Why Grants Pass Is the Best City to Live In Oregon

Oregon is lucky to have so many towns, from the west to the east, with distinct character and natural vistas-everything from snow-capped mountains, to oceanic scenery, to tree-crowded islands occur in Oregon. But of all the historic villages and charming coastal towns, Grants Pass is surely the best city in Oregon to call home.

When Portland is too big, and Cottage Grove is too small, you’ll find that Grants Pass is “just right”. That’s what young families see in Grants Pass when their search for a home takes them to this quaint corner of the United States. Grants Pass is considered the “hub” of Southern Oregon because of its proximity to sights and cultural centers, like Crater Lake or the Redwoods. As such, it also has all of the conveniences of a metropolitan city.

The Mighty Rogue River

You can’t talk about Grants Pass without talking about the Rogue River. It may not have been a central trade route that kickstarted industry in the town but today it is at the center of several industries that employ the great majority of residents.

The Rogue River is mostly broad and calm, and several small dams have created scenic lakes along its way. Downstream, the river dashes wildly down breathtaking gorges and meanders through forested vales. The banks of the river are enhanced by a Northwestern variety of broadleaf, coniferous trees and palms. Native flowers around the river include woody rhododendrons and azaleas.

A brief history of early Grants Pass

1820s: Early Hudson’s Bay Company hunters and trappers, following the Siskiyou Trail, passed through the yet un-settled Grants Pass. Difficult mountain passages and defensive natives kept pioneers from settling the Grants Pass area until the 1840s.

1840s: (Mostly) American settlers trying to get to the Willamette Valley followed the Applegate Trail through Grants Pass.

1851: A gold rush in nearby Jacksonville brought with it a whole lot of new Americans. It didn’t take too long after that for the area to become settled. The temperate climate and rich soil made it easy for settlers to will the land to provide for them.

March 22, 1865: Grants Pass post office was established.

1887: The city of Grants Pass was incorporated and named in honor of General Ulysses S. Grant, namely for his success at Vicksburg.

1887-Today: Primary industries of lumber, farming and dairies continue to be profitable today. Those have been supplemented now by travel and tourism industry that brings visitors to Grants Pass for nature, relaxation and adventure.

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