Mike Higbee's Prospectors Cache

JACKSON COUNTY OREGON

LOCATION

COUNTY:Jackson County

STATE:Oregon

Gold mining in Oregon had its beginnings in historic Jackson County. The first gold discovery in the county was in 1852 on Jackson Creek. Jackson County is a placer miners dream. The county produced over 500,000 ounces of placer gold Each summer sees very many amateur and professional gold dredgers trying to strike it rich.

Applegate River

There are numerous hydraulic placer along this river. Below the old hydraulic mines is an excellent place to dredge as most of this mines lost around 40% of the gold that went through there sluices. Also try the tributaries Forest, Sterling, Humbug and Thompson Creeks. All of these streams were excellent producers.

Ashland

In the Ashland Area, all the creeks have gold in them. Some of the better placer locations are Bear, Ashland, Anderson, Wagner, Arrastra Creeks and Yankee and Horn Gulches.

Central Point

At Willow Springs on Willow Creek there were some very rich placers.

Elk Creek

Near the head of Elk Creek in T31S R2E sec. 29 is the Al Sarena (Buzzard) Mine. Elk Creek has produced considerable placer gold.

Gold Hill

All the area creeks produce gold. Some of the better locations are: Foots, Sam, Galls, Sardine, Kane, Evans and Pleasant Creeks. The Gold Hill pocket near top of hill was the most famous of all gold pocket discoveries. It had a mass of nearly pure gold in a very few cubic feet of earth. Numerous other pocket locations in the area.

Jacksonville

Along Jackson Creek there were some spectacular discoveries. Also along Sterling Creek. Most of the creeks in the area contain gold.

Phoenix

Along Bear Creek there was some extensive early placers, still being worked today