dam has been placed in Bear Creek making a headworks to keep a good flow of water in the ditch supplying the water tank and thus insuring a fair pressure in the water works in case of a fire these dry times. Southern Oregon Mail, September 16, 1892, page 3 Medford people who reside in the vicinity of the Seventh Street Bear Creek bridge wish us to gently call the attention of the city board to the fact that the small boys are making of that particular portion of Bear Creek a swimming resort and in too close proximity to their respective places of abode--and that these swimmers are more scantily attired than is considered within the boundaries of even a slight degree of modesty. If on the opposite side of the river from the city is outside the limits a state law "made and provided for in such case" should be resorted to. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, July 28, 1893, page 3 Bear Creek has been hammering away at its banks furiously the past week, diminishing the number of acres of land in some places near Phoenix. "Phoenix Flashes," Medford Mail, December 15, 1893, page 2 The bridge over Bear Creek at Medford was broken [in the flood Saturday] and will have to be rebuilt or a new and better bridge put in its place. The large bridge at Central Point was also badly crippled up, and cannot be used. The channel of the creek was so changed that it can be forded without the bridge now. Excerpt, "The Work of the Flood," Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, January 18, 1894, page 3 Heap Plenty Rain.
The
rain storm of last Saturday and Sunday, which was general throughout
Oregon, Washington and California, was the worst one which has been
experienced for years. From Saturday morning until late Sunday night
the downpour was almost continuous--and the water came thick and fast.
During the forty-odd-hour rain ending Sunday night, the rainfall is
reported at Medford to have been 2.43 inches.
Sunday forenoon the many spectators who stood watching the muddy waters of Bear Creek go rushing through our city were not watchers long ere 'twas noticed that one bent near the east end of the bridge was sinking slowly from a line of level. This kept sinking until Monday morning, when it had gone down five or six feet and very near to the water's edge, in which position it still remains. This sinking was caused by the water cutting into the east bank and taking away and loosening a couple of tiers of piling. Aside from this, which can easily be repaired, the bridge is in as good shape as ever. At the Central Point Bear Creek bridge one of the approaches was taken away and the current so changed as to form a good-sized creek between the mainland and the bridge. Up at and about Ashland, it is reported that Emigrant Creek took away the Dead Indian bridge and carried it some distance below. Ashland creek was higher than it has been for many years and damage was apprehended, but little, however, was done The Medford-Jacksonville train has been running since Sunday in a catch-as-catch-can way--sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. Griffin Creek was so rampant Sunday night that Mr. Barnum hardly deemed it safe to cross over with his train, but instead carried the mail and express from that point to Medford on his back. The east approach to the bridge was washed [away] considerably and the track settled, but by filling in with rock it was made passable. Tuesday morning it began sinking again and additional repairs were required. Monday morning he ventured across with his engine and flatcar. Trains, however, are now running on schedule time. Sunday afternoon the water ditch south of the city overflowed, and nearly the whole country between the Earhart ranch and the city was one solid sheet of water. On South C Street there was a perfect current of water which went tumbling down across resident lots and into Bear Creek. Bear Creek, as we have before stated, is a wicked little stream when she gets to feeling that way, and she was in that notion Saturday and Sunday very hard. Many acres of good land has undoubtedly been washed away, and consequently a great amount of damage has been done. The creek is said to have been higher Sunday afternoon than it has been before for many years. Excerpted, "Heap Plenty Rain," Medford Mail, January 19, 1894, page 3 The Central Point bridge was partially carried away by the flood, thus making it impossible for people from this side to reach the Point. Roadmaster W. F. Moore, however, quickly came to the rescue and made a little footbridge that enabled anyone who wished to cross over safely. "Big Sticky Items," Medford Mail, February 2, 1894, page 4 The county court, at their last session, decided that if the city of Medford would repair the Bear Creek bridge temporarily, they would make permanent improvements to both bridge and channel as soon as the water gets low enough to perform effective work. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, February 16, 1894, page 3 Enos Carver came near getting swamped in Bear Creek while attempting to cross. He got below the regular ford, and his horse went in all over. Enos cut the traces and the horse went out on one side and Enos on the other, the buggy remaining in the quicksand. As the horse refused to come over to Enos, Enos had to wade over to the horse, and as it was after dark and extremely cold, it was anything but a pleasant experience. Prof. Newbury, the tall sycamore of Phoenix, got ducked while trying to cross Bear Creek. The horse he was riding became unmanageable and went in where it was so deep that the water struck the professor under the chin; that's pretty deep, you know, when it does that, of course the horse was out of sight, but there happened to be a tall cottonwood tree standing out in the water and the professor made a grab and caught one of the topmost branches and pulled himself up high and dry, as good luck would have it, but held on. I was going to explain how he got out to dry land, but if anyone wants to know, let them ask the professor and he will no doubt explain. While we think about it we will say right here that Mr. Newbury is making arrangements to build a nice new house in Phoenix in a short time, and will become a permanent resident. "Phoenix Items," Medford Mail, March 2, 1894, page 4 Our mail, carried by Ike Williams between Eagle Point and Central Point, met with a severe loss on last Saturday. Ike attempted to cross Bear Creek with his team, but the water was too deep and his buggy was turned over, breaking all the top off; the mail bags were lost and one horse drowned. The mail carrier and one passenger were washed downstream a couple of hundred yards before they got out. The team and buggy washed downstream about 300 yards and were lodged on a sandbar. The horse that survived was badly bruised. Both the letter and paper mail was lost, as was also that of W. R. Norcross which was being delivered by the driver. "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, March 23, 1894, page 2 The city council met Tuesday of this week to consider the proposals for building a dam across Bear Creek at the head of the Medford water ditch. Bids received were D. Cofer and S. S. Wilson, $234.75; Frank Wait, $345; F. A. Bliss and W. K. Davis, $138. Cofer and Wilson being the lowest bidders, the contract was awarded to them. "News of the City," Medford Mail, March 23, 1894, page 3 The city council last week awarded the contract for the construction of a dam across Bear Creek, at the head of the Medford ditch, to D. Cofer and S. S. Wilson for $234.75. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 26, 1894, page 2 Quicksand Is a Treacherous Article. Ted Howard, while riding across Bear Creek at the McAndrews ford Tuesday, came near be out just the value of a good horse. His horse encountered a bed of quicksand from which it was unable to extricate itself. A team of horses was procured, a rope fastened around the almost entirely submerged animal and it was pulled out, and found uninjured. The horse was in the water and sand about four hours. "News of the City," Medford Mail, April 6, 1894, page 3 A little precaution sometimes, in fact ofttimes, prevents a considerable amount of unnecessary inconvenience and perturbance. In this line of thought we want to suggest to the people of this city that it would, right at the present time, be a very sane idea not to use the water from the city water works for laundry use or any other domestic purposes so long as there remains a case of diphtheria at Phoenix. The water used by the city is taken from Bear Creek and flows through the above place, and it is possible that germs diphtheric may be contained therein. As a precaution don't let's use it, for a few weeks at least. "News of the City," Medford Mail, March 8, 1895, page 5 Walter Anderson has devised means whereby he is enabled to water his garden that--while not especially novel or unique--at least shows enterprise. He has placed a water wheel in Bear Creek, below the Seventh Street bridge. The wheel is so arranged that by means of a rope belt, to which are attached tin buckets, water is elevated to an altitude greater than his garden spot. A trough is made fast to the top of the wheel frame and from that point it extends to his garden, a couple of hundred feet away, where the water is discharged and the same used for irrigating purposes. It is not unreasonable to suppose that this method of irrigating the land in close proximity to the creek may become general should Mr. Anderson's experiment prove entirely successful--and there's no good reason why it should not. "News of the City," Medford Mail, July 3, 1896, page 7 George and Walter Anderson are this week constructing a large pile driver and next Monday will commence the work of driving timbers along the bank of Bear Creek to protect the land. The creek has already did a great amount of damage to the land along the banks, which is repeated almost every winter, and the owners have found it necessary to begin preparations to protect themselves at once. They will commence work at Thos. McAndrew's place and work toward the bridge as long as the weather will permit and next spring as soon as the rains are over they will commence at Central Point, where they have already secured several contracts. There is no gainsaying that this laudable enterprise will be productive of much good--and the boys will no doubt be well recompensed for their work. "News of the City," Medford Mail, December 4, 1896, page 7 The work of fortifying the land along the banks of Bear Creek from high water, which has been playing havoc for some years past, is progressing to quite a noticeable extent. A. L. Rose and Gus Newbury, of Phoenix, have had a large pile driver built for them at the Ashland Iron Works, with which they will drive timbers along the banks of this troublesome stream. This makes two pile drivers now being used for that purpose--Anderson Brothers, of this city, being the first to commence the work. "News of the City," Medford Mail, December 18, 1896, page 7 Anderson Brothers have been doing good work with their pile-driving machine along the banks of Bear Creek. They have driven piles on both sides of the creek from about two hundred yards above the bridge to an equal distance below, which will greatly lessen the damage usually caused. "News of the City," Medford Mail, January 22, 1897, page 7 At the meeting of the city council last week a right of way for a sewer was purchased through the land of W. T. Nelson, for $250. The route of the sewer will be from the school house down 7th Street to the alley back of Hotel Nash, thence to A Street and down that street to the Nelson place, where the dumping grounds will be made. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 20, 1899, page 3 Our town will have a sewer in the near future; in fact, arrangements have already been made for its construction. It will dump on land along Bear Creek, purchased of W. T. Nelson. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 23, 1899, page 3 Mr. Shearer, the drayman, lost a team of fine, large horses Thursday afternoon while attempting to cross Bear Creek near the bridge. Although the stream was not deep, the current was quite strong and quicksand unusually abundant. In trying to get out the horses broke the tongue of the wagon and got themselves tangled in the harness. Mr. Shearer had a narrow escape from drowning, saving himself by catching some willows. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, March 6, 1899, page 3 A Smart Dog.
J.
D. Heard of Medford, Or., an enthusiastic sportsman, relates an
interesting story showing the sagacity and intelligence displayed by an
English setter dog called Puppy, owned by G. E. Neuber, one of
Jacksonville's leading sportsmen. Heard, Neuber, J. A. Whitman and
Chas. Prim were quail shooting one day last fall, along the banks of
Bear Creek, one of the tributaries of Rogue River, and a superb hunting
country, by the way. A bevy of at least fifty birds were suddenly
flushed and took flight across the creek, about 150 feet wide there,
seeking cover in the willows fringing the opposite side of the stream.
Heard called to his dog Rex, a son of Puppy out of Neuber's bitch Snow,
and ordered him across the water, intending to send him around behind
the quails so that they would be driven back to the shooter's side. Rex
took to the water at his master's behest and bravely swam the rapid
current, quartering down the stream. In doing so he got into a strong
eddy caused by a large brush heap, and the best he could do was to
"swing around the circle." Efforts to recall him were of no avail.
Suddenly Puppy, who had been an interested observer of events, seemed
to discern the predicament of the other dog, and springing into the
water was quickly in the miniature maelstrom, and without more ado took
a firm grip on Rex's ear with his teeth, turning shoreward, and soon
had the almost exhausted Rex in safety. After a short rest Puppy and
Rex, with Whitman's Gordon setter, crossed the stream further down and
were directed up to and behind where the quails were still in refuge.
They flushed them, the birds flying back to the side where the shooters
were, and a number were bagged in good style.--[S.F. Breeder and Sportsman.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 5, 1900, page 3 Bulkheads Save the P.&E.
Site
The old channel of Bear Creek runs under a house just west of Corey's
Grocery.
. . . This old channel can easily be seen from the rear of the lot. In 1900 a flood began to cut through the old channel. Two different times in the early history of Medford they took up subscriptions to build bulkheads to keep the water from following its old channel. (It did break through near Cottage Street, and, no doubt, such men as H. T. Nicholson, Charles Strang, Hubbard brothers, the Lawtons, Dr. Pickel, Ed Wilkinson and Jackson County Bank will remember contributing to this fund.) T.
E. POTTENGER
The steady downpour of rain Tuesday and Wednesday transformed the usually placid flow of the water in Bear Creek into a roaring, turbulent river. Sidewalks in some portions of the city were completely submerged. "Additional Local," Medford Mail, February 22, 1901, page 6 For the seven days ending Monday morning 5.54 inches of rain fell, according to the record kept at the Southern Pacific depot. This is the heaviest rainfall of the season or even for several seasons past. Medford was practically under water Saturday afternoon; all the drains were filled to overflowing and water backed up in every low place in the city. Bear Creek rose three feet in less than 12 hours and at one time was raising at the rate of five inches per hour. For the 24 hours ending Saturday morning the precipitation was 1.30 inches. Bear Creek always has had a fashion of laying out new channels for itself during high water, and this season has not forgotten its old tricks. A. H. Walker is grieving over the fact that his summer bathing place has been spoiled. Just behind his place of residence was a thick line of willows, with a bank on the other side, the creek running between. In the summer evenings, thus safely screened from observation, Mr. Walker was wont to take a cooling bath after the labors of the day. Now, he says, that is all past. When the high water went down the willows were on the other side of the creek. At the Phipps place the creek has changed its channel, cutting across one corner of the place. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 30, 1903 In the matter of ballast [for the Medford & Crater Lake railroad], it has been the intention to run a spur track into the head of Bear Creek above the bridge and take gravel from there, deepening and straightening the channel at that point, while securing the necessary ballast for the road. It is not deemed politic to do this now, as Bear Creek has a habit of getting on a rampage occasionally and might cause a loss of the spur track, and the latter being above the bridge would endanger that structure if washed out. "Operations Suspended," Medford Mail, December 8, 1905, page 1 The Fish Lake Ditch Co. is now on this side of Bear Creek with its extension of the ditch to the Hopkins orchard, and Supt. McCray informed The Mail Wednesday that he would have the extension completed by July 1st. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, June 29, 1906, page 5
The location [at Maple and Bartlett] is about an acre
of ground on which Dr. Adkins made very favorable rates and is a pretty
situation for the school and in about the right place. It is the
intention to run a sewer to the creek from the site.
Thursday the city council purchased from I. D. Phipps a tract of land on the west side of Bear Creek, 40x80 feet, for $500 and other considerations. This tract is near the present discharge of the sewers and will be the site of the septic tank, which will be built at once. A special meeting of the city council was held Monday evening to take action on the matter of installing a septic tank for the impounding of sewage. The committee on sewers was instructed to proceed with the matter of installing such tank. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 17, 1906, page 5 An Explanation.
The Tribune stated
in a late issue that the council of this city had paid Mr. I. J. Phipps
$500 for a worthless tract of ground on the creek for the location of a
septic tank, which is a long ways from being strictly true. The city
had no rights on Mr. Phipps' premises. It was discharging its sewer
matter into a cesspool hole in the creek with no water to carry it off.
The consequence was that the conditions became unbearable to Mr.
Phipps, whose residence was about one hundred yards away. The town was
threatened with a damage suit and an injunction suit, with good ground
for complaint. A deal was made with Mr. Phipps whereby the town was to
be immune from the threatened suits and a tract of land for a septic
tank and the right of way of the sewer to the creek was obtained, for
all of which the city is to pay Mr. Phipps $500. The concessions and
immunity obtained from Mr. Phipps will be much more valuable to the
city than the small tract of land for the septic tank. That is all
there is to it.
Very respectfully, J. S. HOWARD, Mayor of Medford. Excerpt, Medford Mail, August 24, 1906, page 4 SURVEYING FOR A DAM
John
D. Olwell and others, who are promoting the enterprise of which mention
was made some time ago, that promises to be of infinite value to the
farming territory for a large area north and west of Ashland, have
succeeded, it is now reported, in interesting a wealthy New York
syndicate in the scheme to construct a fine cement dam across Bear
Creek, at a point about 1½ miles north of Ashland, where the
banks stand about 20 or 30 feet above the water. The location is an
ideal spot for the construction of a dam, says the Tidings.
This syndicate, through their representative, Mr. Olwell, has already been granted an option to buy a large tract of land in the vicinity of the proposed dam, and has a Portland company making the necessary surveys preparatory to beginning work on the dam. Central Point Herald, October 11, 1906, page 4 Dr. Reddy was mayor [1907-1908] in the days when we drank Bear Creek "liquid." It was generally liquid. Minnie (Mrs. Harry C.) Stoddard, "Medford's Hall of Fame," Medford Mail Tribune, December 18, 1912, page 4 BEAR CREEK ON RAMPAGE
The continued rainstorm which
began at midnight Saturday and lasted without interruption until Monday
morning resulted in the highest water that has been experienced in this
valley for several years. Bear Creek reached the highest stage Monday
morning that had been reached for several years and considerable damage
was caused by the flood cutting its banks and encroaching on adjacent
farms. The bridge just east of town also suffered to a considerable
extent, one of the steel caissons which supports the steel span of the
structure being undermined until it settled almost two feet.Some damage was also reported from different parts of the valley in the way of the washing away of fences, culverts, etc., but aside from the damage occasioned by Bear Creek the loss will be nominal. Excerpt,Central Point Herald, March 21, 1907, page 1  Looking west down Main Street, summer 1906.
Water Supply in Rogue River Valley.
The
upper end of the valley is drained by Bear Creek and its tributaries.
This stream is subject to heavy winter floods, but becomes almost dry
in summer, and the low-water flow has been practically all
appropriated. Any scheme to increase the acreage under irrigation must
therefore involve the construction of storage works or long, highline
ditches from the streams of the lower part of the valley, where there
is a great summer flow.
Excerpt from U.S. Geological Survey bulletin, Central Point Herald, September 5, 1907, page 3 OUR CITY WATER
Was there any water ever
made dirtier than now being pumped through the city water works?Is it possible for water to contain any more solid matter and still remain liquid? Is it any wonder that meters don't work, that water pipes fill up and that people drink booze and go unwashed? Bear Creek in all its mud-carrying career never was muddier than now, and this solution of mother earth is retailed, without an effort at settling or filtering, to consumers. If Medford cannot afford a good supply of pure mountain water, and people must continue to use the liquid soil of Bear Creek, and filtration is too costly, a large settling basin or series of settling basins should be built, so that the silt in the water may have a chance to be deposited somewhere besides in the family wash basins and bathtubs. It is a serious question whether to sell such stuff as water is not a violation of the pure food law, as well as obtaining money under false pretenses. Medford Daily Tribune, December 27, 1907, page 2 Controlling Bear Creek.
A
few small pieces of work done along Bear Creek last fall to try and
turn the channel shows what might be done to save much valuable land
lying along that stream, if the work was done on a more extensive
scale. E. Gibbs built a dam or breakwater--this was built of brush and
boulders placed slightly across the current--thus shielding the bank
and turning the current, that has stood the high water so far. The
secret of success seems to be that the water flowing over the
obstruction must fall upon brush, or something that will not allow the
washing away of the gravel below the dam thus built and the clearing of
drifts and all obstructions in the way of a straight channel.
Subscriber.
Medford Mail, January 31, 1908, page 4A Serious Accident.
(From Thursday's Daily.) A
serious accident occurred yesterday afternoon near the bridge on
Seventh Street, and as a result Mrs. H. W. Winterhalter of the Little
Antelope district was severely injured. She is not in a dangerous
condition at all, but will have to remain in Medford for a few days
with friends before leaving for her home.
FISHWAY ON BEAR CREEKMr. and Mrs. Winterhalter had driven in from their ranch, which is about 15 miles from Medford, and had brought in a large amount of produce and was leading behind the buckboard they were riding in a steer. When the river was reached Mrs. Winterhalter drove down and through the creek in order to water the horse, while Mr. Winterhalter led the steer across the bridge. After the horse had finished drinking, Mrs. Winterhalter started to drive out on the city side of the creek when the horse became frightened and started to back. One of the lines parted, giving Mrs. Winterhalter no control over the animal. She started to climb out in order to catch the horse by the head when the buckboard upset and caught her under it. The horse backed and stepped upon the back of her head, severely cutting it. Her teeth were all loosened and she was severely injured in the back. Bystanders rushed to her aid and carried her into the nearby laundry, where she received medical attention at the hands of Dr. H. E. Morrison. Mr. Winterhalter had the buckboard repaired and left for his home. Mrs. Winterhalter will follow in a few days. Medford Mail, June 19, 1908, page 1 It
is doubtful if anyone ever thought a fishway would be necessary in Bear
Creek. As a matter of fact, it is not to be presumed that anyone ever
thought much about it. However, the dam which the city of Medford
placed across the creek has made the fishway necessary, and one is
being put in. The necessity for this fishway has proven the fact that
there are a number of fish in this creek, a fact which did not
heretofore exist, and it is said there are a great number of fish now
to be seen near the dam and fishway.
Deputy Fish Warden Messler is calling attention to the state fish law as applies to dams and fishways, which is that the taking of fish within 600 feet of any dam or fishway is an offense, punishable by a heavy fine. The fish, to be sure, are not as large in Bear Creek as they are in Rogue River, but the same law is applicable in all cases, and the size of the fish is not a material factor. The fish in Bear Creek are hardly sizable for men, but the boys are said to be catching them at the dam, and Mrs. Messler will call parents' attention to the fact that their boys are offenders against the laws of the state and will be punished unless they desist. Medford Mail, July 24, 1908, page 1 DIGGING A TRENCH IN BEAR CREEK Active
work was commenced this morning on a trench which is to be dug across
Bear Creek near the city's pumping plant in order to catch the low
water in the creek in order to supplement the present water supply.
There is considerable seepage in the creek, and it is claimed that much
water can be obtained across the bed of the creek and turning this
under flow into the well.
Yesterday in many sections of the city--in nearly all sections--there was no water in the city mains. The cloudy weather, however, has caused a slight increase in the amount of water in Bear Creek, and should the rain, which seems promised at this time, materialize the situation will be much improved temporarily. A four-inch main is being laid north from the distributing main on A Street to connect with the Fish Lake Ditch 4000 feet distant. A pump is being installed, and this will also furnish a certain amount of water. The well on the station and the tank is to be kept full if possible so that a splurge of some kind can be made in case fire should break out. Yesterday the box factory of the Crater Lake Lumber Company was forced to shut down, as no water could be obtained to feed the boilers. The water committee notified the Southern Pacific company that their supply may be shut off at any moment, and it is likely that this notification will soon be followed by action to that effect. The situation is fast becoming desperate, and despite the fact that these steps are being taken by the water committee, Medford seems face to face with a water famine. Southern Oregonian, August 15, 1908, page 1 People living near Bear Creek, in southwest Medford, are complaining because of the fact that persons living in the city seem insistent upon depositing the dead carcasses of dogs on the gravel banks of the creek. Unless it is stopped the residents nearby will enter a complaint, and arrests will follow. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail, December 4, 1908, page 5 BEAR CREEK IS ON RAMPAGE
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LOST TO EAST SIDE PROPERTY OWNERS ONE BARN MOVED; WILL MOVE HOUSES IF FLOOD KEEPS UP Property Values Will Suffer Heavily--Three Acres Swept Away-- Kahler Is Heaviest Loser--City Takes Steps for Relief and Protection Thousands
of dollars loss has been entailed by the property owners on the east
side, due to the present high water in Bear Creek.
One barn had to be moved in order to save it, and if the flood does not abate or the efforts of the men fighting the stream prove [un]successful at least three and possibly more houses will have to be moved. Over three acres of land worth at least $1000 an acre have been swept away. The greatest damage is the effect that the flood and attending danger will have on property values in the bottom land on the east side of the creek. The city authorities have taken the matter in hand and are doing what they can to build a short levee to turn the current. Thomas Kahler and Thomas Collins are the heaviest losers. Kahler's property [at 23 Almond Street] has been cut in two by the waters, over half of it going downstream. He was forced to move his barn, the water wearing the land away so that the spot where it once stood is no more. A corner of Mr. Collins' place [at 110 Almond Street] is gone, and his house is within 100 feet of the edge of the bank, which is constantly caving in and being washed away. Angus McDonald [at 122 Cottage Street] is also a sufferer, a large portion of his property washing away. His barn may have to be moved. Joe Caskey occupies the house. A large force of men is at work filling sacks with soil and dumping them into the creek in an endeavor to turn the current back to the old channel. Bear Creek continues to rise, due to the heavy rainfall in the mountains surrounding Ashland. The weather man says that there is as yet no abatement of the storm in sight. Heavy rains are predicted for tonight and tomorrow. Started on Sunday.
The
stream showed tendencies of leaving [the] channel, which at this place
is very narrow, on last Sunday, but it was thought at that time that
the water would not rise high enough to work any damage to the property
other than carrying away a few feet of the bank. As day after day
brought no abatement of the high water it was seen that something would
have to be done, but the flood had started on its course of destruction
and could not easily be checked. Each property owner waited for the
other to act, no preconcerted attack being made upon the waters of the
creek, and what would have been easily averted in the early stages of
the flood has become a formidable task.
Barn Is Moved.
Excerpt, Medford Daily Tribune, January 21, 1909, page 1 The
water finally started cutting into the bank at a rapid rate, and Mr.
Kahler saw that unless his barn was moved it would be swept away. He
took steps to move it, and where it once stood is now the main channel
of the creek. Although it was moved some 250 feet, it is now only some
75 feet from the edge of the bank.
The water is cutting into the land in the form of a great semicircle. The current gains its greatest swiftness nearest the bank, which accounts for the rapidity with which the bank is caving away. The bank stands up some 12 feet from the water, and as it is all deposited soil, thrown up by the very force that is now carrying it away, it is going rapidly. The creek that gave it is again claiming its own.  From a 1909 Medford booster booklet. RAISING FUNDS TO CHECK BEAR CREEK
STREAM CONTINUES ON ITS COURSE OF DESTRUCTION EVER WEARING AWAY BANK TOWARDS TOM COLLINS' RESIDENCE Creek Fell Over Three Feet Last Evening--Heavy Snowfall in Mountains Will Bring it up Again-- Efforts of Workers Prove of Little Avail. In
order to obtain the necessary funds with which to check the ravages of
Bear Creek, a subscription list was started in the city Friday morning
and met with hearty response on the part of Medford citizens. The money
will be employed in building a substantial levee which will keep the
water hereafter in the old channel of the creek. Those who headed the
list are: L. G. Porter, $50; Tom Collins, $50; Angus McDonald, $50; Tom
Kahler, $50; Dr. C. R. Ray, $20.
Although the water in Bear Creek is some three feet lower than it was at this time yesterday, the stream is continuing on its course of destruction, the edge of the bank now being some 50 feet closer to the residence of Tom Collins. By this time tomorrow, if no change comes, his barn and dwelling will have to be moved. Trying To Check It.
There have been some 30 men at
work at the cut, endeavoring to check the current of the stream from
cutting into the bank, but so far they have been able to accomplish but
little. Street Commissioner Orr has a crew of men in the bed of the
stream with a team and plow, and it may be that they will be able to
turn the current, which now hugs the bank and cuts it away rapidly. The
building of levees with sacks filled with mud has done some good, but
the work is necessarily slow, and in the meantime the creek continues
to cut away the bank.Dynamite Is Tried.
It was thought on Thursday evening
that should a certain point of the bank be blown away with dynamite
that the cutting into the bank on the part of the water would cease.
The experiment was tried, and while the point was gotten rid of to a
great extent, the current did not halt on its course of destruction.The barn of Mr. Kahler, which was moved to avoid being washed away, is again within 50 feet of the bank, and it may be that it will again have to be moved. However, as it is still upon rollers, this will be a comparatively easy task. There is not a great deal of land left which was owned by Mr. Kahler upon which to move the barn, however. Excerpt, Medford Daily Tribune, January 22, 1909, page 1 The recent high water in Bear Creek has done considerable damage to the adjacent lands. Among other places where ground is being washed away is near the south end of Almond Street, in East Medford. A. McDonald and Thomas Kahler have each met with a considerable loss in this way. The waters were approaching rather closely to the barn of Mr. Kahler, which stood upon the bank, and he was yesterday moving it to a safer location. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail, January 22, 1909, page 5 All of the farmers of North Phoenix have been compelled to go to Talent bridge in order to get across Bear Creek the last few days. Word was received by your correspondent Saturday that two of the costly cribs built by the county on the county farm, in Bear Creek, were wrecked by high water Friday night. "Eden Precinct," Medford Mail, January 22, 1909, page 8 SITUATION ON BEAR CREEK IMPROVES
Waters Fall in Stream, Wearing Away of Bank Ceases--No Further Damage Is Expected The
situation on Bear Creek has materially improved during the past 24
hours, and no further damage is expected, unless something unforeseen
in the matter of high water ensues. The wearing away of the bank by the
high waters has practically ceased, and the work of the men who are
endeavoring to change the current of the stream is having its effect.
They are making a cut which will turn the water to a great extent away from the bank on the lower
side, and it is expected that before the water raises again they will
have accomplished their work of turning the water.
As to the Loss.
There is a diversity of opinion
concerning the amount of land that has been taken away by the high
water. Mr. Collins on Saturday morning stated that the land ran farther
out than it really did, and that but little over an acre had gone
downstream. He is thoroughly conversant with the lay of the land before
the flood and says that the soil did not extend to the bushes which are
now standing in the stream and which were pointed out as the edge of
the old channel, but that it was back a considerable distance.As soon as it is possible there will be a dike constructed in the stream, which will in the future keep the water within bounds, so that there is no reason to anticipate trouble from floods. This will make the property on the east side side safe, and property values should keep up their original figures. Excerpt, Medford Daily Tribune, January 23, 1909, page 1 TEAM HAS CLOSE CALL.
Carried Downstream While Working in Bear Creek. What
came near being a serious accident occurred yesterday on Bear Creek,
where the work of putting in the cribs to turn the water is in
progress. F. A. Piel was hauling sacks of gravel to dump into the cribs
and, in attempting to cross near where the temporary work was put in,
his horses got into the rapidly flowing stream between the ends of the
dam and were swept off their feet and down the stream until the wagon
struck some falsework and careened almost on its side, one horse at the
time being up to its withers in the water.
CHECKING BEAR CREEK.Mr. Piel got off the edge of the wagon box that was out of the water and steadied himself by a wire that was stretched across and under which the team had passed. After Piel the movements of the team and [omission] after several anxious moments for the strong current caused the falseworks to give way when the team got a good footing and was able to draw the wagon to dry land. The water in the channel at this point was about five feet in depth, and only the giving way of the timbers prevented a horse, and perhaps its driver, from being drowned. Medford Mail, January 29, 1909, page 1 Wing Dams Being Placed To Prevent Bank Cutting. W.
H. Liptrap has been engaged to superintend the putting in of a series
of wing dams on Bear Creek so as to prevent future high waters from
striking the banks where the recent washout near the city occurred.
This is to be a permanent work, and in connection with what is being
done by the city engineer's force, no fears of further damage at that
point need be feared. Mr. Liptrap commenced work yesterday afternoon
with a small force. More men will be put on and the work pushed before
there is another raise of the water.
Medford Mail, January 29, 1909, page 2 Correction.
To Medford Morning Mail:
A statement was recently published in your paper from your Phoenix
correspondent to the effect that two of the costly cribs put in by the
county in Bear Creek, on the county farm, were badly wrecked. We feel
it is our duty to make a correct statement in this matter, and will do
so.
MYSTERY SOLVED.At the time the county bought the poor farm the property owners living below the farm along Bear Creek made a proposition to the county to the effect that they would stand their proportion of the cost of building a permanent water break, or as near permanent as could be constructed with a limited amount of money, and the county to have charge of the work. This proposition was accepted by the county, and the work was done and has stood for two years, with the exception that this last high water caused three of the cribs to tilt somewhat on account of water washing the gravel from underneath on one side, but they are all intact and are doing all the work for which intended, and had it not been for this or some other substantial structure the land along Bear Creek, on the west side, from and including the poor farm and what is known as "Stringtown," would have been overflowed with water. As it is, no damage has been done, and there has been high water. (Signed.) JOSHUA PATTERSON, S. S. STEVENS, J. A. COPELAND, Supt. Poor Farm, ROBERTS & SON. Medford Mail, February 5, 1909, page 7 Considerable
anxiety was caused the police of Medford yesterday when Night Officer
Brophy, late in the morning, found a horse and buggy wandering about
the north end of town without a driver. There was nothing to indicate
whether the owner had met with foul play or accident. The horse was
taken to a livery barn by the police, and yesterday evening Charles
Terrill came to town and claimed the rig.
BEAR CREEK TAKES OUT DAM NEAR PHOENIXIt seems that Terrill had been dumped out of the rig while crossing McAndrews' ford, the approach to which is very steep, and that after his fall the horse had gotten away, while he went to a nearby house to spend the night and get dried out. Medford Mail, March 12, 1909, page 8 SEPTIC TANK MUST BE MADE OVER FOR USE
Bottom Must Be Raised Two Feet before it Can Be Drained, Owing to Level of Creek. CLAIMED THAT CREEK HAS FILLED UP DURING WINTER Steps Will Be Taken by City Engineer to Rectify the Matter So That it Can Be Used. The
new septic tank which was recently constructed at the end of the new
lateral trunk sewer on Riverside Avenue is out of commission for the
time being, owing to the fact that it can be drained only down to a
two-foot level. The bottom of the tank will have to be raised that much
before the tank can be successfully used.
The fault is said to lie with Bear Creek. It is claimed that when the tank was put in that the bottom of the creek was two feet lower than it is at the present time and that at that time the tank could be successfully drained. During the winter the bottom of the creek filled up, and now the tank will remain useless until it is fixed by having the bottom raised. City Engineer Foster is at present looking into the matter and will take immediate steps to remedy it. Medford Daily Tribune, April 13, 1909, page 1 The
present high water in Bear Creek has carried out the dam which diverts
water for the millrace in Phoenix. During the past few days strenuous
efforts have been made to repair the damage. It will in all probability
be imperative that a cement dam be installed.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 7, 1909, page 2 After Thursday morning the people of Medford will no longer be compelled to depend upon the water (?) of Bear Creek, as the Fish Lake Company is now prepared to turn the water in at the Bradshaw drop and give the people of Medford pure mountain water. For the past two months the successors to the Fish Lake Ditch Company have been at work cleaning the canal, and the city has in consequence been forced to fall back upon Bear Creek water, which was fit for irrigation purposes only. Excerpt, "No More Bear Creek Water Need Be Used," Medford Mail Tribune (weekly edition), March 24, 1910, page 1 A rock screen is in operation [for the company paving Medford streets] which loads 400 wagons daily, scooping the material from the creek bed. "Handling a Million-Dollar Job," Medford Mail Tribune, July 24, 1910, page B1 City Attorney Neff filed answer to the amended complaint of I. J. Phipps against the city of Medford in the sewer case yesterday. The city, as defendant, maintains that after a permit had been given by I. J. Phipps to construct a sewer through his property across Bear Creek, the complainant sold a large quantity of gravel and sand from the bed of the stream, making it necessary to build trestlework across the stream rather than lay the pipe on the bottom of the stream, as originally planned. This, it is claimed, cost the city $800 and made danger of the sewer proving an impediment to the winter floods possible, as, if the pipe had been laid on the bottom of the creek, as originally planned, the floods would have flowed over it. The city admits the agreement to build a $2,500 bridge, but maintains that investigation proved that a bridge could not be built for that sum and that the city did not have the additional funds necessary to complete a bridge. However, the answer explains that the city intends to levy taxes in December that will include the amount necessary for the construction of a wagon bridge at this point and that a permanent structure will be built during the coming spring. City Attorney Neff further argues that the sewer across Bear Creek is high enough to allow all but an unusual high water to pass underneath, and maintains that the sewer is being constructed so that the trestlework can, in case of emergency, be drawn from under the sewer and the pipe and contents be precipitated into the stream, thus protecting property owners on each side of the stream from danger of damage. The sewer is only a temporary structure, the answer reads, and will serve during the coming fall and winter not over 50 homes. During flood time this amount of sewage will be carried away by Bear Creek without difficulty. Medford Mail Tribune, September 13, 1910, quoted in the September 13, 2010 edition, page 2 ASK PHIPPS TO PAY EIGHT HUNDRED FOR HOLDUP
State
Senator-elect H. von der Hellen, who was here during the week, has a
plan for protecting land from damage by freshets where the same is
traversed by streams. The banks wash away and the courses change
frequently. The adjacent land is generally fertile and often
expensively improved. City
Attorney Neff filed answer to the amended complaint of I. J. Phipps
against the city of Medford in the sewer case Monday afternoon. The
city, as defendant, maintains that after a permit had been given by I.
J. Phipps to construct a sewer through his property across Bear Creek,
the complainant sold a large quantity of gravel and sand from the bed
of the stream, making it necessary for the city to build trestlework
across the stream rather than lay the pipe on the bottom of the stream,
as originally planned. This, it is claimed, cost the city $800 and made
danger of the sewer proving an impediment to the winter floods
possible, as, if the pipe had been laid on the bottom of the creek, as
originally planned, the floods would have flowed over it. The city
demands that Phipps reimburse the city $800 to cover the loss
occasioned by his action.
Medford Mail Tribune weekly, September 15, 1910, page 8 STORM SEWERS NEEDED.
The
present unusual heavy rainfall following a deep snowfall is producing
flood and high water throughout this section. Much inconvenience, but
little real damage, is likely to follow.
The storm calls attention to the need of a storm sewer system in Medford to carry off the surplus water. Medford is built upon a flat. In pioneer days, before Bear Creek cut a deep channel through the valley, at times the entire townsite stood under water. It is impossible to give the streets grade enough to drain the flood waters. They will answer for the ordinary rain, but not for floods. The townsite is too level. The sewer system already constructed was not intended for storm water. The first storm sewer was constructed this fall and is not yet completed. It relieves the territory it drains, but only emphasizes the need of more such sewers. Until it was built it was impossible to drain a basement in the city. The most difficult of the many problems the city administration has been compelled to solve has been the extension of public improvements without municipal funds. Mayor Canon devised a way whereby the water mains were extended and has made a good start on a storm sewer system. A city cannot be built in a day, and Medford has been crowding into two years the improvements that most cities take years to make. Medford Mail Tribune, November 28, 1910, page 4 TO BULKHEAD BANKS OF STREAMS Von der Hellen Has Plan to Offer to State Engineer-- Wishes to Save Heavy Loss to Land Owners Mr. von der Hellen proposes to take up the subject with the state engineer and evolve a plan for bulkheading and declaring reclamation districts on petition of property owners. Bear Creek and the Applegate are examples of the great harm always possible with spring freshets. Often great quantities of rich soil are carried away, alfalfa fields and gardens ruined and general harm done. Hydraulic mining has raised the beds of the streams until they overflow more than they did in the old days, Bear Creek at the Main Street crossing being many feet higher than originally when the freshet of 1862 changed the course of the stream from what is now the western base of Siskiyou Heights to its present course. Medford Sun, December 18, 1910, page 1 BIG MOTOR AND HOIST FOR FACTORY
Concrete Construction Company to Use Them for Hoisting Sand and Gravel--Pipe on Display A
seventy-five-horsepower motor and friction hoist for the Concrete
Construction Company, owner of the concrete sewer pipe factory of
Medford, arrived and were unloaded from the cars yesterday. The outfit
will be used to hoist sand and gravel from the bed of Bear Creek to the
bunkers for use in the factory.
Manager C. J. Semon has placed a fine specimen of eight-inch sewer pipe on display in Olwell's exhibit building. It is one of the strongest and best pieces of pipe ever seen in Medford or any city. Its being the product of a local factory makes its appearance notable and worth seeing. Medford Sun, March 11, 1911, page 5 POLICE RAID HOBOES' CAMP
Evidence Found Showing Where Medford Chickens Have Been Going-- Camp Broken Up and Men Told To Hit the Ties. The
local police force Saturday raided the hoboes' camp on Bear Creek, and
after destroying the rough domiciles of the weary Willies ran the men
out of town. No less than a dozen knights of the road were given
hurry-up orders and hit the ties.
From the great quantity of feathers found in the camp it is believed that the hoboes are responsible for the chickens which have been missing from Medford roosts during the past week, which has been a subject of daily comment. Medford Mail Tribune, March 19, 1911, page 1 LIVING PICTURES ON BEAR CREEK
Two young women and a lad about eighteen showed to a full bank on Bear
Creek yesterday afternoon. The lad was dressed in regulation bathing
costume. The young women were not so regular. They could not swim, and
removed their shoes and stockings preparatory to deep wading. They
lifted their garments and waded in. The deeper they waded the higher
the garments were pulled. The spectators encored the performance. The
lassies smiled and continued to wade. One of the spectators, in the silence of his
interested observation, was accused of rubbering. Yes, he rubbered,
while another, just a simple, modest Sunday school lad, viewed for the
first time a sight he never saw before. He said, "He, he." Another
spectator was a long, green product from the headwaters of Bear. He
'lowed it beat anything he ever saw. He blushed a backwoods blush and
pulled his cap down.The waders came ashore and stretched their bare limbs out in the sun to dry. This was another interesting performance. It brought a cheer from the Sunday school kid, while the man from the headwaters shed tears like a sugar maple during a thaw. A snapshot picture was made showing four pairs of legs without even skin-tight garments to cover the extremities. When the Sun artist has time to develop the pictures it hopes to make a halftone picture for its readers. The only regret is that the Sunday school kid and the tearful fellow from headwater will not appear in the background of the picture. Medford Sun, April 23, 1911, page 5 SPRAY DUMPED IN SEWER KILLS FISH IN CREEK
Because
the Rogue River Fruit & Produce Association in washing out spray
barrels allowed the washings to be carried away in the Eighth Street
storm sewer, a large number of fish in Bear Creek have been killed, and
game warden McGowan has taken steps to check the practice. The company
has been selling spray and afterward washing out the barrels before
reshipping them from the warehouse a block south of Main Street. The
washings have been turned into a depression drained by the storm sewer.
The spray has a deadly effect on fish.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 5, 1912, page 1 DON'T
EAT FISH FROM BEAR CREEK
Physicians
are warning residents of the city against fishing in Bear Creek and
eating the fish. A short time ago the septic tank, into which the sewer
system of the city empties, burst and since that time the sewers have
emptied into Bear Creek direct and will continue to do so until the new
septic tank, of concrete, has been completed. Sewer-fed fish are not
recommended by Dr. Wiley.The old septic tank was constructed three or four years ago of wood, and it took only a comparatively short time for the wood to rot out and the tank to give way. The city council recently ordered a new one constructed. Medford Mail Tribune, May 9, 1912, page 3 [Burglar] Van Sickle has been "laying out" in the willows on Bear Creek, seldom showing himself up town, but securing enough at night to live on during the day. "Leads Officers to His Buried Loot," Medford Mail Tribune, August 12, 1912, page 3 CLASS
OF EIGHTEEN ARE BAPTIZED IN CREEK
A
class of eighteen converts to their faith was baptized in Bear Creek
last Saturday at high noon by the Seventh Day Adventists. The ceremony
was most impressive and was attended by a large number of church
members.Medford Mail Tribune, April 14, 1913, page 2  Circa 1913.
R.
B. Wyant, who had been indicted by the grand jury for dynamiting fish
in Bear Creek and who had just returned from without the state, was
arrested by Sheriff Singler at Talent Friday.
BEAR CREEK HIGH; STREETS, YARDS FLOODED"Local News," Jacksonville Post, January 17, 1914, page 3 STORM SEWERS CLOGGED BY RISING WATER CAUSES OVERFLOW ON CENTRAL Creek's Banks Cut by Torrent--Chinook Causes Rapid Rise-- Snow Melting Fast--Trains Delayed Both Ways Owing
to heavy rains in the valley Wednesday, and the melting of snow in the
mountains, Bear Creek was the highest in two years last night, and
rapidly rising at 10 o'clock. The roar of the rushing waters could be
easily heard two blocks away, and many went down to take a look at the
usually placid stream, when in an angry mood. A warm Chinook wind began
to blow late yesterday over southern Oregon, causing a rapid rise in
the streams of the Rogue River watershed with prospects of highest
water today.
Residents on South Central found their yards flooded last night, due to the heavy flow of water through the storm sewer, overflowing and becoming clogged at the mouth. Sidewalks floated, and the banks of Bear Creek were cut deep. Back of the Smith apartment house the water ran off Riverside Avenue in torrents, causing the bank to cave in, and also threatening to undermine the foundations of the Japanese laundry in the same district. The waters of Bear Creek backed up the Jackson Creek sewer, over which there has been so much alderanic controversy recently, causing inconvenience in that section. The street department was busy all night keeping the manholes free from debris. Much driftwood is floating in the stream. At the corner of Jackson and Woodstock streets, the sewer overflowed, flooding the street. Main Avenue near the Washington School was flooded. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 22, 1914, page 1 The recent high water in Bear Creek caused a slight shifting in the channel of that pioneer stream, the main current now directing its efforts against the east bank. A gravel bar has been deposited directly behind the middle pier of the bridge. The old channel was on the west side, and a constant menace to the Medford Laundry's woodpile. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, February 9, 1914, page 2 The rains and high water of the last winter have made any number of changes in the Bear Creek channel, there being a general tendency of the current to eat away the east bank, for a mile each side of the Bear Creek bridge. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, April 2, 1914, page 2 It now develops that when Sheriff Singler and Constable Al Hammond swooped down upon the [safecracking] gang in the Bear Creek "jungles" Thursday morning they were engaged in making "soup," as nitroglycerin is called. "Soup" is the boiled extract of dynamite, the explosive being put in a pan of simmering water. The grease comes to the top and is skimmed off, being emptied with extreme care into small bottles. "Yeggmen Making Dynamite Soup When Arrested," Medford Mail Tribune, June 4, 1915, page 6 The authorities are looking for a party of small boys who went swimming in Bear Creek Wednesday afternoon, and disported on the bank in nothing but their original garb. A woman made a protest to the boys, and the sights became more unseemly, after the manner of young America. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, June 9, 1915, page 2 The hot weather has sent the small boys to Bear Creek, and the police have been forced to issue the annual edict against appearing in nothing but the bare skin, the youths not caring much for the proprieties. "Local and Personal," Medford Sun, June 16, 1916, page 2 Friday morning the sheriff and deputies emptied about 112 gallons of booze into the creek, it being the whisky found in the cars when Smith and Estes were arrested plus the 35 gallons secured in the raid on Estes' house Thursday evening. "Local News," Jacksonville Post, September 1, 1917, page 3 Bear Creek is so dry, and the laundries so few, that some of our old-fashioned but ingenious townsmen have taken to washing their handkerchiefs in the drinking fountains. Arthur Perry, "Ye Smudge Pot," Medford Mail Tribune, August 8, 1919, page 4 UNKNOWN SLEEP WALKER WADES IN B. CREEK, TO CITY A
strange case of sleep walking was brought to light last Friday morning
early, when Horace Nicholson of the Medford Furniture and Hardware
Company found a man clad only in his undershirt and a pair of socks
wandering aimlessly on Central Avenue near Paul's Electric Store at
5:30 in the morning. He was unable to give his name, but said he lived
two miles beyond Central Point "near Carlson's."
Mr. Nicholson took the thoroughly chilled man to the Rex Cafe, where he got warm soup and a cup of coffee, and was taken home by taxi. According to the story told Nicholson by the man, he first discovered that he was walking in his sleep when he found himself entangled in a barbed wire fence in Bear Creek, near the Jackson Street bridge. He was drenched to the skin, and his face and legs were badly cut where he had walked into the barbed wire fence. He said he had waded Bear Creek for a couple of miles. He also claimed that it was his first experience as a sleepwalker. The man appeared dazed and exhausted, and on the verge of a breakdown from his experiences. He was lost and unable to find himself when Mr. Nicholson found him. Kid Stevens, the well-known boxer, took the man home, but did not find out his name, the man recognizing his house when they came to it. The sleepwalker made all of his unusual journey in his undershirt and a pair of socks, and it was bitter cold. When he reached this city, he found an old pair of overalls in an alley, and put them on out of self-protection. Mr. Nicholson told the man to take care of himself and stay in the house until all danger of exposure had passed. He was described as about 40 years of age and a farmer. Medford Mail Tribune, December 21, 1920, page 6 POLICE CAPTURE BOOTLEG STILL ON BEAR CREEK There
was some booze-enforcing excitement in the city last night, caused by
the sheriff locating an idle still in the brush along Bear Creek, south
of the city, and the arrival of a man with two quarts of whiskey in a
suitcase on the late train from the north. These incidents were not
connected, only that they were related to the violations of the
prohibition law.
Sheriff Terrill, Deputy Sheriff McMahon and Night Patrolmen Adams and Hempstreet took part in the excitement, which started by someone tipping the sheriff off to the fact the still was lying in the brush along Bear Creek. The sheriff and his deputy forthwith went there and pounced upon the still, which was a fine and complete one with coils, lying quietly in a grain sack. Then the arms of the law lay concealed in the vicinity for an hour or more waiting for the owner to come and get it, until they finally decided that he had been tipped off that they were watching for him. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, April 20, 1921, page 8 BEAR CREEK WATER IS IN LITIGATION
Talent District and Water Master Sued for Holding Bear Creek Flow MEDFORD,
August 11--An action involving the water of Bear Creek for irrigation
purposes in Ashland, to reduce the drain on the city water supply, has
just been filed in the circuit court at Jacksonville by the Medford
Irrigation District and the Rogue River Canal Company against the
Talent Irrigation District and Fred N. Cummings, water master. An order
of estoppel is sought.
A water right was granted in 1854 for the power for the old flour mill at Phoenix. The Medford Irrigation District and co-defendant assert they acquired this water right--22 second-feet--and that defendants are holding it back by storage at the Emigrant Creek Dam, now in course of construction, preparatory to divert it through a 14-mile ditch for irrigation purposes on the south portion of the Talent project. On the other side of the argument it is alleged that the main source of supply for the Medford Irrigation District is from Little Butte Creek, and that the Bear Creek water is but supplementary. The case will be tried at the September term of court. Another case in the fight for water in Jackson County this dry summer is that of the state against Frank Rendley, Little Apple River rancher section, charging willful and unlawful opening of irrigating headgates. Ashland Daily Tidings, August 11, 1924, page 1 EMIGRANT DAM IS READY FOR WATER
Construction of the
Emigrant Creek dam, eight miles southeast of this city, has been
completed, and within two weeks the impounding of water in the giant
reservoir between this huge dam and the Pacific Highway, an area of 240
acres, will be started, according to engineers of the Talent Irrigation
District.New Dam Will Be Subject for Study by Prominent Body of Engineers. Dam Is an Arch Type, Not Now in Common Use Because of Difficulty of Construction. Will Be Able to Impound 8,000 Acre-Feet of Water. The houses on the Dodge, Tucker and other ranches in the canyon and valley which will form the reservoir have been torn down, and everything is ready for the storing of the 8,000 acre-feet of water, the capacity of the reservoir, which the engineers' estimate will not only be absolute insurance against serious shortage in any year, such as has been felt during the previous summer, but will provide water for the irrigation of 4,000 acres more than is included in the Talent Irrigation District at present. Excerpt, Ashland Daily Tidings, October 25, 1924, page 1 FLOOD DOES MUCH DAMAGE TO AUTO CAMP IN MEDFORD
Cabins Washed Away; Others are Undermined by Severe Storm of Monday Night MEDFORD,
Dec. 31--The downpour of rain Monday night, almost record-breaking,
created flood conditions in the streets of many places because of
inability of the storm sewers to carry away the fast-falling rain quick
enough, caused Bear Creek and smaller streams throughout the country to
flood their banks, and caused the greatest rise in the Rogue River
during this year. The river at Gold Ray yesterday morning was at a
depth of 15 feet and two inches, far more than normal.
In all during the 24 hours ending yesterday morning 1.43 of an inch of rain had fallen, most of which came down Monday night. It stopped raining along towards morning, and the flooded condition of the streams and the streets began to fast subside. The rapid rise of Bear Creek caused that usually quiet stream to overflow its banks after midnight and reach the dignity of a raging river, which flooded the east side of the Merrick auto camp and the city auto camp. Considerable damage was caused at the Merrick camp, as the flood washed away several of the tourist cabins and undermined others in the first row and one-half along the river. Several of the cabins are overturned by the flood, but did not float away. In this flood among the cabins stands the auto of a man who was living in a cabin. Two men residing in one of the cabins were awakened sometime after midnight to find their structure flooded and had to wade out quickly, with what personal effects could easily be seized, to safety on higher land. The main portion of the Merrick camp, however, was not touched by the swollen stream. Ashland Daily Tidings, December 31, 1924, page 1  Bear Creek, 1920s. HAVE ROUGH TRIP IN EXPLORING
LOCAL BOYS ENJOY DIP IN COLD RIVER WATER Search Unsuccessful Swift Current and Taking Wrong Channel Upsets Boat of Searchers
The following letter sent by Louis Salade Jr. of Central Point to his
friend, Col. Ralph B. Croskey, 526 Stephen Girard Bldg., Philadelphia,
Pa., tells of a little incident that happened to him and several local
boys on a recent trip down the Rogue River in search of a valuable
Russian wolfhound, lost by Mr. Salade.
The story is interesting and the American is indebted to Mr. Salade to publish his letter. ----
Dear Ralph:
Yesterday we had quite an adventure and experience none of the three of us will forget for a long time. It came about like this. Saturday my Russian wolfhound went off with the police pup and never returned, even though the pup came back the following day. So although we have searched most everywhere about this section without a clue as to his whereabouts, I assume he was caught in a trap, probably along Bear Creek. We went along both banks of the creek, where boys are known to have set out traps for miles in both directions, but in several places were not able to even see the creek due to the dense underbrush. Therefore, having no results, I thought the best and only way was to go down the creek by boat. Due to the heavy rains this creek had swollen greatly and some time ago was a raging torrent with logs and all sorts of debris rushing down to the Rogue River, some few miles below here. But now it had gone down to a more normal size, and with care we thought it could be successfully done. So with Leon Boomer, Ed. Boardman, Truman Brenner, all of Central Point and who wanted some excitement, we were fortunate in getting a strong metal-covered flat-bottomed boat, owned by Bert Peck, also of Central Point, and with the three of us aboard we started down Bear Creek. The current was much swifter than was at all suspected, and although one of us was at the bow and another at the stern with sort of poles and the third at the oars amidships and pulling upstream, the boat went along entirely too fast for comfort. At a short distance on and where the stream made a split, we took the wrong channel and ran aground in a small rapids, but finally managed to get clear with some pulling and pushing. To our surprise, after going on some little distance further and too swiftly at that, due to the strong current, we saw just above the surface what had been the top wire of a barbed-wire fence. We had just come around a bend in the stream and did not have a chance to get to the side in time to reach the bank before hitting the fence. Evidently the risen creek had been so much higher than this fence that the logs, etc. had gone right over this and not torn it away as we expected and had been the case in places where the stream was not so hemmed-in by the high banks. So before we knew it, the boat had hit the fence and the current had taken it sidewise and held it against this fence in midstream, causing the water on the upstream side to come over the side and sink the boat several inches below the surface,when, fortunately, the lower wires of the fence against the force of the current held the boat in this position. This saved us from a probable serious catastrophe at least for me, for as you know, in my condition of not being able to handle myself because of my semi-paralyzed side, the situation would have been very trying. But with the help of that top wire and some outstretched willow branches, we finally managed to reach the bank by climbing on to a willow tree. Wet thoroughly to my waist, and the water was somewhat cold too, my teeth began to chatter and although I hated to give up the trip, realizing my condition I called to the others that they should try to draw the boat up on the bank and get some dry clothes on immediately. But just to show the pluck of those boys, one called back that they would rather try to go on with the journey. Unfortunately, I was on the wrong side of the stream and had to go all the way around to the other side by way of the bridge from where we had started, and so walked several miles to my home as quickly as possible. The other two companions righted the boat and started once more downstream when they hit a very narrow place where the creek turned around a high bank and capsized, both boys getting wet all over, one disappearing entirely from sight and taken downstream. It was a funny sight to see Leon and Ed. holding onto a willow branch growing from the bank, and he extended at length on the surface of the water, which at this point had an unbelievable strong current. This ended the adventure, for as soon as the boat could be pulled up on the bank, the two hurried back to the house for a complete change. Of course there was not much of an opportunity to look for my dog, and almost a week has passed without a sign of him. It goes to show how much a person undergoes for the sake of dumb animals, in particular for a pet dog. I have fairly scoured this part of the valley, and had half a dozen boys helping me to do it, to say nothing of my daughter Helen. Wish I were with you to celebrate this Christmas, at least hope this letter will arrive in time to give you my greetings. With best wishes for the season to your family from me, I am As ever yours,
L. A. SALADE, Jr. Central Point American, December 31, 1926, page 1
RAIN DELUGE WORKS HAVOC
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRAINS HELD ALONG ROUTE Damage Is High High
water in Jackson County lasting several hours, while rivers and creeks
went out of their beds, played more or less havoc with farms and cities
of the county the first of the week.
Many homes in the lowlands west of Central Point narrowly escaped damage from the high water. Many small bridges were entirely submerged, and roads were inundated at many points, and made impassible. Thirty-eight cabins were washed out at Merrick's camp [site of today's Medford Red Lion]. Worst in History
Southern
Pacific railway men, some of them who have been here with the company
for 25 years, declare the storm has rendered unprecedented damage to
their line and is the worst in history. Slides and washouts have
occurred at numerous points north. The line is also blocked at several
points south. The line was out for a distance of 200 years near Bear
Creek Orchards, where the grade has been washed out from under the
track. It is also reported that part of tunnel 13 at the summit of the
Siskiyous had slid in. Several huge rocks were on the track near
Steinman and various other blockades occurred in the south.
At Jackson Hot Springs, water for an eighth of a mile covered the highway to a depth of three feet, and families marooned in cabins were removed in boats. The highway was slightly undermined but not greatly damaged. Tourists' cabins at the resort were wrecked, and two cars ran into the ditch. Medford High School closed until Wednesday due to the inability of ten teachers to reach the school. Basements of the Medford Center Building, Terminal and Medford hotels, federal building and many smaller buildings flooded and were pumped out, after causing damage to stocks. Two Medford campgrounds, built along the banks of Bear Creek, are washed out with heavy property damage when the creek broke over its banks. Abridged, Ashland American, February 25, 1927, page 1 HIGH WATER CROSSES THE HIGHWAY
AND PAYS A VISIT TO MEDFORD Last Sunday all streams in the county were running over their banks.
A drive up the Pacific Highway was thrilling, and many cars were out "taking in the sights." At Jackson Hot Springs everything was under water, and the creek and mounting streams broke across the pavement in many places. The camp was a lake, the cottages floating and one or two tourists' cars had to be towed out to islands and dry spots. Two houses were in the path of the creek, and it is reported that one party had to leave his home altogether to be saved. Another report from an oldtimer states that this was the first time in forty years that the creek has been so high. Our sister city of Medford got lots of flood experience. The old "market" building [the public market, 33 South Riverside] was full of water, a creek running out the front door. On Pacific, near Medford's main street, water was hub deep on the automobiles, and some cars couldn't ford the stream. Basements were full of water and high pressure pumps were brought into use. Considerable damage to basements, streets, sewers and walks is reported in Medford. The weather wasn't cold, but was wet and fine for boating or for ducks. Ashland American, February 25, 1927, page 4 Now that the sidewalk building campaign, which has taken so much of City Engineer Fred Scheffel's time, along with his many other duties as engineer and city street superintendent, is well under way, Mr. Scheffel will now take up the work of making a survey of Bear Creek and the lots along its banks. This must be done before the plans of the city administration for the flood control work can be matured and put under way, to be completed before next winter. It has been decided by the city officials that the work of cleaning out the creek bed and straightening out Bear Creek inside the city limits, and erected protecting embankments, will not be undertaken until the land owners deed the banks to the city, so as to protect the city against possible damage suits and give plenty of room to make the flood control improvements. "City Inspection for Sidewalks Now Building," Medford Mail Tribune, July 10, 1927, page 3 FLOOD DANGER TO BE FOUGHT BY CITY, IS COUNCIL IDEA
Widening Creek Channel Is Proposed
Disastrous floods such as swept the east side of Medford in
February of this year will be prevented or at least effectually
combated by a resolution passed by the city council last night
regarding clearing out and widening the channel.
Residents of the east side, about 300 of them, signed a petition asking that this be done to remove the flood danger, and the council voted that an experimental acre be cleared to get a line on the cost and that a move be started to obtain deeds on property along the creek bed so that the slashing crews can widen as they see fit. Is Expensive
All agreed that it was merely a question of
money--that such inundations were to be fought. The cost would run from
$5000 to $10,000.February's flood, which came at a time when the entire Northwest was being inundated, did heavy damage in Medford. Basements of large buildings over the entire city were filled with water. Cabins and houses along the banks of Bear Creek were washed downstream. Residents of the east side were forced to sleep in hotels when their homes became filled with overflow water from the creek. Roads Out
Roads, bridges and railway tracks through the county
went out in the high water, but Medford's east side blamed their loss
on an obstructed creek bed, which allowed backwater to flood the
district.Excerpted, Medford Daily News, August 3, 1927, page 1 SPEND $10,000 TO MAKE BEAR CREEK FLOODPROOF
If
no trouble is encountered in obtaining deeds to creek bottom property,
work will probably commence early next month to prevent Bear Creek from
repeating the expensive flood of last February by tearing out brush
from a point near Eleventh Street north to Jackson Street, according to
a decision reached last night by the city council, which also passed 15
ordinances for the construction of sewers in different parts of the
city.
The cost of the brush removal, which is a preliminary step to deepening the creek channel by a steam shovel next year, is expected to total approximately $10,000, none of which will be borne directly by the interested property owners. The procuring of deeds, so that the clearing may be put under way unhampered, is expected to consume at least a month, with an approximate cost of $2000 alone. The action was taken by the council, in view of a petition with 300 signers, all of whom are residents east of Bear Creek. Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1927, page 3 WORK STARTS TO CLEAR OUT BEAR CREEK
Medford's flood danger--a blocked-up, tree-throttled Bear Creek--will soon be reduced greatly.
Yesterday workmen with a gasoline steam shovel started work on the creek bed near Cottage Street to remove trees and bushes by the simple means of uprooting. At their last meeting the city council authorized the clearing of the creek bed in answer to a 300-name petition asking that such a move be made to protect the east side residents from a recurrence of February's floods. Later on a rock reef at Cottage Street will have to be removed by some means, probably blasting, and the work be extended all along the almost-dry creek bed in an effort to open up a clear channel for high waters to flow through. The work is under the supervision of City Manager Fred Scheffel, and the estimated cost was placed at $10,000. Medford Daily News, August 9, 1927, page 5 While the high water in Bear Creek occurred early last spring, washing out numerous bridges and approaches, giving ample time since then to effect repairs, the bridge across the creek on Biddle Lane as yet is practically in the same condition as it was after the flood had done its work. Numerous autoists have been forced to turn back when reaching the bridge, the approaches of which have not been replaced, causing loss of time and much inconvenience. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 9, 1927, page 2 The flood protection situation was brought about by a petition signed by over one hundred owners of property along or near Bear Creek, asking the council to grub out brush, trees and other obstructions in the channel of Bear Creek, and otherwise deepen, widen and straighten the channel so as to carry off the flood waters during the rainy season, and assess the cost on property owners adjacent thereto, or benefited thereby. It was reported at the meeting that little headway has been made so far in getting deeds or easements from owners of property along Bear Creek, giving strips of land to the city, to enable the clearing out and straightening of the channel. This is mainly due to the city superintendent's department being so busy with other city improvement matters. It was also reported that a few property owners objected to having trees cut down on their abutting property to Bear Creek in order to clear and straighten the channel. This reported attitude on the part of the few was due to the fact that they did not understand the situation, or the importance of such removal for the much-needed improvement, and the city officials expressed the feeling that when they fully understood they would deed the needed strips of land. The majority of such strips would not be more than 20 feet of such property to each individual owner. "City Lighting Change Is Considered," Medford Mail Tribune, August 17, 1927, page 2 AUTO CAMP FENCE IS PROTESTED AS A FLOOD MENACE
The
matter of the drainage of Bear Creek and keeping the channel open north
of the Bear Creek bridge, as was recently done by the city south of
that bridge, as a further flood protection and which has been
tentatively under consideration by the city officials for some time
past, was brought to a head last night when attorney Gus Newbury
presented a petition, signed by forty east and west side residents, to
the city council in person protesting against a fence that has been
built by the Merrick auto camp management on its property extending out
to the present channel, as a flood menace and unsightly obstruction.
Mr. Newbury, in this remarks on the matter, declared that the fence would tend to deflect the present creek channel in case of another flood like that of last February and cause an overflow on east side property adjoining the creek. The petitioners pleaded that the council cause this obstruction to be removed and take such other steps necessary to keep the channel open and unobstructed. After a formal discussion of the matter, during which it developed that the situation north of the bridge presented a number of legal tangles and some other channel obstructions, including the fact that the auto camp management was probably within its legal rights in maintaining the fence on its own property, it was thought that the matter could amicably be straightened out by a conference between Mr. Merrick and the city administration so as to enable the city to take steps which would be generally satisfactory. Unless an amicable solution can be reached, the city will probably declare Bear Creek a public drainage sewer, which would enable it to go ahead and clear, straighten and widen the channel as a public necessity in flood protection. Medford Mail Tribune, December 21, 1927, page 3 BEAR CREEK MENACE UP TO COUNCIL
Removing
obstructions from the channel of Bear Creek so that the stream won't be
a potential flood menace to residents living along the east and west
banks will claim the attention of the city government for some time to
come.
Gus Newbury was at the council meeting last night with a petition to which 40 residents had attached their signatures, and he read the document to the councilmen. The text of the petition called attention to the danger to property north of the Main Street bridge from floods and prayed for relief. Mr. Newbury was informed by the mayor and councilmen that immediate steps will be taken by the city superintendent, city attorney and others to the end that the channel be opened so that rising waters may escape and the creek made as safe as possible. Excerpt, Medford Daily News, December 21, 1927, page 2 A committee was appointed to confer with the city officials and report back to the [East Side Improvement Club] at its next meeting, regarding the possibility of a new amusement building [the Childers Building] that is being built at the west end of the Bear Creek bridge on Main Street, being a flood menace, by holding back the stream during high water periods. "East Side Club To Raise Funds for Oiling Road," Medford Mail Tribune, May 24, 1928, page 5 Also during the year protective measures and work against Bear Creek floods were taken. This includes the widening, deepening and removal of brush from the banks of the stream, and the building of a dike representing an outlay of $8800. Besides reducing the flood damage peril, the flooding of the sewer system by backwater of the flood is eliminated. "Resume Paving City Streets After 17 Years," Medford Mail Tribune, December 31, 1928, page C6 DUMP
MOONSHINE IN CREEK TODAY
The flow of Bear Creek was enriched by wine and moonshine, valued at
$1000, when 126 gallons were dumped into the creek by Deputy Sheriffs
Paul and Louis Jennings at McAndrews ford in the presence of several
witnesses. The liquor, with the exception of a few gallon jugs, was
contained in kegs and 56 gallons of wine taken last week from Louis F.
Sanguinetti, south of Ashland, and 60 gallons of moonshine and 10
gallons of wine seized from L. Farnaro. Both men were en route from
northern California to Klamath Falls, according to officers, and are
now serving sentences in the county jail of two months each.Medford Mail Tribune, March 4, 1929, page 5 Medford has acquired a garbage dump, located south of the city along Bear Creek, where the natural flow of the decadent filth must flow directly through the city. Hogs have been permitted at this garbage dump, which hogs are wading in filth up to their bellies. Rats swarmed over the dump and raided the city by the thousands, all of which situation as brought about by POLITICIANS who hoped to do something, but did not know how. "The Garbage Situation Here in Medford," Pacific Record Herald, June 12, 1930, page 1 A report to the council on the Cottage Street bridge announced that all footings have been poured, and that the concrete in four piers has been poured to date. The work is progressing rapidly. "City Park Site Sales Are Urged," Medford Daily News, January 21, 1931, page 2 THAT BEAR CREEK SEWER
During
the past week a number of ranchers and property owners owning property
or living adjacent to Bear Creek north of Medford have come to us
urging that we again publicly call to the attention of the city of
Medford the deplorable condition of this creek due to the unsanitary
method of sewer disposal that is permitted by said city of Medford.
While we have not made a strict survey of the conditions now existing,
yet we feel justified in the face of the information at hand to most
earnestly urge upon the new city administration the abating of this
dangerous menace to health.The water in said Bear Creek or sewer at this time is so filthy that it is a disgrace, especially so when same is permitted to go unchanged after the matter has been brought to each succeeding city administration, and it would seem that now is the time to begin to urge upon this administration the utmost importance of immediate action in abating this nuisance. The sewerage disposal of Medford has long been a source of menace to many citizens living north of Medford, and were we to have a health survey in Jackson County that was not influenced by politics, the city would find itself facing serious charges from the health department occasioned by the unsanitary conditions of this sewer disposal into Bear Creek. Excerpt, Pacific Record Herald, January 29, 1931 CLEAN UP BEAR CREEK!
If
Bear Creek CAN'T be made--as this paper has frequently advocated--a
real civic beauty spot, there is at least no excuse for allowing it to
become what is at present an eyesore and a blot upon the landscape.
We will soon be in the midst of the summer tourist season. Hundreds of visitors will stroll across Bear Creek bridge to enjoy the evening air and get a glimpse of the town. On both sides of the bridge they will see a trickling stream of sluggish water, lined by tin cans, weeds, broken boxes and the usual miscellaneous filth that accompanies a rubbish dump. Bear Creek should be dammed, made into an attractive body of water, its banks planted to trees, shrubs and flowers, with ornamental walks meandering through them. Perhaps when Medford's new sewerage disposal system is installed this can be done. But until such time, we should at least be able to prevent this natural "civic center" from being little better than a garbage heap. There is now a city playground at the Bear Creek bridge, on which is situated the Boy Scouts' headquarters. Might we suggest that the Boy Scouts, always interested in civic betterment, devote a day or two to removing the debris from both banks of the stream, and thus making that section of the city at least decently presentable? Medford Mail Tribune, May 15, 1931, page 12 BEAR CREEK FISH TASTE MOONSHINE
Every so often, Bear Creek flows rich with alcohol and liquor inspired
by the destruction of intoxicating beverages, seized by officers from
bootleggers and rum runners. Yesterday afternoon the sheriff's office
poured quite a quantity of liquor out at McAndrews ford in the creek in
the presence of witnesses.
Some of the beverage may have been good and the rest of poor quality, but it all came to the same end. The liquor had been used as evidence in cases tried in court the past several months and included all the county had, with the exception of 10 cases of whiskey seized Wednesday in Medford from two Italian rum runners. The liquor included the following: Eight quarts of wine, 83 pints of moonshine, three quarts of moonshine, three gallons of wine, 20 gallons of alcohol and 28 gallons of moonshine. Medford Mail Tribune, May 22, 1931, page 8 A bond issue will probably be brought to vote soon on construction of the $215,000 [sewage] disposal plant, held to be a pressing need of this city. At present Bear Creek, into which the sewage flows, is virtually dry, and a drastic sanitary condition is arising, with the threat of lawsuits hanging over the city. "New Sewage Plant To Be Bought Here," Medford Daily News, May 23, 1931, page 1 CREEK PROJECT GIVEN CWA OKEH
Approval
was received this morning, according to City Engineer Fred W. Scheffel,
on the amended application to CWA headquarters of the Bear Creek
project, which will include an expenditure of an approximate $18,000.
The work will include the deepening and widening of the channel, and placing hand-laid rock walls for about 1800 yards from Jackson to Tenth Street. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, December 12, 1933, page 1 BEAR CREEK WALL BUILT BY CWA AS FLOOD PROTECTION
Should
mother nature in the future pour rain onto the city of Medford with the
generosity she has shown [recently] in sections to the north and south,
the retaining wall, now under construction under the CWA along the
banks of Bear Creek, is expected to do much toward preventing the
repetition of flood conditions known here in 1927.
The fifty men at work on the project, which is one of fifty-three under way in Jackson County, are also changing the channel of the creek, which will do still more toward insuring safety here during high water levels. The rock retaining wall, which will also be an attractive addition to the city, will be constructed from Tenth to Jackson Street on both sides of the creek. The channel will be widened for considerable distance to prevent the breakover, against which constant, although minor, effort has been exerted by the city during the past six years. In addition to improving the looks and safety of the Bear Creek region, the CWA workers will level the playground adjacent to the creek on the east side, filling in the corner for a rock garden and parkway. All the improvements are being accomplished with hand labor with the exception of the trucking of rocks to the scene of the project. They are loaded and unloaded by hand, keeping the fifty men at work. Picks and shovels and shiny wheelbarrows, synonymous with other times when the United States did not have millions of unemployed, are much in evidence on the grounds, and they are all in motion. While the men are receiving the work and their pay in real money every week, the city is at the same time realizing in a gift from the government, as it were, improvements which have long been needed and for which municipal funds would have in time been spent if the CWA had not made them possible during the present. All money expended on the project is coming from Washington, D.C., and most of it is going to hand laborers. Medford Mail Tribune, January 3, 1934, page 3 The widening of the Bear Creek channel and erection of a retaining wall is more than half completed, and 90 percent of the street work approved has been done. "City CWA Work Report Honored to Councilmen," Medford Mail Tribune, February 8, 1934, page 9 The Bear Creek improvement is now 68 percent complete, and the city is now planning to build a rock wall north of the Bear Creek bridge. "Benefits to City Under CWA Listed by Supt. Scheffel," Medford Mail Tribune, March 8, 1934, page 10 "On the Bear Creek project, we hope to complete the rock wall along the west side of the creek to the north line of the Merrick campground," Mr. Scheffel stated. "3 City Projects Are Favored for CWA Completion," Medford Mail Tribune, March 22, 1934, page 1 BEAR CREEK AND ROXY PARK JOBS FIRST APPROVED
Ninety-three
men started work in the Medford area today, under the State Emergency
Relief Administration program, following approval of the first two
projects in this district. Thirty-eight are employed on the Bear Creek
flood control project and 55 in the Roxy Ann park.
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, April 25, 1934, page 1 The progress of the [S.E.R.A.] work on the Bear Creek project is complete to the north line of [the] Merrick campground. "City and County Offices Close Up Today in Jubilee," Medford Mail Tribune, June 7, 1934, page 6 CONTINUING
BEAR CREEK SERA WORK
Work
on the project of
widening and straightening
Bear
Creek just north of Jackson Street in Medford is being conducted under
the SERA [State
Emergency Relief Administration] program, and is expected
to be completed in a short time.Approximately 50 men are employed there, and are banking the creek on both sides similar to the banking along the Main St. bridge. Brush and weeds are being torn out by the men, and the appearance of the stream will be greatly improved. Medford News, February 22, 1935, page 3 At the westerly end of the structure a drinking fountain has been provided where men, women and children may freely refresh themselves by drinking the pure and sparkling mountain spring water from Medford's million-dollar water system, a fit and worthy substitute for the putrid waters of Bear Creek. "Palm Memorial Dedication Held in City Park," Medford Mail Tribune, April 19, 1935, page 1
OIL
IN CREEK KILLING FISH
Purification of the waters of Bear Creek, through the building of
sewage disposal systems at Ashland and Talent, and the recent change in
CCC regulations which permit the CCC to accept as a project the
building of parks within municipalities, has made possible the start of
an extensive park program for Medford. . . .
Oil is being dumped into Griffin Creek in such quantities that it will
kill any fish life that happens to be in the creek, as well as harm
fish life in Bear Creek below the mouth of Griffin Creek, according to
farmers living along Griffin Creek.
The oil appears to be smudge oil. As there is a law against dumping oil into streams, the persons responsible are being sought and will be warned against a repetition of the illegal practice. Medford News, April 9, 1937, page 1 Conditions in the city were not so acute as they were on two previous occasions this winter, Frank Rogers, inspector, said. The Stewart Avenue drain ditch was carrying off the water reasonably well, a repetition of flood conditions in the southwest part of town thus being averted for the time being at least. Storm drains overflowed at times but caught up with the drainage as the rains let up from time to time. A sudden downpour would alter the situation, Mr. Rogers said, pointing out that the rains of the past week, while steady, have been comparatively light. Nevertheless the cellars of homes were flooded in several sections of the city, and the overcast skies held a constant threat. "Heavy Downpour Cripples Traffic," Medford Mail Tribune, February 7, 1938, page 1 VFW RALLIES TO BEAR CREEK DUTY
Medford residents smiled significantly today after near-hysteria was
created late yesterday afternoon by a call for Veterans of Foreign Wars
emergency squads to cope with what was called an immediate flood
hazard. No one seemed to know precisely where the emergency existed.
Veterans of Foreign Wars were summoned to the armory at 7 p.m. by W. H. Hamann, member of the organization. About 20 members and other veterans assembled, sat around until midnight and then departed when no calls for help were received, it was stated by Joseph Todd, VFW commander. Mr. Hamann, however, stated that about 60 veterans and others responded and patrolled Bear Creek, along whose banks Mr. Hamann thought an emergency existed. Records of the county watermaster's office, however, showed that there was no danger of the creek overflowing its banks. Peak flow yesterday was at the rate of 2200 second-feet as compared with more than 10,000 in 1927, the flood year, records showed. The creek, since cleaned, deepened and walled, can now carry off twice the volume of water that brought flood conditions in 1927, the watermaster's office said. Medford Mail Tribune, February 8, 1938, page 1 BEAR
CREEK PARK POSSIBLE
Excerpt, Medford News, April 8, 1938, page 1  Bear Creek, October 1942
STORM CAUSES FLOOD DAMAGE ABOUT COUNTY
For
once the people of Central Point are all of one mind and opinion and
are talking about the same subject, the high water. Early this morning
the water was over the railroad track at Kyle's [Restaurant], and a
track walker went ahead of the train, we are told.
Children cannot get to the school house without riding or wearing rubber boots. Even as bad as the reports are, oldtimers according to their stories, have seen it worse. Vintie Beall reports that there was more water on the ground in [the flood of] 1890. O. T. Wilson came into Central Point down Beall Lane and crossed the railroad track in a rowboat. Water is running into some Medford stores, it is reported. Many telephone wires are down and lines out. The water is running into the Southern Oregon Sugar Pine Co. office and through the yards. They went into the office in a rowboat. Abridged, Central Point American, January 21, 1943, page 1 Medford Area Flood Is Worst in 16 Years
The
worst flood in 16 years struck Medford and the floor of the valley
early this morning, inundating parts of South Central Avenue and South
Riverside Avenue, seeping into the basements and ground floors of
business concerns and causing miniature lakes in many parts of the city
as drains clogged up at street intersections.
While Bear Creek, swollen by a torrential rain and by melting snow in the Ashland vicinity, stayed within its banks in Medford, water racing down the Stewart Avenue canal overflowed near the SOS Packing Company, ran north down the railroad tracks and spilled onto Central and Riverside avenues. From 13th Street to Boyd Central Avenue was under water, as was most of Riverside from 12th Street to Stewart Avenue. Along Central the water was almost up to porches of houses, and the Montgomery Ward basement was flooded. On Riverside, Skinner's Garage, Firestone and Western Auto Supply were flooded, as was Faber's Farmers Supply Company on South Bartlett Street. City Superintendent Frank Rogers said that Bear Creek rose about four feet between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. today, following a rainfall around 1 a.m. of cloudburst proportions, but that it started to receded at 10 a.m. and was still going down. Main Street, following the severe downpour, was covered with water, but it slowly drained away and later today was free Outside of Medford, however, Bear Creek went on a rampage. North of the city it overflowed its banks, ripped out the Midway Road bridge near the Crater Meat Company, forced the closing of the Biddle Road Bridge for safety's sake and endangered the Table Rock Road bridge near the Medford Meat Company. Fields along the creek were flooded, and the high water was washing out trees, which were ramming against supports of the Table Rock Road bridge. Bear Creek was overflowing its banks near Jackson Hot Springs and the Chateau, although doing little damage. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 21, 1943, page 1 Cottage Street Bridge Near Collapse
SWIRLING WATERS WEAKEN SUPPORT ON NORTHERN END Skinner Garage on Bank of Creek Suffers Damage--County Damage $40,000. The
$25,000 concrete bridge spanning Bear Creek on Cottage Street was
dangerously near collapse today as the swollen stream, though receding
rapidly from yesterday's high mark, swirled around the support of the
first arch at the north end, eating away the earth and causing the
structure to sag as the support settled.
The bridge, constructed in 1931, was closed to traffic, and city employees said they expected one section to slip off its shelf and plunge into the water. The creek has changed its channel to roar around the support and wash away a part of the foundation. Skinner's Garage, 143 South Riverside Avenue, was the only local business firm to report damage due to the turbulent Bear Creek. The stream washed away the bank in the rear of the building and caused a section of the structure's wall to collapse. At its highest point yesterday the creek was only feet from the rear of the Riverside Apartments, adjacent to Skinner's. Damage was widespread throughout the county, with four bridges washed out, numerous others in bad condition and many roads injured. Paul B. Rynning, county engineer, estimated damage to bridges, roads, culverts, etc., at between $35,000 and $40,000 and said that repairs would of necessity be made at a slow pace because of the difficulty in obtaining materials and labor. Bridges swept away were the road bridge over Bear Creek near the Crater Meat Company, one over Wagner Creek at Talent, the Kane Creek bridge on the Old Stage Road and a portion of the bridge spanning Bear Creek on Barnett Road near the county shops. One piling was washed away under the Table Rock Road bridge, and traffic confined to a single lane. The Biddle Road bridge was still closed, as was a bridge over Bear Creek just south of Talent where the approaches were washed away. The U.S. Weather Bureau reported that exactly four inches of rain fell Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The highest precipitation for any 24-hour period of the three days was Wednesday, with 2.20 inches. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 22, 1943, page 1 BEAR CREEK FLOW BACK TO NORMAL; ROADS SLIPPERY
Bear Creek was rapidly returning to a normal flow yesterday, despite a
storm continuance that deposited considerable snow in the hills and on
the floor of the valley, and no further rise was expected unless a
heavy rainfall occurred to speed melting of the white blanket.
At height of the Bear Creek flood early Thursday morning the garage and automobile of Mr. and Mrs. Howard F. Lind were washed away. With Mr. Lind's parents, Mr.and Mrs. Ernest Lind, they live in a seven-room house on Morrow Road just north of McAndrews Road on the east side of the creek. They reported that the water also undermined part of the house, washed away the chicken house, about 25 trees and shrubs and 75 feet of ground. They were forced to evacuate the house at 7 a.m. Thursday, and hope to be able to return now that Bear Creek is going down. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 24, 1943, page 10 COTTAGE BRIDGE WILL BE SAVED, ROGERS' BELIEF
The $25,000
concrete Cottage Street bridge over Bear Creek, one support of which
settled about a foot when the stream changed its channel during last
week's flood, will not collapse and can definitely be repaired when the
creek, rapidly receding returns to normal.
City employees and equipment are diverting the creek from the east end of the bridge back to its regular channel and are reinforcing weak spots along the bank, the city superintendent said. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 25, 1943, page 3 When the [bean] plants showed signs of sending out runners we went down to Bear Creek below the railroad bridge and cut a whole carload of willow poles about the size of your thumb and six feet long, as well as some longer ones. A. E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, April 29, 1943, page 1 [During today's Memorial Day parade,] at the Bear Creek bridge the Rev. Herald G. Gardner of St. Mark's Episcopal Church pronounced the invocation, after which veterans strewed flowers on the water in memory of those who have given their lives for their country on oceans, lakes and rivers. "Memorial Parade Lent Color by Unit from 91st," Medford Mail Tribune, May 31, 1943, page 1 It has been suggested that a dam be built above Ashland to control flood waters on the main creek. That is all right, but doesn't go far enough, as we see the picture. Last winter the writer drove all over the valley during and after the big flood, and the trouble as we saw it was that there was just more water coming down the various creeks than the choked-up channels could carry, with the result that the water overflowed the banks in thousands of places and flooded the fields everywhere. The greatest need, it seemed to us, was to clean out the main creek channels from one end to the other. It is our belief that if this is done, the ordinary flood waters will be carried off by the natural channels and little or no damage done. Arthur E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, October 21, 1943, page 1 Our Sewage Improvement
Medford
voters should, in the light of common decency, support part of the city
improvement program which will be voted upon at a special election to
be held June 12. The rest of the program could better be held up for
"post-war" building.
This newspaper has consistently insisted that proper care of municipal sewage is necessary if a municipality is to call itself a civilized one. When Medford dumps untreated sewage into Bear Creek, allowing that sewage to pollute the waters of Bear Creek and of Rogue River for the entire length of the valley, Medford does not live up to the standard of a decent and civilized municipality. And that is what Medford is doing now. Therefore, we feel that support of the proposals to improve the Medford sewage disposal plant, and improve the sanitary sewer system for the east side of the city, are mandatory. We cannot imagine anyone voting against them, except persons who have absolutely no sense of decency. Medford News, June 1, 1945, page 4 At present the west side trunk line is greatly overloaded, especially in certain seasons, it is stated, making it necessary at times to bypass the sewage directly into Bear Creek under the Jackson Street bridge. During heavy rains and flood periods, many residences in certain areas have sewage backed up into drainpipes, and "spouting" sewers are a common sight on the streets. Construction of the sanitary trunk line would relieve this overload on the west side. An overload of about 100 percent is now being forced through the sewage disposal plant, according to the city superintendent. As a result, at certain times it is necessary to dump raw sewage into the river and at no time is the sewage processed the proper length of time, he states. Built for a capacity load of 1,200,000 gallons of sewage daily, the plant is now forced to carry from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 a day, and when the figure rises above this, the sewage is simply bypassed into the river. "Construction of Sewer Disposal Plant on Ballot," Medford Mail Tribune, June 5, 1945, page 1 When the sewer system in this city was first put in the lower end of the big pipe emptied at the edge of an immense gravel bar beside Bear Creek, and little or no sewage ever reached the creek. But successive floods have carried away that gravel bar, and at present the pipe empties directly into the creek. It has been known by all city officials for several years that SOME DAY this condition would have to cease. And not long ago the state sanitary authorities lost patience and threatened suit to compel the city to build a modern disposal plant. So the city council got busy and got a revised estimate of the cost of such a plant and started proceedings to call an election to authorize the issuance of the necessary bonds. According to the estimate the plant should cost in the neighborhood of $70,000, so that was the amount of bonds asked for. There was absolutely no interest shown by the voters of the city, as only 88 votes were cast at the election Saturday--85 for and 3 against. But that was enough to carry the bond issue. Arthur E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, August 8, 1946, page 1 Once again Jackson County is suffering from overflowing creeks and rivers. Bear Creek was a raging torrent, and much damage was done along its course. The rain was general all over the state, and Southern Oregon was not alone in feeling its effects. The Pacific Highway was closed in several places by flood waters. It was a jim dandy while it lasted. To start at the upper end of the valley, Ashland suffered the most damage from the flood. Ashland Creek rose to a point which covered much of Lithia Park, and several business buildings were undermined. The Emigrant Dam above Ashland was filled to the brim and the water spilled over the top. The highway bridge near Jackson Hot Springs was partly undermined and settled out of line. None of the county bridges along Bear Creek were damaged, although the bridge on the Kirtland Road was closed temporarily on account of deep water over the road on both ends. Probably the worst damage along Bear Creek was to the new bridge east of [Central Point]. There the contractor had just finished putting in the concrete piers and also the posts and stringers to support the concrete forms. All of these posts, caps and stringers were washed away. It looked for a time that they might hold, but when the Lininger bridge above gave way it lodged against the center span in such a way as to destroy the whole structure. Only the first section on the west end of the bridge, which was practically complete, was undamaged. Arthur E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, January 8, 1948, page 1 Small boys know so very much. They know the big turtles sunning themselves on a log in Bear Creek's shallow waters are NOT the ones from which to make soup. They know that on a sandbar in the same stream, you can find bait for fishing. They know that now is the time the carp, useful as scavengers but not for food, appear in the creek. These things they know, and so much more. "Sallying Forth," by Sallie Butler, Medford News, July 28, 1950, page 5 |
